arXiv subjects

I. Saviane

Publications and source records attributed to I. Saviane.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2011

VVV DR1: The First Data Release of the Milky Way Bulge and Southern Plane from the Near-Infrared ESO Public Survey VISTA Variables in the Via Lactea

The ESO Public Survey VISTA Variables in the Via Lactea (VVV) started in 2010. VVV targets 562 sq. deg in the Galactic bulge and an adjacent plane region and is expected to run for ~5 years. In this paper we describe the progress of the survey observations in the first observing season, the observing strategy and quality of the data obtained. The observations are carried out on the 4-m VISTA telescope in the ZYJHKs filters. In addition to the multi-band imaging the variability monitoring campaign in the Ks filter has started. Data reduction is carried out using the pipeline at the Cambridge Astronomical Survey Unit. The photometric and astrometric calibration is performed via the numerous 2MASS sources observed in each pointing. The first data release contains the aperture photometry and astrometric catalogues for 348 individual pointings in the ZYJHKs filters taken in the 2010 observing season. The typical image quality is ~0.9-1.0". The stringent photometric and image quality requirements of the survey are satisfied in 100% of the JHKs images in the disk area and 90% of the JHKs images in the bulge area. The completeness in the Z and Y images is 84% in the disk, and 40% in the bulge. The first season catalogues contain 1.28x10^8 stellar sources in the bulge and 1.68x10^8 in the disk area detected in at least one of the photometric bands. The combined, multi-band catalogues contain more than 1.63x10^8 stellar sources. About 10% of these are double detections due to overlapping adjacent pointings. These overlapping multiple detections are used to characterise the quality of the data. The images in the JHKs bands extend typically ~4 mag deeper than 2MASS. The magnitude limit and photometric quality depend strongly on crowding in the inner Galactic regions. The astrometry for Ks=15-18 mag has rms ~35-175 mas.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2011

The VISIR@VLT Mid-IR view of 47Tuc: A further step in solving the puzzle of RGB mass loss

There is an ongoing debate regarding the onset luminosity of dusty mass loss in population-II red giant stars. In this paper we present VISIR@VLT MIR 8.6 micron imaging of 47Tuc, centre of attention of a number of space-based Spitzer observations and studies. The VISIR high resolution (diffraction limited) observations allow excellent matching to existing optical Hubble space telescope catalogues. The optical-MIR coverage of the inner 1.15 arcmin of the cluster provide the cleanest possible, blending-free, sampling of the upper 3 magnitudes of the giant branch. Our diagrams show no evidence of faint giants with MIR-excess. A combined NIR-MIR diagram further confirms the near absence of dusty red giants. Dusty red giants and asymptotic giant stars are confined to the 47Tuc long period variables population. In particular, dusty red giants are limited to the upper one 8.6 micron magnitude below the giant branch tip. This particular luminosity level corresponds to ~1000 solar luminosity, suggested in previous determinations to mark the onset of dusty mass-loss. Interestingly, at this luminosity level, we detect a small deviation between the colours of red giants and the theoretical isochrones.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2010

High Resolution HDS/SUBARU chemical abundances of the young stellar cluster Palomar 1

Context. Palomar\,1 is a peculiar globular cluster (GC). It is the youngest Galactic GC and it has been tentatively associated to several of the substructures recently discovered in the Milky Way (MW), including the Canis Major (CMa) overdensity and the Galactic Anticenter Stellar Structure (GASS). Aims. In order to provide further insights into its origin, we present the first high resolution chemical abundance analysis for one red giant in Pal\,1. Methods. We obtained high resolution (R=30000) spectra for one red giant star in Pal\,1 using the High Dispersion Spectrograph (HDS) mounted at the SUBARU telescope. We used ATLAS-9 model atmospheres coupled with the SYNTHE and WIDTH calculation codes to derive chemical abundances from the measured line equivalent widths of 18 among $α$, Iron-peak, light and heavy elements. Results. The Palomar~1 chemical pattern is broadly compatible to that of the MW open clusters population and similar to disk stars. It is, instead, remarkably different from that of the Sagittarius (Sgr) dwarf spheroidal galaxy. Conclusions. If Pal\,1 association with either CMa or GASS will be confirmed, this will imply that these systems had a chemical evolution similar to that of the Galactic disk.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2010

Q2122-444: a naked AGN fully dressed

Based on previous spectral and temporal optical studies, Q2122-444 has been classified as a naked AGN or true type 2 AGN, that is, an AGN that genuinely lacks a broad line region (BLR). Its optical spectrum seemed to possess only narrow forbidden emission lines that are typical of type 2 (obscured) AGNs, but the long-term optical light curve, obtained from a monitoring campaign over more than two decades, showed strong variability, apparently ruling out the presence of heavy obscuration. Here, we present the results from a ~40 ks XMM-Newton observation of Q2122-444 carried out to shed light on the energetics of this enigmatic AGN. The X-ray analysis was complemented with ATCA radio data to assess the possible presence of a jet, and with new NTT/EFOSC2 optical spectroscopic data to verify the actual absence of a BLR. The higher-quality optical data revealed the presence of strong and broad Balmer lines that are at odds with the previous spectral classification of this AGN. The lack of detection of radio emission rules out the presence of a jet. The X-ray data combined with simultaneous UV observations carried out by the OM aboard XMM-Newton confirm that Q2122-444 is a typical type-1 AGN without any significant intrinsic absorption. New estimates of the black hole mass independently obtained from the broad Balmer lines and from a new scaling technique based on X-ray spectral data suggest that Q2122-444 is accreting at a relatively high rate in Eddington units.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2010

A multiwavelength view of the protostellar binary IRAS04325+2402: a case for turbulent fragmentation

IRAS04325+2402 (herafter IRAS04325) is a complex protostellar system hosting two young stellar objects (AB and C in the following) at a separation of 1250AU. Here we present new deep Gemini imaging and spectroscopy for the system covering the wavelength regime from 1-12mu as well as Sub-Millimeter Array interferometry at 870mu, in combination with Spitzer and literature data. Object AB is a low-mass star with a disk/envelope system and an outflow cavity, which is prominently seen in infrared images. Object C, previously suspected to be a brown dwarf, is likely a very low mass star, with an effective temperature of ~3400K. It features an edge-on disk and an elongated envelope, and shows strong indications for accretion and ejection activity. Both objects are likely to drive parsec-scale molecular outflows. The two objects are embedded in an isolated, dense molecular cloud core. High extinction, lack of X-ray emission, and relatively high bolometric luminosity argue for a very young age below 1Myr. The disk/outflow systems of AB and C are misaligned by ~60deg against each other and by 80 and 40deg against the orbital plane of the binary. The system might be a good case for primordial misalignment, as opposed to misalignment caused by dynamical interactions, because the outflow direction is constant and the realignment timescale is likely larger than the system age. This favours turbulent fragmentation, rather than rotational fragmentation, as the formation scenario. We show that the spectral energy distributions and images for the two objects can be reproduced with radiative transfer models for disk/envelope systems. Our analysis provides reassurance in the established paradigm for the structure and early evolution of YSOs, but stresses the importance of developing 3D models with sophisticated dust chemistry (abridged).

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2010

A near-infrared study of AGB and red giant stars in the Leo I dSph galaxy

A near-infrared imaging study of the evolved stellar populations in the dwarf spheroidal galaxy Leo I is presented. Based on JHK observations obtained with the WFCAM wide-field array at the UKIRT telescope, we build a near-infrared photometric catalogue of red giant branch (RGB) and asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars in Leo I over a 13.5 arcmin square area. The V-K colours of RGB stars, obtained by combining the new data with existing optical observations, allow us to derive a distribution of global metallicity [M/H] with average [M/H] = -1.51 (uncorrected) or [M/H] = -1.24 +/- 0.05 (int) +/- 0.15 (syst) after correction for the mean age of Leo I stars. This is consistent with the results from spectroscopy once stellar ages are taken into account. Using a near-infrared two-colour diagram, we discriminate between carbon- and oxygen-rich AGB stars and obtain a clean separation from Milky Way foreground stars. We reveal a concentration of C-type AGB stars relative to the red giant stars in the inner region of the galaxy, which implies a radial gradient in the intermediate-age (1-3 Gyr) stellar populations. The numbers and luminosities of the observed carbon- and oxygen-rich AGB stars are compared with those predicted by evolutionary models including the thermally-pulsing AGB phase, to provide new constraints to the models for low-metallicity stars. We find an excess in the predicted number of C stars fainter than the RGB tip, associated to a paucity of brighter ones. The number of O-rich AGB stars is roughly consistent with the models, yet their predicted luminosity function is extended to brighter luminosity. It appears likely that the adopted evolutionary models overestimate the C star lifetime and underestimate their K-band luminosity.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2009

M22: A [Fe/H] Abundance Range Revealed

Intermediate resolution spectra at the Ca II triplet have been obtained for 55 candidate red giants in the field of the globular cluster M22 with the VLT/FORS instrument. Spectra were also obtained for a number of red giants in standard globular clusters to provide a calibration of the observed line strengths with overall abundance [Fe/H]. For the 41 M22 member stars that lie within the V-V_HB bounds of the calibration, we find an abundance distribution that is substantially broader than that expected from the observed errors alone. We argue that this broad distribution cannot be the result of differential reddening. Instead we conclude that, as has long been suspected, M22 is similar to omega Cen in having an intrinsic dispersion in heavy element abundance. The observed M22 abundance distribution rises sharply to a peak at [Fe/H] = -1.9 with a broad tail to higher abundances: the highest abundance star in our sample has [Fe/H] = -1.45 dex. If the unusual properties of omega Cen have their origin in a scenario in which the cluster is the remnant nucleus of a disrupted dwarf galaxy, then such a scenario likely applies also to M22.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2009

The young stellar population at the center of NGC 205

Context. NGC 205 is a peculiar dwarf elliptical galaxy hosting in its center a population of young blue stars. Their origin is still matter of debate, the central fresh star formation activity possibly being related to dynamical interactions between NGC 205 and M31. Aims. The star formation history in the central 30\arcsec ($\sim$120 pc) around the NGC 205 central nucleus is investigated in order to obtain clues to the origin of the young stellar population. Methods. Deep HST/ACS CCD photometry is compared with theoretical isochrones and luminosity functions to characterize the stellar content of the region under study and compute the recent SF rate. Results. Our photometry reveals a previously undetected blue plume of young stars clearly distinguishable down to I$\simeq$26. Our analysis suggests that 1.9$\times10^5$ M$_\odot$ were produced between approximately 62 Myr and 335 Myr ago in the NGC 205 inner regions, with a latest minor episode occurring $\sim$25 Myr ago. This implies a star formation rate of $\sim7\times10^{-4}$ M$_\odot$/yr over this period. Conclusions. The excellent fit of the observed luminosity function of young main sequence stars obtained with a model having a constant star formation rate argues against a tidally triggered star formation activity over the last $\sim$300 Myr. Rather, a constant SF may be consistent with NGC 205 being on its first interaction with M 31.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2009

New constraints on the chemical evolution of the dwarf spheroidal galaxy LeoI from VLT spectroscopy

(Abridged) We present the spectroscopy of red giant stars in the dwarf spheroidal galaxy LeoI, aimed at further constraining its chemical enrichment history. Intermediate-resolution spectroscopy in the CaII triplet spectral region was obtained for 54 stars in LeoI using FORS2 at the ESO Very Large Telescope. The equivalent widths of CaII triplet lines were used to derive the metallicities of the target stars on the [Fe/H] scale of Carretta & Gratton, as well as on a scale tied to the global metal abundance, [M/H]. The metallicity distribution function for LeoI stars is confirmed to be very narrow, with mean value [M/H]~-1.2 and intrinsic dispersion, sigma_[M/H]=0.08. We find a few metal-poor stars (whose metallicity values depend on the adopted extrapolation of the existing calibrations), but in no case are stars more metal-poor than [Fe/H]=-2.6. Our measurements provide a hint of a shallow metallicity gradient of -0.27 dex/Kpc among LeoI red giants. By combining the metallicities of the target stars with their photometric data, we provide age estimates and an age-metallicity relation for a subset of red giant stars in LeoI. Our age estimates indicate a rapid initial enrichment, a slowly rising metal abundance and an increase of ~0.2 dex in the last few Gyr.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2007

The blue plume population in dwarf spheroidal galaxies: young stellar population or genuine blue stragglers?

In the context of dwarf spheroidal galaxies it is hard to firmly disentangle a genuine Blue Stragglers (BSS) population from a normal young main (MS) sequence. This difficulty is persistent. For a sample of 9 non-star forming Local Group dwarf galaxies we compute the ``BSS frequency'' and compare it with that found in the Milky Way globular/open clusters and halo. The comparison shows that the BSS-frequency in dwarf galaxies, at any given Mv, is always higher than that in globular clusters of similar luminosities. Moreover, the estimated BSS-frequency for the lowest luminosity dwarf galaxies is in excellent agreement with that observed in the Milky Way halo and open clusters. We conclude that the low density, almost collision-less environment, of our dwarf galaxy sample point to their very low dynamical evolution and consequent negligible production of collisional BSS.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

Dust observations of Comet 9P/Tempel 1 at the time of the Deep Impact

On 4 July 2005 at 05:52 UT, the impactor of NASA's Deep Impact (DI) mission crashed into comet 9P/Tempel 1 with a velocity of about 10 km/s. The material ejected by the impact expanded into the normal coma, produced by ordinary cometary activity. The characteristics of the non-impact coma and cloud produced by the impact were studied by observations in the visible wavelengths and in the near-IR. The scattering characteristics of the "normal" coma of solid particles were studied by comparing images in various spectral regions, from the UV to the near-IR. For the non-impact coma, a proxy of the dust production has been measured in various spectral regions. The presence of sublimating grains has been detected. Their lifetime was found to be about 11 hours. Regarding the cloud produced by the impact, the total geometric cross section multiplied by the albedo was measured as a function of the color and time. The projected velocity appeared to obey a Gaussian distribution with the average velocity of the order of 115 m/s. By comparing the observations taken about 3 hours after the impact, we have found a strong decrease in the cross section in J filter, while that in Ks remained almost constant. This is interpreted as the result of sublimation of grains dominated by particles of sizes of the order of some microns.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

The distance to the Fornax Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxy

A large multicolour, wide-field photometric database of the Fornax dwarf spheroidal galaxy has been analysed using three different methods to provide revised distance estimates based on stellar populations in different age intervals. The distance to Fornax was obtained from the Tip of the Red Giant Branch measured by a new method, and using the luminosity of Horizontal Branch stars and Red Clump stars correc ted for stellar population effects. Assuming a reddening $E(B-V)=0.02$, the following distance moduli were derived: $(m-M)_0=20.71 \pm 0.07$ based on the Tip of the Red Giant Branch, $(m-M)_0=20.72 \pm 0.06$ from the level of the Horizontal Branch, and $(m-M)_0=20.73 \pm 0.09$ using the Red Clump method. The weighted mean distance modulus to Fornax is $(m-M)_0=20.72 \pm 0.04$. All these measurements agree within the errors, and are fully consistent with previous determinations and with the distance measurements obtained in a companion paper from near-infrared colour-magnitude diagrams.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

VSOP: The Variable Star One-shot Project I. Project presentation and first data release

The Variable Star One-shot Project (VSOP) is aimed at (1) providing the variability type and spectral type of all unstudied variable stars, (2) process, publish, and make the data available as automatically as possible, and (3) generate serendipitous discoveries. This first paper describes the project itself, the acquisition of the data, the dataflow, the spectroscopic analysis and the on-line availability of the fully calibrated and reduced data. We also present the results on the 221 stars observed during the first semester of the project. We used the high-resolution echelle spectrographs HARPS and FEROS in the ESO La Silla Observatory (Chile) to survey known variable stars. Once reduced by the dedicated pipelines, the radial velocities are determined from cross correlation with synthetic template spectra, and the spectral types are determined by an automatic minimum distance matching to synthetic spectra, with traditional manual spectral typing cross-checks. The variability types are determined by manually evaluating the available light curves and the spectroscopy. In the future, a new automatic classifier, currently being developed by members of the VSOP team, based on these spectroscopic data and on the photometric classifier developed for the COROT and Gaia space missions, will be used. We confirm or revise spectral types of 221 variable stars from the GCVS. We identify 26 previously unknown multiple systems, among them several visual binaries with spectroscopic binary individual components. We present new individual results for the multiple systems V349 Vel and BC Gru, for the composite spectrum star V4385 Sgr, for the T-Tauri star V1045 Sco, and for DM Boo which we re-classify as a BY Draconis variable. The complete data release can be accessed via the VSOP web site.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

The nearby QSO host I Zw 1: The stellar disk and adjacent objects

The relation between tidal interactions, starbursts, and the onset and/or fueling of active galactic nuclei (AGN) is a matter of debate. I Zw 1 is considered as the prototypical narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy (NLS1) and as one of the closest quasi-stellar objects (QSOs). With a clear spiral host and a small companion galaxy to the west, I Zw 1 is a possible example of minor-merger-related nuclear activity. This study investigates possible signs of a relation between merger process, star formation activity, and AGN properties in the case of I Zw 1. The morphology of I Zw 1 and nearby sources is investigated via high-resolution NIR images. Color trends in the host galaxy of I Zw 1 are discussed by means of optical-to-NIR color composites. Long-slit spectra of the QSO nucleus of I Zw 1 and of the two nearby sources to the north and the west of the I Zw 1 disk are analyzed. The data support the scenario of a tidal interaction between I Zw 1 and the small companion galaxy to the west. A concentration of blue color in the western part of the I Zw 1 host galaxy might be the manifestation of merger-induced star formation activity. Previous findings that the likely companion has an old evolved stellar population are substantiated by the new data. An extension to the west of the putative companion emerges as a separate source. The source to the north of the I Zw 1 disk is reconfirmed as a late-type foreground star. Lines in the nuclear K-band spectrum of I Zw 1 are discussed in comparison to data prior to this article and line fluxes are reported.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

The Variable Star One-shot Project, and its little child: Wikimbad

The Variable Star One-shot Project (VSOP) aimed at providing to the world-wide stellar community the necessary one-shot spectrum of unstudied variable stars, too often classified as such by an analysis of photometric data only. The VSOP has established an new kind of observational model, where all steps from observations to spectral analysis, are automatized (or are underway to be fully automatized). The project is centralized on a collaborative wiki website. The VSOP operational model is very successful, data is continously flowing and being analyszed, and VSOP is now a worldwide open collaboration of people with very different and complementary skills and expertise. The idea of a central wiki website has been extended by one of us to propose a new service to the whole astronomical community, called Wikimbad. Wikimbad is an open wiki website aimed at collecting, organizing and making publicly available all kind of reduced and published astronomical data. Its strengths and a comparison with the Virtual Observatory are discussed. See: http://vsop.sc.eso.org and http://wikimbad.org

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

The blue plume population in dwarf spheroidal galaxies: genuine blue stragglers or young stellar population?

Abridged... Blue stragglers (BSS) are thought to be the product of either primordial or collisional binary systems. In the context of dwarf spheroidal galaxies it is hard to firmly disentangle a genuine BSS population from young main sequence (MS) stars tracing a ~1-2 Gyr old star forming episode. Assuming that their blue plume populations are made of BSS, we estimate the BSS frequency for 8 Local Group non star-forming dwarf galaxies, using a compilation of ground and space based photometry. Our results can be summarized as follows: (i) The BSS frequency in dwarf galaxies, at any given Mv, is always higher than that in globular clusters of similar luminosities; (ii) the BSS frequency for the lowest luminosity dwarf galaxies is in excellent agreement with that observed in the Milky Way halo; and most interestingly (iii) derive a statistically significant anti-correlation between the BSS frequency and the galaxy Mv. The low density, almost collision-less, environments of our dwarf galaxy sample allow us to infer (i) their very low dynamical evolution; (ii) a negligible production of collisional BSS; and consequently (iii) that their blue plumes are mainly made of primordial binaries. The dwarf galaxies anti-correlation can be used as a discriminator: galaxies obeying the anti-correlation are more likely to possess genuine primordial BSS rather than young main sequence stars.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

Near-infrared observations of the Fornax dwarf galaxy. I. The red giant branch

We present a study of the evolved stellar populations in the dwarf spheroidal galaxy Fornax based on JHK imaging photometry. The observations cover an 18.5x18.5 arcmin central area with a mosaic of NTT/SOFI images. Our data sample all the red giant branch for the whole area. Deeeper observations reaching the red clump of helium-burning stars have also been obtained for a 4.5 x 4.5 arcmin region. Near-infrared photometry led to measurements of the distance to Fornax based on the K-band location of the RGB tip and the red clump. Once corrected for the mean age of the stellar populations in the galaxy, the derived distance modulus is 20.74 corresponding to a distance of 141 Kpc, in good agreement with estimates from optical data. By taking age effects into account, we have derived a distribution function of global metallicity [M/H] from optical-infrared colors of individual stars. Our photometric Metallicity Distribution Function covers the range -2.0<[M/H]<-0.6, with a main peak at [M/H]~-0.9 and a long tail of metal-poor stars, and less metal-rich stars than derived by recent spectroscopy. If metallicities from CaII triplet lines are correct, this result confirms a scenario of enhanced metal enrichment in the last 1-4 Gyr.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2006

The emission line galaxy TV Reticuli: Evidence for an ultraluminous supernova

TV Ret was classified as a cataclysmic variable due to an outburst observed in 1977. We intended to confirm this classification and derive some basic properties of the system. Low resolution optical spectra were obtained for a spectral classification of the object. We find that the object is not a cataclysmic variable but an emission line galaxy with a redshift z=0.0964. An R-image taken in very good seeing conditions shows that the object is extended. We show that TV Ret is a blue dwarf galaxy, probably compact, with an absolute magnitude of MB = -17.5, a metallicity of 0.12 solar, and an average temperature of 1.3 10^4 K. The line ratios place it among the HII galaxies, although close to the border of the Seyfert2s. The outburst, which was observed in 1977, could thus be explained by a supernova explosion. However, with an absolute magnitude around MB = -21, it was an extremely bright one.

astro-ph↗