The TOOT00 Redshift Survey of Radio Sources

We present first results from the study of the TOOT00 region consisting of 47 radio sources brighter than 100 mJy at 151 MHz. We have 81% spectroscopic redshift completeness. From the K-z diagram we deduce that the host galaxies are similar to ~3 L* passively evolved elliptical galaxies and thus estimate the redshifts of the 9 sources without a secure spectroscopic redshift yielding a median redshift of 1.287. Above the RLF break we have a quasar fraction f ~ 0.3 although the quasars appear reddened; below the RLF break f -> 0 if we exclude flat-spectrum radio sources. We present a histogram of the number of TOOT00 radio sources versus their redshift which looks broadly like the Willott et al. (2001) prediction for TOOT, although the observed ratio of high to low redshift objects is somewhat lower than the prediction.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures, to be published in AN (proceedings of the Granada Workshop on High Redshift Radio Galaxies

Implications for unified schemes from submillimetre and far-infrared follow-up of radio-selected samples

We extend our previous analysis which used generalized luminosity functions (GLFs) to predict the number of quasars and galaxies in low-radio-frequency-selected samples as a function of redshift, radio luminosity, narrow-emission-line luminosity and type of unified scheme. Our extended analysis incorporates the observed submillimetre (850 micron) flux densities of radio sources, employs a new method which allows us to deal with non detections, and focuses on the high-luminosity population. First, we conclude that the submillimetre luminosity L_{850} of low-frequency-selected radio sources is correlated with the bolometric luminosity L_{Bol} of their quasar nuclei via an approximate scaling relation L_{850} \propto L_{Bol}^{0.7 \pm 0.2}. Second, we conclude that there is quantitative evidence for a receding-torus-like physical process for the high-luminosity population within a two-population unified scheme for radio sources; this evidence comes from the fact that radio quasars are brighter in both narrow emission lines and submillimetre luminosity than radio galaxies matched in radio luminosity and redshift. Third, we note that the combination of a receding-torus-like scheme and the assumption that the observed submillimetre emission is dominated by quasar-heated dust yields a scaling relation L_{850} \propto L_{Bol}^{0.5} which is within the errors of that determined here for radio-selected quasars, and consistent with that inferred for radio-quiet quasars by Willott, Rawlings & Grimes (2003).Comment: 13 pages (including an appendix), 5 figures, to appear in MNRA

Into the central 10 pc of the most distant known radio quasar. VLBI imaging observations of J1429+5447 at z=6.21

Context: There are about 60 quasars known at redshifts z>5.7 to date. Only three of them are detected in the radio above 1 mJy flux density at 1.4 GHz frequency. Among them, J1429+5447 (z=6.21) is the highest-redshift radio quasar known at present. These rare, distant, and powerful objects provide important insight into the activity of the supermassive black holes in the Universe at early cosmological epochs, and on the physical conditions in their environment. Aims: We studied the compact radio structure of J1429+5447 on the milli-arcsecond (mas) angular scale, in order to compare the structural and spectral properties with those of other two z~6 radio-loud quasars, J0836+0054 (z=5.77) and J1427+3312 (z=6.12). Methods: We performed Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) imaging observations of J1429+5447 with the European VLBI Network (EVN) at 1.6 GHz on 2010 June 8, and at 5 GHz on 2010 May 27. Results: Based on its observed radio properties, the compact but somewhat resolved structure on linear scales of <100 pc, and the steep spectrum, the quasar J1429+5447 is remarkably similar to J0836+0054 and J1427+3312. To answer the question whether the compact steep-spectrum radio emission is a "universal" feature of the most distant radio quasars, it is essential to study more, yet to be discovered radio-loud active galactic nuclei at z>6.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, accepted for publication as a Letter to the editor in Astronomy & Astrophyic

Extending conceptualisations of the diversity and value of extracurricular activities: a cultural capital approach to graduate outcomes

This report presents the findings from the research project Extending conceptualisations of the diversity and value of extra curricular activities: a cultural capital approach to graduate outcomes. Very little research has directly addressed the question of what constitutes extra-curricular activities (ECA), the extent to which students engage in ECA, and how students experience and conceptualise benefits from their engagement. Nor is there research that looks at how staff understand ECA. This research sought to address these questions from a cultural capital approach. Traditionally conceived ECA include campus-based cultural and sporting activities and volunteering. An awareness is required of the fact that many students work for economic reasons, continue their faith and caring activities, and continue to live at home. The researchers were interested in the possible differential recognition and valuing of activities undertaken by different groups of students. This research explores issues of inter-generational capital that might shape both the capacities to participate and how students understood the benefits

The evolution of classical doubles: clues from complete samples

We describe the inter-dependence of four properties of classical double radio sources - spectral index, linear size, luminosity and redshift - from an extensive study based on spectroscopically-identified complete samples. We use these relationships to discuss aspects of strategies for searching for radio galaxies at extreme redshifts, in the context of possible capabilities of the new generation of proposed radio telescopes.Comment: To appear in `Perspectives in Radio Astronomy: scientific imperatives at cm and m wavelengths.' eds: M.P. van Haarlem and J.M. van der Hulst Version with colour figures available at http://www-astro.physics.ox.ac.uk/~km

A wide dispersion in star formation rate and dynamical mass of 10^8 solar mass black hole host galaxies at redshift 6

ALMA [CII] line and continuum observations of five redshift z>6 quasars are presented. This sample was selected to probe lower black hole mass quasars than most previous studies. We find a wide dispersion in properties with CFHQS J0216-0455, a low-luminosity quasar with absolute magnitude M_1450=-22.2, remaining undetected implying a limit on the star formation rate in the host galaxy of <10 solar masses per year, whereas other host galaxies have star formation rates up to hundreds of solar masses per year. Two other quasars have particularly interesting properties. VIMOS2911 is one of the least luminous z>6 quasars known with M_1450=-23.1, yet its host galaxy is experiencing a very powerful starburst. PSO J167-13 has a broad and luminous [CII] line and a neighbouring galaxy a projected distance of 5kpc away that is also detected in the [CII] line and continuum. Combining with similar observations from the literature, we study the ratio of [CII] line to far-infrared luminosity finding this ratio increases at high-redshift at a fixed far-infrared luminosity, likely due to lower dust content, lower metallicity and/or higher gas masses. We compile a sample of 21 high-redshift quasars with dynamical masses and investigate the relationship between black hole mass and dynamical mass. The new observations presented here reveal dynamical masses consistent with the relationship defined by local galaxies. However, the full sample shows a very wide scatter across the black hole mass - dynamical mass plane, whereas both the local relationship and simulations of high-redshift quasars show a much lower dispersion in dynamical mass.Comment: 10 pages, 11 figures, ApJ in pres

Star formation rate and dynamical mass of 10^8 solar mass black hole host galaxies at redshift 6

We present ALMA observations of two moderate luminosity quasars at redshift 6. These quasars from the Canada-France High-z Quasar Survey (CFHQS) have black hole masses of ~10^8 M_solar. Both quasars are detected in the [CII] line and dust continuum. Combining these data with our previous study of two similar CFHQS quasars we investigate the population properties. We show that z>6 quasars have a significantly lower far-infrared luminosity than bolometric-luminosity-matched samples at lower redshift, inferring a lower star formation rate, possibly correlated with the lower black hole masses at z=6. The ratios of [CII] to far-infrared luminosities in the CFHQS quasars are comparable with those of starbursts of similar star formation rate in the local universe. We determine values of velocity dispersion and dynamical mass for the quasar host galaxies based on the [CII] data. We find that there is no significant offset from the relations defined by nearby galaxies with similar black hole masses. There is however a marked increase in the scatter at z=6, beyond the large observational uncertainties.Comment: 10 pages, 7 figures, accepted for publication in Ap

Redshift 6.4 host galaxies of 10^8 solar mass black holes: low star formation rate and dynamical mass

We present ALMA observations of rest-frame far-infrared continuum and [CII] line emission in two z=6.4 quasars with black hole masses of ~10^8 M_sun. CFHQS J0210-0456 is detected in the continuum with a 1.2 mm flux of 120+/-35 microJy, whereas CFHQS J2329-0301 is undetected at a similar noise level. J2329-0301 has a star formation rate limit of <40 M_sun/yr, considerably below the typical value at all redshifts for this bolometric luminosity. By comparison with hydro simulations, we speculate that this quasar is observed at a relatively rare phase where quasar feedback has effectively shut down star formation in the host galaxy. [CII] emission is also detected only in J0210-0456. The ratio of [CII] to far-infrared luminosity is similar to that of low redshift galaxies of comparable luminosity, suggesting the previous finding of an offset in the relationships between this ratio and far-infrared luminosity at low- and high-redshift may be partially due to a selection effect from the limited sensitivity of previous observations. The [CII] line of J0210-0456 is relatively narrow (FWHM=189+/-18 km/s), indicating a dynamical mass substantially lower than expected from the local black hole - velocity dispersion correlation. The [CII] line is marginally resolved at 0.7" resolution with the blue and red wings spatially offset by 0.5" (3 kpc) and a smooth velocity gradient of 100 km/s across a scale of 6 kpc, possibly due to rotation of a galaxy-wide disk. These observations are consistent with the idea that stellar mass growth lags black hole accretion for quasars at this epoch with respect to more recent times.Comment: 8 pages, 7 figures, ApJ in press, replaced with final versio

Extremely red galaxy counterparts to 7C radio sources

We present RIJHK imaging of seven radio galaxies from the 7C Redshift Survey (7CRS) which lack strong emission lines and we use these data to investigate their spectral energy distributions (SEDs) with models which constrain their redshifts. Six of these seven galaxies have extremely red colours (R-K>5.5) and we find that almost all of them lie in the redshift range 1<z<2. We also present near-infrared spectroscopy of these galaxies which demonstrate that their SEDs are not dominated by emission lines, although tentative lines, consistent with H-alpha at z=1.45 and z=1.61, are found in two objects. Although the red colours of the 7CRS galaxies can formally be explained by stellar populations which are either very old or young and heavily reddened, independent evidence favours the former hypothesis. At z~1.5 at least 1/4 of powerful radio jets are triggered in massive (>L*) galaxies which formed the bulk of their stars several Gyr earlier, that is at epochs corresponding to redshifts z>5. If a similar fraction of all z~1.5 radio galaxies are old, then extrapolation of the radio luminosity function shows that, depending on the radio source lifetimes, between 10-100% of the near-IR selected extremely red object (ERO) population undergo a radio outburst at epochs corresponding to 1<z<2. An ERO found serendipitously in the field of one of the 7CRS radio sources appears to be a radio-quiet analogue of the 7CRS EROs with an emission line likely to be [OII] at z=1.20. The implication is that some of the most massive elliptical galaxies formed the bulk of their stars at z>5 and these objects probably undergo at least two periods of AGN activity: one at high redshift during which the black hole forms and another one at an epoch corresponding to z~1.5.Comment: 20 pages, 10 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA