Showing papers by "Joss Bland-Hawthorn published in 2009"

GAMA: towards a physical understanding of galaxy formation

Abstract: The Galaxy And Mass Assembly (GAMA) project is the latest in a tradition of large galaxy redshift surveys, and is now underway on the 3.9m Anglo-Australian Telescope at Siding Spring Observatory. GAMA is designed to map extragalactic structures on scales of 1kpc - 1Mpc in complete detail to a redshift of z~0.2, and to trace the distribution of luminous galaxies out to z~0.5. The principal science aim is to test the standard hierarchical structure formation paradigm of Cold Dark Matter (CDM) on scales of galaxy groups, pairs, discs, bulges and bars. We will measure (1) the Dark Matter Halo Mass Function (as inferred from galaxy group velocity dispersions); (2) baryonic processes, such as star formation and galaxy formation efficiency (as derived from Galaxy Stellar Mass Functions); and (3) the evolution of galaxy merger rates (via galaxy close pairs and galaxy asymmetries). Additionally, GAMA will form the central part of a new galaxy database, which aims to contain 275,000 galaxies with multi-wavelength coverage from coordinated observations with the latest international ground- and space-based facilities: GALEX, VST, VISTA, WISE, HERSCHEL, GMRT and ASKAP. Together, these data will provide increased depth (over 2 magnitudes), doubled spatial resolution (0.7"), and significantly extended wavelength coverage (UV through Far-IR to radio) over the main SDSS spectroscopic survey for five regions, each of around 50 deg^2. This database will permit detailed investigations of the structural, chemical, and dynamical properties of all galaxy types, across all environments, and over a 5 billion year timeline.

Evidence for a nonuniform initial mass function in the local universe

Abstract: Many of the results in modern astrophysics rest on the notion that the initial mass function (IMF) is universal. Our observations of a sample of H i selected galaxies in the light of Hα and the far-ultraviolet (FUV) challenge this result. The extinction-corrected flux ratio FHα/f FUV from these two tracers of star formation shows strong correlations with the surface brightness in Hα and the R band: low surface brightness (LSB) galaxies have lower FHα/f FUV ratios compared to high surface brightness galaxies as well as compared to expectations from equilibrium models of constant star formation rate (SFR) using commonly favored IMF parameters. Weaker but significant correlations of FHα/f FUV with luminosity, rotational velocity, and dynamical mass as well as a systematic trend with morphology, are found. The correlated variations of FHα/f FUV with other global parameters are thus part of the larger family of galaxy scaling relations. The FHα/f FUV correlations cannot be due to residual extinction correction errors, while systematic variations in the star formation history (SFH) cannot explain the trends with both Hα and R surface brightness nor with other global properties. The possibility that LSB galaxies have a higher escape fraction of ionizing photons seems inconsistent with their high gas fraction, and observations of color–magnitude diagrams (CMDs) of a few systems which indicate a real deficit of O stars. The most plausible explanation for the correlations is the systematic variations of the upper mass limit Mu and/or the slope γ which define the upper end of the IMF. We outline a scenario of pressure driving the correlations by setting the efficiency of the formation of the dense star clusters where the highest mass stars preferentially form. Our results imply that the SFR measured in a galaxy is highly sensitive to the tracer used in the measurement. A nonuniversal IMF would also call into question the interpretation of metal abundance patterns in dwarf galaxies as well as SFHs derived from CMDs.

Efficient multi-mode to single-mode coupling in a photonic lantern.

Abstract: We demonstrate the fabrication of a high performance multi-mode (MM) to single-mode (SM) splitter or "photonic lantern", first described by Leon-Saval et al. (2005). Our photonic lantern is a solid all-glass version, and we show experimentally that this device can be used to achieve efficient and reversible coupling between a MM fiber and a number of SM fibers, when perfectly matched launch conditions into the MM fiber are ensured. The fabricated photonic lantern has a coupling loss for a MM to SM tapered transition of only 0.32 dB which proves the feasibility of the technology.

Starburst-Driven Galactic Winds: Filament Formation and Emission Processes

Abstract: We have performed a series of three-dimensional simulations of the interaction of a supersonic wind with a nonspherical radiative cloud. These simulations are motivated by our recent three-dimensional model of a starburst-driven galactic wind interacting with an inhomogeneous disk, which shows that an optically emitting filament can be formed by the breakup and acceleration of a cloud into a supersonic wind. In this study, we consider the evolution of a cloud with two different geometries (fractal and spherical) and investigate the importance of radiative cooling on the cloud's survival. We have also undertaken a comprehensive resolution study in order to ascertain the effect of the assumed numerical resolution on the results. We find that the ability of the cloud to radiate heat is crucial for its survival, with a radiative cloud experiencing a lower degree of acceleration and having a higher relative Mach number to the flow than in the adiabatic case. This diminishes the destructive effect of the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability on the cloud. While an adiabatic cloud is destroyed over a short period of time, a radiative cloud is broken up via the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability into numerous small, dense cloudlets, which are drawn into the flow to form amore » filamentary structure. The degree of fragmentation is highly dependent on the resolution of the simulation, with the number of cloudlets formed increasing as the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability is better resolved. Nevertheless, there is a clear qualitative trend, with the filamentary structure still persistent at high resolution. The geometry of the cloud affects the speed at which the cloud fragments; a wind more rapidly breaks up the cloud in regions of least density. A cloud with a more inhomogeneous density distribution fragments faster than a cloud with a more uniform structure (e.g., a sphere). We confirm the mechanism behind the formation of the Halpha emitting filaments found in our global simulations of a starburst-driven wind. Based on our resolution study, we conclude that bow shocks around accelerated gas clouds, and their interaction, are the main source of the soft X-ray emission observed in these galactic-scale winds.« less

The 2dF-SDSS LRG and QSO Survey: the spectroscopic QSO catalogue

Abstract: We present the final spectroscopic QSO catalogue from the 2dF-SDSS LRG (luminous red galaxy) and QSO (2SLAQ) survey. This is a deep, 18 < g < 21.85 (extinction corrected), sample aimed at probing in detail the faint end of the broad line active galactic nuclei luminosity distribution at z 2.6. The candidate QSOs were selected from SDSS photometry and observed spectroscopically with the 2dF spectrograph on the Anglo-Australian Telescope. This sample covers an area of 191.9 deg 2 and contains new spectra of 16 326 objects, of which 8764 are QSOs and 7623 are newly discovered [the remainder were previously identified by the 2dF QSO Redshift Survey (2QZ) and SDSS]. The full QSO sample (including objects previously observed in the SDSS and 2QZ surveys) contains 12 702 QSOs. The new 2SLAQ spectroscopic data set also contains 2343 Galactic stars, including 362 white dwarfs, and 2924 narrow emission-line galaxies with a median redshift of z = 0.22. We present detailed completeness estimates for the survey, based on modelling of QSO colours, including host-galaxy contributions. This calculation shows that at g � 21.85 QSO colours are significantly affected by the presence of a host galaxy up to redshift z ∼ 1i n the SDSS ugriz bands. In particular, we see a significant reddening of the objects in g − i towards the fainter g-band magnitudes. This reddening is consistent with the QSO host galaxies being dominated by a stellar population of age at least 2–3 Gyr.

Astrophotonics: a new era for astronomical instruments.

Abstract: Astrophotonics lies at the interface of astronomy and photonics. This burgeoning field has emerged over the past decade in response to the increasing demands of astronomical instrumentation. Early successes include: (i) planar waveguides to combine signals from widely spaced telescopes in stellar interferometry; (ii) frequency combs for ultra-high precision spectroscopy to detect planets around nearby stars; (iii) ultra-broadband fibre Bragg gratings to suppress unwanted background; (iv) photonic lanterns that allow single-mode behaviour within a multimode fibre; (v) planar waveguides to miniaturize astronomical spectrographs; (vi) large mode area fibres to generate artificial stars in the upper atmosphere for adaptive optics correction; (vii) liquid crystal polymers in optical vortex coronographs and adaptive optics systems. Astrophotonics, a field that has already created new photonic capabilities, is now extending its reach down to the Rayleigh scattering limit at ultraviolet wavelengths, and out to mid infrared wavelengths beyond 2500nm.

Radial mixing in the outer Milky Way disc caused by an orbiting satellite

Abstract: Using test particle simulations, we examine the structure of the outer Galactic disc as it is perturbed by a satellite in a tight eccentric orbit about the Galaxy. A satellite of mass a few times 10 9 M ⊙ can heat the outer Galactic disc, excite spiral structure and a warp and induce streams in the velocity distribution. We examine particle eccentricity versus the change in mean radius between initial and current orbits. Correlations between these quantities are reduced after a few satellite pericentre passages. Stars born in the outer galaxy can be moved in radius from their birth positions and be placed in low eccentricity orbits inside their birth radii. We propose that mergers and perturbations from satellite galaxies and subhaloes can induce radial mixing in the stellar metallicity distribution.

Starburst-Driven Galactic Winds: Filament Formation and Emission Processes

Abstract: We have performed a series of three-dimensional simulations of the interaction of a supersonic wind with a non-spherical radiative cloud. These simulations are motivated by our recent three-dimensional model of a starburst-driven galactic wind interacting with an inhomogeneous disk, which show that an optically emitting filament can be formed by the break-up and acceleration of a cloud into a supersonic wind. In this study we consider the evolution of a cloud with two different geometries (fractal and spherical) and investigate the importance of radiative cooling on the cloud's survival. We have also undertaken a comprehensive resolution study in order to ascertain the effect of the assumed numerical resolution on the results. We find that the ability of the cloud to radiate heat is crucial for its survival. While an adiabatic cloud is destroyed over a short period of time, a radiative cloud is broken up via the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability into numerous small, dense cloudlets, which are drawn into the flow to form a filamentary structure. The degree of fragmentation is highly dependent on the resolution of the simulation, with the number of cloudlets formed increasing as the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability is better resolved. Nevertheless, there is a clear qualitative trend, with the filamentary structure still persistent at high resolution. We confirm the mechanism behind the formation of the H-alpha emitting filaments found in our global simulations of a starburst-driven wind. Based on our resolution study, we conclude that bow shocks around accelerated gas clouds, and their interaction, are the main source of the soft X-ray emission observed in these galactic-scale winds. [ABRIDGED]

Radial mixing in the outer Milky Way disk caused by an orbiting satellite

Abstract: Using test particle simulations we examine the structure of the outer Galactic disk as it is perturbed by a satellite in a tight eccentric orbit about the Galaxy. A satellite of mass a few times 10^9 Msol can heat the outer Galactic disk, excite spiral structure and a warp and induce streams in the velocity distribution. We examine particle eccentricity versus the change in mean radius between initial and current orbits. Correlations between these quantities are reduced after a few satellite pericenter passages. Stars born in the outer galaxy can be moved in radius from their birth positions and be placed in low eccentricity orbits inside their birth radii. We propose that mergers and perturbations from satellite galaxies and subhalos can induce radial mixing in the stellar metallicity distribution.

Characterization and on-sky demonstration of an integrated photonic spectrograph for astronomy

Abstract: We present results from the first on-sky demonstration of a prototype astronomical integrated photonic spectrograph (IPS) using the Anglo-Australian Telescope near-infrared imaging spectrometer (IRIS2) at Siding Spring Observatory to observe atmospheric molecular OH emission lines. We have succeeded in detecting upwards of 27 lines, and demonstrated the practicality of the IPS device for astronomy. Furthermore, we present a laboratory characterization of the device, which is a modified version of a commercial arrayed-waveguide grating multiplexer. We measure the spectral resolution full-width-half-maximum to be 0.75 ± 0.05nm (giving R = λ/δλ = 2100 ± 150 at 1500nm). We find the free spectral range to be 57.4 ± 0.6nm and the peak total efficiency to be ~65%. Finally, we briefly discuss the future steps required to realize an astronomical instrument based on this technology concept.

The abundance gradient in the extremely faint outer disk of ngc 300

Abstract: In an earlier work, we showed for the first time that the resolved stellar disk of NGC 300 is very extended with no evidence for truncation, a phenomenon that has since been observed in other disk galaxies. We revisit the outer disk of NGC 300 in order to determine the metallicity of the faint stellar population. With the Gemini Multi Object Spectrograph camera at Gemini South, we reach 50% completeness at (g', i') = (26.8-27.4, 26.1-27.0) in photometric conditions and 07 seeing. At these faint depths, careful consideration must be given to the background galaxy population. The mean colors of the outer disk stars fall within the spread of colors for the background galaxies, but the stellar density dominates the background galaxies by ~2:1. The predominantly old stellar population in the outer disk exhibits a negative abundance gradient—as expected from models of galaxy evolution—out to about 10 kpc where the abundance trend changes sign. We present two scenarios to explain the flattening, or upturn, in the metallicity gradient of NGC 300 and discuss the implication this has for the broader picture of galaxy formation.

The Abundance Gradient in the Extremely Faint Outer Disk of NGC 300

Abstract: In earlier work, we showed for the first time that the resolved stellar disk of NGC 300 is very extended with no evidence for truncation, a phenomenon that has since been observed in other disk galaxies. We revisit the outer disk of NGC 300 in order to determine the metallicity of the faint stellar population. With the GMOS camera at Gemini South, we reach 50% completeness at (g', i')=(26.8-27.4,26.1-27.0) in photometric conditions and 0.7" seeing. At these faint depths, careful consideration must be given to the background galaxy population. The mean colors of the outer disk stars fall within the spread of colors for the background galaxies, but the stellar density dominates the background galaxies by ~2:1. The predominantly old stellar population in the outer disk exhibits a negative abundance gradient - as expected from models of galaxy evolution - out to about 10 kpc where the abundance trend changes sign. We present two scenarios to explain the flattening, or upturn, in the metallicity gradient of NGC 300 and discuss the implication this has for the broader picture of galaxy formation.

The smith cloud: high-velocity accretion and dark matter confinement

Abstract: The Smith Cloud is a massive system of metal-poor neutral and ionized gas (M gas 2 × 106 M ☉) that is presently moving at high velocity (V GSR≈ 300 km s–1) with respect to the Galaxy at a distance of 12 kpc from the Sun. The kinematics of the cloud's cometary tail indicates that the gas is in the process of accretion onto the Galaxy, as first discussed by Lockman et al. Here, we re-investigate the cloud's orbit by considering the possibility that the cloud is confined by a dark matter halo. This is required for the cloud to survive its passage through the Galactic corona. We consider three possible models for the dark matter halo (Navarro-Frenk-White (NFW), Einasto, and Burkert) including the effects of tidal disruption and ram pressure stripping during the cloud's infall onto and passage through the Galactic disk. For the NFW and Einasto dark matter models, we are able to determine reasonable initial conditions for the Smith Cloud, although this is only marginally possible with the Burkert model. For all three models, the progenitor had an initial (gas+dark matter) mass that was an order-of-magnitude higher than inferred today. In agreement with Lockman et al., the cloud appears to have punched through the disk ≈70 Myr ago. For our most successful models, the baryon-to-dark matter ratio is fairly constant during an orbital period but drops by a factor of 2-5 after transiting the disk. The cloud appears to have only marginally survived its transit and is unlikely to retain its integrity during the next transit ≈ 30 Myr from now.

Reconstructing Fossil Sub-structures of the Galactic Disk: Clues from Abundance Patterns of Old Open Clusters and Moving Groups

Abstract: The long term goal of large-scale chemical tagging is to use stellar elemental abundances as a tracer of dispersed substructures of the Galactic disk The identification of such lost stellar aggregates and the exploration of their chemical properties will be key in understanding the formation and evolution of the disk Present day stellar structures such as open clusters and moving groups are the ideal testing grounds for the viability of chemical tagging, as they are believed to be the remnants of the original larger star-forming aggregates Until recently, high accuracy elemental abundance studies of open clusters and moving groups having been lacking in the literature In this paper we examine recent high resolution abundance studies of open clusters to explore the various abundance trends and reasses the prospects of large-scale chemical tagging

Comparison of inverse scattering algorithms for designing ultrabroadband fibre Bragg gratings.

Abstract: We compare different inverse scattering (IS) algorithms used to calculate profiles of fibre Bragg gratings (FBGs) and analyse their robustness, speed and implementation difficulties. We analyse sources of IS algorithm errors and discuss their relative importance. We discuss the optimal choice of IS algorithm for inverse-direct iterative optimisation schemes for grating design. We find that our time-domain layer-peeling method is an order of magnitude faster and more robust than the spectral domain algorithms considered here. We demonstrate that our method is essential to solving highly complex FBG designs demanded by astronomical applications.

The Smith Cloud: high-velocity accretion and dark-matter confinement

Abstract: The Smith Cloud is a massive system of metal-poor neutral and ionized gas M_gas >= 2x10^6 M_sun) that is presently moving at high velocity (V_GSR ~300 km s^-1) with respect to the Galaxy at a distance of 12 kpc from the Sun. The kinematics of the cloud's cometary tail indicates that the gas is in the process of accretion onto the Galaxy, as first discussed by Lockman et al. (2008). Here, we re-investigate the cloud's orbit by considering the possibility that the cloud is confined by a dark matter halo. This is required for the cloud to survive its passage through the Galactic corona. We consider three possible models for the dark matter halo (NFW, Einasto, Burkert) including the effects of tidal disruption and ram-pressure stripping during the cloud's infall onto and passage through the Galactic disk. For the NFW and Einasto dark-matter models, we are able to determine reasonable initial conditions for the Smith Cloud, although this is only marginally possible with the Burkert model. For all three models, the progenitor had an initial (gas+dark matter) mass that was an order of magnitude higher than inferred today. In agreement with Lockman et al. (2008), the cloud appears to have punched through the disk ~70 Myr ago. For our most successful models, the baryon to dark matter ratio is fairly constant during an orbital period but drops by a factor of 2-5 after transiting the disk. The cloud appears to have only marginally survived its transit, and is unlikely to retain its integrity during the next transit ~30 Myr from now.

The Vela Cloud: A Giant HI Anomaly in the NGC 3256 Group

Abstract: We present Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) observations of a galaxy-sized intergalactic HI cloud (the Vela Cloud) in the NGC 3256 galaxy group. The group contains the prominent merging galaxy NGC 3256, which is surrounded by a number of HI fragments, the tidally disturbed galaxy NGC 3263, and several other peculiar galaxies. The Vela Cloud, with an HI mass of 3-5 * 10**9 solar masses, resides southeast of NGC 3256 and west of NGC 3263, within an area of 9' x 16' (100 kpc x 175 kpc for an adopted distance of 38 Mpc). In our ATCA data the Vela Cloud appears as 3 diffuse components and contains 4 density enhancements. The Vela Cloud's properties, together with its group environment, suggest that it has a tidal origin. Each density enhancement contains ~10**8 solar masses of HI gas which is sufficient material for the formation of globular cluster progenitors. However, if we represent the enhancements as Bonnor-Ebert spheres, then the pressure of the surrounding HI would need to increase by at least a factor of 6 in order to cause the collapse of an enhancement. Thus we do not expect them to form massive bound stellar systems like super star clusters or tidal dwarf galaxies. Since the HI density enhancements have some properties in common with High Velocity Clouds, we explore whether they may evolve to be identified with these starless clouds instead.

The magellanic bridge as a damped lyman alpha system: physical properties of cold gas toward pks 0312-770 ∗

Abstract: We measure the physical properties of a local multicomponent absorption-line system at V� ∼200 km s −1 toward the quasar PKS 0312–770 behind the Magellanic Bridge (MB) using Hubble Space Telescope Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) spectroscopy in conjunction with photoionization modeling. At an impact parameter of ∼10 kpc from the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC), this sightline provides a unique opportunity to probe the chemical properties and ionization structure in a nearby absorption line system with a column density of log NH i ∼20.2, at the transition between damped Lyα (DLA) and sub-DLA systems. We find that metallicity of −1.0 < log(Z/Z� ) < −0.5 and ionization parameter of −6 < log U< −5 for three low-ionization components and log U ∼− 2.6 for one high-ionization component. One component at V� = 207 km s −1 shows an α-element abundance log(Si/H) ∼− 5.0, making it ∼0.2 dex more metal-rich than both SMC Hii regions and stars within the MB and the SMC. The N/Si ratio in this component is log(N/Si) =− 0.3 ± 0.1, making it comparable to other N-poor dwarf galaxies and ∼0.2 dex lower than Hii regions in the SMC. Another component at V� = 236 km s −1 shows a similar Si/H ratio but has log(N/Si) =− 1.0 ± 0.2, indicating a nitrogen deficiency comparable to that seen in the most N-poor DLA systems. These differences imply different chemical enrichment histories between components along the same sightline. Our results suggest that if these absorbers are representative some fraction of DLA systems, then (1) DLA systems along single sightlines do not necessarily represent the global properties of the absorbing cloud, and (2) the chemical composition within a given DLA cloud may be inhomogeneous.

The Magellanic Bridge as a DLA System: Physical Properties of Cold Gas toward PKS0312-770

Abstract: We measure the physical properties of a local multi-component absorption-line system at V_sol ~ 200 km/s toward the quasar PKS0312-770 behind the Magellanic Bridge (MB) using Hubble Space Telescope STIS spectroscopy in conjunction with photoionization modeling. At an impact parameter of ~ 10 kpc from the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC), this sightline provides a unique opportunity to probe the chemical properties and ionization structure in a nearby absorption line system with a column density of logN(HI) ~ 20.2, at the transition between Damped Lyman Alpha (DLA) and sub-DLA systems. We find that metallicity of -1.0 < logZ < -0.5 and ionization parameter of -6 < logU < -5 for three low-ionization components and logU ~ -2.6 for one high-ionization component. One component at V_sol = 207 km/s shows an alpha-element abundance log(Si/H) ~ -5.0, making it ~ 0.2 dex more metal rich than both SMC H II regions and stars within the MB and the SMC. The N/Si ratio in this component is log(N/Si) = -0.3+/-0.1, making it comparable to other N-poor dwarf galaxies and ~ 0.2 dex lower than H II regions in the SMC. Another component at V_sol = 236 km/s shows a similar Si/H ratio but has log(N/Si) = -1.0+/-0.2, indicating a nitrogen deficiency comparable to that seen in the most N-poor DLA systems. These differences imply different chemical enrichment histories between components along the same sightline. Our results suggest that, if these absorbers are representative some fraction of DLA systems, then 1) DLA systems along single sight-lines do not necessarily represent the global properties of the absorbing cloud, and b) the chemical composition within a given DLA cloud may be inhomogeneous.

RAVE spectroscopy of luminous blue variables in the Large Magellanic Cloud

Abstract: Context. The RAVE spectroscopic survey for galactic structure and evolution obtains 8400-8800 A spectra at 7500 resolving power at the UK Schmidt Telescope using the 6dF multi-fiber positioner. Mor e than 300 000 9≤IC≤12 and|b|≥25 ◦ southern stars have been observed to date. Aims. This paper presents the first intrinsic examination of stell ar spectra from the RAVE survey, aimed at evaluating their diagnostic potential for peculiar stars and at contributing to the general unders tanding of Luminous Blue Variables (LBVs). Methods. We used the multi-epoch spectra for all seven LBVs observed, between 2005 and 2008, in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) by the RAVE survey. Results. We demonstrate that RAVE spectra possess significant diagno stic potential when applied to peculiar stars and, in partic ular, LBVs. The behaviour of the radial velocities for both emission and absorption lines, and the spectral changes between outburst and quiescence states are described and found to agree with evidence gathered at more conventional wavelengths. The wind outflow signatures an d their variability are investigated, with multi-components detected in S Doradus. Photoionisation modelling of the rich emission line spectrum of R 127 shows evidence of a massive detached ionised shell that was ejected during the 1982-2000 outburst. Surface inhomogeneities in the nuclear-processed material, brought to the surface by heavy mass loss, could have been observed in S Doradus, even if alternative explanations are possible. We also detect the transition from quiescence to outburst stat e in R 71. Finally, our spectrum of R 84 offers one of the clearest views of its cool companion.

The Science Case for PILOT I: Summary and Overview

Abstract: PILOT (the Pathfinder for an International Large Optical Telescope) is a proposed 2.5-m optical/infrared telescope to be located at Dome C on the Antarctic plateau. Conditions at Dome C are known to be exceptional for astronomy. The seeing (above ∼30 m height), coherence time, and isoplanatic angle are all twice as good as at typical mid-latitude sites, while the water-vapour column, and the atmosphere and telescope thermal emission are all an order of magnitude better. These conditions enable a unique scientific capability for PILOT, which is addressed in this series of papers. The current paper presents an overview of the optical and instrumentation suite for PILOT and its expected performance, a summary of the key science goals and observational approach for the facility, a discussion of the synergies between the science goals for PILOT and other telescopes, and a discussion of the future of Antarctic astronomy. Paper II and Paper III present details of the science projects divided, respectively, between the distant Universe (i.e. studies of first light, and the assembly and evolution of structure) and the nearby Universe (i.e. studies of Local Group galaxies, the Milky Way, and the Solar System).

The search for celestial positronium via the recombination spectrum

Abstract: Positronium is a short-lived atom consisting of a bound electron-positron pair. In the triplet state, when the spins of both particles are parallel, radiative recombination lines will be emitted prior to annihilation. The existence of celestial positronium is revealed through gamma-ray observations of its annihilation products. These observations, however, have intrinsically low angular resolution. In this paper, we examine the prospects for detecting the positronium recombination spectrum. Such observations have the potential to reveal discrete sources of e {sup +} for the first time and will allow the acuity of optical telescopes and instrumentation to be applied to observations of high-energy phenomena. We review the theory of the positronium recombination spectrum and provide formulae to calculate expected line strengths from the e {sup +} production rate and for different conditions in the interstellar medium. We estimate the positronium emission line strengths for several classes of Galactic and extragalactic sources. These are compared to current observational limits and to current and future sensitivities of optical and infrared instrumentation. We find that observations of the Psalpha line should soon be possible due to recent advances in NIR spectroscopy.

The Science Case for PILOT I: Summary and Overview

Abstract: PILOT (the Pathfinder for an International Large Optical Telescope) is a proposed 2.5 m optical/infrared telescope to be located at Dome C on the Antarctic plateau. Conditions at Dome C are known to be exceptional for astronomy. The seeing (above ~30 m height), coherence time, and isoplanatic angle are all twice s good as at typical mid-latitude sites, while the water-vapour column, and the atmosphere and telescope thermal emission are all an order of magnitude better. These conditions enable a unique scientific capability for PILOT, which is addressed in this series of papers. The current paper presents an overview of the optical and instrumentation suite for PILO and its expected performance, a summary of the key science goals and observational approach for the facility, a discussion of the synergies between the science goals for PILOT and other telescopes, and a discussion of the future of Antarctic astronomy. Paper II and Paper III present details of the science projects divided, respectively, between the distant Universe (i.e., studies of first light, and the assembly and evolution of structure) and the nearby Universe (i.e., studies of Local Group galaxies, the Milky Way, and the Solar System).

The Science Case for PILOT III: the Nearby Universe

Abstract: PILOT (the Pathfinder for an International Large Optical Telescope is a proposed 2.5 m optical/infrared telescope to be located at DomeC on the Antarctic plateau. The atmospheric conditions at Dome C deliver a high sensitivity, high photometric precision, wide-field, high spatial resolution, and high-cadence imaging capability to the PILOT telescope. These capabilities enable a unique scientific potential for PILOT, which is addressed in this series of papers. The current paper presents a series of projects dealing with the nearby Universe that have been identified as key science drivers for the PILOT facility. Several projects are proposed that examine stellar populations in nearby galaxies and stellar clusters in order to gain insight into the formation and evolution processes of galaxies and stars. A series of projects will investigate the molecular phase of the Galaxy and explore the ecology of star formation, and investigate the formation processes of stellar and planetary systems. Three projects in the field of exoplanet science are proposed: a search for free-floating low-mass planets and dwarfs, a program of follow-up observations of gravitational microlensing events, and a study of infrared light-curves for previously discovered exoplanets. Three projects are also proposed in the field of planetary and space science: optical and near-infrared studies aimed at characterising planetary atmospheres, a study of coronal mass ejections from the Sun, and a monitoring program searching for small-scale Low Earth Orbit satellite debris items.

RAVE spectroscopy of luminous blue variables in the Large Magellanic Cloud

Abstract: CONTEXT: The RAVE spectroscopic survey for galactic structure and evolution obtains 8400-8800 Ang spectra at 7500 resolving power at the UK Schmidt Telescope using the 6dF multi-fiber positioner. More than 300,000 9 25 deg southern stars have been observed to date. AIMS: This paper presents the first intrinsic examination of stellar spectra from the RAVE survey, aimed at evaluating their diagnostic potential for peculiar stars and at contributing to the general understanding of Luminous Blue Variables (LBVs). METHODS: We used the multi-epoch spectra for all seven LBVs observed, between 2005 and 2008, in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) by the RAVE survey. RESULTS: We demonstrate that RAVE spectra possess significant diagnostic potential when applied to peculiar stars and, in particular, LBVs. The behaviour of the radial velocities for both emission and absorption lines, and the spectral changes between outburst and quiescence states are described and found to agree with evidence gathered at more conventional wavelengths. The wind outflow signatures and their variability are investigated, with multi-components detected in S Doradus. Photoionisation modelling of the rich emission line spectrum of R 127 shows evidence of a massive detached ionised shell that was ejected during the 1982-2000 outburst. Surface inhomogeneities in the nuclear-processed material, brought to the surface by heavy mass loss, could have been observed in S Doradus, even if alternative explanations are possible. We also detect the transition from quiescence to outburst state in R 71. Finally, our spectrum of R 84 offers one of the clearest views of its cool companion.

The galaxy disk in cosmological context : proceedings of the 254th Symposium of the International Astronomical Union held in Copenhagen, Denmark, June 9-13, 2008

Abstract: Conference photo Preface Organising committees List of participants Introduction Session I. Disk Galaxies Throughout Time and Space Session II. Origin, Structure and Chemical Evolution of Disks Session III. Accretion and the Interstellar Medium Session IV. Stars as Drivers and Tracers of Chemical Evolution Session V. Disk Galaxy Meets LAMBDACDM Cosmology Session VI. Surveys, Challenges and Prospects for the Future Poster papers Author index.

Nearly octave-spanning cascaded four-wave-mixing generation in low dispersion highly nonlinear fiber

Abstract: Efficient generation of cascaded four-wave mixing using a dispersion flattened optical fiber is reported. The measured optical frequency comb (with 300 GHz spacing) spans over 900 nm.

The Search for Celestial Positronium via the Recombination Spectrum

Abstract: Positronium is the short-lived atom consisting of a bound electron-positron pair. In the triplet state, when the spins of both particles are parallel, radiative recombination lines will be emitted prior to annihilation. The existence of celestial positronium is revealed through gamma-ray observations of its annihilation products. These observations however have intrinsically low angular resolution. In this paper we examine the prospects for detecting the positronium recombination spectrum. Such observations have the potential to reveal discrete sources of positrons for the first time and will allow the acuity of optical telescopes and instrumentation to be applied to observations of high energy phenomena. We review the theory of the positronium recombination spectrum and provide formulae to calculate expected line strengths from the positrons production rate and for different conditions in the interstellar medium. We estimate the positronium emission line strengths for several classes of Galactic and extragalactic sources. These are compared to current observational limits and to current and future sensitivities of optical and infrared instrumentation. We find that observations of the Ps-alpha line should soon be possible due to recent advances in near-infrared spectroscopy.

New Developments in Integral Field Spectroscopy

Abstract: The development of wide field adaptive optics (AO) capabilities greatly increases the potential information content (spatial resolution elements × spectral resolution elements) per telescope pointing. This is illustrated in Table 1, which lists the wide field AO systems for the VLT. The multi-conjugate adaptive optics (MCAO) demonstrator MAD has already proven that a 1′ corrected field of view (FoV) with point spread function (PSF) full width half-maximum (FWHM) of 0.1′′ is possible [1]. This corresponds to a number of spatial resolution elements, Nsp = 4×104. The two ground-layer adaptive optics (GLAO) systems currently under development promise comparable numbers. Comparing these figures with the seeing limited case for the maximum VLT FoV and good seeing we see that in terms of the number of spatial resolution elements the wide field AO foci of the VLT will be just as ‘wide field’ as any seeing limited instrument. This simple comparison highlights the need for large spatial format AO instruments, including integral field spectrographs (IFS’s), to fully exploit the scientific potential of wide field AO. However, large format IFS’s are complex and technically challenging instruments. A good example of the current state of the art is MUSE, a 300× 300 format, R = 2000–4000 IFS for wavelengths of 0.465–0.93 μm, giving a total of 7×107 resolution elements. One of the most obvious difficulties in building such instruments is simply physical size, MUSE will essentially fill the Nasmyth platform at the VLT. The technical difficulties are compounded for near infrared (NIR) IFS. The need for more extensive cooling leads to even greater size and complexity. Furthermore NIR IFS is less capable than optical IFS because the NIR sky background is much higher, which limits NIR IFS to high surface brightness objects. However, AAO technology developments, in particular integrated photonic spectrographs and OH suppression fibres, offer possible solutions.