79 research outputs found
Narrowband Lyman-continuum Imaging of Galaxies at z ~ 2.85
We present results from a survey for z ~ 2.85 Lyman-continuum (LyC) emission in the HS1549+1933 field and place constraints on the amount of ionizing radiation escaping from star-forming galaxies. Using a custom narrowband filter (NB3420) tuned to wavelengths just below the Lyman limit at z ≥ 2.82, we probe the LyC spectral region of 49 Lyman break galaxies (LBGs) and 91 Lyα emitters (LAEs) spectroscopically confirmed at z ≥ 2.82. Four LBGs and seven LAEs are detected in NB3420. Using V-band data probing the rest-frame nonionizing UV, we observe that many NB3420-detected galaxies exhibit spatial offsets between their LyC and nonionizing UV emission and are characterized by extremely blue NB3420–V colors, corresponding to low ratios of nonionizing to ionizing radiation (F_(UV)/F_(LyC)) that are in tension with current stellar population synthesis models. We measure average values of (F_(UV)/F_(LyC)) for our LBG and LAE samples, correcting for foreground galaxy contamination and H I absorption in the intergalactic medium. We find (F_(UV)/F_(LyC)_(corr)^(LBG)= 82 ± 45 and (F_(UV)/F_(LyC)_(corr)^(LAE)= 7.4 ± 3.6. These flux density ratios correspond, respectively, to relative LyC escape fractions of f_(esc,rel)^(LBG) = 5%-8% and f_(esc,rel)^(LAE)=18%-49%, absolute LyC escape fractions of f_(esc)^(LBG)=1%-2% and f_(esc)^(LAE)=5%-15%, and a comoving LyC emissivity from star-forming galaxies of 8.8-15.0 × 10^(24) erg s^(–1) Hz^(–1) Mpc^(–3). In order to study the differential properties of galaxies with and without LyC detections, we analyze narrowband Lyα imaging and rest-frame near-infrared imaging, finding that while LAEs with LyC detections have lower Lyα equivalent widths on average, there is no substantial difference in the rest-frame near-infrared colors of LBGs or LAEs with and without LyC detections. These preliminary results are consistent with an orientation-dependent model where LyC emission escapes through cleared paths in a patchy interstellar medium
23 GHz VLBI Observations of SN 2008ax
We report on phase-referenced 23 GHz Very-Long-Baseline-Interferometry (VLBI)
observations of the type IIb supernova SN 2008ax, made with the Very Long
Baseline Array (VLBA) on 2 April 2008 (33 days after explosion). These
observations resulted in a marginal detection of the supernova. The total flux
density recovered from our VLBI image is 0.80.3 mJy (one standard
deviation). As it appears, the structure may be interpreted as either a
core-jet or a double source. However, the supernova structure could be somewhat
confused with a possible close by noise peak. In such a case, the recovered
flux density would decrease to 0.480.12 mJy, compatible with the flux
densities measured with the VLA at epochs close in time to our VLBI
observations. The lowest average expansion velocities derived from our
observations are km s (case of a double
source) and km s (taking the weaker source
component as a spurious, close by, noise peak, which is the more likely
interpretation). These velocities are 7.3 and 2 times higher, respectively,
than the maximum ejecta velocity inferred from optical-line observations.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures. Accepted in A&A on 24/03/200
A High-Resolution Hubble Space Telescope Study of Apparent Lyman Continuum Leakers at z~3
We present U_(336)V_(606)J_(125)H_(160) follow-up Hubble Space Telescope (HST) observations of 16 z ~ 3 candidate Lyman continuum (LyC) emitters in the HS1549+1919 field. With these data, we obtain high spatial-resolution photometric redshifts of all sub-arcsecond components of the LyC candidates in order to eliminate foreground contamination and identify robust candidates for leaking LyC emission. Of the 16 candidates, we find one object with a robust LyC detection that is not due to foreground contamination. This object (MD5) resolves into two components; we refer to the LyC-emitting component as MD5b. MD5b has an observed 1500 Å to 900 Å flux-density ratio of (F_(UV)/F_(LyC)_(obs) = 4.0 ± 2.0, compatible with predictions from stellar population synthesis models. Assuming minimal IGM absorption, this ratio corresponds to a relative (absolute) escape fraction of f_(esc,rel)^(MD5b) = 75%–100% f_(esc,abs)^(MD5b) = 14%–19%). The stellar population fit to MD5b indicates an age of ≾50 Myr, which is in the youngest 10% of the HST sample and the youngest third of typical z ~ 3 Lyman break galaxies, and may be a contributing factor to its LyC detection. We obtain a revised, contamination-free estimate for the comoving specific ionizing emissivity at z = 2.85, indicating (with large uncertainties) that star-forming galaxies provide roughly the same contribution as QSOs to the ionizing background at this redshift. Our results show that foreground contamination prevents ground-based LyC studies from obtaining a full understanding of LyC emission from z ~ 3 star-forming galaxies. Future progress in direct LyC searches is contingent upon the elimination of foreground contaminants through high spatial-resolution observations, and upon acquisition of sufficiently deep LyC imaging to probe ionizing radiation in high-redshift galaxies
The type IIb SN 2008ax: the nature of the progenitor
A source coincident with the position of the type IIb supernova (SN) 2008ax
is identified in pre-explosion Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Wide Field
Planetary Camera 2 observations in three optical filters. We identify and
constrain two possible progenitor systems: (i) a single massive star that lost
most of its hydrogen envelope through radiatively driven mass loss processes,
prior to exploding as a helium-rich Wolf-Rayet star with a residual hydrogen
envelope, and (ii) an interacting binary in a low mass cluster producing a
stripped progenitor. Late time, high resolution observations along with
detailed modelling of the SN will be required to reveal the true nature of this
progenitor star.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures, resolution of figure 1 reduced, figure 2 revised,
some revision following referee's comments, accepted for publication in MNRAS
letter
The type IIb SN 2008ax: spectral and light curve evolution
We present spectroscopy and photometry of the He-rich supernova (SN) 2008ax.
The early-time spectra show prominent P-Cygni H lines, which decrease with time
and disappear completely about two months after the explosion. In the same
period He I lines become the most prominent spectral features. SN 2008ax
displays the ordinary spectral evolution of a type IIb supernova. A stringent
pre-discovery limit constrains the time of the shock breakout of SN 2008ax to
within only a few hours. Its light curve, which peaks in the B band about 20
days after the explosion, strongly resembles that of other He-rich
core-collapse supernovae. The observed evolution of SN 2008ax is consistent
with the explosion of a young Wolf-Rayet (of WNL type) star, which had retained
a thin, low-mass shell of its original H envelope. The overall characteristics
of SN 2008ax are reminiscent of those of SN 1993J, except for a likely smaller
H mass. This may account for the findings that the progenitor of SN 2008ax was
a WNL star and not a K supergiant as in the case of SN 1993J, that a prominent
early-time peak is missing in the light curve of SN 2008ax, and that Halpha is
observed at higher velocities in SN 2008ax than in SN 1993J.Comment: 10 pages, including 8 figures and 4 tables. Accepted for publication
in MNRA
Reionization after Planck: the derived growth of the cosmic ionizing emissivity now matches the growth of the galaxy UV luminosity density
Thomson optical depth tau measurements from Planck provide new insights into
the reionization of the universe. In pursuit of model-independent constraints
on the properties of the ionising sources, we determine the empirical evolution
of the cosmic ionizing emissivity. We use a simple two-parameter model to map
out the evolution in the emissivity at z>~6 from the new Planck optical depth
tau measurements, from the constraints provided by quasar absorption spectra
and from the prevalence of Ly-alpha emission in z~7-8 galaxies. We find the
redshift evolution in the emissivity dot{N}_{ion}(z) required by the
observations to be d(log Nion)/dz=-0.15(-0.11)(+0.08), largely independent of
the assumed clumping factor C_{HII} and entirely independent of the nature of
the ionising sources. The trend in dot{N}_{ion}(z) is well-matched by the
evolution of the galaxy UV-luminosity density (dlog_{10}
rho_UV/dz=-0.11+/-0.04) to a magnitude limit >~-13 mag, suggesting that
galaxies are the sources that drive the reionization of the universe. The role
of galaxies is further strengthened by the conversion from the UV luminosity
density rho_UV to dot(N)_{ion}(z) being possible for physically-plausible
values of the escape fraction f_{esc}, the Lyman-continuum photon production
efficiency xi_{ion}, and faint-end cut-off to the luminosity
function. Quasars/AGN appear to match neither the redshift evolution nor
normalization of the ionizing emissivity. Based on the inferred evolution in
the ionizing emissivity, we estimate that the z~10 UV-luminosity density is
8(-4)(+15)x lower than at $z~6, consistent with the observations. The present
approach of contrasting the inferred evolution of the ionizing emissivity with
that of the galaxy UV luminosity density adds to the growing observational
evidence that faint, star-forming galaxies drive the reionization of the
universe.Comment: 20 pages, 12 figures, 5 tables, Astrophysical Journal, updated to
match version in press, Figure 6 shows the main result of the pape
The Transitional Stripped-Envelope SN 2008ax: Spectral Evolution and Evidence for Large Asphericity
Supernova (SN) 2008ax in NGC 4490 was discovered within hours after shock
breakout, presenting the rare opportunity to study a core-collapse SN beginning
with the initial envelope-cooling phase immediately following shock breakout.
We present an extensive sequence of optical and near-infrared spectra, as well
as three epochs of optical spectropolarimetry. Our initial spectra, taken two
days after shock breakout, are dominated by hydrogen Balmer lines at high
velocity. However, by maximum light, He I lines dominated the optical and
near-infrared spectra, which closely resembled those of normal Type Ib
supernovae (SNe Ib) such as SN 1999ex. This spectroscopic transition defines
Type IIb supernovae, but the strong similarity of SN 2008ax to normal SNe Ib
beginning near maximum light, including an absorption feature near 6270A due to
H-alpha at high velocities, suggests that many objects classified as SNe Ib in
the literature may have ejected similar amounts of hydrogen as SN 2008ax,
roughly a few x 0.01 M_sun. Early-time spectropolarimetry (6 and 9 days after
shock breakout) revealed strong line polarization modulations of 3.4% across
H-alpha, indicating the presence of large asphericities in the outer ejecta.
The continuum shares a common polarization angle with the hydrogen, helium, and
oxygen lines, while the calcium and iron absorptions are oriented at different
angles. This is clear evidence of deviations from axisymmetry even in the outer
ejecta. Intrinsic continuum polarization of 0.64% only nine days after shock
breakout shows that the outer layers of the ejecta were quite aspherical. A
single epoch of late-time spectropolarimetry, as well as the shapes of the
nebular line profiles, demonstrate that asphericities extended from the
outermost layers all the way down to the center of this SN. [Abridged]Comment: 24 pages, 21 figures, 4 tables, appendix, minor revisions to match
version accepted by Ap
Berkeley Supernova Ia Program I: Observations, Data Reduction, and Spectroscopic Sample of 582 Low-Redshift Type Ia Supernovae
In this first paper in a series we present 1298 low-redshift (z\leq0.2)
optical spectra of 582 Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) observed from 1989 through
2008 as part of the Berkeley SN Ia Program (BSNIP). 584 spectra of 199 SNe Ia
have well-calibrated light curves with measured distance moduli, and many of
the spectra have been corrected for host-galaxy contamination. Most of the data
were obtained using the Kast double spectrograph mounted on the Shane 3 m
telescope at Lick Observatory and have a typical wavelength range of
3300-10,400 Ang., roughly twice as wide as spectra from most previously
published datasets. We present our observing and reduction procedures, and we
describe the resulting SN Database (SNDB), which will be an online, public,
searchable database containing all of our fully reduced spectra and companion
photometry. In addition, we discuss our spectral classification scheme (using
the SuperNova IDentification code, SNID; Blondin & Tonry 2007), utilising our
newly constructed set of SNID spectral templates. These templates allow us to
accurately classify our entire dataset, and by doing so we are able to
reclassify a handful of objects as bona fide SNe Ia and a few other objects as
members of some of the peculiar SN Ia subtypes. In fact, our dataset includes
spectra of nearly 90 spectroscopically peculiar SNe Ia. We also present
spectroscopic host-galaxy redshifts of some SNe Ia where these values were
previously unknown. [Abridged]Comment: 34 pages, 11 figures, 11 tables, revised version, re-submitted to
MNRAS. Spectra will be released in January 2013. The SN Database homepage
(http://hercules.berkeley.edu/database/index_public.html) contains the full
tables, plots of all spectra, and our new SNID template
The HDUV survey: six Lyman continuum emitter candidates at z ∼ 2 revealed by HST UV imaging
We present six galaxies at z~2 that show evidence of Lyman continuum (LyC)
emission based on the newly acquired UV imaging of the Hubble Deep UV legacy
survey (HDUV) conducted with the WFC3/UVIS camera on the Hubble Space Telescope
(HST). At the redshift of these sources, the HDUV F275W images partially probe
the ionizing continuum. By exploiting the HST multi-wavelength data available
in the HDUV/GOODS fields, models of the UV spectral energy distributions, and
detailed Monte Carlo simulations of the intergalactic medium absorption, we
estimate the absolute ionizing photon escape fractions of these galaxies to be
very high -- typically >60% (>13% for all sources at 90% likelihood). Our
findings are in broad agreement with previous studies that found only a small
fraction of galaxies to show high escape fraction. These six galaxies comprise
the largest sample yet of LyC leaking candidates at z~2 whose inferred LyC flux
has been cleanly observed at HST resolution. While three of our six candidates
show evidence of hosting an active galactic nucleus (AGN), two of these are
heavily obscured and their LyC emission appears to originate from star-forming
regions rather than the central nucleus. This suggests an AGN-aided pathway for
LyC escape from these sources. Extensive multi-wavelength data in the GOODS
fields, especially the near-IR grism spectra from the 3D-HST survey, enable us
to study the candidates in detail and tentatively test some recently proposed
indirect methods to probe LyC leakage -- namely, the [OIII]/[OII] line ratio
and the HUV slope diagram. High-resolution spectroscopic followup of
our candidates will help constrain such indirect methods which are our only
hope of studying at z~5-9 in the fast-approaching era of the James
Webb Space Telescope.Comment: 11 pages, 6 figures, submitted to Ap
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