Correlations in the Spatial Power Spectrum Inferred from Angular Clustering: Methods and Application to APM

We reconsider the inference of spatial power spectra from angular clustering data and show how to include correlations in both the angular correlation function and the spatial power spectrum. Inclusion of the full covariance matrices loosens the constraints on large-scale structure inferred from the APM survey by over a factor of two. We present a new inversion technique based on singular value decomposition that allows one to propagate the covariance matrix on the angular correlation function through to that of the spatial power spectrum and to reconstruct smooth power spectra without underestimating the errors. Within a parameter space of the CDM shape Gamma and the amplitude sigma_8, we find that the angular correlations in the APM survey constrain Gamma to be 0.19-0.37 at 68% confidence when fit to scales larger than k=0.2h Mpc^-1. A downturn in power at k<0.04h Mpc^-1 is significant at only 1-sigma. These results are optimistic as we include only Gaussian statistical errors and neglect any boundary effects.Comment: 37 pages, LaTex, 9 figures. Submitted to Ap

Assumptions of the primordial spectrum and cosmological parameter estimation

The observables of the perturbed universe, CMB anisotropy and large structures, depend on a set of cosmological parameters, as well as, the assumed nature of primordial perturbations. In particular, the shape of the primordial power spectrum (PPS) is, at best, a well motivated assumption. It is known that the assumed functional form of the PPS in cosmological parameter estimation can affect the best fit parameters and their relative confidence limits. In this paper, we demonstrate that a specific assumed form actually drives the best fit parameters into distinct basins of likelihood in the space of cosmological parameters where the likelihood resists improvement via modifications to the PPS. The regions where considerably better likelihoods are obtained allowing free form PPS lie outside these basins. In the absence of a preferred model of inflation, this raises a concern that current cosmological parameters estimates are strongly prejudiced by the assumed form of PPS. Our results strongly motivate approaches toward simultaneous estimation of the cosmological parameters and the shape of the primordial spectrum from upcoming cosmological data. It is equally important for theorists to keep an open mind towards early universe scenarios that produce features in the PPS.Comment: 11 pages, 2 figures, discussions extended, main results unchanged, matches published versio

Cosmic Variance In the Transparency of the Intergalactic Medium After Reionization

Following the completion of cosmic reionization, the mean-free-path of ionizing photons was set by a population of Ly-limit absorbers. As the mean-free-path steadily grew, the intensity of the ionizing background also grew, thus lowering the residual neutral fraction of hydrogen in ionization equilibrium throughout the diffuse intergalactic medium (IGM). Ly-alpha photons provide a sensitive probe for tracing the distribution of this residual hydrogen at the end of reionization. Here we calculate the cosmic variance among different lines-of-sight in the distribution of the mean Ly-alpha optical depths. We find fractional variations in the effective post-reionization optical depth that are of order unity on a scale of ~100 co-moving Mpc, in agreement with observations towards high-redshift quasars. Significant contributions to these variations are provided by the cosmic variance in the density contrast on the scale of the mean-free-path for ionizing photons, and by fluctuations in the ionizing background induced by delayed or enhanced structure formation. Cosmic variance results in a highly asymmetric distribution of transmission through the IGM, with fractional fluctuations in Ly-alpha transmission that ar larger than in Ly-beta transmission.Comment: 7 pages 3 figures. Replaced with version accepted for publication in Ap

A Population at Risk: Youth Aging Out of the Foster Care System and Implications for Extension

Youth who age out of the foster care system are faced with many unique challenges. This article offers an overview of risk factors found within this group, occurring both before and after discharge from care. Suggestions are given for the creation of Extension programs that address the specific needs of this growing population

Gravity's smoking gun?

We present a new constraint on the biased galaxy formation picture. Gravitational instability theory predicts that the two-point mass density correlation function, \xi(r), has an inflection point at the separation r=r_0, corresponding to the boundary between the linear and nonlinear regime of clustering, \xi = 1. We show how this feature can be used to constrain the square of the biasing parameter, b^2 = \xi_g / \xi on scales r = r_0, where \xi_g is the galaxy-galaxy correlation function, allowed to differ from \xi. We apply our method to real data: the \xi_g(r), estimated from the APM galaxy survey. Our results suggest that the APM galaxies trace the mass at separations r > 5 Mpc/h, where h is the Hubble constant in units of 100 km/s Mpc. The present results agree with earlier studies, based on comparing higher order correlations in the APM with weakly non-linear perturbation theory. Both approaches constrain the "b" factor to be within 20% of unity. If the existence of the feature we identified in the APM \xi_g(r) -- the inflection point near \xi_g = 1 -- is confirmed by more accurate surveys, we may have discovered gravity's smoking gun: the long awaited ``shoulder'' in \xi, predicted by Gott and Rees 25 years ago.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, minor changes and references added, matches version published in ApJ letter

The Evolution of Spheroidal Galaxies in Different Environments

We analyse the kinematic and chemical evolution of 203 distant spheroidal (elliptical and S0) galaxies at 0.2<z<0.8 which are located in different environments (rich clusters, low-mass clusters and in the field). VLT/FORS and CAHA/MOSCA spectra with intermediate-resolution have been acquired to measure the internal kinematics and stellar populations of the galaxies. From HST/ACS and WFPC2 imaging, surface brightness profiles and structural parameters were derived for half of the galaxy sample. The scaling relations of the Faber-Jackson relation and Kormendy relation as well as the Fundamental Plane indicate a moderate evolution for the whole galaxy population in each density regime. In all environments, S0 galaxies show a faster evolution than elliptical galaxies. For the cluster galaxies a slight radial dependence of the evolution out to one virial radius is found. Dividing the samples with respect to their mass, a mass dependent evolution with a stronger evolution of lower-mass galaxies (M<2x10^{11} M_{\sun}) is detected. Evidence for recent star formation is provided by blue colours and weak OII emission or strong H\delta absorption features in the spectra. The results are consistent with a down-sizing formation scenario which is independent from the environment of the galaxies.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, to be published in Astronomische Nachrichten (proceedings of Symposium 6 of the JENAM 2008, Vienna

The Angular Power Spectrum of EDSGC Galaxies

We determine the angular power spectrum, C_l, of the Edinburgh/Durham Southern Galaxy Catalog (EDSGC) and use this statistic to constrain cosmological parameters. Our methods for determining C_l, and the parameters that affect it are based on those developed for the analysis of cosmic microwave background maps. We expect them to be useful for future surveys. Assuming flat cold dark matter models with a cosmological constant (constrained by COBE/DMR and local cluster abundances), and a scale--independent bias, b, we find good fits to the EDSGC angular power spectrum with 1.11 < b < 2.35 and 0.2 < Omega_m < 0.55 at 95% confidence. These results are not significantly affected by the ``integral constraint'' or extinction by interstellar dust, but may be by our assumption of Gaussianity.Comment: 11 pages, 9 figures, version to appear in Ap