arXiv subjects

Edwin L. Turner

Publications and source records attributed to Edwin L. Turner.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

arXiv2003

Actively Star Forming Elliptical Galaxies at Low Redshifts in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey

We report discovery of actively star forming elliptical galaxies in a morphologically classified sample of bright galaxies at a low redshift obtained from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. The emission lines of these galaxies do not show the characteristics of active galactic nuclei, and thus their strong H$α$ emission is ascribed to star formation with a rate nearly as high as that is seen in typical late spiral galaxies. This is taken as evidence against the traditional view that all elliptical galaxies formed early and now evolve only passively. The frequency of such star forming elliptical galaxies is a few tenths of a percent in the sample, but increases to 3% if we include active S0 galaxies. We may identify these galaxies as probable progenitors of so-called E+A galaxies that show the strong Balmer absorption feature of A stars superimposed on an old star population. The approximate match of the abundance of active elliptical plus S0 galaxies with that of E+A galaxies indicates that the duration of such late star formation episodes is of the order of $\gsim 1$ Gyr. If we interpret these galaxies as new additions to the early-type galaxy population, and if we assume a power law for their number evolution, the abundance of early-type galaxies at $z=1$ is about 30% less than that at $z=0$.

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arXiv2003

SDSS J115517.35+634622.0: A Newly Discovered Gravitationally Lensed Quasar

We report the discovery of SDSSJ115517.35+634622.0, a previously unknown gravitationally lensed quasar. The lens system exhibits two images of a $z = 2.89$ quasar, with an image separation of $1{\farcs}832 \pm 0.007$ . Near-IR imaging of the system reveals the presence of the lensing galaxy between the two quasar images. Based on absorption features seen in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) spectrum, we determine a lens galaxy redshift of $z = 0.1756$. The lens is rather unusual in that one of the quasar images is only $0{\farcs}22\pm0{\farcs}07$ ($\sim 0.1 R_{\rm eff}$) from the center of the lens galaxy and photometric modeling indicates that this image is significantly brighter than predicted by a SIS model. This system was discovered in the course of an ongoing search for strongly lensed quasars in the dataset from the SDSS.

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arXiv2003

A New Method to Map Flares in Quasars

Recently, Chartas et al. (2001) detected a rapid X-ray flare in the gravitationally lensed, multiple image quasar RX J0911.4+0551. Dramatic events, such as rapid X-ray flares, are useful in providing high precision measurements of the time delays between multiple images. In this paper, we argue that there is a new possibility in measurements of time delays between multiple images of gravitationally lensed quasars; constrain the locations of putative flares that give rise to the intrinsic rapid variabilities of quasars. The realization, however, of these goals cannot be presently achieved due to the limited accuracy of the current measurements. We predict that timing flares with accuracies of the order of a few seconds will be needed to probe the location of the flares. Our proposing method will work with better instruments in near future, such as XEUS.

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arXiv2003

Determining the Lensing Fraction of SDSS Quasars: Methods and Results from the EDR

We present an algorithm for selecting gravitational lens candidates from amongst Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) quasars. In median Early Data Release (EDR) conditions, the algorithm allows for the recovery of pairs of equal flux point sources down to separations of $\sim 0{\farcs}7$ or with flux ratios up to $\sim$ 10:1 at a separation of $1\farcs5$. The algorithm also recovers a wide variety of plausible quad geometries. We also present a method for determining the selection function of this algorithm through the use of simulated SDSS images and introduce a method for calibrating our simulated images through truth-testing with real SDSS data. Finally, we apply our algorithm and selection function to SDSS quasars from the EDR to get an upper bound on the lensing fraction. We find 13 candidates among 5120 z $>$ 0.6 SDSS quasars, implying an observed lensing fraction of not more than 4 $\times 10^{-3}$. There is one likely lens system in our final sample, implying an observed lensing fraction of not less than $3 \times 10^{-5}$ (95% confidence levels).

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arXiv2002

A Model of the Temporal Variability of Optical Light from Extrasolar Terrestrial Planets

The light scattered by an extrasolar Earth-like planet's surface and atmosphere will vary in intensity and color as the planet rotates; the resulting light curve will contain information about the planet's properties. Since most of the light comes from a small fraction of the planet's surface, the temporal flux variability can be quite significant, $\sim$ 10-100%. In addition, for cloudless Earth-like extrasolar planet models, qualitative changes to the surface (such as ocean fraction, ice cover) significantly affect the light curve. Clouds dominate the temporal variability of the Earth but can be coherent over several days. In contrast to Earth's temporal variability, a uniformly, heavily clouded planet (e.g. Venus), would show almost no flux variability. We present light curves for an unresolved Earth and for Earth-like model planets calculated by changing the surface features. This work suggests that meteorological variability and the rotation period of an Earth-like planet could be derived from photometric observations. The inverse problem of deriving surface properties from a given light curve is complex and will require much more investigation.

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arXiv2002

Gravitational Lensing Magnification and Time Delay Statistics for Distant Supernovae

Strong gravitational lensing of distant supernovae (SNe), particularly Type Ia's, has some exploitable properties not available when other sorts of cosmologically distant sources are lensed. One such property is that the ``standard candle'' nature of the SN at peak brightness allows a direct determination of the lensing magnification factor for each well observed image. Another is that the duration of an SN event is of the same order as the differential time delays between the various lens images. The comparable time scales of the photometric event and the time delay invite a variety of applications, including high precision measurements of the delay and the targeting of especially interesting phases of the explosion for intensive observation when they appear in trailing images. As an initial exploration of these possibilities we present calculations of SN lensing statistics in a ``concordance cosmology''. We emphasize magnification and time delay effects. Plausible SN surveys, such as the proposed SNAP space mission, would discover several to some tens of strongly lensed SNe Ia per year, and at least a few of these will be at redshifts well beyond those that would be accessible via unlensed events. The total number of such anomalously high redshift SNe Ia will be a useful test of high redshift star formation models. SN surveys of finite duration will, of course, miss the appearance of some images; we quantify this selection bias. Finally, we investigate how well the appearance of trailing images can be predicted based on various amounts of available information on the lensing event. Knowledge of the magnification factor for the leading image makes it possible to predict the appearance of a trailing image relatively accurately if the lens redshift is also known. (Abridged)

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arXiv2001

Strong Gravitational Lensing Time Delay Statistics and the Density Profile of Dark Halos

The distribution of differential time delays Δt between images produced by strong gravitational lensing contains information on the mass distributions in the lensing objects as well as on cosmological parameters such as H_0. We derive an explicit expression for the conditional probability distribution function of time delays P(Δt|θ), given an image separation between multiple images θ, and related statistics. We consider lensing halos described by the singular isothermal sphere (SIS) approximation and by its generalization as proposed by Navarro, Frenk, & White (NFW) which has a density profile ρ\propto r^{-α} in the innermost region. The time delay distribution is very sensitive to these profiles; steeper inner slopes tend to produce larger time delays. For example, if H_0=70 km/s/Mpc, a Λ-dominated cosmology and a source redshift z_S=1.27 are assumed, lenses with θ=5'' produce a time delay of Δt[yr]=1.5^{+1.7}_{-0.9}, 0.39^{+0.37}_{-0.22}, 0.15^{+0.11}_{-0.09}, and 0.071^{+0.054}_{-0.038} (50% confidence interval), for SIS, generalized NFW with α=1.5, α=1.0, and α=0.5, respectively. At a fixed image separation, the time delay is determined by the difference in the lensing potential between the position of the two images, which typically occur at different impact parameters. Although the values of Δt are proportional to the inverse of H_0, P(Δt|θ) is rather insensitive to all other cosmological model parameters, source redshifts, magnification biases and so on. A knowledge of P(Δt|θ) will also be useful in designing the observing program of future large scale synoptic variability surveys and for evaluating possible selection biases operating against large splitting lens systems.

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arXiv2001

Predictions for the Counts of Faint, High-Redshift Galaxies in the Mid-Infrared

Deep mid-infrared (MIR) observations could reveal a population of faint, high-redshift (z>3) dusty starburst galaxies that are the progenitors of present-day spheroids or bulges, and are beyond the reach of current instruments. We utilize a semi-analytic galaxy formation scheme to find an extreme model for the MIR galaxy counts, designed to maximize the number of detectable sources down to a flux level of a few nJy. The model incorporates the formation of heavily dust-enshrouded stellar populations at high redshift, and is consistent with existing observations, including faint counts at 1.6um in the NICMOS Hubble Deep Field, and the upper limit on the extragalactic MIR background from TeV gamma rays. Our models predict upto 0.5 galaxies/sq.arcsec at the threshold of 100 nJy at 6um, with a comparable or larger surface density at longer MIR wavelengths. We conclude that a significant new population of high-redshift galaxies could be detected by the Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF) and Next Generation Space Telescope (NGST). Such a population would constitute background noise for the Terrestrial Planet Finder (TPF), and could necessitate repeat observations: every {\it TPF} resolution element have a 10 percent chance of being contaminated by a background galaxy.

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arXiv2001

Empirical constraints on alternative gravity theories from gravitational lensing

If it is hypothesised that there is no dark matter then some alternative gravitational theory must take the place of general relativity (GR) on the largest scales. Dynamical measurements can be used to investigate the nature of such a theory, but only where there is visible matter. Gravitational lensing is potentially a more powerful probe as it can be used to measure deflections far from the deflector, and, for sufficiently large separations, allow it to be treated as a point-mass. Microlensing within the local group does not yet provide any interesting constraints, as only images formed close to the deflectors are appreciably magnified, but stacking of multiple light-curves and observations of microlensing on cosmological scales may be able to discriminate between GR and non-dark matter theories. Galaxy-galaxy lensing is likely to be an even more powerful probe of gravity, with the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) commissioning data used here to constrain the deflection law of galaxies to be A(R) propto R^(0.1 +/- 0.1) for impact parameters in the range 50 kpc < R < 1 Mpc. Together with observations of flat rotation curves, these results imply that, in any gravitational theory, photons must experience (close to) twice the deflection of massive particles moving at the speed of light (at least on these physical scales). The full SDSS data-set will also be sensitive to asymmetry in the lensing signal and variation of the deflection law with galaxy type. A detection of either of these effects would represent an independent confirmation that galaxies are dark matter-dominated; conversely azimuthal symmetry of the shear signal would rule out the typically ellipsoidal haloes predicted by most simulations of structure formation.

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arXiv2001

Gravitational lensing in modified Newtonian dynamics

Modified Newtonian dynamics (MOND) is an alternative theory of gravity that aims to explain large-scale dynamics without recourse to any form of dark matter. However the theory is incomplete, lacking a relativistic counterpart, and so makes no definite predictions about gravitational lensing. The most obvious form that MONDian lensing might take is that photons experience twice the deflection of massive particles moving at the speed of light, as in general relativity (GR). In such a theory there is no general thin-lens approximation (although one can be made for spherically-symmetric deflectors), but the three-dimensional acceleration of photons is in the same direction as the relativistic acceleration would be. In regimes where the deflector can reasonably be approximated as a single point-mass (specifically low-optical depth microlensing and weak galaxy-galaxy lensing), this naive formulation is consistent with observations. Forthcoming galaxy-galaxy lensing data and the possibility of cosmological microlensing have the potential to distinguish unambiguously between GR and MOND. Some tests can also be performed with extended deflectors, for example by using surface brightness measurements of lens galaxies to model quasar lenses, although the breakdown of the thin-lens approximation allows an extra degree of freedom. Nonetheless, it seems unlikely that simple ellipsoidal galaxies can explain both constraints. Further, the low-density universe implied by MOND must be completely dominated by the cosmological constant (to fit microwave background observations), and such models are at odds with the low frequency of quasar lenses. These conflicts might be resolved by a fully consistent relativistic extension to MOND; the alternative is that MOND is not an accurate description of the universe.

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arXiv2001

Gravitational lensing and modified Newtonian dynamics

Gravitational lensing is most often used as a tool to investigate the distribution of (dark) matter in the universe, but, if the mass distribution is known a priori, it becomes, at least in principle, a powerful probe of gravity itself. Lensing observations are a more powerful tool than dynamical measurements because they allow measurements of the gravitational field far away from visible matter. For example, modified Newtonian dynamics (MOND) has no relativistic extension, and so makes no firm lensing predictions, but galaxy-galaxy lensing data can be used to empirically the deflection law of a point-mass. MONDian lensing is consistent with general relativity, in so far as the deflection experienced by a photon is twice that experienced by a massive particle moving at the speed of light. With the deflection law in place and no invisible matter, MOND can be tested wherever lensing is observed. The implications are that either MONDian lensing is completely non-linear or that MOND is not an accurate description of the universe.

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arXiv2000

Microlensing results from APO monitoring of the double quasar Q0957+561A,B between 1995 and 1998

If the halo of the lensing galaxy 0957+561 is made of massive compact objects (MACHOs), they must affect the lightcurves of the quasar images Q0957+561 A and B differently. We search for this microlensing effect in the double quasar by comparing monitoring data for the two images A and B - obtained with the 3.5m Apache Point Observatory from 1995 to 1998 - with intensive numerical simulations. This way we test whether the halo of the lensing galaxy can be made of MACHOs of various masses. We can exclude a halo entirely made out of MACHOs with masses between 10e(-6) Msun and 10e(-2) Msun for quasar sizes of less than 3*10e(14)cm (h = 0.6), hereby extending previous limits upwards by one order of magnitude.

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arXiv2000

Superclustering of Faint Galaxies in the Field of a QSO Concentration at z~1.1

We report on a wide-area (48' x 9') imaging survey of faint galaxies in R and I bands toward the 1338+27 field where an unusual concentration of five QSOs at z\sim1.1, embedded in a larger-scale clustering of 23 QSOs, is known to exist. Using a quite homogeneous galaxy catalog with a detection completeness limit of I~23.5, we detect a significant clustering signature of faint red galaxies with I > 21 and R-I > 1.2 over a scale extending to ~20h^{-1}_{50} Mpc. Close examination of the color-magnitude diagram, the luminosity function, and the angular correlation function indeed suggests that those galaxies are located at z~1.1 and trace the underlying large-scale structure at that epoch, together with the group of 5 QSOs. Since the whole extent of the cluster of 23 QSOs (~70h^{-1}_{50} Mpc) is roughly similar to the local ``Great Wall'', the area may contain a high-redshift counterpart of superclusters in the local universe.

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arXiv1999

A Model-Independent Photometric Redshift Estimator

We derive a simple empirical photometric redshift estimator using a training set of galaxies with multiband photometry and measured redshifts in the Hubble Deep Field (HDF). This estimator is model-independent; it does not use spectral templates. The dispersion between the estimated redshifts and the spectroscopically measured ones is small; the dispersions range from $σ_z\simeq 0.03$ to 0.1 for $z\la 2$ galaxies, and from $σ_z\simeq 0.14$ to 0.25 for $z\ga 2$ galaxies. The predictions provided by our empirical redshift estimator agree well with recently measured galaxy redshifts. We illustrate how our empirical redshift estimator can be modified to include flat spectrum galaxies with $1.4\la z \la 2$.

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arXiv1998

A Catalog of Color-based Redshift Estimates for z <~ 4 Galaxies in the Hubble Deep Field

We derive simple empirical color-redshift relations for $z\la 4$ galaxies in the Hubble Deep Field (HDF) using a linear function of three photometric colors ($U-B$, $B-V$, $V-I$). The dispersion between the estimated redshifts and the spectroscopically observed ones is small for relations derived in several separate color regimes; the dispersions range from $σ_z\simeq 0.03$ to 0.1 for $z\la 2$ galaxies, and from $σ_z\simeq 0.14$ to 0.25 for $z\ga 2 $ galaxies. We apply the color-redshift relations to the HDF photometric catalog and obtain estimated redshifts that are consistent with those derived from spectral template fitting methods. The advantage of these color-redshift relations is that they are simple and easy to use and do not depend on the assumption of any particular spectral templates; they provide model independent redshift estimates for $z\la 4$ galaxies using only multi-band photometry, and they apply to about 90% of all galaxies. We provide a color-based estimated redshift catalog of HDF galaxies to $z\la 4$. We use the estimated redshifts to investigate the redshift distribution of galaxies in the HDF; we find peaks in the redshift distribution that suggest large-scale clustering of galaxies to at least $z\sim 1$ and that are consistent with those identified in spectroscopic probes of the HDF.

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arXiv1998

An X-Ray Microlensing Test of AU-Scale Accretion Disk Structure in Q2237+0305

The innermost regions of quasars can be resolved by a gravitational-lens {\lq}telescope{\rq} on scales down to a few AU. For the purpose, X-ray observations are most preferable, because X-rays originating from the innermost regions, can be selectively amplified by microlensing due to the so-called `caustic crossing'. If detected, X-ray variations will constrain the size of the X-ray emitting region down to a few AU. The maximum attainable resolution depends mainly on the monitoring intervals of lens events, which should be much shorter than the crossing time. On the basis of this idea, we performe numerical simulations of microlensing of an optically-thick, standard-type disk as well as an optically-thin, advection-dominated accretion flow (ADAF). Calculated spectral variations and light curves show distinct behaviors, depending on the photon energy. X-ray radiation which is produced in optically thin region, exhibits intensity variation over a few tens of days. In contrast, optical-UV fluxes, which are likely to come from optically thick region, exhibit more gradual light changes, which is consistent with the microlensing events so far observed in Q2237+0305. Currently, Q2237+0305 is being monitored in the optical range at Apache Point Observatory. Simultaneous multi-wavelength observations by X-ray sattelites (e.g., ASCA, AXAF, XMM) as well as HST at the moment of a microlens event enable us to reveal an AU scale structure of the central accretion disk around black hole.

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arXiv1998

The Near-Infrared Galaxy Counts Anomaly: Local Underdensity or Strong Evolution?

We analyze bright-end (K = 10 -17) galaxy counts from a number of near-infrared galaxy surveys. All studies available as of mid-1997, considered individually or collectively, show that the observed near-infrared galaxy number counts at low magnitudes are inconsistent with a simple no-evolution model. We examine evolutionary effects and a local underdensity model as possible causes of this effect. We find that the data are fit by either a factor of 1.7 - 2.4 deficiency of galaxies out to a redshift of z = 0.10 - 0.23, depending on the k corrections and evolution (e-) corrections used and the adopted values of the Schechter luminosity function parameters, or by unexpectedly strong low redshift evolution in the K-band, leading to (e+k)-corrections at z= 0.5 that are as much as 60% larger than accepted values. The former possibility would imply that the local expansion rate on scales of several hundred Mpc exceeds the global value of H_0 by up to 30% and that the amplitude of very large scale density fluctuations is far larger than expected in any current cosmogonic scenario. The latter possibility would mean that even the apparently most secure aspects of our understanding of galaxy evolution and spectral energy distributions are seriously flawed.

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arXiv1998

A maximum-likelihood method for improving faint source flux and color estimates

Flux estimates for faint sources or transients are systematically biased high because there are far more truly faint sources than bright. Corrections which account for this effect are presented as a function of signal-to-noise ratio and the (true) slope of the faint-source number-flux relation. The corrections depend on the source being originally identified in the image in which it is being photometered. If a source has been identified in other data, the corrections are different; a prescription for calculating the corrections is presented. Implications of these corrections for analyses of surveys are discussed; the most important is that sources identified at signal-to-noise ratios of four or less are practically useless.

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