Showing papers by "Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory published in 2004"

Metallicities of 0.3 < z < 1.0 Galaxies in the GOODS-North Field

Abstract: We measure nebular oxygen abundances for 204 emission-line galaxies with redshifts 0.3 -20), consistent with scenarios whereby the formation epoch for less massive galaxies is more recent than for massive galaxies.

[O II] as a Star Formation Rate Indicator

Abstract: We investigate the [O II] emission line as a star formation rate (SFR) indicator using integrated spectra of 97 galaxies from the Nearby Field Galaxies Survey (NFGS). The sample includes all Hubble types and contains SFRs ranging from 0.01 to 100 M⊙ yr-1. We compare the Kennicutt [O II] and Hα SFR calibrations and show that there are two significant effects that produce disagreement between SFR([O II]) and SFR(Hα): reddening and metallicity. Differences in the ionization state of the interstellar medium do not contribute significantly to the observed difference between SFR([O II]) and SFR(Hα) for the NFGS galaxies with metallicities log (O/H) + 12 8.5. The Kennicutt [O II]-SFR relation assumes a typical reddening for nearby galaxies; in practice, the reddening differs significantly from sample to sample. We derive a new SFR([O II]) calibration that does not contain a reddening assumption. Our new SFR([O II]) calibration also provides an optional correction for metallicity. Our SFRs derived from [O II] agree with those derived from Hα to within 0.03–0.05 dex. We show that the reddening, E(B-V), increases with intrinsic (i.e., reddening-corrected) [O II] luminosity for the NFGS sample. We apply our SFR([O II]) calibration with metallicity correction to two samples: high-redshift 0.8 < z < 1.6 galaxies from the NICMOS Hα survey and 0.5 < z < 1.1 galaxies from the Canada-France Redshift Survey. The SFR([O II]) and SFR(Hα) for these samples agree to within the scatter observed for the NFGS sample, indicating that our SFR([O II]) relation can be applied to both local and high-z galaxies. Finally, we apply our SFR([O II]) to estimates of the cosmic star formation history. After reddening and metallicity corrections, the star formation rate densities derived from [O II] and Hα agree to within ~30%.

Collisional cascades in planetesimal disks. ii. embedded planets

Abstract: We use a multiannulus planetesimal accretion code to investigate the growth of icy planets in the outer regions of a planetesimal disk. In a quiescent minimum-mass solar nebula, icy planets grow to sizes of 1000–3000 km on a timescale tP ≈ (15–20)[a/(30 AU)]3 Myr, where a is the distance from the central star. Planets form faster in more massive nebulae. Newly formed planets stir up leftover planetesimals along their orbits and produce a collisional cascade in which icy planetesimals are slowly ground to dust. The dusty debris of planet formation has physical characteristics similar to those observed in β Pic and HR 4796A and other debris disks. The computed dust masses are Md(r 1 mm) ~ 1026(M0/MMMSN) g and Md(1 mm r 1 m) ~ 1027(M0/MMMSN) g, where r is the radius of a particle, M0 is the initial mass in solids, and MMMSN is the mass in solids of a minimum-mass solar nebula at 30–150 AU. The luminosity of the dusty disk relative to the stellar luminosity is LD/L0 ~ Lmax(t/t0)-m, where Lmax ~ 10-3(M0/MMMSN), t0 ≈ 10–1000 Myr, and m ≈ 1–2. Our calculations produce bright rings and dark gaps with sizes Δa/a ≈ 0.1. Bright rings occur where planets 1000 km and larger have recently formed. Dark gaps are regions where planets have cleared out dust, or shadows where planets have yet to form. Planets can also grow in a planetesimal disk perturbed by the close passage of a star. Stellar flybys initiate collisional cascades, which produce copious amounts of dust. The dust luminosity following a modest perturbation is 3–4 times larger than the maximum dust luminosity of a quiescent planet-forming disk. In 10 Myr or less, large perturbations remove almost all of the planetesimals from a disk. After a modest flyby, collisional damping reduces planetesimal velocities and allows planets to grow from the remaining planetesimals. Planet formation timescales are then 2–4 times longer than timescales for undisturbed disks; dust luminosities are 2–4 times smaller.

The Size Distribution of Kuiper Belt Objects

Abstract: We describe analytical and numerical collisional evolution calculations for the size distribution of icy bodies in the Kuiper belt. For a wide range of bulk properties, initial masses, and orbital parameters, our results yield power-law cumulative size distributions, NC ∝ r-q, with qL ≈ 3.5 for large bodies (with radii r 10–100 km) and qS ≈ 2.5–3 for small bodies (with radii r 0.1–1 km). The transition between the two power laws occurs at a break radius rb ≈ 1–30 km. The break radius is more sensitive to the initial mass in the Kuiper belt and the amount of stirring by Neptune than to the bulk properties of individual Kuiper belt objects (KBOs). Comparisons with observations indicate that most models can explain the observed sky surface density σ(m) of KBOs for red magnitudes R ≈ 22–27. For R 22 and R 28, the model σ(m) is sensitive to the amount of stirring by Neptune, suggesting that the size distribution of icy planets in the outer solar system provides independent constraints on the formation of Neptune.

Stellar encounters as the origin of distant Solar System objects in highly eccentric orbits

Abstract: The Kuiper belt1 extends from the orbit of Neptune at 30 au to an abrupt outer edge about 50 au from the Sun2. Beyond the edge is a sparse population of objects with large orbital eccentricities3,4. Neptune shapes the dynamics of most Kuiper belt objects, but the recently discovered planet 2003 VB12 (Sedna5) has an eccentric orbit with a perihelion distance of 70 au, far beyond Neptune's gravitational influence6,7,8. Although influences from passing stars could have created the Kuiper belt's outer edge and could have scattered objects into large, eccentric orbits9,10, no model currently explains the properties of Sedna. Here we show that a passing star probably scattered Sedna from the Kuiper belt into its observed orbit. The likelihood that a planet at 60–80 au can be scattered into Sedna's orbit is about 50 per cent; this estimate depends critically on the geometry of the fly-by. Even more interesting is the ∼10 per cent chance that Sedna was captured from the outer disk of the passing star. Most captures have very high inclination orbits; detection of such objects would confirm the presence of extrasolar planets in our own Solar System.

Detecting the Dusty Debris of Terrestrial Planet Formation

Abstract: We use a multiannulus accretion code to investigate debris disks in the terrestrial zone at 0.7-1.3 AU around a 1 M☉ star. Terrestrial planet formation produces a bright dusty ring of debris with a lifetime of 106 yr. The early phases of terrestrial planet formation are observable with current facilities; the late stages require more advanced instruments with adaptive optics.

Chandra Multiwavelength Project. I. First X‐Ray Source Catalog

Abstract: The Chandra Multiwavelength Project (ChaMP) is a wide-area (~14 deg2) survey of serendipitous Chandra X-ray sources, aiming to establish fair statistical samples covering a wide range of characteristics (such as absorbed active galactic nuclei, high-z clusters of galaxies) at flux levels (fX ~ 10-15 to 10-14 ergs s-1 cm-2) intermediate between the Chandra deep surveys and previous missions. We present the first ChaMP catalog, which consists of 991 near on-axis, bright X-ray sources obtained from the initial sample of 62 observations. The data have been uniformly reduced and analyzed with techniques specifically developed for the ChaMP and then validated by visual examination. To assess source reliability and positional uncertainty, we perform a series of simulations and also use Chandra data to complement the simulation study. The false source detection rate is found to be as good as or better than expected for a given limiting threshold. On the other hand, the chance of missing a real source is rather complex, depending on the source counts, off-axis distance (or PSF), and background rate. The positional error (95% confidence level) is usually less than 1'' for a bright source, regardless of its off-axis distance, while it can be as large as 4'' for a weak source (~20 counts) at a large off-axis distance (Doff-axis > 8'). We have also developed new methods to find spatially extended or temporary variable sources, and those sources are listed in the catalog.

Spitzer space telescope spectroscopy of ices toward low-mass embedded protostars

Abstract: Sensitive 5-38 μm Spitzer Space Telescope and ground-based 3-5 μm spectra of the embedded low-mass protostars B5 IRS1 and HH 46 IRS show deep ice absorption bands superposed on steeply rising mid-infrared continua. The ices likely originate in the circumstellar envelopes. The CO_2 bending mode at 15 μm is a particularly powerful tracer of the ice composition and processing history. Toward these protostars, this band shows little evidence for thermal processing at temperatures above 50 K. Signatures of lower temperature processing are present in the CO and OCN^- bands, however. The observed CO2 profile indicates an intimate mixture with H_(2)O, but not necessarily with CH_(3)OH, in contrast to some high-mass protostars. This is consistent with the low CH_(3)OH abundance derived from the ground-based L-band spectra. The CO_2 : H_(2)O column density ratios are high in both B5 IRS1 and HH 46 IRS (~35%). Clearly, the Spitzer spectra are essential for studying ice evolution in low-mass protostellar environments and for eventually determining the relation between interstellar and solar system ices.

HATnet VARIABILITY SURVEY IN THE HIGH STELLAR DENSITY "KEPLER FIELD" WITH MILLIMAGNITUDE IMAGE SUBTRACTION PHOTOMETRY

Abstract: The Hungarian-made Automated Telescope network (HATnet) is an ongoing project to detect transiting extra-solar planets using small aperture (11 cm diameter), robotic telescopes. In this paper we present the results from using image subtraction photometry to reduce a crowded stellar field observed with one of the HATnet telescopes (HAT-5). This field was chosen to overlap with the planned Kepler mission. We obtained I-band light curves for 98,000 objects in a 8.3x8.3 square degree field of view, near the Galactic plane in the constellations Cygnus and Lyra. These observations include 788 5-minute exposures over 30 days. For the brightest stars (I~8.0) we achieved a precision of 3.5 millimagnitudes, falling to 0.1 magnitudes at the faint end (I~14). From these light curves we identify 1617 variable stars, of which 1439 are newly discovered. The fact that nearly 90% of the variables were previously undetected further demonstrates the vast number of variables yet to be discovered even among fairly bright stars in our Galaxy. We also discuss some of the most interesting cases. These include: V1171 Cyg, a triple system with the inner two stars in P=1.462 day period eclipsing orbit and the outer star a P=4.86 day Cepheid; HD227269, an eccentric eclipsing system with a P=4.86 day period that also shows P=2.907 day pulsations; WW Cyg, a well studied eclipsing binary; V482 Cyg, an RCB star; and V546 Cyg, a PV Tel Variable. We also detect a number of small amplitude variables, in some cases with full amplitude as low as 10 mmag.

CAIRNS: The Cluster and Infall Region Nearby Survey. II. Environmental Dependence of Infrared Mass-to-Light Ratios

Abstract: CAIRNS (Cluster and Infall Region Nearby Survey) is a spectroscopic survey of the infall regions surrounding nine nearby rich clusters of galaxies. In our previous paper, we used redshifts within ~10 h-1 Mpc of the centers of the clusters to determine the mass profiles of the clusters based on the phase-space distribution of the galaxies. Here, we use Two Micron All Sky Survey photometry and an additional 515 redshifts to investigate the environmental dependence of near-infrared mass-to-light ratios. In the virial regions, the halo occupation function is nonlinear; the number of bright galaxies per halo increases more slowly than the mass of the halo. On larger scales, the light contained in galaxies is less clustered than the mass in rich clusters. Specifically, the mass-to-light ratio inside the virial radius is a factor of 1.8 ± 0.3 larger than that outside the virial radius. This difference could result from changing fractions of baryonic to total matter or from variations in the efficiency of galaxy formation or disruption with environment. The average mass-to-light ratio M/LK = 53 ± 5 h implies Ωm = 0.18 ± 0.03 (statistical) using the luminosity density based on Two Degree Field Galaxy Redshift Survey data. These results are difficult to reconcile with independent methods that suggest higher Ωm. Reconciling these values by invoking bias requires that the typical value of M/LK changes significantly at densities of 3ρc.

Mc Neil's Nebula in Orion: The Outburst History

Abstract: We present a sequence of I-band images obtained at the Venezuela 1m Schmidt telescope during the outburst of the nebula recently discovered by J.W. McNeil in the Orion L1630 molecular cloud. We derive photometry spanning the pre-outburst state and the brightening itself, a unique record including 14 epochs and spanning a time scale of ~5 years. We constrain the beginning of the outburst at some time between Oct. 28 and Nov. 15, 2003. The light curve of the object at the vertex of the nebula, the likely exciting source of the outburst, reveals that it has brightened ~5 magnitudes in about 4 months. The time scale for the nebula to develop is consistent with the light travel time, indicating that we are observing light from the central source scattered by the ambient cloud into the line of sight. We also show recent FLWO optical spectroscopy of the exciting source and of the nearby HH 22. The spectrum of the source is highly reddened; in contrast, the spectrum of HH 22 shows a shock spectrum superimposed on a continuum, most likely due to reflected light from the exciting source reaching the HH object through a much less reddened path. The blue portion of this spectrum is consistent with an early B spectral type, similar to the early outburst spectrum of the FU Ori variable V1057 Cyg; we estimate a luminosity of L ~219 Lsun. The eruptive behavior of the McNeil nebula source, its spectroscopic characteristics and luminosity, suggest we may be witnessing an FU Ori event on its way to maximum. Further monitoring of this object will decide whether it qualifies as a member of this rare class of objects.

Protostars in the Elephant Trunk Nebula

Abstract: The optically dark globule IC 1396A is revealed using Spitzer Space Telescope images at 3.6, 4.5, 5.8, 8, and 24 μm to be infrared-bright and to contain a set of previously unknown protostars. The mid-infrared colors of the 24 μm detected sources indicate several very young (Class I or 0) protostars and a dozen Class II stars. Three of the new sources (IC 1396A:γ, 1396A:δ, and 1396A:) emit over 90% of their bolometric luminosities at wavelengths greater than 3 μm, and they are located within ~0.02 pc of the ionization front at the edge of the globule. Many of the sources have spectra that are still rising at 24 μm. The two previously known young stars LkHα 349a and 349c are both detected, with component c harboring a massive disk and component a being bare. On the order of 5% of the mass of material in the globule is presently in the form of protostars in the 105-106 yr age range. This high star formation rate was likely triggered by radiation from a nearby O star.

The Integrated Spectrum of M67 and the Spectroscopic Age of M32

Abstract: We construct an integrated spectrum of the intermediate-age, solar-metallicity Galactic cluster M67, from individual spectroscopic observations of bona fide cluster members. The spectrum so obtained is used as a template to test our stellar population synthesis models, in an age and metallicity regime where such models remain largely untested. As a result, we demonstrate that our models predict a spectroscopic age of 3.5 ± 0.5 Gyr for M67, which is the same age we obtain from fitting isochrones to the color-magnitude diagram of the cluster. Full consistency is reached when using either Hβ, Hγ, or Hδ as the age indicator. We also check if the models, when applied to the cluster integrated spectrum, predict elemental abundances in agreement with the known detailed abundance pattern of the cluster. The models also pass the latter test, by predicting the abundances of iron, magnesium, carbon, and nitrogen in agreement with detailed abundance analyses of cluster stars to within 0.1 dex. Encouraged by the high degree of consistency of our models, we apply them to the study of the integrated spectrum of the central 3'' of the compact elliptical galaxy M32. The resulting luminosity-weighted age of the galaxy ranges between 2 and 3.5 Gyr, depending on the age indicator adopted. According to our models, the center of M32 seems to have a supersolar iron abundance, ranging between [Fe/H] ~ +0.1 and +0.3, depending on the spectral index adopted. The light element magnesium seems to be underabundant in the center of M32 relative to iron by about ~0.1–0.2 dex, whereas the data are consistent with nearly solar carbon and nitrogen abundances relative to iron. We find that single-age, single-metallicity stellar population models with solar-scaled abundance patterns cannot fit all the Balmer and metal lines in the integrated spectrum of M32. In particular, there is a systematic trend in the sense that bluer absorption lines indicate a younger age and a higher metallicity. This slight inconsistency can be due either to (unaccounted for) abundance ratio effects on blue iron and Balmer line indices or to a spread of the ages of the stellar populations in M32. Current stellar population models cannot break this degeneracy at the level of accuracy required to address this problem.

Chandra Multiwavelength Project. II. First Results of X-Ray Source Properties

Abstract: The Chandra Multiwavelength Project (ChaMP) is a wide-area (~14 deg2) survey of serendipitous Chandra X-ray sources, aiming to establish fair statistical samples covering a wide range of characteristics (such as absorbed active galactic nuclei [AGNs] and high-z clusters of galaxies) at flux levels (fX ~ 10-15 to 10-14 ergs s-1 cm-2) intermediate between the Chandra Deep Field surveys and previous missions. We present the first results of X-ray source properties obtained from the initial sample of 62 observations. The data have been uniformly reduced and analyzed with techniques specifically developed for the ChaMP and then validated by visual examination. Utilizing only near-on-axis X-ray-bright sources (to avoid problems caused by incompleteness and the Eddington bias), we derive the log N- log S relation in soft (0.5-2 keV) and hard (2-8 keV) energy bands. The ChaMP data are consistent with previous results of ROSAT, ASCA, and Chandra Deep Field surveys. In particular, our data nicely fill in the flux gap in the hard band between the Chandra Deep Field data and the previous ASCA data. We check whether there is any systematic difference in the source density between cluster and noncluster fields and also search for field-to-field variation, both of which have been previously reported. We found no significant field-to-field cosmic variation in either test within the statistics (~1 σ) across the flux levels included in our sample. In the X-ray color-color plot, most sources fall in the location characterized by photon index = 1.5-2 and NH = a few × 1020 cm2, suggesting that they are typical broadline AGNs. There also exist a considerable number of sources with peculiar X-ray colors (e.g., highly absorbed, very hard, very soft). We confirm a trend that on average the X-ray color hardens as the count rate decreases. Since the hardening is confined to the softest energy band (0.3-0.9 keV), we conclude that it is most likely due to absorption. We cross-correlate the X-ray sources with other catalogs and describe their properties in terms of optical color, X-ray-to-optical luminosity ratio, and X-ray colors.

McNeil's Nebula in Orion: The outburst history

Abstract: We present a sequence of I-band images obtained at the Venezuela 1 m Schmidt telescope during the outburst of the nebula recently discovered by J. W. McNeil in the Orion L1630 molecular cloud. We derive photometry spanning the preoutburst state and the brightening itself, which is a unique record including 14 epochs and spanning a timescale of ~5 years. We constrain the beginning of the outburst at some time between 2003 October 28 and November 15. The light curve of the object at the vertex of the nebula, the likely exciting source of the outburst, reveals that it has brightened ~5 mag in about 4 months. The timescale for the nebula to develop is consistent with the light-travel time, indicating that we are observing light from the central source scattered by the ambient cloud into the line of sight. We also show recent FLWO optical spectroscopy of the exciting source and of the nearby HH 22. The spectrum of the source is highly reddened; in contrast, the spectrum of HH 22 shows a shock spectrum superposed on a continuum, most likely the result of reflected light from the exciting source reaching the HH object through a much less reddened path. The blue portion of this spectrum is consistent with an early B spectral type, similar to the early outburst spectrum of the FU Orionis variable star V1057 Cygni; we estimate a luminosity of L ~ 219 L☉. The eruptive behavior of McNeil's Nebula, its spectroscopic characteristics and luminosity, suggest that we may be witnessing an FU Ori event on its way to maximum. By further monitoring this object, we will be able decide whether or not it qualifies as a member of this rare class of objects.

A Deep Chandra X-Ray Observation of the Rich Young Cluster NGC 6530. I. The X-Ray Source Catalog and the Cluster Population

Abstract: In ad eep 60 ksChandra ACIS X-ray observation of the very young cluster NGC 6530, we detect 884 X-ray point sources and argue that a very large fraction of them (90%-95%) must be pre-main-sequence (PMS) cluster members, mostly of low masses. This is a significant enlargement of the known NGC 6530 stellar population with respect to previous optical studies, including Hsurveys. We identify 220 X-ray sources with cataloged stars down to V ¼ 17, while most unidentified sources have fainter counterparts. Moreover, we find an infrared counterpart in the 2MASS catalog for 731 X-ray sources. The optically identified cluster X-ray sources are found in a band in the H-R diagram above the main sequence, in the locus of 0.5-1.5 Myr PMS stars, with masses down to 0.5-1.5 M� . We find evidence of an age gradient across the field from northwest to south, suggesting a sequence of star formation events qualitatively similar to that found in earlier studies of the same region, but differing in the details. A group of X-ray sources showing frequent flares may be associated with the youngest stars in the cluster, suggesting that X-ray flaring activity is especially intense in the youngest PMS phases of low- mass stars. Subject headings: open clusters and associations: individual (NGC 6530) — stars: coronae — stars: pre-main-sequence — X-rays: stars

EUV multilayers for solar physics

Abstract: We present an overview of currently available EUV multilayer coatings that can be used for the construction of solar physics instrumentation utilizing normal-incidence optics. We describe the performance of a variety of Si-based multilayers, including Si/B4C and new Si/SiC films that provide improved performance in the wavelength range from 25 n 35 nm, as well as traditional Si/Mo multilayers, including broad-band coatings recently developed for the Solar-B/EIS instrument. We also outline prospects for operation at both longer and shorter EUV wavelengths, and also the potential of ultra-short-period multilayers that work near normal incidence in the soft X-ray region.

An X-Ray Jet from a White Dwarf: Detection of the Collimated Outflow from CH Cygni with Chandra

Abstract: Most symbiotic stars consist of a white dwarf accreting material from the wind of a red giant. An increasing number of these objects have been found to produce jets. Analysis of archival Chandra data of the symbiotic system CH Cygni reveals faint extended emission to the south, aligned with the optical and radio jets seen in earlier Hubble Space Telescope and Very Large Array observations. CH Cygni thus contains only the second known white dwarf with an X-ray jet, after R Aquarii. The X-rays from symbiotic star jets appear to be produced when jet material is shock-heated following collision with the surrounding gas, as with the outflows from some protostellar objects and bipolar planetary nebulae.

A Complete Atlas of Recalibrated Hubble Space Telescope Faint Object Spectrograph Spectra of Active Galactic Nuclei and Quasars. I. Pre-COSTAR Spectra

Abstract: We have recalibrated all nonpolarimetric, pre-COSTAR, archival Hubble Space Telescope Faint Object Spectrograph UV and optical spectrophotometry of active galaxies and quasars in order to extract uniformly calibrated spectrophotometric data for further detailed scientific investigations. The raw archival spectra have been recalibrated using the latest algorithms and calibration data. Spectral data contaminated by intermittent noisy diodes and cosmic-ray events have been identified manually and eliminated. Wherever possible we have combined multiple observations of the same source to produce a single spectrum per object with the highest possible signal-to-noise ratio and covering the widest wavelength range, scaling the individual data sets to the same photometric scale where necessary. Detailed quality assurance has been performed to ensure that the merged object spectra are of the highest quality consistent with the limitations of the individual data sets and calibrations. The recalibrated, merged object spectra are available in electronic form. We use this data set to present statistics of the photometric accuracy in the wavelength overlap regions for observations spanning multiple gratings.

K-Band Properties of Well-Sampled Groups of Galaxies

Abstract: We use a sample of 55 groups and six clusters of galaxies ranging in mass from 7 × 1011 to 1.5 × 1015 M⊙ to examine the correlation of the Ks-band luminosity with mass discovered by Lin and coauthors in 2003. We use the Two-Micron All-Sky Survey catalog and published redshifts to construct complete magnitude-limited redshift surveys of the groups. From these surveys we explore the IR photometric properties of groups members, including their IR color distribution and luminosity function. Although we find no significant difference between the group Ks luminosity function and the general field, there is a difference between the color distribution of luminous group members and their counterparts (generally background) in the field. There is a significant population of luminous galaxies with H - Ks 0.35, which are rarely, if ever, members of the groups in our sample. The most luminous galaxies that populate the groups have a very narrow range of IR color. Over the entire mass range covered by our sample, the Ks luminosity increases with mass as L ∝ M0.64±0.06, implying that the mass-to-light ratio in the Ks band increases with mass. The agreement between this result and earlier investigations of essentially nonoverlapping sets of systems shows that this window in galaxy formation and evolution is insensitive to the selection of the systems and to the details of the mass and luminosity computations.

Structural evidence for environment-driven transformation of the blue galaxies in local abell clusters: a85, a496, and a754

Abstract: We present a detailed comparison of structural properties in the rest-frame V band of cluster and field galaxies, selected and analyzed in the same manner, to test the hypothesis that much of the current cluster galaxy membership resulted from the fairly rapid (1-2 Gyr) transformation of infalling, field spirals into red, cluster early types. Specifically, we have selected ~140 galaxies from three nearby Abell clusters (A85, A496, and A754) that have colors significantly bluer than the red sequence population and compared them to ~80 field galaxies with similar colors and luminosities from the Nearby Field Galaxy Survey. The comparison is based on the hypothesis that recent (1-4 Gyr) cluster arrivals were originally blue and star-forming, then stopped forming stars to dim and redden in a few gigayears. For the comparison we quantify galaxy internal structure and morphology from two-dimensional bulge/disk decompositions using GIM2D. We observe structural differences between blue galaxies in local (z < 0.06) clusters, compared to field environments. All cluster galaxies have spectroscopic membership. The majority of blue cluster members, presumably recent additions, are physically smaller and fainter than their equally colored field counterparts. At a matched size and luminosity, the newer cluster arrivals are quantifiably smoother in appearance, yet their total light is as disk dominated as in normal field spirals. Moreover, half of the blue cluster members appear to have blue cores or globally blue color profiles, in contrast with field spirals, which typically exhibit red inward color gradients. Blue cores suggest enhanced nuclear star formation, possibly a starburst, while uniformly blue profiles are consistent with an episode of fairly strong global star formation in the past few gigayears. Our previous work shows that the blue membership of local clusters is a recently infalling population that has yet to encounter the dense core. In a universe without environmentally dependent evolution outside of cluster cores, we would expect blue disk galaxies inhabiting field and cluster regions to have similar morphology, size, and color gradient distributions. Our findings show conclusively not only that the abundance of red and blue galaxies depends on environment, but also that fundamental structural and morphological galaxy properties do indeed reflect the environment in which the galaxy is found. Moreover, the data show that the transformation of accreted galaxies is not confined to the dense cluster core. The overall properties of bluer cluster members are best explained by environment-driven transformation of accreted field spirals, and our results suggest that the processes that govern color and morphological evolution occur separately.

Xmm-newton observations of ngc 507: supersolar metal abundances in the hot interstellar medium

Abstract: We present the results of the X-ray XMM-Newton observations of NGC 507, a dominant elliptical galaxy in a small group of galaxies, and report supersolar metal abundances of both Fe and α-elements in the hot interstellar medium (ISM) of this galaxy. These results are robust in that we considered all possible systematic effects in our analysis. We find ZFe = 2-3 times solar inside the D25 ellipse of NGC 507. This is the highest ZFe reported so far for the hot halo of an elliptical galaxy; this high iron abundance is fully consistent with the predictions of stellar evolution models, which include the yield of both Type II and Type Ia supernovae (SNe). Our analysis shows that abundance measurements are critically dependent on the selection of the proper emission model. The spatially resolved, high-quality XMM-Newton spectra provide enough statistics to formally require at least three emission components in each of four circumnuclear concentric shells (within 5' or 100 kpc): two soft thermal components indicating a range of temperatures in the hot ISM plus a harder component, consistent with the integrated output of low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs) in NGC 507. The two-component (thermal+LMXB) model customarily used in past studies yields a much lower ZFe, consistent with previous reports of subsolar metal abundances. This model, however, gives a significantly worse fit to the data (F-test probability < 0.0001). The abundance of α-elements (most accurately determined by Si) is also found to be supersolar. The α-element-to-Fe abundance ratio is close to the solar ratio, suggesting that ~70% of the iron mass in the hot ISM originated from Type Ia SNe. The α-element-to-Fe abundance ratio remains constant out to at least 100 kpc, indicating that Types II and Ia SN ejecta are well mixed on a scale much larger than the extent of the stellar body.

Detection of X-Ray Resonance Scattering in Active Stellar Coronae

Abstract: An analysis of Lyman series lines arising from hydrogen-like oxygen and neon ions in the coronae of the active RS CVn-type binaries II Peg and IM Peg, observed using the Chandra High Resolution Transmission Grating Spectrograph, shows significant decrements in the Lyα/Lyβ ratios as compared with theoretical predictions and with the same ratios observed in similar active binaries. We interpret these decrements in terms of resonance scattering of line photons out of the line of sight; these observations present the first strong evidence of this effect in active stellar coronae. The net line photon loss implies a nonuniform and asymmetric surface distribution of emitting structures on these stars. Escape probability arguments, together with the observed line ratios and estimates of the emitting plasma density, imply typical line-of-sight sizes of the coronal structures that dominate the X-ray emission of 1010 cm at temperatures of 3 × 106 K and of 108 cm at 107 K. These sizes are an order of magnitude larger than predicted by simple quasi-static coronal loops models but are still very small compared to the several 1011 cm radii of the underlying stars.

Mapping the Inner Halo of the Galaxy with 2MASS-Selected Horizontal-Branch Candidates

Abstract: We use Two Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS) photometry to select blue horizontal-branch (BHB) candidates covering the sky, |b |>1 5 � .A1 2.5 5 0 � . We insert simulated star streams into the data and conclude that the high Galactic latitude BHB candidates are consistent with having no � 5 � wide star stream with density greater than 0.33 objects deg � 2 at the 95% confidence level. The absence of observed structure suggests that there have been no major accretion events in the inner halo in the last few Gyr. However, at low Galactic latitudes a two-point angular correlation analysis reveals structure on angular scalesP1 � . This structure is apparently associated with stars in the thick disk and has a physical scale of 10-100 pc. Interestingly, such structures are expected by cosmological simulations that predict the majority of the thick disk may arise from accretion and disruption of satellite mergers.

Spectra calculations in central and wing regions of CO2 IR bands between 10 and 20 μm. III: atmospheric emission spectra

Abstract: A theoretical model for the prediction of CO2 absorption in both central and wing regions of infrared absorption bands was presented in the companion paper I. It correctly accounts for line-mixing effects and was validated by comparisons with laboratory spectra in the 600– 1000 cm −1 region. This quality was confirmed using atmospheric transmissions measured by solar occultation experiments in the second paper. The present work completes these studies by now considering atmospheric emission in the 10– 20 μm range. Comparisons are made between computed atmospheric radiances and measurements obtained using four different Fourier transform experiments collecting spectra for nadir, up-looking, as well as limb (from balloon and satellite) geometries. Our results confirm that using a Voigt model can lead to very large errors that affect the spectrum more than 300 cm −1 away from the center of the CO 2 ν 2 band. They also demonstrate the capability of our model to represent accurately the radiances in the entire region for a variety of atmospheric paths. This success opens interesting perspectives for the sounding of pressure and temperature profiles, particularly at low altitudes. Another benefit of the quality of the model should be an increased accuracy in the retrieval of atmospheric state parameters from broad features in the measured spectra (clouds, aerosols, heavy trace gases).

A View of PKS 2155-304 with XMM-Newton Reflection Grating Spectrometers

Abstract: We present the high-resolution X-ray spectrum of the BL Lac object PKS 2155-304 taken with the RGS units on board XMM-Newton in 2000 November. We detect an O VII Kα resonant absorption line from warm/hot local gas at 21.59 A (~4.5 σ detection). The line profile is possibly double peaked. We do not confirm the strong 20.02 A absorption line seen with Chandra and interpreted as z ~ 0.05 O VIII Kα. We set a 3 σ upper limit of 14 mA on the equivalent width. We also detect the ~23.5 A interstellar O I 1s→2p line and derive a factor of ≤1.5 subsolar O/H ratio in the interstellar medium along the PKS 2155-304 line of sight.

Molecular Hydrogen Emission Lines in Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer Observations of Mira B

Abstract: We present new Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) observations of Mira A's wind-accreting companion star, Mira B. We find that the strongest lines in the FUSE spectrum are H2 lines fluoresced by H I Lyα. A previously analyzed Hubble Space Telescope (HST) spectrum also shows numerous Lyα-fluoresced H2 lines. The HST lines are all Lyman band lines, while the FUSE H2 lines are mostly Werner band lines, many of them never before identified in an astrophysical spectrum. We combine the FUSE and HST data to refine estimates of the physical properties of the emitting H2 gas. We find that the emission can be reproduced by an H2 layer with a temperature and column density of T = 3900 K and log N(H2) = 17.1, respectively. Another similarity between the HST and FUSE data, besides the prevalence of H2 emission, is the surprising weakness of the continuum and high-temperature emission lines, suggesting that accretion onto Mira B has weakened dramatically. The UV fluxes observed by HST on 1999 August 2 were previously reported to be over an order of magnitude lower than those observed by HST and the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) from 1979-1995. Analysis of the FUSE data reveals that Mira B was still in a similarly low state on 2001 November 22.

X-Ray Spectroscopy of the Unsteady Quiescent Corona of AD Leonis with Chandra

Abstract: We present the analysis and interpretation of an observation of the flare star AD Leo (dM3e) with the Low Energy Transmission Grating of Chandra. The high-resolution X-ray spectrum—dominated by emission lines from O vii‐viii ,N eix‐x ,a nd Fexvii‐Fe xix—allowed us to infer the plasma emission measure distribution (EMD) versus temperature, as well as the abundances of individual elements in the corona of this magnetically active star, during a typical state characterized by significant variability but no evident flaring event. We have also measured plasma densities at various temperatures using spectroscopic diagnostics provided by He-like triplets and Fe xxilines. We show that the present EMD is similar, in terms of overall shape and temperature of the peak, to those previously obtained from Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer (EUVE) spectra during quiescent and flaring states confirming the long-term stability of the corona of AD Leo. At variance with the case of other active stars, the EMD of AD Leo is characterized by a significantly shallower slope, compatible with that predicted by static models of isobaric loops with constant cross section and uniform heating. We discuss such coronal modeling to infer the average properties of the corona in terms of loop populations, including estimates of the surface filling factor derived by comparison between the model and the observed EMD. We also show that the EMD is compatible with the model of a corona continuously heated by flares, which predicts an EMD slope slightly steeper than observed, but that can be accommodated by observational uncertainties. The coronal composition is such that the element abundances, relative to solar values, tend to increase with the first ionization potential, with few exceptions. The line-to-continuum ratios suggest a nearly solar metallicity, a result difficult to reconcile with previous determinations based on global fitting of X-ray spectra.