arXiv subjects

Dan Maoz

Publications and source records attributed to Dan Maoz.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

arXiv2012

The delay-time distribution of type-Ia supernovae from Sloan II

We derive the delay-time distribution (DTD) of type-Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) using a sample of 132 SNe Ia, discovered by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey II (SDSS2) among 66,000 galaxies with spectral-based star-formation histories (SFHs). To recover the best-fit DTD, the SFH of every individual galaxy is compared, using Poisson statistics, to the number of SNe that it hosted (zero or one), based on the method introduced in Maoz et al. (2011). This SN sample differs from the SDSS2 SN Ia sample analyzed by Brandt et al. (2010), using a related, but different, DTD recovery method. Furthermore, we use a simulation-based SN detection-efficiency function, and we apply a number of important corrections to the galaxy SFHs and SN Ia visibility times. The DTD that we find has 4-sigma detections in all three of its time bins: prompt (t < 420 Myr), intermediate (0.4 < t < 2.4 Gyr), and delayed (t > 2.4 Gyr), indicating a continuous DTD, and it is among the most accurate and precise among recent DTD reconstructions. The best-fit power-law form to the recovered DTD is t^(-1.12+/-0.08), consistent with generic ~t^-1 predictions of SN Ia progenitor models based on the gravitational-wave induced mergers of binary white dwarfs. The time integrated number of SNe Ia per formed stellar mass is N_SN/M = 0.00130 +/- 0.00015 Msun^-1, or about 4% of the stars formed with initial masses in the 3-8 Msun range. This is lower than, but largely consistent with, several recent DTD estimates based on SN rates in galaxy clusters and in local-volume galaxies, and is higher than, but consistent with N_SN/M estimated by comparing volumetric SN Ia rates to cosmic SFH.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2012

Characterizing the Galactic White Dwarf Binary Population with Sparsely Sampled Radial Velocity Data

We present a method to characterize statistically the parameters of a detached binary sample - binary fraction, separation distribution, and mass ratio distribution - using noisy radial-velocity data with as few as two, randomly spaced, epochs per object. To do this, we analyze the distribution of DRVmax, the maximum radial-velocity difference between any two epochs for the same object. At low values, the core of this distribution is dominated by measurement errors, but for large enough samples there is a high-velocity tail that can effectively constrain the parameters of the binary population. We discuss our approach for the case of a population of detached white-dwarf (WD) binaries with separations that are decaying via gravitational wave emission. We derive analytic expressions for the present-day distribution of separations, integrated over the star-formation history of the Galaxy, for parametrized initial WD separation distributions at the end of the common-envelope phase. We use Monte Carlo techniques to produce grids of simulated DRVmax distributions with specific binary population parameters, and the same sampling cadences and radial velocity errors as the observations, and we compare them to the real DRVmax distribution to constrain the properties of the binary population. We illustrate the sensitivity of the method to both the model and the observational parameters. In the particular case of binary white dwarfs, every model population predicts a merger rate per star which can easily be compared to type-Ia supernova rates. In a companion paper, we apply the method to a sample of about 4000 WDs from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, and we find a merger rate remarkably similar to the rate of Type-Ia supernovae in Milky-Way-like galaxies.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2012

The Merger Rate of Binary White Dwarfs in the Galactic Disk

We use multi-epoch spectroscopy of about 4000 white dwarfs in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey to constrain the properties of the Galactic population of binary white dwarf systems and calculate their merger rate. With a Monte Carlo code, we model the distribution of DRVmax, the maximum radial velocity shift between exposures of the same star, as a function of the binary fraction within 0.05 AU, fbin, and the power-law index in the separation distribution at the end of the common envelope phase, alpha. Although there is some degeneracy between fbin and alpha, the the fifteen high DRVmax systems that we find constrain the combination of these parameters, which determines a white dwarf merger rate per unit stellar mass of 1.4(+3.4,-1.0)e-13 /yr/Msun (1-sigma limits). This is remarkably similar to the measured rate of Type Ia supernovae per unit stellar mass in Milky-Way-like Sbc galaxies. The rate of super-Chandrasekhar mergers is only 1.0(+1.6,-0.6)e-14 /yr/Msun. We conclude that there are not enough close binary white dwarf systems to reproduce the observed Type Ia SN rate in the 'classic' double degenerate super-Chandrasekhar scenario. On the other hand, if sub-Chandrasekhar mergers can lead to Type Ia SNe, as recently suggested by some studies, they could make a major contribution to the overall Type Ia SN rate. Although unlikely, we cannot rule out contamination of our sample by M-dwarf binaries or non-Gaussian errors. These issues will be clarified in the near future by completing the follow-up of all 15 high DRVmax systems.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2012

Type-Ia supernova rates and the progenitor problem, a review

The identity of the progenitor systems of type-Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) is a major unsolved problem in astrophysics. SN Ia rates are providing some striking clues. We review the basics of SN rate measurement, preach about some sins of SN rate measurement and analysis, and illustrate one of these sins with an analogy about Martian scientists. We review the recent progress in measuring SN Ia rates in various environments and redshifts, and their use to reconstruct the SN Ia delay time distribution (DTD) -- the SN rate versus time that would follow a hypothetical brief burst of star formation. A good number of DTD measurements, using a variety of methods, appear to be converging. At delays 1<t<10 Gyr, these measurements show a similar, ~t^-1, power-law shape. The DTD peaks at the shortest delays probed, although there is still some uncertainty regarding its precise shape at t<1 Gyr. At face value, this result supports the idea of a double-degenerate progenitor origin for SNe Ia. Single-degenerate progenitors may still play a role in producing short-delay SNe Ia, or perhaps all SNe Ia, if the red-giant donor channel is more efficient than found by most theoretical models. Apart from the DTD shape, the DTD normalization enjoys fairly good agreement (though perhaps some tension), among the various measurements, with a Hubble-time-integrated DTD value of about 2+/- 1 SNe Ia per 1000 Msun (stellar mass formed with a low-mass-turnover IMF). A recent attempt to characterize the local white dwarf binary population suggests that the white dwarf merger rate can explain the Galactic SN Ia rate, if sub-Chandra mergers lead to SN Ia events. We conclude by pointing to some future directions that should lead to progress in the field, including measurement of the bivariate (delay and stretch) SN Ia response function .

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2012

Evidence for Type Ia Supernova Diversity from Ultraviolet Observations with the Hubble Space Telescope

We present ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy and photometry of four Type Ia supernovae (SNe 2004dt, 2004ef, 2005M, and 2005cf) obtained with the UV prism of the Advanced Camera for Surveys on the Hubble Space Telescope. This dataset provides unique spectral time series down to 2000 Angstrom. Significant diversity is seen in the near maximum-light spectra (~ 2000--3500 Angstrom) for this small sample. The corresponding photometric data, together with archival data from Swift Ultraviolet/Optical Telescope observations, provide further evidence of increased dispersion in the UV emission with respect to the optical. The peak luminosities measured in uvw1/F250W are found to correlate with the B-band light-curve shape parameter dm15(B), but with much larger scatter relative to the correlation in the broad-band B band (e.g., ~0.4 mag versus ~0.2 mag for those with 0.8 < dm15 < 1.7 mag). SN 2004dt is found as an outlier of this correlation (at > 3 sigma), being brighter than normal SNe Ia such as SN 2005cf by ~0.9 mag and ~2.0 mag in the uvw1/F250W and uvm2/F220W filters, respectively. We show that different progenitor metallicity or line-expansion velocities alone cannot explain such a large discrepancy. Viewing-angle effects, such as due to an asymmetric explosion, may have a significant influence on the flux emitted in the UV region. Detailed modeling is needed to disentangle and quantify the above effects.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2012

CLASH: Precise New Constraints on the Mass Profile of Abell 2261

We precisely constrain the inner mass profile of Abell 2261 (z=0.225) for the first time and determine this cluster is not "over-concentrated" as found previously, implying a formation time in agreement with ΛCDM expectations. These results are based on strong lensing analyses of new 16-band HST imaging obtained as part of the Cluster Lensing and Supernova survey with Hubble (CLASH). Combining this with revised weak lensing analyses of Subaru wide field imaging with 5-band Subaru + KPNO photometry, we place tight new constraints on the halo virial mass M_vir = 2.2\pm0.2\times10^15 M\odot/h70 (within r \approx 3 Mpc/h70) and concentration c = 6.2 \pm 0.3 when assuming a spherical halo. This agrees broadly with average c(M,z) predictions from recent ΛCDM simulations which span 5 <~ <~ 8. Our most significant systematic uncertainty is halo elongation along the line of sight. To estimate this, we also derive a mass profile based on archival Chandra X-ray observations and find it to be ~35% lower than our lensing-derived profile at r2500 ~ 600 kpc. Agreement can be achieved by a halo elongated with a ~2:1 axis ratio along our line of sight. For this elongated halo model, we find M_vir = 1.7\pm0.2\times10^15 M\odot/h70 and c_vir = 4.6\pm0.2, placing rough lower limits on these values. The need for halo elongation can be partially obviated by non-thermal pressure support and, perhaps entirely, by systematic errors in the X-ray mass measurements. We estimate the effect of background structures based on MMT/Hectospec spectroscopic redshifts and find these tend to lower Mvir further by ~7% and increase cvir by ~5%.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2011

The Color Variability of Quasars

We quantify quasar color-variability using an unprecedented variability database - ugriz photometry of 9093 quasars from SDSS Stripe 82, observed over 8 years at ~60 epochs each. We confirm previous reports that quasars become bluer when brightening. We find a redshift dependence of this blueing in a given set of bands (e.g. g and r), but show that it is the result of the flux contribution from less-variable or delayed emission lines in the different SDSS bands at different redshifts. After correcting for this effect, quasar color-variability is remarkably uniform, and independent not only of redshift, but also of quasar luminosity and black hole mass. The color variations of individual quasars, as they vary in brightness on year timescales, are much more pronounced than the ranges in color seen in samples of quasars across many orders of magnitude in luminosity. This indicates distinct physical mechanisms behind quasar variability and the observed range of quasar luminosities at a given black hole mass - quasar variations cannot be explained by changes in the mean accretion rate. We do find some dependence of the color variability on the characteristics of the flux variations themselves, with fast, low-amplitude, brightness variations producing more color variability. The observed behavior could arise if quasar variability results from flares or ephemeral hot spots in an accretion disc.

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arXiv2011

Second-generation microlensing planet surveys: a realistic simulation

Microlensing surveys, which have discovered about a dozen extrasolar planets to date, have focused on the small minority of high-magnification lensing events, which have a high sensitivity to planet detection. In contrast, second-generation experiments, of the type that has recently begun, monitor continuously also the majority of low-magnification events. We carry out a realistic numerical simulation of such experiments. We simulate scaled, solar-like, eight-planet systems, studying a variety of physical parameters (planet frequency, scaling of the snowline with stellar mass R_snow ~ M^s), and folding in the various observational parameters (cadence, experiment duration), with sampling sequences and photometric error distributions taken from the real ongoing experiment. We quantify the dependence of detected planet yield on cadence and experiment duration, e.g., the yield is doubled when going from 3-hour to 15-minute baseline cadences, or from an 80-day-long to a 150-day-long experiment. There is a degeneracy between the snowline scaling index s and the abundance of planetary systems that can be inferred from the experiment, in the context of our scaled solar-analog model. After 4 years, the ongoing second-generation experiment will discover of the order of 50 planets, and thus will be able to determine the frequency of snowline planet occurrence to a precision of 10-30%, assuming the fraction of stars hosting such planets is between 1/3 and 1/10, and a snowline index in the range s=0.5 to 2. If most planetary systems are solar analogs, over 65% of the detected planets will be "Jupiters", five in six of the detected anomalies will be due to a single planet, and one in six will reveal two planets in a single lensing event.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2011

Lensed arc statistics: comparison of Millennium-simulation galaxy clusters to Hubble Space Telescope observations of an X-ray selected sample

It has been debated for a decade whether there is a large overabundance of strongly lensed arcs in galaxy clusters, compared to expectations from LambdaCDM cosmology. We perform ray tracing through the most massive halos of the Millennium simulation at several redshifts in their evolution, using the Hubble Ultra Deep Field as a source image, to produce realistic simulated lensed images. We compare the lensed arc statistics measured from the simulations to those of a sample of 45 X-ray selected clusters, observed with the Hubble Space Telescope, that we have analysed in Horesh et al. (2010). The observations and the simulations are matched in cluster masses, redshifts, observational effects, and the algorithmic arc detection and selection. At z=0.6 there are too few massive-enough clusters in the Millennium volume for a proper statistical comparison with the observations. At redshifts 0.3<z<0.5, however, we have large numbers of simulated and observed clusters, and the latter are an unbiased selection from a complete sample. For these redshifts, we find excellent agreement between the observed and simulated arc statistics, in terms of the mean number of arcs per cluster, the distribution of number of arcs per cluster, and the angular separation distribution. At z ~ 0.2 some conflict remains, with real clusters being ~3 times more efficient arc producers than their simulated counterparts. This may arise due to selection biases in the observed subsample at this redshift, to some mismatch in masses between the observed and simulated clusters, or to physical effects that arise at low redshift and enhance the lensing efficiency, but which are not represented by the simulations.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2011

Supernovae in the Subaru Deep Field: the rate and delay-time distribution of type Ia supernovae out to redshift 2

The type Ia supernova (SN Ia) rate, when compared to the cosmic star formation history (SFH), can be used to derive the delay-time distribution (DTD) of SNe Ia, which can distinguish among progenitor models. We present the results of a SN survey in the Subaru Deep Field (SDF). Over a period of 3 years, we have observed the SDF on 4 independent epochs with Suprime-Cam on the Subaru 8.2-m telescope, with 2 nights of exposure per epoch, in the R, i', and z' bands. We have discovered 150 SNe out to redshift z~2. Using 11 photometric bands from the observer-frame far-ultraviolet to the near-infrared, we derive photometric redshifts for the SN host galaxies (for 24 we also have spectroscopic redshifts). This information is combined with the SN photometry to determine the type and redshift distribution of the SN sample. Our final sample includes 28 SNe Ia in the range 1.0<z<1.5 and 10 in the range 1.5<z<2.0. Our SN Ia rate measurements are consistent with those derived from the HST/GOODS sample, but the overall uncertainty of our 1.5<z<2.0 measurement is a factor of 2 smaller, of 35-50%. We find that the SN Ia rate evolution levels off at 1.0<z<2.0, but shows no sign of declining. Combining our SN Ia rate measurements and those from the literature, and comparing to a wide range of possible SFHs, the best-fit DTD is a power law of the form Psi(t) ~ t^beta, with beta = -1.1 +/- 0.1 (statistical) +/- 0.17 (systematic). This result is consistent with other recent DTD measurements at various redshifts and environments, and is in agreement with a generic prediction of the double-degenerate progenitor scenario for SNe Ia. By combining the contribution to iron production from core-collapse SNe, based on the wide range of SFHs, with that from SNe Ia, calculated with the best-fit DTD, we predict that the mean present-day cosmic iron abundance is in the range Z(Fe) = (0.09-0.37) Z(Fe,Sun) (abridged).

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2010

Type-Ia supernovae: new clues to their progenitors from the delay-time distribution

Despite their prominent role in cosmography, little is yet known about the nature of type-Ia supernovae (SNe Ia), from the identity of their progenitor systems, through the evolution of those systems up to ignition and explosion, and to the causes of the environmental dependences of their observed properties. I briefly review some of those puzzles. I then focus on recent progress in reconstructing the SN Ia delay time distribution (DTD) -- the SN rate versus time that would follow a hypothetical brief burst of star formation. A number of measurements of the DTD over the past two years, using different methods and based on SNe Ia in different environments and redshift ranges, are converging. At delays 1<t<10 Gyr, these measurements show a similar 1/t power-law shape, with similar normalizations. The DTD peaks at the shortest delays probed, but there is still some uncertainty regarding its precise shape in the range 0.1<t<1 Gyr. At face value, this result supports Ron Webbink's (1984) idea of a double-degenerate progenitor origin for SNe Ia, but the numbers currently predicted by binary population synthesis models must be increased by factors of 3-10, at least. Single-degenerate progenitors may still play a role in producing short-delay SNe Ia, or perhaps all SNe Ia, if there is something important missing in the current modeling efforts.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2010

The supernova delay time distribution in galaxy clusters and implications for Type-Ia progenitors and metal enrichment

Knowledge of the supernova (SN) delay time distribution (DTD) - the SN rate versus time that would follow a hypothetical brief burst of star formation - can shed light on SN progenitors and physics. We compile recent measurements of the Type-Ia SN (SN Ia) rate in galaxy clusters at redshifts z=0-1.45. Together with the observed iron-to-stellar mass ratio in clusters, which constrains the time-integrated number of SN Ia events in clusters, we recover the DTD of SNe Ia in cluster environments. The DTD peaks at the shortest time-delay interval we probe, 0<t<2.2 Gyr, with a low tail out to delays of ~10 Gyr, and is remarkably consistent with several recent DTD reconstructions based on different methods, in different environments. We test DTD models from the literature, requiring that they simultaneously reproduce the observed cluster SN rates and the observed iron-to-stellar mass ratios. A power-law DTD of the form t^{-1.2+/-0.3}, extending to a Hubble time, can satisfy both constraints. Shallower power laws, such as t^{-1/2} cannot, assuming a single DTD, and a single star-formation burst (either brief or extended) at high z. This implies 50-85% of SNe Ia explode within 1 Gyr of star formation. DTDs from double-degenerate (DD) models, which generically have ~t^{-1} shapes over a wide range of timescales, match the data, but only if their predictions are scaled up by factors of 5-10. Single degenerate (SD) DTDs always give poor fits to the data, due to a lack of delayed SNe and overall low numbers of SNe. The observations also permit a combination of two SN Ia populations - prompt (e.g. SD) SNe Ia that explode within a few Gyr of star formation, and produce about 60% of the iron mass in clusters, and a DD population that contributes the events seen at z<1.4. Our results support the existence of a DD progenitor channel for SNe Ia, if the overall predicted numbers can be suitably increased.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2010

The Type Ia Supernova Rate in Redshift 0.5--0.9 Galaxy Clusters

Supernova (SN) rates are potentially powerful diagnostics of metal enrichment and SN physics, particularly in galaxy clusters with their deep, metal-retaining potentials and relatively simple star-formation histories. We have carried out a survey for supernovae (SNe) in galaxy clusters, at a redshift range 0.5<z<0.9, using the Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) on the Hubble Space Telescope. We reimaged a sample of 15 clusters that were previously imaged by ACS, thus obtaining two to three epochs per cluster, in which we discovered five likely cluster SNe, six possible cluster SNe Ia, two hostless SN candidates, and several background and foreground events. Keck spectra of the host galaxies were obtained to establish cluster membership. We conducted detailed efficiency simulations, and measured the stellar luminosities of the clusters using Subaru images. We derive a cluster SN rate of 0.35 SNuB +0.17/-0.12 (statistical) \pm0.13 (classification) \pm0.01 (systematic) [where SNuB = SNe (100 yr 10^10 L_B_sun)^-1] and 0.112 SNuM +0.055/-0.039 (statistical) \pm0.042 (classification) \pm0.005 (systematic) [where SNuM = SNe (100 yr 10^10 M_sun)^-1]. As in previous measurements of cluster SN rates, the uncertainties are dominated by small-number statistics. The SN rate in this redshift bin is consistent with the SN rate in clusters at lower redshifts (to within the uncertainties), and shows that there is, at most, only a slight increase of cluster SN rate with increasing redshift. The low and fairly constant SN Ia rate out to z~1 implies that the bulk of the iron mass in clusters was already in place by z~1. The recently observed doubling of iron abundances in the intracluster medium between z=1 and 0, if real, is likely the result of redistribution of existing iron, rather than new production of iron.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2010

On the size distribution of supernova remnants in the Magellanic Clouds

The physical sizes of supernova remnants (SNRs) in a number of nearby galaxies follow an approximately linear cumulative distribution, contrary to what is expected for decelerating shock fronts. This has been attributed to selection effects, or to a majority of SNRs propagating in "free expansion", at constant velocity, into a tenuous ambient medium. We compile a list of 77 known SNRs in the Magellanic Clouds (MCs), and argue that they are a fairly complete record of the SNe that have exploded over the last ~20kyr, with most now in the adiabatic, Sedov phase of their expansions. The roughly linear cumulative size distribution (uniform in a differential distribution) can result from the combination of a deceleration during this phase, a transition to a radiation-loss-dominated phase at a radius that depends on the local gas density, and a distribution of ambient densities varying roughly as rho^{-1}. This explanation is supported by the observed -1 power-law distributions of three independent tracers of density: HI column density, Halpha surface brightness, and star formation rate from resolved stellar populations. In this picture, the observed cutoff at r~30 pc in the SNR size distribution is due to a minimum in the mean ambient gas density in the regions where supernovae (SNe) explode. We show that M33 has a SNR size distribution similar to that of the MCs, suggesting these features, and their explanation, may be universal. In a companion paper (Maoz & Badenes 2010), we use our sample of SNRs as an effective "SN survey" to calculate the SN rate and delay time distribution in the MCs. The hypothesis that most SNRs are in free expansion, rather than in the Sedov phase of their evolution, would result in SN rates that are in strong conflict with independent measurements, and with basic stellar evolution theory.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2010

The supernova rate and delay time distribution in the Magellanic Clouds

We use the supernova remnants (SNRs) in the Magellanic Clouds (MCs) as a supernova (SN) survey, "conducted" over tens of kyr, from which we derive the current SN rate, and the SN delay time distribution (DTD), i.e., the SN rate vs. time that would follow a hypothetical brief burst of a star formation. In Badenes, Maoz, & Draine (2010) we have compiled a list of 77 SNRs in the MCS, and argued it is a fairly complete record of the SNRs in the Sedov phase of their expansions. We recover the DTD by comparing the numbers of SNRs observed in small individual "cells" in these galaxies to the star-formation histories of each cell, as calculated from resolved stellar populations by Harris & Zaritsky. The visibility times of SNRs are the Sedov-phase lifetimes, which depend on the local ambient densities. The local densities are estimated from HI emission, from an inverse Schmidt law based on either Halpha flux or on the resolved star-formation rate, and from combinations of these tracers. In the DTD, we detect "prompt" type-Ia SNe (that explode within 330 Myr of star formation) at >99% confidence level (c.l.). The best fit for the number of prompt SNe-Ia per stellar mass formed is (2.7-11.0) x 10^{-3} /Msun, depending on the density tracer used. The 95% c.l. range for a "delayed" SN Ia component (from 330 Myr to a Hubble time) is < 1.6 x 10^{-13} SN/yr/Msun, consistent with rate measurements in old populations. The current total (core-collapse+Ia) SN rate in the MCs is 2.5-4.6 SNe per millenium (68% c.l.+systematics), or 1.7-3.1 SNuM [SNe/100 yr/10^{10}Msun], in agreement with the historical record and with rates measured in other dwarf irregulars. Conversely, assuming the SNRs are in free expansion, rather than in their Sedov phase, would impose on the SNRs a maximum age of 6 kyr, and would imply a MC SN rate per unit mass that is 5 times higher than in any type of galaxy.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2010

Nearby Supernova Rates from the Lick Observatory Supernova Search. IV. A Recovery Method for the Delay Time Distribution

The supernova (SN) delay-time distribution (DTD) - the SN rate versus time that would follow a brief burst of star formation - can shed light on SN progenitors, and on chemical enrichment timescales. Previous attempts to recover the DTD have used comparisons of mean SN rates vs. redshift to cosmic star-formation history (SFH), or comparison of SN rates among galaxies of different mean ages. We present an approach to recover the SN DTD that avoids such averaging. We compare the SFHs of individual galaxies to the numbers of SNe discovered in each galaxy (generally zero, sometimes one or a few SNe). We apply the method to a subsample of 3505 galaxies, hosting 82 SNe Ia and 119 core-collapse SNe (CC SNe), from the Lick Observatory SN Search (LOSS), with SFHs reconstructed from SDSS spectra. We find a >2sigma SN Ia DTD signal in our shortest-delay, "prompt", bin at <420 Myr. Despite a systematic error, due to the limited aperture of the SDSS spectroscopic fibres, which causes some of the prompt signal to leak to the later DTD bins, the data require prompt SNe Ia at the >99% confidence. We further find, at 4sigma, SNe Ia that are "delayed" by > 2.4 Gyr. Thus, the data support the existence of both prompt and delayed SNe Ia. The time integral over the CC SN DTD is 0.010+/-0.002 SNe per Msun, as expected if all stars of mass >8 Msun lead to visible SN explosions. This argues against a minimum mass for CC SNe of >10 Msun, and against a significant fraction of massive stars that collapse without exploding. For SNe Ia, the time-integrated DTD is 0.0023+/-0.0006 SNe per Msun formed, most of them with delays < 2.4 Gyr. We show, using simulations, that application of the method to the full existing LOSS sample, but with complete and unbiased SFH estimates for the survey galaxies, could provide a detailed measurement of the SN Ia DTD.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2010

The lensing efficiencies of MACS X-ray selected versus RCS optically selected galaxy clusters

The statistics of strongly lensed arcs in samples of galaxy clusters provide information on cluster structure that is complementary to that from individual clusters. However, samples of clusters that have been analyzed to date have been either small, heterogeneous, or observed with limited angular resolution. We measure the lensed-arc statistics of 97 clusters imaged at high angular resolution with the Hubble Space Telescope, identifying lensed arcs using two automated arc detection algorithms. The sample includes similar numbers of X-ray selected (MACS) and optically selected (RCS) clusters, and spans cluster redshifts in the range 0.2 < z < 1. We compile a catalogue of 42 arcs in the X-ray selected subsample and 7 arcs in the optical subsample. All but five of these arcs are reported here for the first time. At 0.3 < z < 0.7, the X-ray selected clusters have a significantly higher mean frequency of arcs, 1.2+/-0.2 per cluster, versus 0.2+/-0.1 in the optical sample. The strikingly different lensing efficiencies indicate that X-ray clusters trace much larger mass concentrations, despite the similar optical luminosities of the X-ray and optical clusters. The mass difference is supported also by the lower space density of the X-ray clusters, and by the small Einstein radii of the few arcs in the optical sample. Higher-order effects, such as differences in concentration or substructure, may also contribute.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2009

Variability and spectral energy distributions of low-luminosity active galactic nuclei: a simultaneous X-ray/UV look with Swift

We have observed four low-luminosity active galactic nuclei classified as Type 1 LINERs with the X-ray Telescope (XRT) and the UltraViolet-Optical Telescope (UVOT) onboard Swift, in an attempt to clarify the main powering mechanism of this class of nearby sources. Among our targets, we detect X-ray variability in NGC 3998 for the first time. The light curves of this object reveal variations of up to 30% amplitude in half a day, with no significant spectral variability on this time scale. We also observe a decrease of ~30% over 9 days, with significant spectral softening. Moreover, the X-ray flux is ~40% lower than observed in previous years. Variability is detected in M 81 as well, at levels comparable to those reported previously: a flux increase in the hard X-rays (1-10 keV) of 30% in ~3 hours and variations by up to a factor of 2 within a few years. This X-ray behaviour is similar to that of higher-luminosity, Seyfert-type, objects. Using previous high-angular-resolution imaging data from the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), we evaluate the diffuse UV emission due to the host galaxy and isolate the nuclear flux in our UVOT observations. All sources are detected in the UV band, at levels similar to those of the previous observations with HST. The XRT (0.2-10 keV) spectra are well described by single power-laws and the UV-to-X-ray flux ratios are again consistent with those of Seyferts and radio-loud AGNs of higher luminosity. The similarity in X-ray variability and broad-band energy distributions suggests the presence of similar accretion and radiation processes in low- and high-luminosity AGNs.

astro-ph.HE↗