Showing papers in "Astronomy and Astrophysics in 2006"

The Supernova Legacy Survey: Measurement of Omega_M, Omega_Lambda,and w from the First Year Data Set

Abstract: We present distance measurements to 71 high redshift type Ia supernovae discovered during the first year of the 5-year Supernova Legacy Survey (SNLS). These events were detected and their multi-color light-curves measured using the MegaPrime/MegaCam instrument at the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT), by repeatedly imaging four one-square degree fields in four bands. Follow-up spectroscopy was performed at the VLT, Gemini and Keck telescopes to confirm the nature of the supernovae and to measure their redshift. With this data set, we have built a Hubble diagram extending to z = 1, with all distance measurements involving at least two bands. Systematic uncertainties are evaluated making use of the multiband photometry obtained at CFHT. Cosmological fits to this first year SNLS Hubble diagram give the following results: {Omega}{sub M} = 0.263 {+-} 0.042 (stat) {+-} 0.032 (sys) for a flat {Lambda}CDM model; and w = -1.023 {+-} 0.090 (stat) {+-} 0.054 (sys) for a flat cosmology with constant equation of state w when combined with the constraint from the recent Sloan Digital Sky Survey measurement of baryon acoustic oscillations.

Accurate photometric redshifts for the CFHT legacy survey calibrated using the VIMOS VLT deep survey

Abstract: We present photometric redshifts for an uniquely large and deep sample of 522286 objects with i'_{AB}<25 in the Canada-France Legacy Survey ``Deep Survey'' fields, which cover a total effective area of 3.2 deg^2. We use 3241 spectroscopic redshifts with 0

A catalogue of quasars and active nuclei: 12th edition

Abstract: Aims. This catalogue is aimed at presenting a compilation of all known AGN in a compact and convenient form and we hope that it will be useful to all workers in this field.Methods. Like the eleventh edition, it includes position and redshift as well as photometry (U , B , V ) and 6 cm flux densities when available. We now give 20 cm rather than 11 cm flux densities.Results. The present version contains 85 221 quasars, 1122 BL Lac objects and 21 737 active galaxies (including 9628 Seyfert 1s), almost doubling the number listed in the 11th edition. We also give a list of all known lensed and double quasars.

Formation of methyl formate and other organic species in the warm-up phase of hot molecular cores

Abstract: Aims. The production of saturated organic molecules in hot cores and corinos is not well understood. The standard approach is to assume that, as temperatures heat up during star formation, methanol and other species evaporate from grain surfaces and undergo a warm gas-phase chemistry at 100 K or greater to produce species such as methyl formate, dimethyl ether, and others. But a series of laboratory results shows that protonated ions, typical precursors to final products in ion-molecule schemes, tend to fragment upon dissociative recombination with electrons rather than just ejecting a hydrogen atom. Moreover, the specific proposed reaction to produce protonated methyl formate is now known not to occur at all. Methods. We utilize a gas-grain chemical network to probe the chemistry of the relatively ignored stage of hot core evolution during which the protostar switches on and the temperature of the surrounding gas and dust rises from 10 K to over 100 K. During this stage, surface chemistry involving heavy radicals becomes more important as surface hydrogen atoms tend to evaporate rather than react. Results. Our results show that complex species such as methyl formate, formic acid, and dimethyl ether can be produced in large abundance during the protostellar switch-on phase, but that both grain-surface and gas-phase processes help to produce most species. The longer the timescale for protostellar switch-on, the more important the surface processes.

Observations of the Crab nebula with HESS

Abstract: The Crab nebula was observed with the H.E.S.S. stereoscopic Cherenkov-telescope array between October 2003 and January 2005 for a total of 22.9 hours (after data quality selection). Observations were made with three operational telescopes in late 2003 and with the complete 4 telescope array in January - February 2004 and October 2004 - January 2005. The observations are discussed and used as an example to detail the flux and spectral analysis procedures of H.E.S.S., and to evaluate the systematic uncertainties in H.E.S.S. flux measurements. The flux and spectrum of gamma-rays from the source are calculated on run-by-run and monthly time-scales, and a correction is applied for long-term variations in the detector sensitivity. Comparisons of the measured flux and spectrum over the observation period, along with the results from a number of different analysis procedures are used to estimate systematic uncertainties in the measurements. The energy spectrum is found to follow a power law with an exponential cutoff, with photon index $\Gamma = 2.39 \pm 0.03\stat$ and cutoff energy $E_{c} = (14.3 \pm 2.1\stat) \textrm{TeV}$ between 440 GeV and 40 TeV. The observed integral flux above 1 TeV is $(2.26 \pm 0.08\stat) \times 10^{-11} cm^{-2} s^{-1}$. The estimated systematic error on the flux measurement is estimated to be 20%, while the estimated systematic error on the spectral slope is 0.1.

Search for associations containing young stars (SACY). I. Sample and searching method

Abstract: We report results from a high-resolution optical spectroscopic survey aimed to search for nearby young associations and young stars among optical counterparts of ROSAT All-Sky Survey X-ray sources in the Southern Hemisphere. We selected 1953 late-type (B - V > 0.6), potentially young, optical counterparts out of a total of 9574 1RXS sources for follow-up observations. At least one high-resolution spectrum was obtained for each of 1511 targets. This paper is the first in a series presenting the results of the SACY survey. Here we describe our sample and our observations. We describe a convergence method in the (UVW) velocity space to find associations. As an example, we discuss the validity of this method in the framework of the β Pic Association.

The chemical composition of metal-poor emission-line galaxies in the Data Release 3 of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey

Abstract: We have re-evaluated empirical expressions for the abundance determination of N, O, Ne, S, Cl, Ar and Fe taking into account the latest atomic data and constructing an appropriate grid of photoionization models with state-of-the art model atmospheres. Using these expressions we have derived heavy element abundances in the ∼310 emission-line galaxies from the Data Release 3 of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) with an observed Hβ flux F(Hβ) > 10 −14 erg s −1 cm −2 and for which the [O iii] λ4363 emission line was detected at least at a 2σ level, allowing abundance determination by direct methods. The oxygen abundance 12 + log O/H of the SDSS galaxies lies in the range from ∼7.1 (Z� /30) to ∼8.5 (0.7 Z� ). The SDSS sample is merged with a sample of 109 blue compact dwarf (BCD) galaxies with high quality spectra, which contains extremely low-metallicity objects. We use the merged sample to study the abundance patterns of low-metallicity emission-line galaxies. We find that extremely metal-poor galaxies (12 + log O/H –1.6, implying that they have a different nature than the subsample of high-redshift damped Lyα systems with log N/ Oo f∼–2.3 and that their ages are larger than 100–300 Myr. We confirm the apparent increase in N/O with decreasing EW(Hβ), already shown in previous studies, and explain it as the signature of gradual nitrogen ejection by massive stars from the most recent starburst.

The Atacama Pathfinder EXperiment (APEX) : a new submillimeter facility for southern skies

Abstract: APEX, the Atacama Pathfinder EXperiment, has been successfully commissioned and is operational. This novel submillimeter telescope is located at 5107 m altitude on Llano de Chajnantor in the Chilean High Andes, on what is considered one of the world’s outstanding sites for submillimeter astronomy. The primary reflector with 12 m diameter has been carefully adjusted by means of holography. Its surface smoothness of only 17–18 µm makes APEX suitable for observations up to 200 µm, through all atmospheric submm windows accessible from the ground. First scientific results will be presented in the accompanying papers of this special issue.

Modelling the Galactic Interstellar Extinction Distribution in Three Dimensions

Abstract: Aims. The Two Micron All Sky Survey, along with the Stellar Population Synthesis Model of the Galaxy, developed in Besancon, is used to calculate the extinction distribution along different lines of sight. By combining many lines of sight, the large scale distribution of interstellar material can be deduced. Methods. The Galaxy model is used to provide the intrinsic colour of stars and their probable distances, so that the near infrared colour excess, and hence the extinction, may be calculated and its distance evaluated. Such a technique is dependent on the model used, however we are able to show that moderate changes in the model parameters result in insignificant changes in the predicted extinction. Results. This technique has now been applied to over 64000 lines of sight, each separated by 15', in the inner Galaxy (|l| < 100°, |b| < 10°). We have projected our three dimensional results onto a two dimensional plane in order to compare them with existing two dimensional extinction maps and CO surveys. We find that although differences exist due to the different methods used or the medium traced, the same large scale structures are visible in each of the different maps. Using our extinction map, we have derived the main characteristics of the large scale structure of the dust distribution. The scale height of the interstellar matter is found to be 125 +17 -7 pc. The dust distribution is found to be asymmetrically warped, in agreement with CO and HI observations of the ISM. However, the slope of the dust warp and the galactocentric distance where it starts are found to be smaller than the values measured for the external HI disc: for positive longitudes the angle is 0 = 89°, it starts at 8.7 kpc from the Galactic center and grows with a slope of 0.14, while at negative longitudes, the angle of the maximum is at θ = 272°, the starting radius 7.8 kpc and the slope 0.11. Finally, the presence of dust is detected in the Galactic bulge. It forms an elongated structure approximately 5.2 kpc long and lies at an angle of 30 ± 5° with respect to the Sun-Galactic centre direction. This may be interpreted as a dust lane along the Galactic bar. This resulting extinction map will be useful for studies of the inner Galaxy and its stellar populations.

Empirical color transformations between SDSS photometry and other photometric systems

Abstract: Aims. We present empirical color transformations between the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) ugriz photometry and the Johnson-Cousins UBVRI system and Becker's RGU system, respectively. Owing to the magnitude of data that is becoming available in the SDSS photometric system it is particularly important to be able to convert between this new system and traditional photometric systems. Unlike earlier published transformations we based our calculations on stars actually measured by the SDSS with the SDSS 2.5-m telescope. The photometric database of the SDSS provides in a sense a single-epoch set of “tertiary standards” covering more than one quarter of the sky. Our transformations should facilitate their use to easily and reliably derive the corresponding approximate Johnson-Cousins or RGU magnitudes. Methods. The SDSS survey covers a number of areas that were previously established as standard fields in the Johnson-Cousins system, in particular, fields established by Landolt and by Stetson. We used these overlapping fields to create well-photometered star samples on which our calculated transformations are based. For the RGU photometry we used fields observed in the framework of the new Basel high-latitude field star survey. Results. We calculated empirical color transformations between SDSS photometry and Johnson-Cousins UBVRI and Becker's RGU system. For all transformations we found linear relations to be sufficient. Furthermore we showed that the transformations between the Johnson-Cousins and the SDSS system have a slight dependence on metallicity.

Explosions of O-Ne-Mg cores, the Crab supernova, and subluminous type II-P supernovae

Abstract: We present results of simulations of stellar collapse and explosions in spherical symmetry for progenitor stars in the 8-10 M ⊙ range with an O-Ne-Mg core. The simulations were continued until nearly one second after core bounce and were performed with the PROMETHEUS/VERTEX code with a variable Eddington factor solver for the neutrino transport, including a state-of-the-art treatment of neutrino-matter interactions. Particular effort was made to implement nuclear burning and electron capture rates with sufficient accuracy to ensure a smooth continuation, without transients, from the progenitor evolution to core collapse. Using two different nuclear equations of state (EoSs), a soft version of the Lattimer & Swesty EoS and the significantly stiffer Wolff & Hillebrandt EoS, we found no prompt explosions, but instead delayed explosions, powered by neutrino heating and the neutrino-driven baryonic wind which sets in about 200ms after bounce. The models eject little nickel (<0.015 M ⊙ ), explode with an energy of?0.1 x 10 51 erg, and leave behind neutron stars (NSs) with a baryonic mass near 1.36 M ⊙ . Different from previous models of such explosions, the ejecta during the first second have a proton-to-baryon ratio of Y e ? 0.46, which suggests a chemical composition that is not in conflict with galactic abundances. No low-entropy matter with Ye « 0.5 is ejected. This excludes such explosions as sites of a low-entropy r-process. The low explosion energy and nucleosynthetic implications are compatible with the observed properties of the Crab supernova, and the small nickel mass supports the possibility that our models explain some subluminous type II-P supernovae.

The Cosmic Infrared Background Resolved by Spitzer. Contributions of Mid-Infrared Galaxies to the Far-Infrared Background.

Abstract: Aims. We quantify the contributions of 24 mu m galaxies to the Far-Infrared ( FIR) Background at 70 and 160 mu m. We provide new estimates of the Cosmic Infrared Background ( CIB), and compare it with the Cosmic Optical Background ( COB). Methods. Using Spitzer data at 24, 70 and 160 mu m in three deep fields, we stacked more than 19000 MIPS 24 mu m sources with S-24 >= 60 mu Jy at 70 and 160 mu m, and measured the resulting FIR flux densities. Results. This method allows a gain up to one order of magnitude in depth in the FIR. We find that the Mid-Infrared ( MIR) 24 mu m selected sources contribute to more than 70% of the Cosmic Infrared Background ( CIB) at 70 and 160 mu m. This is the first direct measurement of the contribution of MIR-selected galaxies to the FIR CIB. Galaxies contributing the most to the total CIB are thus z similar to 1 luminous infrared galaxies, which have intermediate stellar masses. We estimate that the CIB will be resolved at 0.9 mJy at 70 and 3 mJy at 160 mu m. By combining the extrapolation of the 24 mu m source counts below analysis, we obtain lower limits of 7.1 +/- 1.0 and 13.4 +/- 1.7 nW m(-2) sr(-1) for the CIB at 70 and 160 mu m, respectively. Conclusions. The MIPS surveys have resolved more than three quarters of the MIR and FIR CIB. By carefully integrating the Extragalactic Background Light ( EBL) SED, we also find that the CIB has the same brightness as the COB, around 24 nW m(-2) sr(-1). The EBL is produced on average by 115 infrared photons for one visible photon. Finally, the galaxy formation and evolution processes emitted a brightness equivalent to 5% of the primordial electromagnetic background ( CMB).

Systematic effects in measurement of black hole masses by emission-line reverberation of active galactic nuclei: Eddington ratio and inclination

Abstract: Context. Scatter around the relationship between central black hole masses in active galactic nuclei (AGNs) obtained by reverberation-mapping methods and host-galaxy bulge velocity dispersion indicates that the masses are uncertain typically by a factor of about three.Aims. In this paper, we try to identify the sources and systematics of this uncertainty.Methods. We characterize the broad Hβ emission-line profiles by the ratio of their full-width at half maximum (FWHM ) to their line dispersion, i.e., the second moment of the line profile. We use this parameter to separate the reverberation-mapped AGNs into two populations, the first with narrower Hβ lines that tend to have relatively extended wings, and the second with broader lines that are relatively flat-topped. The first population is characterized by higher Eddington ratios than the second. Within each population, we calibrate the black-hole mass scale by comparison of the reverberation-based mass with that predicted by the bulge velocity dispersion. We also use the distribution of ratios of the reverberation-based mass to the velocity-dispersion mass prediction in a comparison with a “generalized thick disk” model in order to see if inclination can plausibly account for the observed distribution.Results. We find that the line dispersion is a less biased parameter in general than FWHM for black hole mass estimation, although we show that it is possible to empirically correct for the bias introduced by using FWHM to characterize the emission-line width. We also argue that inclination effects are apparent only in some small subset of the reverberation-based mass measurements; it is primarily the objects with the narrowest emission lines that seem to be most strongly affected.Conclusions. Our principal conclusion is that the Hβ profile is sensitive primarily to Eddington ratio, but that inclination effects play a role in some cases.

Basic physical parameters of a selected sample of evolved stars

Abstract: We present the detailed spectroscopic analysis of 72 evolved stars, which were previously studied for accurate radial velocity variations. Using one Hyades giant and another well studied star as the reference abundance, we determine the [Fe/H] for the whole sample. These metallicities, together with the Teff values and the absolute V-band magnitude derived from Hipparcos parallaxes, are used to estimate basic stellar parameters (ages, masses, radii, (B−V)0 and log g) using theoretical isochrones and a Bayesian estimation method. The (B−V)0 values so estimated turn out to be in excellent agreement (to within ∼0.05 mag) with the observed (B−V), confirming the reliability of the Teff−(B−V)0 relation used in the isochrones. On the other hand, the estimated log g values are typically 0.2 dex lower than those derived from spectroscopy; this effect has a negligible impact on [Fe/H] determinations. The estimated diameters θ have been compared with limb darkening-corrected ones measured with independent methods, finding an agreement better than 0.3 mas within the 1 <θ< 10 mas interval (or, alternatively, finding mean differences of just 6%). We derive the age-metallicity relation for the solar neighborhood; for the first time to our knowledge, such a relation has been derived from observations of field giants rather than from open clusters and field dwarfs and subdwarfs. The age-metallicity relation is characterized by close-to-solar metallicities for stars younger than ∼4 Gyr, and by a large [Fe/H] spread with a trend towards lower metallicities for higher ages. In disagreement with other studies, we find that the [Fe/H] dispersion of young stars (less than 1 Gyr) is comparable to the observational errors, indicating that stars in the solar neighbourhood are formed from interstellar matter of quite homogeneous chemical composition. The three giants of our sample which have been proposed to host planets are not metal rich; this result is at odds with those for main sequence stars. However, two of these stars have masses much larger than a solar mass so we may be sampling a different stellar population from most radial velocity searches for extrasolar planets. We also confirm the previous indication that the radial velocity variability tends to increase along the RGB, and in particular with the stellar radius.

3D Lyα radiation transfer. I. Understanding Lyα line profile morphologies

Abstract: Aims. The development of a general code for 3D Lyα radiation transfer in galaxies to understand the diversity of Lya line profiles observed in star-forming galaxies and related objects. Methods. Using a Monte Carlo technique, we developed a 3D Lya radiation transfer code that allows for prescribed arbitrary hydrogen density, ionisation, temperature structures, dust distributions, arbitrary velocity fields, and UV photon sources. As a first test and application we examined the Lyα line profiles predicted for several simple geometrical configurations and their dependence on the main input parameters. Results. Overall, we find line profiles reaching from doubly peaked symmetric emission to symmetric Voigt (absorption) in static configurations with increasing dust content, and asymmetric red- (blue-) shifted emission lines with a blue (red) counterpart ranging from absorption to emission (with increasing line/continuum strength) in expanding (infalling) media. In particular we find the following results to be interesting for the interpretation of Lyα profiles from galaxies. 1) Standard Lya absorption line fitting of global spectra of galaxies may lead to an underestimation of the true hydrogen column density in certain geometrical conditions; 2) Normal (inverted) P-Cygni-like Lyα profiles can be obtained in expanding (infalling) media from objects without any intrinsic Lyα emission, as a natural consequence of radiation transfer effects; 3) The formation and the detailed shape of Lyα profiles resulting from expanding shells has been thoroughly revised. In particular we find that, for sufficiently large column densities (N H ≥ 10 20 cm -2 ), the position of the main Lya emission peak is quite generally redshifted by approximately twice the expansion velocity. This is in excellent agreement with the observations of z∼3 3 LBGs, which show that Lya is redshifted by ∼2V exp , where V exp is the expansion velocity measured from the interstellar absorption lines blueshifted with respect to the stellar redshift. This finding also indicates that large-scale, fairly symmetric shell structures must be a good description of the outflows in LBGs.

Single star progenitors of long gamma-ray bursts - I. Model grids and redshift dependent GRB rate

Abstract: We present grids of massive star evolution models at four different metallicities (Z=0.004, 0.002, 0.001, 0.00001). The effects of rotation on the stellar structure and the transport of angular momentum and chemical elements through the Spruit-Tayler dynamo and rotationally induced instabilities are considered. After discussing uncertainties involved with the adopted physics, we elaborate the final fate of massive stars as a function of initial mass and spin rate, at each considered metallicity. In particular, we investigate for which initial conditions long gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are expected to be produced in the frame of the collapsar model. Then, using an empirical spin distribution of young massive metal-poor stars and a specified metallicity-dependent history of star-formation, we compute the expected GRB rate as function of metallicity and redshift based on our stellar evolution models. The GRB production in our models is limited to metallicities of Z âa‰ 0.004, with the consequence that about 50% of all GRBs are predicted to be found at redshifts above z = 4, with most supernovae occurring at redshifts below z≃ 2.2. The average GRB/SN ratio predicted by our model is about 1/200 globally, and 1/1250 at low redshift. Future strategies for testing the considered GRB progenitor scenario are briefly discussed.

The Galaxy Mass Function up to z=4 in the GOODS-MUSIC sample: into the epoch of formation of massive galaxies ⋆

Abstract: Aims. The goal of this work is to measure the evolution of the Galaxy Stellar Mass Function and of the resulting Stellar Mass Density up to redshift ≃ 4, in order to study the assembly of massive galaxies in the high redshift Universe. Methods. We have used the GOODS-MUSIC catalog, containing ∼3000 Ks-selected galaxies with multi-wavelength coverage extending from the U band to the Spitzer 8µm band, of which 27% have spectroscopic redshifts and the remaining fraction have accurate photometric redshifts. On this sample we have applied a standard fitting procedure to measure stellar masses. We compute the Galaxy Stellar Mass Function and the resulting Stellar Mass Density up to redshift ≃ 4, taking into proper account the biases and incompleteness effects. Results. Within the well known trend of global decline of the Stellar Mass Density with redshift, we show that the decline of the more massive galaxies may be described by an exponential timescale of ≃ 6 Gyrs up to z ≃ 1.5, and proceeds much faster thereafter, with an exponential timescale of ≃ 0.6 Gyrs. We also show that there is some evidence for a differential evolution of the Galaxy Stellar Mass Function, with low mass galaxies evolving faster than more massive ones up to z ≃ 1 − 1.5 and that the Galaxy Stellar Mass Function remains remarkably flat (i.e. with a slope close to the local one) up to z ≃ 1 − 1.3. Conclusions. The observed behaviour of the Galaxy Stellar Mass Function is consistent with a scenario where about 50% of present–day massive galaxies formed at a vigorous rate in the epoch between redshift 4 and 1.5, followed by a milder evolution until the present-day epoch.

The early star generations: the dominant effect of rotation on the cno yields

Abstract: Context. Aims. We examine the role of rotation on the evolution and chemical yields of very metal-poor stars. Methods. The models include the same physics, which was applied successfully at the solar Z and for the SMC, in particular, shear diffusion, meridional circulation, horizontal turbulence, and rotationally enhanced mass loss. Results. Models of very low Z experience a much stronger internal mixing in all phases than at solar Z . Also, rotating models at very low Z , contrary to the usual considerations, show a large mass loss, which mainly results from the efficient mixing of the products of the 3α reaction into the H-burning shell. This mixing allows convective dredge-up to enrich the stellar surface in heavy elements during the red supergiant phase, which in turn favours a large loss of mass by stellar winds, especially as rotation also increases the duration of this phase. On the whole, the low Z stars may lose about half of their mass. Massive stars initially rotating at half of their critical velocity are likely to avoid the pair-instability supernova. The chemical composition of the rotationally enhanced winds of very low Z stars show large CNO enhancements by factors of 103 to 107 , together with large excesses of 13 C and 17 O and moderate amounts of Na and Al. The excesses of primary N are particularly striking. When these ejecta from the rotationally enhanced winds are diluted with the supernova ejecta from the corresponding CO cores, we find [C/Fe], [N/Fe], [O/Fe] abundance ratios that are very similar to those observed in the C-rich, extremely metal-poor stars (CEMP). We show that rotating AGB stars and rotating massive stars have about the same effects on the CNO enhancements. Abundances of s-process elements and the 12 C/13 C ratio could help us to distinguish between contributions from AGB and massive stars. Conclusions.

A high order Godunov scheme with constrained transport and adaptive mesh refinement for astrophysical magnetohydrodynamics

Abstract: Aims. In this paper, we present a new method to perform numerical simulations of astrophysical MHD flows using the Adaptive Mesh Refinement framework and Constrained Transport. Methods. The algorithm is based on a previous work in which the MUSCL-Hancock scheme was used to evolve the induction equation. In this paper, we detail the extension of this scheme to the full MHD equations and discuss its properties. Results. Through a series of test problems, we illustrate the performances of this new code using two different MHD Riemann solvers (Lax-Friedrich and Roe) and the need of the Adaptive Mesh Refinement capabilities in some cases. Finally, we show its versatility by applying it to two completely different astrophysical situations well studied in the past years: the growth of the magnetorotational instability in the shearing box and the collapse of magnetized cloud cores.Conclusions. We have implemented a new Godunov scheme to solve the ideal MHD equations in the AMR code RAMSES. We have shown that it results in a powerful tool that can be applied to a great variety of astrophysical problems, ranging from galaxies formation in the early universe to high resolution studies of molecular cloud collapse in our galaxy.

X-ray spectral properties of active galactic nuclei in the Chandra deep field south

Abstract: We present a detailed X-ray spectral analysis of the sources in the 1Ms catalog of the Chandra Deep Field South (CDFS) taking advantage of optical spectroscopy and photometric redshifts for 321 extragalactic sources out of the total sample of 347 sources. As a default spectral model, we adopt a power law with slope Γ with an intrinsic redshifted absorption N H , a fixed Galactic absorption and an unresolved Fe emission line. For 82 X-ray bright sources, we are able to perform the X-ray spectral analysis leaving both Γ and N H free. The weighted mean value for the slope of the power law is (F) ≃ 1.75 ± 0.02, and the distribution of best fit values shows an intrinsic dispersion of σ int ≃ 0.30. We do not find hints of a correlation between the spectral index r and the intrinsic absorption column density N H . We then investigate the absorption distribution for the whole sample, deriving the N H values in faint sources by fixing r = 1.8. We also allow for the presence of a scattered component at soft energies with the same slope of the main power law, and for a pure reflection spectrum typical of Compton-thick AGN. We detect the presence of a scattered soft component in 8 sources; we also identify 14 sources showing a reflection-dominated spectrum. The latter are referred to as Compton-thick AGN candidates. By correcting for both incompleteness and sampling-volume effects, we recover the intrinsic N H distribution representative of the whole AGN population, f(N H )dN H , from the observed one. f(N H ) shows a lognormal shape, peaking around log(N H ) ≃ 23.1 and with σ ≃ 1.1. Interestingly, such a distribution shows continuity between the population of Compton-thin and that of Compton-thick AGN. We find that the fraction of absorbed sources (with N H > 10 22 cm -2 ) in the sample is constant (at the level of about 75%) or moderately increasing with redshift. Finally, we compare the optical classification to the X-ray spectral properties, confirming that the correspondence of unabsorbed (absorbed) X-ray sources to optical type I (type II) AGN is accurate for at least 80% of the sources with spectral identification (1/3 of the total X-ray sample).

Two-dimensional hydrodynamic core-collapse supernova simulations with spectral neutrino transport. I. Numerical method and results for a 15 M star

Abstract: Supernova models with a full spectral treatment of the neutrino transport are presented, employing the PROMETHEUS/VERTEX neutrinohydrodynamics code with a variable Eddington factor closure of the O(v/c) moments equations of neutrino number, energy, and momentum. Our ray-by-ray plus approximation developed for two- (or three-) dimensional problems assumes that the local neutrino distribution function is azimuthally symmetric around the radial direction, which implies that the nonradial flux components disappear. Other terms containing the angular velocity components are retained in the moments equations and establish a coupling of the transport at different latitudes by lateral derivatives. Also lateral components of the neutrino pressure gradients are included in the hydrodynamics equations. This approximative approach for neutrino transport in multi-dimensional environments is motivated and critically assessed with respect to its capabilities, limitations, and inaccuracies in the context of supernova simulations. In this first paper of a series, one- (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) core-collapse calculations for a (nonrotating) 15 M ○. star are discussed, uncertainties in the treatment of the equation of state - numerical and physical - are tested, Newtonian results are compared with simulations using a general relativistic potential, bremsstrahlung and interactions of neutrinos of different flavors are investigated, and the standard approximation in neutrino-nucleon interactions with zero energy transfer is replaced by rates that include corrections due to nucleon recoil, thermal motions, weak magnetism, and nucleon correlations. Models with the full implementation of the ray-by-ray plus spectral transport were found not to explode, neither in spherical symmetry nor in 2D when the computational grid is constrained to a lateral wedge (<±45°) around the equator. The success of previous two-dimensional simulations with grey, flux-limited neutrino diffusion can therefore not be confirmed. An explosion is obtained in 2D for the considered 15 M ○. progenitor, when the radial velocity terms in the neutrino momentum equation are omitted. This manipulation increases the neutrino energy density in the convective gain layer by about 20-30% and thus the integral neutrino energy deposition in this region by about a factor of two compared to the non-exploding 2D model with the full transport. The spectral treatment of the transport and detailed description of charged-current processes leads to proton-rich neutrino-heated ejecta, removing the problem that previous explosion models with approximate neutrino treatment overproduced N = 50 closed neutron shell nuclei by large factors.

Which jet launching mechanism(s) in T Tauri stars

Abstract: Aims. We examine whether ejection phenomena from accreting T Tauri stars can be described by only one type of self-collimated jet model. Methods. We present analytical kinematic predictions valid soon after the Alfven surface for all types of steady magnetically s elf-confined jets. Results. We show that extended disc winds, X-winds, and stellar winds occupy distinct regions in the poloidal speed vs. specific an gular momentum plane. Comparisons with current observations of T Tauri jets yield quantitative constraints on the range of la unching radii, magnetic lever arms, and specific energy input in disc and stellar wind s. Implications on the origin of jet asymmetries and disc magnetic fields are outlined. Conclusions. We argue that ejection phenomena from accreting T Tauri stars most likely include three dynamical components: (1) an outer self-collimated steady disc wind carrying most of the mass-flux in the optical jet (when present), confining (2) a pressur e-driven coronal stellar wind and (3) a hot inner flow made of blobs sporadically ejecte d from the magnetopause. If the stellar magnetic moment is parallel to the disc magnetic field, then the highly variable inner flow resem bles a "Reconnection X-wind", that has been proven to effi ciently brake down an accreting and contracting young star. If the magnetic moment is anti-parallel, then larger versions of the solar coro nal mass ejections are likely to occur. The relative importance of these three components in the observed outflows and the range of radii involve d in the disc wind are expected to vary with time, from the stage of embedded source to the optically revealed T Tauri star phase.

Gas metallicity diagnostics in star-forming galaxies

Abstract: Generally the gas metallicity in distant galaxies can only be inferred by using a few prominent emission lines. Various theoretical models have been used to predict the relationship between emission line fluxes and metallicity, suggesting that some line ratios can be used as diagnostics of the gas metallicity in galaxies. However, accurate empirical calibrations of these emission line flux ratios from real galaxy spectra spanning a wide metallicity range are still lacking. In this paper we provide such empirical calibrations by using the combination of two sets of spectroscopic data: one consisting of low-metallicity galaxies with a measurement of [Oiii]λ 4363 taken from the literature, including spectra from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS), and the other one consisting of galaxies in the SDSS database whose gas metallicity has been determined from various strong emission lines in their spectra. This combined data set constitutes the largest sample of galaxies with information on the gas metallicity available so far and spanning the widest metallicity range. By using these data we obtain accurate empirical relations between gas metallicity and several emission line diagnostics, including the R 23 parameter, the [Nii]λ 6584/Hα and [Oiii]λ 5007/[Nii]λ 6584 ratios. Our empirical diagrams show that the line ratio [Oiii]λ 5007/[Oii]λ 3727 is a useful tool to break the degeneracy in the R 23 parameter when no information on the [Nii]λ 6584 line is available. The line ratio [Neiii]λ 3869/[Oii]λ 3727 also results to be a useful metallicity indicator for high-z galaxies, especially when the R 23 parameter or other diagnostics involving [Oiii]λ 5007 or [Nii]λ 6584 are not available. Additional, useful diagnostics newly proposed in this paper are the line ratios of (Hα +[Nii]6548,6584)/[Sii]λ 6720, [Oiii]λ 5007/Hβ , and [Oii]λ 3727/Hβ . Finally, we compare these empirical relations with photoionization models. We find that the empirical R 23 -metallicity sequence is strongly discrepant with respect to the trend expected by models with constant ionization parameter. Such a discrepancy is also found for other line ratios. These discrepancies provide evidence for a strong metallicity dependence of the average ionization parameter in galaxies. In particular, we find that the average ionization parameter in galaxies increases by ~0.7 dex as the metallicity decreases from 2 to 0.05 , with a small dispersion. This result should warn about the use of theoretical models with constant ionization parameter to infer metallicities from observed line ratios.

The GOODS-MUSIC sample: a multicolour catalog of near-IR selected galaxies in the GOODS-South field ,

Abstract: Aims. We present a high quality multiwavelength (from 0.3 to 8.0 µm) catalog of the large and deep area in the GOODS Southern Field covered by the deep near-IR observations obtained with the ESO VLT. Methods. The catalog is entirely based on public data: in our analysis, we have included the F435W, F606W, F775W and F850LP ACS images, the JHKs VLT data, the Spitzer data provided by IRAC instrument (3.6, 4.5, 5.8 and 8.0 µm), and publicly available U-band data from the 2.2ESO and VLT-VIMOS. We describe in detail the procedures adopted to obtain this multiwavelength catalog. In particular, we developed a specific software for the accurate “PSF-matching” of space and ground-based images of different resolution and depth (ConvPhot), of which we analyse performances and limitations. We have included both z-selected, as well as Ks-selected objects, yielding a unique, self-consistent catalog. The largest fraction of the sample is 90% complete at z � 26 or Ks � 23.8 (AB scale). Finally, we cross-correlated our data with all the spectroscopic catalogs available to date, assigning a spectroscopic redshift to more than 1000 sources. Results. The final catalog is made up of 14 847 objects, at least 72 of which are known stars, 68 are AGNs, and 928 galaxies with spectroscopic redshift (668 galaxies with reliable redshift determination). We applied our photometric redshift code to this data set, and the comparison with the spectroscopic sample shows that the quality of the resulting photometric redshifts is excellent, with an average scatter of only 0.06. The full catalog, which we named GOODS-MUSIC (MUltiwavelength Southern Infrared Catalog), including the spectroscopic information, is made publicly available, together with the software specifically designed to this end.

Catalogue of high-mass X-ray binaries in the Galaxy (4th edition)

Abstract: We present a new edition of the catalogue of high-mass X-ray binaries in the Galaxy. The catalogue contains source name(s), coordinates, finding chart, X-ray luminosity, system parameters, and stellar parameters of the components and other characteristic properties of 114 high-mass X-ray binaries, together with a comprehensive selection of the relevant literature. The aim of this catalogue is to provide the reader with some basic information on the X-ray sources and their counterparts in other wavelength ranges (gamma-rays, UV, optical, IR, radio). About 60% of the high-mass X-ray binary candidates are known or suspected Be/X-ray binaries, while 32% are supergiant/X-ray binaries. Some sources, however, are only tentatively identified as high-mass X-ray binaries on the basis of their X-ray properties similar to the known high-mass X-ray binaries. Further identification in other wavelength bands is needed to finally determine the nature of these sources. In cases where there is some doubt about the high-mass nature of the X-ray binary this is mentioned. Literature published before 1 October 2005 has, as far as possible, been taken into account.

Monte Carlo radiative transfer in protoplanetary disks

Abstract: Aims.We present a new continuum 3D radiative transfer code, MCFOST, based on a Monte-Carlo method. MCFOST can be used to calculate (i) monochromatic images in scattered light and/or thermal emission; (ii) polarisation maps; (iii) interferometric visibilities; (iv) spectral energy distributions; and (v) dust temperature distributions of protoplanetary disks. Methods: .Several improvements to the standard Monte Carlo method are implemented in MCFOST to increase efficiency and reduce convergence time, including wavelength distribution adjustments, mean intensity calculations, and an adaptive sampling of the radiation field. The reliability and efficiency of the code are tested against a previously-defined benchmark, using a 2D disk configuration. No significant difference (no more than 10% and usually much less) is found between the temperatures and SEDs calculated by MCFOST and by other codes included in the benchmark. Results: . A study of the lowest disk mass detectable by Spitzer, around young stars, is presented and the colours of "representative" parametric disks compared to recent IRAC and MIPS Spitzer colours of solar-like young stars located in nearby star-forming regions.

The structure of galactic disks - Studying late-type spiral galaxies using SDSS

Abstract: Using imaging data from the SDSS survey, we present the g' and r' radial stellar light distribution of a complete sample of similar to 90 face-on to intermediate inclined, nearby, late-type (Sb-Sdm) spiral galaxies. The surface brightness profiles are reliable (1s uncertainty less than 0.2 mag) down to mu similar to 27 mag/square". Only similar to 10% of all galaxies have a normal/standard purely exponential disk down to our noise limit. The surface brightness distribution of the rest of the galaxies is better described as a broken exponential. About 60% of the galaxies have a break in the exponential profile between similar to 1.5-4.5 times the scalelength followed by a downbending, steeper outer region. Another similar to 30% shows also a clear break between similar to 4.0-6.0 times the scalelength but followed by an upbending, shallower outer region. A few galaxies have even a more complex surface brightness distribution. The shape of the profiles correlates with Hubble type. Downbending breaks are more frequent in later Hubble types while the fraction of upbending breaks rises towards earlier types. No clear relation is found between the environment, as characterised by the number of neighbours, and the shape of the profiles of the galaxies.

On the X-ray, optical emission line and black hole mass properties of local Seyfert galaxies !

Abstract: We investigate the relation between X-ray nuclear emission, optical emission line luminosities and black hole masses for a sample of 47 Seyfert galaxies. The sample, which has been selected from the Palomar optical spectroscopic survey of nearby galaxies (Ho et al. 1997a, ApJS, 112, 315), covers a wide range of nuclear powers, from L2" 10keV # 10 43 erg/s down to very low luminosities (L2" 10keV # 10 38 erg/s). Best available data from Chandra, XMM-Newton and, in a few cases, ASCA observations have been considered. Thanks to the good spatial resolution available from these observations and a proper modeling of the various spectral components, it has been possible to obtain accurate nuclear X-ray luminosities not contaminated by o! -nuclear sources and/or di! use emission. X-ray luminosities have then been corrected taking into account the likely candidate Compton thick sources, which are a high fraction (>30%) among type 2 Seyferts in our sample. The main result of this study is that we confirm strong linear correlations between 2-10 keV, (OIII)! 5007, H" luminosities which show the same slope as quasars and luminous Seyfert galaxies, independent of the level of nuclear activity displayed. Moreover, despite the wide range of Eddington ratios (L/LEdd) tested here (six orders of magnitude, from 0.1 down to # 10 " 7 ), no correlation is found between the X-ray or optical emission line luminosities and the black hole mass. Our results suggest that Seyfert nuclei in our sample are consistent with being a scaled-down version of more luminous AGN.

Accretion in the ρ-Ophiuchi pre-main sequence stars

Abstract: Aims. The aim of this paper is to provide a measurement of the mass accretion rate in a large, complete sample of objects in the core of the star forming region p Oph. Methods. The sample includes most of the objects (104 out of 111) with evidence of a circumstellar disk from mid-infrared photometry; it covers a stellar mass range from about 0.03 to 3 M ⊙ and it is complete to a limiting mass of ∼0.05 M ⊙ . We used J and K-band spectra to derive the mass accretion rate of each object from the intensity of the hydrogen recombination lines, Pap or Bry. For comparison, we also obtained similar spectra of 35 diskless objects. Results. The results show that emission in these lines is only seen in stars with disks, and can be used as an indicator of accretion. However, the converse does not hold, as about 50% of our disk objects do not have detectable line emission. The measured accretion rates show a strong correlation with the mass of the central object (Mace oc M 1.8±0.2 *) and a large spread, of two orders of magnitude at least, for any interval of M*. A comparison with existing data for Taurus shows that the objects in the two regions have similar behaviour, at least for objects more massive than ∼0.1 M ⊙ . The implications of these results are briefly discussed.

Multidimensional supernova simulations with approximative neutrino transport. I. Neutron star kicks and the anisotropy of neutrino-driven explosions in two spatial dimensions

Abstract: We study hydrodynamic instabilities during the first seconds of core-collapse supernovae by means of 2D simulations with approximative neutrino transport and boundary conditions that parameterize the effects of the contracting neutron star and allow us to obtain sufficiently strong neutrino heating and, hence, neutrino-driven explosions. Confirming more idealised studies, as well as supernova simulations with spectral transport, we find that random seed perturbations can grow by hydrodynamic instabilities to a globally asymmetric mass distribution in the region between the nascent neutron star and the accretion shock, leading to a dominance of dipole ($l=1$) and quadrupole ($l=2$) modes in the explosion ejecta, provided the onset of the supernova explosion is sufficiently slower than the growth time scale of the low-mode instability. By gravitational and hydrodynamic forces, the anisotropic mass distribution causes an acceleration of the nascent neutron star, which lasts for several seconds and can propel the neutron star to velocities of more than 1000 km s -1 . Because the explosion anisotropies develop chaotically and change by small differences in the fluid flow, the magnitude of the kick varies stochastically. No systematic dependence of the average neutron star velocity on the explosion energy or the properties of the considered progenitors is found. Instead, the anisotropy of the mass ejection, and hence of the kick, seems to increase when the nascent neutron star contracts more quickly, and thus low-mode instabilities can grow more rapidly. Our more than 70 models separate into two groups, one with high and the other with low neutron star velocities and accelerations after one second of post-bounce evolution, depending on whether the $l=1$ mode is dominant in the ejecta or not. This leads to a bimodality of the distribution when the neutron star velocities are extrapolated to their terminal values. Establishing a link to the measured distribution of pulsar velocities, however, requires a much larger set of calculations and ultimately 3D modelling.