arXiv subjects

G. Covone

Publications and source records attributed to G. Covone.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

arXiv2014

A Free-Form Lensing Grid Solution for A1689 with New Mutiple Images

Hubble Space Telescope imaging of the galaxy cluster Abell 1689 has revealed an exceptional number of strongly lensed multiply-imaged galaxies, including high-redshift candidates. Previous studies have used this data to obtain the most detailed dark matter reconstructions of any galaxy cluster to date, resolving substructures ~25 kpc across. We examine Abell 1689 (hereafter, A1689) non-parametrically, combining strongly lensed images and weak distortions from wider field Subaru imaging, and we incorporate member galaxies to improve the lens solution. Strongly lensed galaxies are often locally affected by member galaxies, however, these perturbations cannot be recovered in grid based reconstructions because the lensing information is too sparse to resolve member galaxies. By adding luminosity-scaled member galaxy deflections to our smooth grid we can derive meaningful solutions with sufficient accuracy to permit the identification of our own strongly lensed images, so our model becomes self consistent. We identify 11 new multiply lensed system candidates and clarify previously ambiguous cases, in the deepest optical and NIR data to date from Hubble and Subaru. Our improved spatial resolution brings up new features not seen when the weak and strong lensing effects are used separately, including clumps and filamentary dark matter around the main halo. Our treatment means we can obtain an objective mass ratio between the cluster and galaxy components, for examining the extent of tidal stripping of the luminous member galaxies. We find a typical mass-to-light ratios of M/L_B = 21 inside the r<1 arcminute region that drops to M/L_B = 17 inside the r<40 arcsecond region. Our model independence means we can objectively evaluate the competitiveness of stacking cluster lenses for defining the geometric lensing-distance-redshift relation in a model independent way.

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arXiv2012

The Spitzer Extragalactic Representative Volume Survey (SERVS): survey definition and goals

We present the Spitzer Extragalactic Representative Volume Survey (SERVS), an 18 square degrees medium-deep survey at 3.6 and 4.5 microns with the post-cryogenic Spitzer Space Telescope to ~2 microJy (AB=23.1) depth of five highly observed astronomical fields (ELAIS-N1, ELAIS-S1, Lockman Hole, Chandra Deep Field South and XMM-LSS). SERVS is designed to enable the study of galaxy evolution as a function of environment from z~5 to the present day, and is the first extragalactic survey both large enough and deep enough to put rare objects such as luminous quasars and galaxy clusters at z>1 into their cosmological context. SERVS is designed to overlap with several key surveys at optical, near- through far-infrared, submillimeter and radio wavelengths to provide an unprecedented view of the formation and evolution of massive galaxies. In this paper, we discuss the SERVS survey design, the data processing flow from image reduction and mosaicing to catalogs, as well as coverage of ancillary data from other surveys in the SERVS fields. We also highlight a variety of early science results from the survey.

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arXiv2009

Extending the Hubble diagram by gamma ray bursts

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arXiv2009

Cluster and cluster galaxy evolution history from IR to X-ray observations of the young cluster RX J1257.2+4738 at z=0.866

The cosmic time around the z~1 redshift range appears crucial in the cluster and galaxy evolution, since it is probably the epoch of the first mature galaxy clusters. Our knowledge of the properties of the galaxy populations in these clusters is limited because only a handful of z~1 clusters are presently known. In this framework, we report the discovery of a z~0.87 cluster and study its properties at various wavelengths. We gathered X-ray and optical data (imaging and spectroscopy), and near and far infrared data (imaging) in order to confirm the cluster nature of our candidate, to determine its dynamical state, and to give insight on its galaxy population evolution. Our candidate structure appears to be a massive z~0.87 dynamically young cluster with an atypically high X-ray temperature as compared to its X-ray luminosity. It exhibits a significant percentage ~90% of galaxies that are also detected in the 24micron band. The cluster RXJ1257.2+4738 appears to be still in the process of collapsing. Its relatively high temperature is probably the consequence of significant energy input into the intracluster medium besides the regular gravitational infall contribution. A significant part of its galaxies are red objects that are probably dusty with on-going star formation.

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arXiv2009

Testing Dark Energy models vs $Λ$CDM Cosmology by Supernovae and Gamma Ray Bursts

A new method to constrain the cosmological equation of state is proposed by using combined samples of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) and supernovae (SNeIa). The Chevallier-Polarski-Linder parameterization is adopted for the equation of state in order to find out a realistic approach to achieve the deceleration/acceleration transition phase of dark energy models. As results, we find that GRBs, calibrated by SNeIa, could be, at least, good distance indicators capable of discriminating cosmological models with respect to $Λ$CDM at high redshift. Besides, GRBs+SNeIa combined redshift-distance diagram puts better in evidence the change of slope around redshift $z\sim 0.5$ which is usually addressed as the "signature" of today observed acceleration. This feature could be interpreted, in more standard way, by the red sequence in galaxy clusters.

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arXiv2009

Central mass-to-light ratios and dark matter fractions in early-type galaxies

Dynamical studies of local ETGs and the Fundamental Plane point to a strong dependence of M/L ratio on luminosity (and stellar mass) with a relation of the form $M/L \propto L^γ$. The "tilt" $γ$ may be caused by various factors, including stellar population properties, IMF, rotational support, luminosity profile non-homology and dark matter (DM) fraction. We evaluate the impact of all these factors using a large uniform dataset of local ETGs from Prugniel & Simien (1997). We take particular care in estimating the stellar masses, using a general star formation history, and comparing different population synthesis models. We find that the stellar M/L contributes little to the tilt. We estimate the total M/L using simple Jeans dynamical models, and find that adopting accurate luminosity profiles is important but does not remove the need for an additional tilt component, which we ascribe to DM. We survey trends of the DM fraction within one effective radius, finding it to be roughly constant for galaxies fainter than $M_B \sim -20.5$, and increasing with luminosity for the brighter galaxies; we detect no significant differences among S0s and fast- and slow-rotating ellipticals. We construct simplified cosmological mass models and find general consistency, where the DM transition point is caused by a change in the relation between luminosity and effective radius. A more refined model with varying galaxy star formation efficiency suggests a transition from total mass profiles (including DM) of faint galaxies distributed similarly to the light, to near-isothermal profiles for the bright galaxies. These conclusions are sensitive to various systematic uncertainties which we investigate in detail, but are consistent with the results of dynamics studies at larger radii.

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arXiv2009

On the contribution of large scale structure to strong gravitational lensing

We study the correlation between the locations of galaxy-galaxy strong lensing candidates and tracers of large-scale structure from both weak lensing or X-ray emission. The COSMOS survey is a unique data set, combining deep, high resolution and contiguous imaging in which strong lenses have been discovered, plus unparalleled multiwavelength coverage. To help interpret the COSMOS data, we have also produced mock COSMOS strong and weak lensing observations, based on ray-tracing through the Millenium simulation. In agreement with the simulations, we find that strongly lensed images with the largest angular separations are found in the densest regions of the COSMOS field. This is explained by a prevalence among the lens population in dense environments of elliptical galaxies with high total-to-stellar mass ratios, which can deflect light through larger angles. However, we also find that the overall fraction of elliptical galaxies with strong gravitational lensing is independent of the local mass density; this observation is not true of the simulations, which predict an increasing fraction of strong lenses in dense environments. The discrepancy may be a real effect, but could also be explained by various limitations of our analysis. For example, our visual search of strong lens systems could be incomplete and suffer from selection bias; the luminosity function of elliptical galaxies may differ between our real and simulated data; or the simplifying assumptions and approximations used in our lensing simulations may be inadequate. Work is therefore ongoing. Automated searches for strong lens systems will be particularly important in better constraining the selection function.

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arXiv2008

Redshifts and lens profile for the double quasar QJ 0158-4325

We report on the redshift of the lensing galaxy and of the quasar QJ 0158-4325 and on the lens model of the system. A deep VLT/FORS2 spectrum and HST/NICMOS-F160W images are deconvolved. From the images we derive the light profile of the lensing galaxy and an accurate relative astrometry for the system. In addition we measure the flux ratio between the quasar images in the MgII emission line to constrain the mass model. From the spectrum we measure the redshift of the lensing galaxy (z=0.317+/-0.001) and of the quasar (z=1.294+/-0.008). Using the flux ratio in the lens model allows to discard the SIE as a suitable approximation of the lens potential. On the contrary the truncated-PIEMD gives a good fit to the lens and leads to a time delay of t(A-B)=-14.5+/-0.1 days, with H0=73 km/s/Mpc. Using the flux ratio to constrain the mass model favors the truncated-PIEMD over the SIE, while ignoring this constraint leaves the choice open.

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arXiv2008

Gauging the dark matter fraction in a $L_*$ S0 galaxy at z=0.47 through gravitational lensing from deep HST/ACS imaging

We analyze a new gravitational lens, OAC-GL J1223-1239, serendipitously found in a deep I-band image of the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS). The lens is a L_*, edge-on S0 galaxy at z=0.4656. The gravitational arc has a radius of 0.42 arcsec. We have determined the total mass and the dark matter (DM) fraction within the Einstein radius as a function of the lensed source redshift, which is presently unknown. For z ~ 1.3, which is in the middle of the redshift range plausible for the source according to some external constraints, we find the central velocity dispersion to be ~180 km/s. With this value, close to that obtained by means of the Faber-Jackson relation at the lens redshift, we compute a 30% DM fraction within the Einstein radius (given the uncertainty in the source redshift, the allowed range for the DM fraction is 25-35 % in our lensing model). When compared with the galaxies in the local Universe, the lensing galaxy, OAC-GL J1223-1239 seems to fall in the transition regime between massive DM dominated galaxies and lower-mass, DM deficient systems.

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arXiv2008

The evolution of the galaxy Red Sequence in simulated clusters and groups

N-body + hydrodynamical simulations of the formation and evolution of galaxy groups and clusters in a LambdaCDM cosmology are used in order to follow the building-up of the colour-magnitude relation in two clusters and in 12 groups. We have found that galaxies, starting from the more massive, move to the Red Sequence (RS) as they get aged over times and eventually set upon a ``dead sequence'' (DS) once they have stopped their bulk star formation activity. Fainter galaxies keep having significant star formation out to very recent epochs and lie broader around the RS. Environment plays a role as galaxies in groups and cluster outskirts hold star formation activity longer than the central cluster regions. However galaxies experiencing infall from the outskirts to the central parts keep star formation on until they settle on to the DS of the core galaxies. Merging contributes to mass assembly until z~1, after which major events only involve the brightest cluster galaxies. The emerging scenario is that the evolution of the colour-magnitude properties of galaxies within the hierarchical framework is mainly driven by star formation activity during dark matter halos assembly. Galaxies progressively quenching their star formation settle to a very sharp ``red and dead'' sequence, which turns out to be universal, its slope and scatter being almost independent of the redshift (since at least z~1.5) and environment. Differently from the DS, the operatively defined RS evolves more evidently with z, the epoch when it changes its slope being closely corresponding to that at which the passive galaxies population takes over the star forming one: this goes from z~1 in clusters down to 0.4 in normal groups.

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arXiv2008

Integral field spectroscopy of four lensed quasars: analysis of their neighborhood and evidence for microlensing

CONTEXT: Gravitationally lensed quasars constitute an independent tool to derive H0 through time-delays; they offer as well the opportunity to study the mass distribution and interstellar medium of their lensing galaxies and, through microlensing they also allow one to study details of the emitting source. AIMS: For such studies, one needs to have an excellent knowledge of the close environment of the lensed images in order to model the lensing potential: this means observational data over a large field-of-view and spectroscopy at high spatial resolution. METHODS: We present VIMOS integral field observations around four lensed quasars: HE 0230-2130, RX J0911.4+0551, H 1413+117 and B 1359+154. Using the low, medium and high resolution modes, we study the quasar images and the quasar environments, as well as provide a detailed report of the data reduction. RESULTS: Comparison between the quasar spectra of the different images reveals differences for HE 0230-2130, RX J0911.4+0551 and H 1413+117: flux ratios between the images of the same quasar are different when measured in the emission lines and in the continuum. We have also measured the redshifts of galaxies in the neighborhood of HE 0230-2130 and RX J0911.4+0551 which possibly contribute to the total lensing potential. CONCLUSIONS: A careful analysis reveals that microlensing is the most natural explanation for the (de)magnification of the continuum emitting region of the background sources. In HE 0230-2130, image D is likely to be affected by microlensing magnification; in RX J0911.4+0551, images A1 and A3 are likely to be modified by microlensing de-magnification and in H 1413+117, at least image D is affected by microlensing.

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arXiv2007

An extension of the SHARC survey

We report on our search for distant clusters of galaxies based on optical and X-ray follow up observations of X-ray candidates from the SHARC survey. Based on the assumption that the absence of bright optical or radio counterparts to possibly extended X-ray sources could be distant clusters. We have obtained deep optical images and redshifts for several of these objects and analyzed archive XMM-Newton or Chandra data where applicable. In our list of candidate clusters, two are probably galaxy structures at redshifts of z$\sim$0.51 and 0.28. Seven other structures are possibly galaxy clusters between z$\sim$0.3 and 1. Three sources are identified with QSOs and are thus likely to be X-ray point sources, and six more also probably fall in this category. One X-ray source is spurious or variable. For 17 other sources, the data are too sparse at this time to put forward any hypothesis on their nature. We also serendipitously detected a cluster at z=0.53 and another galaxy concentration which is probably a structure with a redshift in the [0.15-0.6] range. We discuss these results within the context of future space missions to demonstrate the necessity of a wide field of view telescope optimized for the 0.5-2 keV range.

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arXiv2007

Probing MACHOs by observation of M31 pixel lensing with the 1.5m Loiano telescope

We analyse a series of pilot observations in order to study microlensing of (unresolved) stars in M31 with the 1.5m Loiano telescope, including observations on both identified variable source stars and reported microlensing events. We also look for previously unknown variability and discover a nova. We discuss an observing strategy for an extended campaign with the goal of determining whether MACHOs exist or whether all microlensing events are compatible with lens stars in M31.

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arXiv2007

The strong transformation of spiral galaxies infalling into massive clusters at z~0.2

We describe two peculiar galaxies falling into the massive galaxy clusters Abell 1689 (z~0.18) and 2667 (z~0.23) respectively. Hubble Space Telescope images show extraordinary trails composed of bright blue knots (-16.5<M<-11.5 mag) and stellar streams associated with each of these systems. Combining optical, near and mid-infrared and radio observations we prove that while both galaxies show similar extended trails of star-forming knots, their recent star formation histories are different. One (~L*) is experiencing a strong burst of star formation, appearing as a rare example of a luminous infrared cluster galaxy. In comparison, the other (~ 0.1 L*) has recently ceased its star formation activity. Our model suggests that the morphologies and star formation in these galaxies have been influenced by the combined action of tidal interaction (likely with the cluster potential) and of ram pressure with the intracluster medium. These results can be used to gain more insights to the origin of S0s, dwarf and ultra-compact dwarf (UCD) cluster galaxies.

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arXiv2007

Gravitational lensing by cosmic strings: what we learn from the CSL-1 case

Cosmic strings were postulated by Kibble in 1976 and, from a theoretical point of view, their existence finds support in modern superstring theories, both in compactification models and in theories with extended additional dimensions. Their eventual discovery would lead to significant advances in both cosmology and fundamental physics. One of the most effective ways to detect cosmic strings is through their lensing signatures which appear to be significantly different from those introduced by standard lenses (id est, compact clumps of matter). In 2003, the discovery of the peculiar object CSL-1 (Sazhin et al.2003) raised the interest of the physics community since its morphology and spectral features strongly argued in favour of it being the first case of gravitational lensing by a cosmic string. In this paper we provide a detailed description of the expected observational effects of a cosmic string and show, by means of simulations, the lensing signatures produced on background galaxies. While high angular resolution images obtained with HST, revealed that CSL-1 is a pair of interacting ellipticals at redshift 0.46, it represents a useful lesson to plan future surveys.

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arXiv2006

Evolution of the Red Sequence in simulated galaxy groups

N--body + hydrodynamical simulations of formation and evolution of galaxy groups in a LambdaCDM cosmology have been performed. The properties of the galaxy populations in 12 groups are here discussed, with focus on the colour-magnitude relation in both normal and fossil groups.

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arXiv2006

Morphologies and stellar populations of galaxies in the core of Abell 2218

SUMMARIZED ABSTRACT: We present a study of the stellar populations and morphologies of galaxies in the core of the galaxy cluster Abell 2218. Integral field spectroscopy was obtained using PMAS/PPAK@3.5m CAHA to obtain a complete flux limited sample of cluster members within its field-of-view (~74"X64"). In addition of 31 galaxies with known redshifts in the outer regions, we built up a final sample of 59 spectroscopically confirmed cluster members. Multiban photometry and detailed morphologies were obtained using deep images taken with the HST/ACS camera in the BVRI and z-bands. The CM diagram shows that the E-type galaxies cover the range of brighter and redder colors. A large fraction of spiral galaxies ($\sim$50%) is found. They cover a wide range in colors. This result, together with the distributions of ages, metallicities and masses, indicates that E-type galaxies are more massive and have older stellar populations, while L-type galaxies are less massive and have a wider range of stellar Our results agree with a proposed two-step scenario for the evolution of galaxies in clusters. In addition, an extremely blue merging galaxy system is found at the core, with the nominal redshift of the cluster.

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arXiv2006

Diffuse light and building history of the galaxy cluster Abell 2667

We have searched for diffuse intracluster light in the galaxy cluster Abell 2667 (z=0.233) from HST images in three filters. We have applied to these images an iterative multi-scale wavelet analysis and reconstruction technique, which allows to subtract stars and galaxies from the original images. We detect a zone of diffuse emission south west of the cluster center (DS1), and a second faint object (ComDif), within DS1. Another diffuse source (DS2) may be detected, at lower confidence level, north east of the center. These sources of diffuse light contribute to 10-15% of the total visible light in the cluster. Whether they are independent entities or are part of the very elliptical external envelope of the central galaxy remains unclear. VLT VIMOS integral field spectroscopy reveals a faint continuum at the positions of DS1 and ComDif but do not allow to compute a redshift. A hierarchical substructure detection method reveals the presence of several galaxy pairs and groups defining a similar direction as the one drawn by the DS1-central galaxy-DS2 axis. The analysis of archive XMM-Newton and Chandra observations shows X-ray emission elongated in the same direction. The X-ray temperature map shows the presence of a cool core, a broad cool zone stretching from north to south and hotter regions towards the north east, south west and north west. This possibly suggests shock fronts along these directions produced by infalling material. These various data are consistent with a picture in which diffuse sources are concentrations of tidal debris and harassed matter expelled from infalling galaxies by tidal stripping and undergoing an accretion process onto the central cluster galaxy; as such, they are expected to be found along the main infall directions.

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