arXiv subjects

E. Giallongo

Publications and source records attributed to E. Giallongo.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

arXiv2001

Deep near-IR observations of the Chandra Deep Field and of the HDF-South - Color and Number Counts

We present near-IR (J and Ks) number counts and colors of galaxies detected in deep VLT-ISAAC images centered on the Chandra Deep Field and Hubble Deep Field-South for a total area of 13.6 arcmin$^2$. The limiting surface brightness obtained is Ks$\simeq$22.8 mag/arcsec$^2$ and J$\simeq$24.5 (1$σ$) on both fields. A d$log$N/dm relation with a slope of $\sim0.34$ in J and $\sim0.28$ in Ks is found in both fields with no evidence of decline near the magnitude limit. The median J-Ks color of galaxies becomes bluer at magnitudes fainter than Ks$\sim18$, in agreement with the different number counts slope observed in the two bands. We find a fraction ($\le5%$ of the total sample) of sources with color redder than J-Ks=2.3 at magnitudes Ks$>20$. Most of them appear as isolated sources, possibly elliptical or dusty starburst galaxies at redshift $z>2$. The comparison of the observed number counts with models shows that our J-band and Ks-band counts are consistent with the prediction of a model based on a small amount of merging in a $Ω=1$ cosmology. On the other hand, we fail to reproduce the observed counts if we do not consider merging independently of the parameters defining the universe.

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arXiv2001

The Evolution of the Luminosity Function in Deep Fields: A Comparison with CDM Models

The galaxy Luminosity Function (LF) has been estimated in the rest frame B luminosity at 0<z<1.25 and at 1700 Å for 2.5<z<4.5 from deep multicolor surveys in the HDF-N, HDF-S, NTT-DF. The results have been compared with a recent version of galaxy formation models in the framework of hierarchical clustering in a flat Cold Dark Matter Universe with cosmological constant. The results show a general agreement for z<= 1, although the model LF has a steeper average slope at the faint end; at z~3 such feature results in an overprediction of the number of faint (I_{AB}~ 27) galaxies, while the agreement at the bright end becomes critically sensitive to the details of dust absorption at such redshifts. The discrepancies at the faint end show that a refined treatement of the physical processes involving smaller galaxies is to be pursued in the models, in terms of aggregation processes and/or stellar feedback heavily affecting the luminosity of the low luminosity objects. The implications of our results on the evolution of the cosmological star formation rate are discussed.

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arXiv2001

The BeppoSAX view of the X-ray active nucleus of NGC4258

BeppoSAX observed NGC4258 on December 1998, when its 2-10 keV luminosity was \~1E41 erg/s. 100% variability is observed in the 3-10 keV band on timescales of a half a day while 20% variability is observed on timescales of one hour. The nuclear component is visible above 2 keV only, being obscured by a column density of (9.5+/-1.2)E22 cm-2; this component is detected up to 70 keV with S/N>=3 and with the steep power law energy index of 1.11+/-0.14. Bremsstrahlung emission for the 2-70 keV X-ray luminosity, as expected in ADAF models with strong winds, is ruled out by the data. The ratio between the nuclear radio and the X-ray luminosities is <=1E-5, similar to that of radio quiet AGN. X-ray variability and spectral shape, radio to X-ray and NIR to X-ray luminosity ratios suggest that the nucleus of NGC4258 could be a scaled-down version of a Seyfert nucleus. The soft (E<=2keV) X-ray emission is complex. There are at least two thermal-like components, with T1=0.6+/-0.1 keV and T2>=1.3 keV. The cooler (L(0.1-2.4keV)=1E40 erg/s) component is probably associated with the jet, resolved in X-rays by the ROSAT HRI. The second component, which can be modeled equally well by an unobscured power law model, has L(0.1-2.4keV)~7E39 erg/s, consistent with that expected from discrete X-ray sources in the host galaxy. NGC4258 and other maser AGNs show strong nuclear X-ray absorption. We propose that this large column of gas might be responsible for shielding the regions of maser emission from X-ray illumination. So a large column density gas may be a necessary property of masing AGNs.

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arXiv2000

Photometric redshifts and selection of high redshift galaxies in the NTT and Hubble Deep Fields

We present and compare in this paper new photometric redshift catalogs of the galaxies in three public fields: the NTT Deep Field, the HDF-N and the HDF-S. Photometric redshifts have been obtained for thewhole sample, by adopting a $χ^2$ minimization technique on a spectral library drawn from the Bruzual and Charlot synthesis models, with the addition of dust and intergalactic absorption. The accuracy, determined from 125 galaxies with known spectroscopic redshifts, is $σ_z\sim 0.08 (0.3)$ in the redshift intervals $z=0-1.5 (1.5-3.5)$. The global redshift distribution of I-selected galaxies shows a distinct peak at intermediate redshifts, z~0.6 at I_{AB}<26 and z~0.8 at I_{AB}<27.5 followed by a tail extending to z~6. We also present for the first time the redshift distribution of the total IR-selected sample to faint limits ($Ks \leq 21$ and $J\leq22$). It is found that the number density of galaxies at 1.25 5 candidates in the HDF filter set and that the 4 brightest candidates at $z>5$ in the HDF-S are indeed most likely M stars. (ABRIDGED)

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arXiv2000

An exploratory study of the hard X-ray variability properties of PG quasars with RXTE

We have monitored with the RXTE PCA the variability pattern of the 2-20 keV flux in four PG quasars (QSOs) from the Laor et al. (1994) sample. Six observations of each target at regular intervals of 1 day were performed. The sample comprises objects with extreme values of Balmer line width (and hence soft X-ray steepness) and spans about one order of magnitude in luminosity. The most robust result is that the variability amplitude decreases as energy increases. Several options for a possible ultimate driver of the soft and hard X-ray variability, such as the influx rate of Comptonizing relativistic particles, instabilities in the accretion flow or the number of X-ray active sites, are consistent with our results.

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arXiv2000

Comparing the Evolution of the Galaxy Disk Sizes with CDM Models: The Hubble Deep Field

The intrinsic sizes of the field galaxies with I<26 in the Hubble and ESO-NTT Deep Fields are shown as a function of their redshifts and absolute magnitudes using photometric redshifts derived from the multicolor catalogs and are compared with the CDM predictions. Extending to lower luminosities and to higher z our previous analysis performed on the NTT field alone, we find that the distribution of the galaxy disk sizes at different cosmic epochs is within the range predicted by typical CDM models. However, the observed size distribution of faint (M_B>-19) galaxies is skewed with respect to the CDM predictions and an excess of small-size disks (R_d<2 kpc) is already present at z~ 0.5. The excess persists up to z~3 and involves brighter galaxies . Such an excess may be reduced if luminosity-dependent effects, like starburst activity in interacting galaxies, are included in the physical mechanisms governing the star formation history in CDM models.

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arXiv2000

The discovery of the optical/IR counterpart of the 12s transient X-ray pulsar GS 0834-43

We report the discovery of the optical/infra-red counterpart of the 12.3s transient X-ray pulsar GS0834-43. We re-analysed archival ROSAT PSPC observations of GS0834-43, obtaining two new refined positions, about 14" and 18" away from the previously published one, and a new spin period measurement. Within the new error circles we found a relatively faint (V=20.1) early type reddened star (V-R=2.24). The optical spectrum shows a strong Halpha emission line. The IR observations of the field confirm the presence of an IR excess for the Halpha-emitting star (K'=11.4, J-K'=1.94) which is likely surrounded by a conspicuous circumstellar envelope. Spectroscopic and photometric data indicate a B0-2 V-IIIe spectral-type star located at a distance of 3-5kpc and confirm the Be-star/X-ray binary nature of GS0834-43.

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arXiv1999

High redshift evolution of optically and IR-selected galaxies: a comparison with CDM scenarios

A combination of ground-based (NTT and VLT) and HST (HDF-N and HDF-S) public imaging surveys have been used to collect a sample of 1712 I-selected and 319 $K\leq 21$ galaxies. Photometric redshifts have been obtained for all these galaxies. The results have been compared with the prediction of an analytic rendition of the current CDM hierarchical models for galaxy formation. We focus in particular on two observed quantities: the galaxy redshift distribution at K<21 and the evolution of the UV luminosity density. The derived photometric redshift distribution is in agreement with the hierarchical CDM prediction, with a fraction of only 5% of galaxies detected at z>2. This result strongly supports hierarchical scenarios where present-day massive galaxies are the result of merging processes. The observed UV luminosity density in the I-selected sample is confined within a factor of 4 over the whole range 0 3. CDM models in $Λ$-dominated universe are in better agreement at 3<z<4.5, but predict a pronounced peak at z~1.5 and a drop by a factor of 8 from z=1.5 to z=4 that is not observed in the data. We conclude that improvements are required in the treatment of the physical processes directly related to the SFR, e.g. the starbust activity in merger processes and/or different feedback to the star formation activity.

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arXiv1999

The Evolution of the Galaxy Sizes in the NTT Deep Field: a Comparison with CDM Models

The sizes of the field galaxies with I<25 have been measured in the NTT Deep Field. Intrinsic sizes have been obtained after deconvolution of the PSF with a multigaussian method. The reliability of the method has been tested using both simulated data and HST observations of the same field. The distribution of the half light radii is peaked at r_{hl} 0.3 arcsec, in good agreement with that derived from HST images at the same magnitude. An approximate morphological classification has been obtained using the asymmetry and concentration parameters. The intrinsic sizes of the galaxies are shown as a function of their redshifts and absolute magnitudes using photometric redshifts derived from the multicolor catalog. While the brighter galaxies with morphological parameters typical of the normal spirals show a flat distribution in the range r_{d}=1-6 kpc, the fainter population at 0.4<z<0.8 dominates at small sizes. To explore the significance of this behaviour, an analytical rendition of the standard CDM model for the disc size evolution has been computed. The model showing the best fit to the local luminosity function and the Tully-Fisher relation is able to reproduce at intermediate redshifts a size distribution in general agreement with the observations, although it tends to underestimate the number of galaxies fainter than M_B~ -19 with disk sizes r_d~ 1-2 kpc.

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arXiv1999

The VLT observations of the HDF-S NICMOS field: photometric catalog and high redshift galaxy candidates

We present the deep UBVRI observations of the HDF-S NICMOS field obtained as part of the Science Verification of the VLT Unit 1 telescope. The images have been used to construct object catalogs and to obtain photometric redshifts. The effective field of view is $\simeq 70\times70$ arcsec$^2$, and the formal $5σ$ limiting magnitudes (in a 2 FWHM aperture) are 26.3, 27.8, 27.5, 26.9, 25.2 in the $U$, $B$, $V$, $R$ and $I$ bands, respectively. Thanks to the sub-arcsecond image quality, relatively long exposure time, and large collecting area of the VLT, this is the deepest set of multicolor images ever obtained from a ground-based telescope. Galaxy counts have been derived independently in each band, and show no significant departures from previous data from wider areas. A multicolor photometric catalog of all the galaxies selected in the $R$ band has also been obtained and used to derive photometric redshifts for all galaxies with $R \leq 26.5 $, using also the J,H and K magnitudes from the NICMOS deep observations. A significant fraction (\simeq 28%)of the galaxies is placed at $z\geq 2$. Among them, six robust candidates are found at $z \geq 2.5$ .

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arXiv1998

The NTT Susi Deep Field

We present a deep BVrI multicolor catalog of galaxies in a 5.62 sq.arcmin field 80 arcsec south of the high redshift (z=4.7) quasar BR 1202-0725, derived from observations with the direct CCD camera SUSI at the ESO NTT. The formal 5$σ$ magnitude limits (in 2 x FWHM apertures) are 26.9, 26.5, 25.9 and 25.3 in B, V, r and I respectively. Counts, colors for the star and galaxy samples are discussed and a comparison with a deep HST image in the I band is presented. The percentage of merged or blended galaxies in the SUSI data to this magnitude limit is estimated to be not higher than 1%. At the same galactic latitude of the HDF but pointing toward the galactic center, the star density in this field is found to be ~3 times higher, with ~20% of the objects with V-I > 3.0. Reliable colors have been measured for galaxies selected down to r = 26. The choice of the optical filters has been optimized to define a robust multicolor selection of galaxies at 3.8 <= z <= 4.4. Within this interval the surface density of galaxy candidates with r < 26 in this field is 2.7 +/- 0.4 arcmin^-2 corresponding to a comoving density of Star Formation Rate at 3.8 <= z <= 4.4 of 10^{-2.00} - 10^{-1.82} h^3 Mo /yr/ Mpc^3.

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arXiv1998

The Gravitational Lensing in the QSO 1208+10 from the Proximity Effect in its Lyman alpha Forest

The quasar Q1208+1011 (z_{em}=3.8) is the second highest redshift double quasar ever detected. Several indications point toward it being a gravitational lensed system, although a definitive proof is still lacking. We present new evidence of its lensed nature based on the weakness of the ``proximity effect'' measured in the high resolution Lyman absorption spectrum of the QSO. A luminosity amplification as large as 22 has been derived from this analysis. Indications on the redshift of the lensing galaxy can be obtained from the analysis of the intervening heavy element absorption systems discovered in the QSO high resolution spectrum. On statistical and dynamical grounds a MgII system present at z=1.13 appears as the most likely candidate for the lensing galaxy. We compare the observed parameters with a simple isothermal model for the lens to derive the properties of the lensing galaxy. The resulting magnification factor is smaller, although marginally consistent with that derived by the analysis of the proximity effect.

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arXiv1998

The size and geometry of the Ly_alpha clouds

Spectra of the QSO pair Q0307-195A,B have been obtained in the Ly-alpha Forest (3660 - 3930 A) and C IV (4720 - 4850 A) regions with a FWHM resolution between 0.7 and 0.5 A. 46 lines have been detected in the spectrum of object A while 36 in the spectrum of object B, of them 29 and 20 were identified as Ly-alpha absorptions respectively. The present observations have been supplemented with data of comparable quality on other 7 QSO pairs available in the literature to give an enlarged sample of 217 Ly-alpha lines with rest equivalent width W_o > 0.3 A. The analysis of the hits (i.e. when an absorption line appears in both QSO spectra) and misses (i.e. when a line is seen in any of the QSO spectra, but no line is seen in the other), carried out with an improved statistical approach, indicates that the absorbers have typically a large size (h = H_0/100 km/s/Mpc, q_0 = 0.5): R = 362 h^{-1} kpc, with 95 % confidence limits 298< R <426 h^{-1} kpc and R = 412 h^{-1} kpc, with 95 % confidence limits 333< R <514 h^{-1} kpc for the radius in idealized spherical and disc geometries, respectively. The present data do not allow to establish any correlation of the typical inferred size with the proper separation or with the redshift of the pairs. The correlation between the observed equivalent widths of the absorbers in the adjacent lines of sight becomes poorer and poorer with increasing proper separation. A disc geometry with a column density profile N(r) \propto (r/R_0)^{-gamma}, gamma=4, is found to reasonably reproduce the data with R_0 ~ 100-200 h^{-1} kpc, but also spherical clouds with the same column density profile and a power-law distribution of radii may give a satisfactory representation of the observations.

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arXiv1998

The Photometric Redshift Distribution and Evolutionary Properties of Galaxies up to z= 4.5 in the Field of the Quasar BR1202-0725

We present a deep BVrIK multicolor catalog of galaxies in the field of the high redshift (z=4.7) quasar BR 1202-0725. Reliable colors have been measured for galaxies selected down to R=25. The choice of the optical filters has been optimized to define a robust multicolor selection of galaxies at 3.8 1.5. At variance with brighter surveys (I<22.5) there is a tail in the distribution towards high redshifts up to z~4. The luminosity function at z~0.6 shows a steepening for M_B>-19. The observed cosmological ultraviolet luminosity density is computed in the overall redshift interval z=0.3-4.5 reaching a value 2x10^{19} W/Hz/Mpc^3 at z~0.8. We have derived in a homogeneous way, using the GISSEL libraries, the physical parameters connected with the fitted spectral energy distributions. The bulk of the blue intermediate redshift population with z=0.4-1 mostly consists of very young star-forming galaxies with a median starburst age of the order of a few 10^8 yr and typical mass in luminous stars ~2x10^8 Mo.

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arXiv1998

Star-formation at z=4.7 in the environment of the QSO BR1202-07

We present here the spectrum of the galaxy companion to the z=4.7 quasar BR1202-0725, in the optical range 6000-9000 A, corresponding to 1050-1580 A rest-frame. We detect a strong Lya emission line at z=4.702, with an integrated flux of 2x10^{-16} ergs/cm^2/s, and a UV continuum longward of the Lya emission at a flux level of 3x10^{-19}ergs/cm^2/s/A. We fail to detect any CIV[1550] emission with a 3 sigma upper limit of 3x10^{-17} ergs/cm^2/s $. We show that the ratio between Lya and continuum intensity and the absence of a strong CIV emission imply that the UV continuum radiation is the result of an intense star-formation activity rather than of a reprocessing of the QSO flux. The total estimated SFR of this z=4.7 star-forming region is about 15-54 Msun/yr, depending on the IMF and the metallicity. The present data suggest that the Lya emission has a velocity and spatial structure, with possible velocity differences of about 500 km/s on scales of few kpc. These velocity patterns may be a signature of collapsing or merging phenomena in the QSO and its environment, as expected from current models of galaxy formation at high z.

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arXiv1997

Clustering of Absorbers

The observed clustering of Lyman-$α$ lines is reviewed and compared with the clustering of CIV systems. We argue that a continuity of properties exists between Lyman-$α$ and metal systems and show that the small-scale clustering of the absorbers is consistent with a scenario of gravitationally induced correlations. At large scales statistically significant over and under-densities (including voids) are found on scales of tens of Mpc.

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arXiv1997

The Optical-UV Continuum of a Sample of QSOs

The average optical-UV continuum shape of QSOs has been investigated using spectra of 62 QSOs having good relative photometric calibrations. The QSO spectra were extracted from two complete color selected samples in the magnitude intervals B ~ 16-20. The analysis was performed fitting power-law continua (f proportional to nu^(alpha)) in well defined rest-frame wavelength intervals after removing regions of the spectrum affected by strong emission lines or weak emission bumps. The average slope in the rest-frame optical-UV region 1200 - 5500 A shows a rapid change around the 3000 A emission bump with alpha=0.15 longward of it and alpha=-0.65 at shorter wavelengths. Although these average slopes have been obtained using spectra of QSOs with different luminosities and redshifts, there are no significant correlations of the average spectral index with these quantities. For a few QSOs in the sample we were able to measure the same softening of the spectral shape within the individual spectrum. These results have significant consequences on the estimate of the cosmological evolution of the optically selected QSOs as they affect, for instance, the k-corrections. New k-corrections in the B, V, R and Gr bands were computed. The derived average spectral shape in the optical-UV band puts interesting constraints on the expected emission mechanisms.

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arXiv1997

The UV Background and the Lyman alpha Clouds at High Redshift

The estimate of the ionizing UV background through the proximity effect analysis is discussed. Taking into account the correct bending of the column density distribution which appears in high resolution high s/n data, a value of the UV background ~5x10^{-22} cgs is obtained in the redshift interval z=1.7-4 without indication of any appreciable redshift evolution. Inferences on the spectral shape of the UV background between the HI and HeII edges are provided by the study of metal line ratios like SiIV/CIV in optically thin systems. The presence of a jump near the HeII edge seems favoured at very high redshifts z>3. An increasing HeII jump with increasing redshift can be responsible for the decreasing in the minimum temperatures of the Lyman alpha clouds with increasing z. New studies of the cosmic evolution of star-forming galaxies allow the estimate of a galaxy-dominated UV background intensity ~1.3 x10^{-21} f_{esc} cgs at z=0.5 where f_{esc}<20% is the escape fraction of ionizing UV photons from the galaxies. Finally it is also shown that in a UV background dominated by QSOs and/or star-forming galaxies the cosmological baryon density of the Lyman alpha clouds decreases rapidly with cosmic time possibly due to increasing bulk heating in the intergalactic medium with cosmic time.

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