arXiv subjects

D. A. Green

Publications and source records attributed to D. A. Green.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2016

GMRT 610-MHz observations of the faint radio source population - and what these tell us about the higher-radio-frequency sky

We present 610-MHz Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope observations of 0.84 deg$^2$ of the AMI001 field (centred on $00^{\rm h} 23^{\rm m} 10^{\rm s}$, $+31^{\circ} 53'$) with an r.m.s. noise of 18 $μ$Jy beam$^{-1}$ in the centre of the field. 955 sources are detected, and 814 are included in the source count analysis. The source counts from these observations are consistent with previous work. We have used these data to study the spectral index distribution of a sample of sources selected at 15.7 GHz from the recent deep extension to the Tenth Cambridge (10C) survey. The median spectral index, $α$, (where $S \propto ν^{-α}$) between $0.08 < S_{15.7~\rm GHz} / \rm mJy < 0.2$ is $0.32 \pm 0.14$, showing that star-forming galaxies, which have much steeper spectra, are not contributing significantly to this population. This is in contrast to several models, but in agreement with the results from the 10C ultra-deep source counts; the high-frequency sky therefore continues to be dominated by radio galaxies down to $S_{15.7~\rm GHz} = 0.1$ mJy.

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arXiv2016

10C continued: a deeper radio survey at 15.7 GHz

We present deep 15.7-GHz observations made with the Arcminute Microkelvin Imager Large Array in two fields previously observed as part of the Tenth Cambridge (10C) survey. These observations allow the source counts to be calculated down to 0.1 mJy, a factor of five deeper than achieved by the 10C survey. The new source counts are consistent with the extrapolated fit to the 10C source count, and display no evidence for either steepening or flattening of the counts. There is thus no evidence for the emergence of a significant new population of sources (e.g. starforming) at 15.7 GHz flux densities above 0.1 mJy, the flux density level at which we expect starforming galaxies to begin to contribute. Comparisons with the de Zotti et al. model and the SKADS Simulated Sky show that they both underestimate the observed number of sources by a factor of two at this flux density level. We suggest that this is due to the flat-spectrum cores of radio galaxies contributing more significantly to the counts than predicted by the models.

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arXiv2015

The faint radio source population at 15.7 GHz - II. Multi-wavelength properties

A complete, flux density limited sample of 96 faint ($> 0.5$ mJy) radio sources is selected from the 10C survey at 15.7 GHz in the Lockman Hole. We have matched this sample to a range of multi-wavelength catalogues, including SERVS, SWIRE, UKIDSS and optical data; multi-wavelength counterparts are found for 80 of the 96 sources and spectroscopic redshifts are available for 24 sources. Photometric reshifts are estimated for the sources with multi-wavelength data available; the median redshift of the sample is 0.91 with an interquartile range of 0.84. Radio-to-optical ratios show that at least 94 per cent of the sample are radio loud, indicating that the 10C sample is dominated by radio galaxies. This is in contrast to samples selected at lower frequencies, where radio-quiet AGN and starforming galaxies are present in significant numbers at these flux density levels. All six radio-quiet sources have rising radio spectra, suggesting that they are dominated by AGN emission. These results confirm the conclusions of Paper I that the faint, flat-spectrum sources which are found to dominate the 10C sample below $\sim 1$ mJy are the cores of radio galaxies. The properties of the 10C sample are compared to the SKADS Simulated Skies; a population of low-redshift starforming galaxies predicted by the simulation is not found in the observed sample.

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arXiv2015

Constraints on the distribution of supernova remnants with Galactocentric radius

Supernova remnants (SNRs) in the Galaxy are an important source of energy injection into the interstellar medium, and also of cosmic rays. Currently there are 294 known SNRs in the Galaxy, and their distribution with Galactocentric radius is of interest for various studies. Here I discuss some of the statistics of Galactic SNRs, including the observational selection effects that apply, and difficulties in obtaining distances for individual remnants from the `Sigma-D' relation. Comparison of the observed Galactic longitude distribution of a sample of bright Galactic SNRs -- which are not strongly affected by selection effects -- with those expected from models is used to constrain the Galactic distribution of SNRs. The best-fitting power-law/exponential model is more concentrated towards the Galactic centre than the widely used distribution obtained by Case & Bhattacharya (1998).

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arXiv2014

A catalogue of 294 Galactic supernova remnants

A revised catalogue of 294 Galactic supernova remnants (SNRs) is presented, along with some simple statistics. This catalogue has twenty more entries than did the previous version (from 2009), as 21 new remnants have been added, and one object has been removed as it has been identified as an HII region.

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arXiv2014

Nonuniform Expansion of the Youngest Galactic Supernova Remnant G1.9+0.3

We report measurements of X-ray expansion of the youngest Galactic supernova remnant, G1.9+0.3, using Chandra observations in 2007, 2009, and 2011. The measured rates strongly deviate from uniform expansion, decreasing radially by about 60% along the X-ray bright SE-NW axis from 0.84% +/- 0.06% per yr to 0.52% +/- 0.03% per yr. This corresponds to undecelerated ages of 120-190 yr, confirming the young age of G1.9+0.3, and implying a significant deceleration of the blast wave. The synchrotron-dominated X-ray emission brightens at a rate of 1.9% +/- 0.4% per yr. We identify bright outer and inner rims with the blast wave and reverse shock, respectively. Sharp density gradients in either ejecta or ambient medium are required to produce the sudden deceleration of the reverse shock or the blast wave implied by the large spread in expansion ages. The blast wave could have been decelerated recently by an encounter with a modest density discontinuity in the ambient medium, such as found at a wind termination shock, requiring strong mass loss in the progenitor. Alternatively, the reverse shock might have encountered an order-of-magnitude density discontinuity within the ejecta, such as found in pulsating delayed-detonation Type Ia models. We demonstrate that the blast wave is much more decelerated than the reverse shock in these models for remnants at ages similar to G1.9+0.3. Similar effects may also be produced by dense shells possibly associated with high-velocity features in Type Ia spectra. Accounting for the asymmetry of G1.9+0.3 will require more realistic 3D Type Ia models.

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arXiv2014

The Deep Full-Stokes Radio Sky

The new broad-band capabilities of large radio interferometers such as the GMRT and JVLA allow for long-integration mosaic imaging observations to create ultra-deep full-polarization images of the sky over wide frequency ranges. Achieving rms sensitivities of order 1 $μ$Jy, these observations explore the radio source population at flux densities well below the regime dominated by classical radio galaxies and Active Galactic Nuclei. We present initial results from radio sources revealed with deep mosaicking observations with the GMRT and JVLA at respectively 0.6 and 5 GHz, and evidence that the $μ$Jy sensitivity level marks the transition to detection of polarized emission from a population of sources dominated by emission from magnetic fields in the disks of starburst and normal galaxies.

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arXiv2013

Spectropolarimetry with the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope at 610 MHz: a case study of two Southern Compact Group fields

We present 610 MHz spectropolarimetric images from the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT). We discuss the properties of the GMRT's full-polarisation mode in detail and provide a technical characterisation of the instrument's polarisation performance. We show that the telescope can be used for wide-field spectropolarimetry. The application of Rotation Measure Synthesis results in a sensitivity at the level of tens of micro-Jy in Faraday space. As a demonstration of the instrument's capabilities, we present observations of two Southern Compact Groups - the Grus Quartet and USCG S063. The observations are compared with other radio and infra-red data to constrain the group members' spectral index, polarisation fraction, and Faraday depth. Radio continuum emission is detected from all four galaxies in the Grus Quartet and one galaxy in USCG S063. Linear polarisation is detected from a circumnuclear starburst ring in NGC 7552, the active nucleus of NGC 7582, and three extended radio galaxies in the background of the Grus Quartet field. These background sources allow for the classification of an FR-I and an X-shaped radio galaxy. No evidence is found for interaction with the intragroup medium in either galaxy group.

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arXiv2013

Probing Magnetic Fields using the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope

We present the first spectropolarimetric radio observations that apply Rotation Measure (RM) Synthesis to interferometric data from the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) at 610 MHz. Spectropolarimetry requires measurement of a large number of instrumental systematics so that their effects can be calibrated - a technical problem that is currently being faced by the upcoming SKA pathfinders. Our fully-calibrated data allow for the peak Faraday depth and polarisation fraction to be measured for sub-mJy compact sources in the field of M51 at 610 MHz. The diffuse extended emission in the interacting galaxy pair is shown to be depolarised below the sensitivity limit. A survey of linear polarisation with the GMRT is now feasible and could be used to place constraints on the prevailing depolarisation mechanisms at low frequencies - improving polarised source count estimates and constraining the RM-grid observable with next generation facilities such as the SKA.

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arXiv2013

The Galactic distribution of SNRs

It is not straightforward to determine the distribution of supernova remnants (SNRs) in the Galaxy. The two main difficulties are that there are observational selection effects that mean that catalogues of SNRs are incomplete, and distances are not available for most remnants. Here I discuss the selection effects that apply to the latest catalogue of Galactic SNRs. I then compare the observed distribution of `bright' SNRs in Galactic longitude with that expected from models in order to constrain the Galactic distribution of SNRs.

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arXiv2013

A combined GMRT/CLFST image of IC443 at 150 MHz

IC443 is a relatively large Galactic (~45 arcmin) SNR with a high radio surface brightness. It has fine scale structure down to arcsec scales, and so is difficult to image on all angular scales with a single instrument. Here observations of IC443 at 151 MHz made with both the GMRT and the CLFST are combined to give a composite image of IC443 on all scales from >45 arcmin down to ~20 arcsec.

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arXiv2013

Supernova Ejecta in the Youngest Galactic Supernova Remnant G1.9+0.3

G1.9+0.3 is the youngest known Galactic supernova remnant (SNR), with an estimated supernova (SN) explosion date of about 1900, and most likely located near the Galactic Center. Only the outermost ejecta layers with free-expansion velocities larger than about 18,000 km/s have been shocked so far in this dynamically young, likely Type Ia SNR. A long (980 ks) Chandra observation in 2011 allowed spatially-resolved spectroscopy of heavy-element ejecta. We denoised Chandra data with the spatio-spectral method of Krishnamurthy et al., and used a wavelet-based technique to spatially localize thermal emission produced by intermediate-mass elements (IMEs: Si and S) and iron. The spatial distribution of both IMEs and Fe is extremely asymmetric, with the strongest ejecta emission in the northern rim. Fe Kalpha emission is particularly prominent there, and fits with thermal models indicate strongly oversolar Fe abundances. In a localized, outlying region in the northern rim, IMEs are less abundant than Fe, indicating that undiluted Fe-group elements (including 56Ni) with velocities larger than 18,000 km/s were ejected by this SN. But in the inner west rim, we find Si- and S-rich ejecta without any traces of Fe, so high-velocity products of O-burning were also ejected. G1.9+0.3 appears similar to energetic Type Ia SNe such as SN 2010jn where iron-group elements at such high free-expansion velocities have been recently detected. The pronounced asymmetry in the ejecta distribution and abundance inhomogeneities are best explained by a strongly asymmetric SN explosion, similar to those produced in some recent 3D delayed-detonation Type Ia models.

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arXiv2013

The distribution of SNRs with Galactocentric radius

In order to determine the Galactic distribution of supernova remnants (SNRs) there are two main difficulties: (i) there are selection effects which mean that catalogues of SNRs are not complete, and (ii) distances are not available for most SNRs, so distance estimates from the `Sigma-D' relation are used. Here I compare the observed distribution of 69 `bright' SNRs with Galactic longitude with that expected from the projection of various model Galactocentric radius distributions. This does not require distances from the `Sigma-D' relation, and selecting only `bright' remnants aims to avoid major issues with the selection effects. Although this method does not provide a direct inversion to the 3-D distribution of SNRs in the Galaxy, it does provide useful constraints on the Galactocentric radius distribution. For a combined power-law/exponential model for SNR surface density variation with Galactocentric radius, the best fitted distributions are more concentrated towards lower radii than the distribution derived by Case & Bhattacharya.

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arXiv2012

The faint source population at 15.7 GHz - I. The radio properties

We have studied a sample of 296 faint (> 0.5 mJy) radio sources selected from an area of the Tenth Cambridge (10C) survey at 15.7 GHz in the Lockman Hole. By matching this catalogue to several lower frequency surveys (e.g. including a deep GMRT survey at 610 MHz, a WSRT survey at 1.4 GHz, NVSS, FIRST and WENSS) we have investigated the radio spectral properties of the sources in this sample; all but 30 of the 10C sources are matched to one or more of these surveys. We have found a significant increase in the proportion of flat spectrum sources at flux densities below approximately 1 mJy - the median spectral index between 15.7 GHz and 610 MHz changes from 0.75 for flux densities greater than 1.5 mJy to 0.08 for flux densities less than 0.8 mJy. This suggests that a population of faint, flat spectrum sources is emerging at flux densities below 1 mJy. The spectral index distribution of this sample of sources selected at 15.7 GHz is compared to those of two samples selected at 1.4 GHz from FIRST and NVSS. We find that there is a significant flat spectrum population present in the 10C sample which is missing from the samples selected at 1.4 GHz. The 10C sample is compared to a sample of sources selected from the SKADS Simulated Sky by Wilman et al. and we find that this simulation fails to reproduce the observed spectral index distribution and significantly underpredicts the number of sources in the faintest flux density bin. It is likely that the observed faint, flat spectrum sources are a result of the cores of FRI sources becoming dominant at high frequencies. These results highlight the importance of studying this faint, high frequency population.

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arXiv2012

Back to the Moon: The Scientific Rationale for Resuming Lunar Surface Exploration

The lunar geological record has much to tell us about the earliest history of the Solar System, the origin and evolution of the Earth-Moon system, the geological evolution of rocky planets, and the near-Earth cosmic environment throughout Solar System history. In addition, the lunar surface offers outstanding opportunities for research in astronomy, astrobiology, fundamental physics, life sciences and human physiology and medicine. This paper provides an interdisciplinary review of outstanding lunar science objectives in all of these different areas. It is concluded that addressing them satisfactorily will require an end to the 40-year hiatus of lunar surface exploration, and the placing of new scientific instruments on, and the return of additional samples from, the surface of the Moon. Some of these objectives can be achieved robotically (e.g. through targeted sample return, the deployment of geophysical networks, and the placing of antennas on the lunar surface to form radio telescopes). However, in the longer term, most of these scientific objectives would benefit significantly from renewed human operations on the lunar surface. For these reasons it is highly desirable that current plans for renewed robotic surface exploration of the Moon are developed in the context of a future human lunar exploration programme, such as that proposed by the recently formulated Global Exploration Roadmap.

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arXiv2011

A colour scheme for the display of astronomical intensity images

I describe a colour scheme that is appropriate for the screen display of intensity images. This -- unlike many currently available schemes -- is designed to be monotonically increasing in terms of its perceived brightness. Also, when printed on a black and white postscript printer, the scheme results in a greyscale with monotonically increasing brightness. This scheme has recently been incorporated into the radio astronomical analysis packages CASA and AIPS.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2011

Expansion of the Youngest Galactic Supernova Remnant G1.9+0.3

We present a measurement of the expansion and brightening of G1.9+0.3, the youngest Galactic supernova remnant, comparing Chandra X-ray images obtained in 2007 and 2009. A simple uniform expansion model describes the data well, giving an expansion rate of 0.642 +/- 0.049 % yr^-1, and a flux increase of 1.7 +/- 1.0 % yr^-1. Without deceleration, the remnant age would then be 156 +/- 11 yr, consistent with earlier results. Since deceleration must have occurred, this age is an upper limit; we estimate an age of about 110 yr, or an explosion date of about 1900. The flux increase is comparable to reported increases at radio wavelengths. G1.9+0.3 is the only Galactic supernova remnant increasing in flux, with implications for the physics of electron acceleration in shock waves

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arXiv2011

Observing the End of Cold Flow Accretion using Halo Absorption Systems

We use cosmological SPH simulations to study the cool, accreted gas in two Milky Way-size galaxies through cosmic time to z=0. We find that gas from mergers and cold flow accretion results in significant amounts of cool gas in galaxy halos. This cool circum-galactic component drops precipitously once the galaxies cross the critical mass to form stable shocks, Mvir = Msh ~ 10^12 Msun. Before reaching Msh, the galaxies experience cold mode accretion (T<10^5 K) and show moderately high covering fractions in accreted gas: f_c ~ 30-50% for R<50 co-moving kpc and N_HI>10^16 cm^-2. These values are considerably lower than observed covering fractions, suggesting that outflowing gas (not included here) is important in simulating galaxies with realistic gaseous halos. Within ~500 Myr of crossing the Msh threshold, each galaxy transitions to hot mode gas accretion, and f_c drops to ~5%. The sharp transition in covering fraction is primarily a function of halo mass, not redshift. This signature should be detectable in absorption system studies that target galaxies of varying host mass, and may provide a direct observational tracer of the transition from cold flow accretion to hot mode accretion in galaxies.

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