arXiv subjects

George H. Rieke

Publications and source records attributed to George H. Rieke.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

arXiv2009

Spitzer and HHT observations of starless cores: masses and environments

We present Spitzer observations of a sample of 12 starless cores selected to have prominent 24 micron shadows. The Spitzer images show 8 and 24 micron shadows and in some cases 70 micron shadows; these spatially resolved absorption features trace the densest regions of the cores. We have carried out a 12CO (2-1) and 13CO (2-1) mapping survey of these cores with the Heinrich Hertz Telescope (HHT). We use the shadow features to derive optical depth maps. We derive molecular masses for the cores and the surrounding environment; we find that the 24 micron shadow masses are always greater than or equal to the molecular masses derived in the same region, a discrepancy likely caused by CO freeze--out onto dust grains. We combine this sample with two additional cores that we studied previously to bring the total sample to 14 cores. Using a simple Jeans mass criterion we find that ~ 2/3 of the cores selected to have prominent 24 micron shadows are collapsing or near collapse, a result that is supported by millimeter line observations. Of this subset at least half have indications of 70 micron shadows. All cores observed to produce absorption features at 70 micron are close to collapse. We conclude that 24 micron shadows, and even more so the 70 micron ones, are useful markers of cloud cores that are approaching collapse.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2009

Evidence for Dynamical Changes in a Transitional Protoplanetary Disk with Mid-infrared Variability

We present multi-epoch Spitzer Space Telescope observations of the transitional disk LRLL 31 in the 2-3 Myr-old star forming region IC 348. Our measurements show remarkable mid-infrared variability on timescales as short as one week. The infrared continuum emission exhibits systematic wavelength-dependent changes that suggest corresponding dynamical changes in the inner disk structure and variable shadowing of outer disk material. We propose several possible sources for the structural changes, including a variable accretion rate or a stellar or planetary companion embedded in the disk. Our results indicate that variability studies in the infrared can provide important new constraints on protoplanetary disk behavior.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2009

Local Luminous Infrared Galaxies: Spatially resolved mid-infrared observations with Spitzer/IRS

Luminous Infrared (IR) Galaxies (LIRGs) are an important cosmological class of galaxies as they are the main contributors to the co-moving star formation rate density of the universe at z=1. In this paper we present a GTO Spitzer IRS program aimed to obtain spectral mapping of a sample of 14 local (d<76Mpc) LIRGs. The data cubes map, at least, the central 20arcsec x 20arcsec to 30arcsec x 30arcsec regions of the galaxies, and use all four IRS modules covering the full 5-38micron spectral range. The final goal of this project is to characterize fully the mid-IR properties of local LIRGs as a first step to understanding their more distant counterparts. In this paper we present the first results of this GTO program. The IRS spectral mapping data allow us to build spectral maps of the bright mid-IR emission lines (e.g., [NeII], [NeIII], [SIII], H_2), continuum, the 6.2 and 11.3micron PAH features, and the 9.7micron silicate feature, as well as to extract 1D spectra for regions of interest in each galaxy. The IRS data are used to obtain spatially resolved measurements of the extinction using the 9.7micron silicate feature, and to trace star forming regions using the neon lines and the PAH features. We also investigate a number of AGN indicators, including the presence of high excitation emission lines and a strong dust continuum emission at around 6micron. We finally use the integrated Spitzer/IRS spectra as templates of local LIRGs. We discuss several possible uses for these templates, including the calibration of the star formation rate of IR-bright galaxies at high redshift. We also predict the intensities of the brightest mid-IR emission lines for LIRGs as a function of redshift, and compare them with the expected sensitivities of future space IR missions.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2009

Cosmic Evolution of Star Formation In SDSS Quasar Hosts Since z=1

We present Spitzer IRS observations of a complete sample of 57 SDSS type-1 quasars at z~1. Aromatic features at 6.2 and/or 7.7 um are detected in about half of the sample and show profiles similar to those seen in normal galaxies at both low- and high-redshift, indicating a star-formation origin for the features. Based on the ratio of aromatic to star-formation IR (SFIR) luminosities for normal star-forming galaxies at z~1, we have constructed the SFIR luminosity function (LF) of z~1 quasars. As we found earlier for low-redshift PG quasars, these z~1 quasars show a flatter SFIR LF than do z~1 field galaxies, implying the quasar host galaxy population has on average a higher SFR than the field galaxies do. As measured from their SFIR LF, individual quasar hosts have on average LIRG-level SFRs, which mainly arise in the circumnuclear regions. By comparing with similar measurements of low-redshift PG quasars, we find that the comoving SFIR luminosity density in quasar hosts shows a much larger increase with redshift than that in field galaxies. The behavior is consistent with pure density evolution since the average SFR and the average SFR/BH-accretion-rate in quasar hosts show little evolution with redshift. For individual quasars, we have found a correlation between the aromatic-based SFR and the luminosity of the nuclear radiation, consistent with predictions of some theoretical models. We propose that type 1 quasars reside in a distinct galaxy population that shows elliptical morphology but that harbors a significant fraction of intermediate-age stars and is experiencing intense circumnuclear star formation.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2009

Isotropic Luminosity Indicators in a Complete AGN Sample

The [O IV] 25.89 micron line has been shown to be an accurate indicator of active galactic nucleus (AGN) intrinsic luminosity in that it correlates well with hard (10-200 keV) X-ray emission. We present measurements of [O IV] for 89 Seyfert galaxies from the unbiased Revised Shapley-Ames (RSA) sample. The [O IV] luminosity distributions of obscured and unobscured Seyferts are indistinguishable, indicating that their intrinsic AGN luminosities are quite similar and that the RSA sample is well suited for tests of the unified model. In addition, we analyze several commonly used proxies for AGN luminosity, including [O III] 5007 A, 6 cm radio, and 2-10 keV X-ray emission. We find that the radio luminosity distributions of obscured and unobscured AGNs show no significant difference, indicating that radio luminosity is a useful isotropic luminosity indicator. However, the observed [O III] and 2-10 keV luminosities are systematically smaller for obscured Seyferts, indicating that they are not emitted isotropically.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2009

The Extreme Star Formation Activity of Arp299 Revealed by Spitzer IRS Spectral Mapping

We present Spitzer/IRS spectral mapping observations of the luminous infrared galaxy (LIRG) Arp299 (IC694 + NGC3690) covering the central 45arcsec ~ 9kpc. The integrated mid-IR spectrum of Arp299 is similar to that of local starbursts despite its strongly interacting nature and high infrared luminosity, L_IR ~ 6x10^11 Lsun. This is explained because the star formation (probed by e.g. high [NeIII]15.56micron/[NeII]micron line ratios) is spread across at least 6-8kpc. Moreover, a large fraction of this star formation is taking place in young regions of moderate mid-IR optical depths such as the C+C' complex in the overlap region between the two galaxies and in HII regions in the disks of the galaxies. It is only source A, the nuclear region of IC694, that shows the typical mid-IR characteristics of ultraluminous infrared galaxies (ULIRGs, L_IR > 10^12 Lsun), that is, very compact (less than 1kpc) and dust-enshrouded star formation resulting in a deep silicate feature and moderate equivalent widths of the PAHs. The nuclear region of NGC3690, known as source B1, hosts a low-luminosity AGN and is surrounded by regions of star formation. Although the high excitation [NeV]14.32micron line typical of AGN is not detected in B1, its upper limit is consistent with the value expected from the X-ray luminosity. The AGN emission is detected in the form of a strong hot dust component that accounts for 80-90% of the 6micron luminosity of B1. The similarity between the Arp299 integrated mid-IR spectrum and those of high-z ULIRGs suggests that Arp299 may represent a local example, albeit with lower IR luminosity and possibly higher metallicity, of the star-formation processes occurring at high-z.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2008

The IR Luminosity Functions of Rich Clusters

We present MIPS observations of the cluster A3266. About 100 spectroscopic cluster members have been detected at 24 micron. The IR luminosity function in A3266 is very similar to that in the Coma cluster down to the detection limit L_IR~10^43 ergs/s, suggesting a universal form of the bright end IR LF for local rich clusters with M~10^15 M_sun. The shape of the bright end of the A3266-Coma composite IR LF is not significantly different from that of nearby field galaxies, but the fraction of IR-bright galaxies (SFR > 0.2M_sun/yr) in both clusters increases with cluster-centric radius. The decrease of the blue galaxy fraction toward the high density cores only accounts for part of the trend; the fraction of red galaxies with moderate SFRs (0.2 < SFR < 1 M_sun/yr) also decreases with increasing galaxy density. These results suggest that for the IR bright galaxies, nearby rich clusters are distinguished from the field by a lower star-forming galaxy fraction, but not by a change in L*_IR. The composite IR LF of Coma and A3266 shows strong evolution when compared with the composite IR LF of two z~0.8 clusters, MS 1054 and RX J0152, with L*_IR \propto (1+z)^{3.2+/-0.7},Phi*_IR \propto (1+z)^{1.7+/-1.0}. This L*_IR evolution is indistinguishable from that in the field, and the Phi*_IR evolution is stronger, but still consistent with that in the field. The similarity of the evolution of bright-end IR LF in very different cluster and field environments suggests either this evolution is driven by the mechanism that works in both environments, or clusters continually replenish their star-forming galaxies from the field, yielding an evolution in the IR LF that is similar to the field. The mass-normalized integrated star formation rates (SFRs) of clusters within 0.5R_200 also evolve strongly with redshift, as (1+z)^5.3.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2008

Spitzer Observations of L429: A Near-collapse or Collapsing Starless Core

We present Spitzer infrared observations of the starless core L429. The IR images of this core show an absorption feature, caused by the dense core material, at wavelengths <= 70 micron. The core has a steep density profile, and reaches A_V > 35 mag near the center. We show that L429 is either collapsing or in a near-collapse state.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2008

Spitzer/IRS Mapping of Local Luminous Infrared Galaxies

We present results of our program Spitzer/IRS Mapping of local Luminous Infrared Galaxies (LIRGs). The maps cover the central 20"x20" or 30"x 30" regions of the galaxies, and use all four IRS modules to cover the full 5-38 microns spectral range. We have built spectral maps of the main mid-IR emission lines, continuum and PAH features, and extracted 1D spectra for regions of interest in each galaxy. The final goal is to fully characterize the mid-IR properties of local LIRGs as a first step to understanding their more distant counterparts.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2008

Spitzer Observations of Bok Globule B335: Isolated Star Formation Efficiency and Cloud Structure

We present infrared and millimeter observations of Barnard 335, the prototypical isolated Bok globule with an embedded protostar. Using Spitzer data we measure the source luminosity accurately; we also constrain the density profile of the innermost globule material near the protostar using the observation of an 8.0 um shadow. HHT observations of 12CO 2 --> 1 confirm the detection of a flattened molecular core with diameter ~10000 AU and the same orientation as the circumstellar disk (~100 to 200 AU in diameter). This structure is probably the same as that generating the 8.0 um shadow and is expected from theoretical simulations of collapsing embedded protostars. We estimate the mass of the protostar to be only ~5% of the mass of the parent globule.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2008

The Cassiopeia A Supernova was of Type IIB

Cassiopeia A is one of the youngest supernova remnants known in the Milky Way and a unique laboratory for supernova physics. We present an optical spectrum of the Cassiopeia A supernova near maximum brightness, obtained from observations of a scattered light echo - more than three centuries after the direct light of the explosion swept past Earth. The spectrum shows that Cassiopeia A was a type IIb supernova and originated from the collapse of the helium core of a red supergiant that had lost most of its hydrogen envelope prior to exploding. Our finding concludes a longstanding debate on the Cassiopeia A progenitor and provides new insight into supernova physics by linking the properties of the explosion to the wealth of knowledge about its remnant.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2008

The Behavior of the Aromatic Features in M101 HII Regions: Evidence for Dust Processing

The aromatic features in M101 were studied spectroscopically and photometrically using observations from all three instruments on the Spitzer Space Telescope. The global SED of M101 shows strong aromatic feature (commonly called PAH feature) emission. The spatially resolved spectral and photometric measurements of the aromatic feature emission show strong variations with significantly weaker emission at larger radii. We compare these variations with changes in the ionization index (as measured by [NeIII]/[NeII] and [SIV/SIII], which we probe over the ranges 0.03-20 and 0.044-15 respectively) and metallicity (expressed as log(O/H)+12, which ranges from 8.1 to 8.8). Over these ranges, the spectroscopic equivalent widths of the aromatic features from 7 HII regions and the nucleus were found to correlate better with ionization index than with metallicity. This implies that the weakening of the aromatic emission in massive star forming regions is due primarily to processing of the dust grains in these environments, not to differences in how they form (although formation could still be important on a secondary basis). The behavior of the correlation between the aromatic feature equivalent widths and ionization index can be described as a constant equivalent width until a threshold in ionization index is reached ([NeIII]/[NeII] ~ 1), above which the equivalent widths decrease with a power law dependence. This behavior for M101 HII regions is also seen for the sample of starburst galaxies presented in the companion study of Engelbracht et al. (2008) which expands the range of [NeIII]/[NeII] ratios to 0.03-25 and log(O/H)+12 values to 7.1-8.8. The form of the correlation explains seemingly contradictory results present in the literature. [abridged]

astro-ph↗

arXiv2008

The stellar mass assembly of galaxies from z=0 to z=4. Analysis of a sample selected in the rest-frame near-infrared with Spitzer

Using a sample of ~28,000 sources selected at 3.6-4.5 microns with Spitzer observations of the HDF-N, the CDF-S, and the Lockman Hole (surveyed area: ~664 arcmin^2), we study the evolution of the stellar mass content of the Universe at 0 10^12.0 M_sun) assembled the bulk of their stellar content rapidly (in 1-2 Gyr) beyond z~3 in very intense star formation events (producing high specific SFRs). Galaxies with 10^11.5 2.5 is dominated by optically faint (R>25) red galaxies (Distant Red Galaxies or BzK sources) which account for ~30% of the global population of galaxies, but contribute at least 60% to the cosmic stellar mass density. Bluer galaxies (e.g., Lyman Break Galaxies) are more numerous but less massive, contributing less than 50% to the global stellar mass density at high redshift.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

Search for IR Emission from Intracluster Dust in A2029

We have searched for IR emission from the intracluster dust (ICD) in the galaxy cluster A2029. Weak signals of enhanced extended emission in the cluster are detected at both 24 and 70 micron. However, the signals are indistinguishable from the foreground fluctuations. The 24 versus 70 micron color map does not discriminate the dust emission in the cluster from the cirrus emission. After excluding the contamination from the point sources, we obtain upper limits for the extended ICD emission in A2029, 5 x 10^3 Jy/sr at 24 micron and 5 x 10^4 Jy/sr at 70 micron. The upper limits are generally consistent with the expectation from theoretical calculations and support a dust deficiency in the cluster compared to the ISM in our galaxy. Our results suggest that even with the much improved sensitivity of current IR telescopes, a clear detection of the IR emission from ICD may be difficult due to cirrus noise.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

Aromatic Features in AGN: Star-Forming Infrared Luminosity Function of AGN Host Galaxies

We describe observations of aromatic features at 7.7 and 11.3 um in AGN of three types including PG, 2MASS and 3CR objects. The feature has been demonstrated to originate predominantly from star formation. Based on the aromatic-derived star forming luminosity, we find that the far-IR emission of AGN can be dominated by either star formation or nuclear emission; the average contribution from star formation is around 25% at 70 and 160 um. The star-forming infrared luminosity functions of the three types of AGN are flatter than that of field galaxies, implying nuclear activity and star formation tend to be enhanced together. The star-forming luminosity function is also a function of the strength of nuclear activity from normal galaxies to the bright quasars, with luminosity functions becoming flatter for more intense nuclear activity. Different types of AGN show different distributions in the level of star formation activity, with 2MASS> PG> 3CR star formation rates.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

Spitzer Mid-to-Far-Infrared Flux Densities of Distant Galaxies

We study the infrared (IR) properties of high-redshift galaxies using deep Spitzer 24, 70, and 160 micron data. Our primary interest is to improve the constraints on the total IR luminosities, L(IR), of these galaxies. We combine the Spitzer data in the southern Extended Chandra Deep Field with a K-band-selected galaxy sample and photometric redshifts from the Multiwavelength Survey by Yale-Chile. We used a stacking analysis to measure the average 70 and 160 micron flux densities of 1.5 < z < 2.5 galaxies as a function of 24 micron flux density, X-ray activity, and rest-frame near-IR color. Galaxies with 1.5 < z < 2.5 and S(24)=53-250 micro-Jy have L(IR) derived from their average 24-160 micron flux densities within factors of 2-3 of those derived from the 24 micron flux densities only. However, L(IR) derived from the average 24-160 micron flux densities for galaxies with S(24) > 250 micro-Jy and 1.5 < z < 2.5 are lower than those derived using only the 24 micron flux density by factors of 2-10. Galaxies with S(24) > 250 micro-Jy have S(70)/S(24) flux ratios comparable to sources with X-ray detections or red rest-frame IR colors, suggesting that warm dust possibly heated by AGN may contribute to the high 24 micron emission. Based on the average 24-160 micron flux densities, nearly all 24 micron-selected galaxies at 1.5 < z < 2.5 have L(IR) < 6 x 10^12 solar luminosities, which if attributed to star formation corresponds to < 1000 solar masses per year. This suggests that high redshift galaxies may have similar star formation efficiencies and feedback processes as local analogs. Objects with L(IR) > 6 x 10^12 solar luminosities are quite rare, with a surface density ~ 30 +/- 10 per sq. deg, corresponding to ~ 2 +/- 1 x 10^-6 Mpc^-3 over 1.5 < z < 2.5.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

Infrared Spectral Energy Distributions of z~0.7 Star-Forming Galaxies

We analyze the infrared (IR) spectral energy distributions (SEDs) for 10micron < lambda(rest) < 100micron for ~600 galaxies at z~0.7 in the extended Chandra Deep Field South by stacking their Spitzer 24, 70 and 160micron images. We place interesting constraints on the average IR SED shape in two bins: the brightest 25% of z~0.7 galaxies detected at 24micron, and the remaining 75% of individually-detected galaxies. Galaxies without individual detections at 24micron were not well-detected at 70micron and 160micron even through stacking. We find that the average IR SEDs of z~0.7 star-forming galaxies fall within the diversity of z~0 templates. While dust obscuration Lir/Luv seems to be only a function of star formation rate (SFR; ~ Lir+Luv), not of redshift, the dust temperature of star-forming galaxies (with SFR ~ 10 solar mass per year) at a given IR luminosity was lower at z~0.7 than today. We suggest an interpretation of this phenomenology in terms of dust geometry: intensely star-forming galaxies at z~0 are typically interacting, and host dense centrally-concentrated bursts of star formation and warm dust temperatures. At z~0.7, the bulk of intensely star-forming galaxies are relatively undisturbed spirals and irregulars, and we postulate that they have large amounts of widespread lower-density star formation, yielding lower dust temperatures for a given IR luminosity. We recommend what IR SEDs are most suitable for modeling intermediate redshift galaxies with different SFRs.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

Spitzer observations of a 24 micron shadow: Bok Globule CB190

We present Spitzer observations of the dark globule CB190 (L771). We observe a roughly circular 24 micron shadow with a 70 arcsec radius. The extinction profile of this shadow matches the profile derived from 2MASS photometry at the outer edges of the globule and reaches a maximum of ~32 visual magnitudes at the center. The corresponding mass of CB190 is ~10 Msun. Our 12CO and 13CO J = 2-1 data over a 10 arcmin X 10 arcmin region centered on the shadow show a temperature ~10 K. The thermal continuum indicates a similar temperature for the dust. The molecular data also show evidence of freezeout onto dust grains. We estimate a distance to CB190 of 400 pc using the spectroscopic parallax of a star associated with the globule. Bonnor-Ebert fits to the density profile, in conjunction with this distance, yield xi_max = 7.2, indicating that CB190 may be unstable. The high temperature (56 K) of the best fit Bonnor-Ebert model is in contradiction with the CO and thermal continuum data, leading to the conclusion that the thermal pressure is not enough to prevent free-fall collapse. We also find that the turbulence in the cloud is inadequate to support it. However, the cloud may be supported by the magnetic field, if this field is at the average level for dark globules. Since the magnetic field will eventually leak out through ambipolar diffusion, it is likely that CB190 is collapsing or in a late pre-collapse stage.

astro-ph↗