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Igor Chilingarian

Publications and source records attributed to Igor Chilingarian.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

RCSEDv2: analytic approximations of k-corrections for galaxies out to redshift $z=1$

To compare photometric properties of galaxies at different redshifts, we need to correct fluxes for the change of effective rest-frame wavelengths of filter bandpasses, called $k$-corrections. At redshifts $z>0.3$, the wavelength shift becomes so large that typical broadband photometric bands shift into the neighboring rest frame band. At $z=0.6-0.8$ the shift reaches two or even three bands. Therefore, we need perform $k$-corrections from one observed bandpass to another. Here we expand the methodology proposed by Chilingarian et al. (2010) and fit cross-band $k$-corrections by smooth low-order polynomial functions of one observed color and a redshift - this approach but without cross-band is implemented as standard functions in {\sc topcat}, which can be used for galaxies at $z<0.5$. We also computed analytic approximations for WISE bands, which were not available in the past. We now have a complete set of $k$-corrections coefficients, which allow us to process photometric measurements for galaxies out to redshift $z=1$. We calculated standard and cross-band $k$-corrections for about 4 million galaxies in second Reference Catalog of Spectral Energy Distributions (RCSEDv2) of galaxies and we showed that, in cases of widely used UV, optical and near-infrared filters, our analytic approximations work very well and can be used for extragalactic data from future wide-field surveys.

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RCSEDv2: Processing and analysis of 4+ million galaxy spectra

RCSEDv2 (https://rcsed2.voxastro.org/), the second Reference Catalog of Spectral Energy Distributions of galaxies, provides the largest homogeneously analyzed collection of optical galaxy spectra originating from several ground-based surveys collected between 1994 and 2019. The database contains astrophysical parameters obtained using the same data analysis approach from a sample of over 4 million optical spectra of galaxies and quasars: kinematics of stellar populations and ionized gas, chemical composition and age of stellar populations, gas phase metallicity. The dataset is available via Virtual Observatory access interfaces (IVOA TAP and SSAP) and through the web-site. Here we describe the RCSEDv2 spectroscopic dataset and the data processing and analysis.

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RCSEDv2: the largest database of galaxy properties from a homogeneously processed multi-wavelength dataset

The Reference Catalog of Spectral Energy Distributions of 800,000 galaxies (RCSED) includes the results of uniform re-processing of 800,000 SDSS DR7 galaxies at redshifts $0.007<z<0.6$ complemented with ultraviolet-to-infrared photometric data from GALEX, SDSS, and UKIDSS. The key difference between RCSED and existing databases of galaxy properties (NED, HyperLeda, part of SIMBAD) is that rather than providing a compilation of literature data, we perform homogeneous data analysis of spectral and photometric data using our own tools and publish derived physical properties of galaxies along with re-calibrated spectra and photometry and their best-fitting models. Here we present the 2nd release of our catalog, RCSEDv2 where we substantially expanded the spectral dataset to 4 million objects by including spectral data analysis for 10 large spectroscopic surveys (SDSS, SDSS/eBOSS, LAMOST, Hectospec, CfA redshift surveys, 2dFGRS, 6dFGS, DEEP2/3, WiggleZ). The photometric part has also been expanded by including DESI Legacy Survey, DES, UHS, ESO Public Surveys, and WISE in addition to GALEX, SDSS, and UKIDSS used in the original RCSED. This makes RCSEDv2 the largest database of galaxy properties and homogeneously processed spectral and photometric data up-to-date and creates a foundation for the analysis of future large-scale spectral surveys DESI and 4MOST.

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RCSEDv2: Open-source web tools for visualization of imaging and spectral data

We present a set of open-source web tools for visualization of spectral and imaging data, which we use in the second Reference Catalogue of Spectral Energy Distributions of galaxies RCSEDv2 (https://rcsed2.voxastro.org/). Using modern web frameworks Quasar and Vue.js we developed interactive viewers to visualize spectra and SEDs of galaxies and the diagrams presenting emission line ratios determined from the analysis of their spectra (BPT diagrams). The viewers are built in Javascript which puts a minimum load on the server side while providing full interactivity for the user. The use of modern web frameworks provides full customization making the viewers easily embeddable into web-sites of astronomical archives and databases. It also provides compatibility with popular third-party web-tools such as Aladin Lite.

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RCSEDv2: homogenization of multi-wavelength photometric data

RCSEDv2 (https://rcsed2.voxastro.org/), the second Reference Catalog of Spectral Energy Distributions of galaxies includes the largest homogeneously processed photometric dataset for 4 million galaxies assembled from several wide-field surveys. Here we describe the methodology of the photometric data homogenization. We first correct all photometric measurements for the foreground Galactic extinction, then convert them into the photometric system we adopted as a standard (GALEX + SDSS + UKIDSS + WISE). We computed aperture corrections into several pre-defined apertures by using published galaxy sizes / light profiles and image quality for each of the surveys. We accounted for k-corrections using our own analytic approximations. Such a homogeneous photometric catalog allows us to build fully calibrated SEDs for the galaxies in our sample (defined by the availability of their spectra) and enables direct scientific analysis of this unique extragalactic dataset.

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Hybrid minimization algorithm for computationally expensive multi-dimensional fitting

Multi-dimensional optimization is widely used in virtually all areas of modern astrophysics. However, it is often too computationally expensive to evaluate a model on-the-fly. Typically, it is solved by pre-computing a grid of models for a predetermined set of positions in the parameter space and then interpolating. Here we present a hybrid minimization approach based on the local quadratic approximation of the $χ^2$ profile from a discrete set of models in a multidimensional parameter space. The main idea of our approach is to eliminate the interpolation of models from the process of finding the best-fitting solution. We present several examples of applications of our minimization technique to the analysis of stellar and extragalactic spectra.

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Multi-segment and Echelle stellar spectra processing issues and how to solve them

High-quality stellar spectra are in great demand now - they are the most important ingredient in the stellar population synthesis to study galaxies and star clusters. Here we describe the procedures to increase the quality of flux calibration of stellar spectra. We use examples of NIR intermediate-resolution Echelle spectra collected with the Folded InfraRed Echellete (R~6500, Magellan Baade) and high-resolution UV-optical spectra observed with UVES (R~80000, ESO VLT). By using these procedures, we achieved the quality of the global spectrophotometric calibration as good as 1-2%, which fulfills the requirements for the quality of stellar spectra intended to be used in the stellar population synthesis

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Observing, calibrating and reducing near-infrared imaging mosaics

In near-infrared bands, co-adding and tiling of astronomical imaging datasets require a sufficiently high calibration quality (flat fielding, background subtraction). Here we present a complete workflow for obtaining imaging mosaics with the MMT and Magellan Infrared Spectrograph (MMIRS) operated at the 6.5-m MMT in Arizona and open-source add-on tools developed for the MMIRS pipeline for preparation and data reduction of mosaic observations. We describe pre-observing actions, such as design of dithering patterns and mosaic layouts and post-processing steps to perform absolute astrometric and photometric calibration, and also generate HiPS maps to display the final data product in Aladin / Aladin Lite.

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Transforming gas-rich low-mass disky galaxies into ultra-diffuse galaxies by ram pressure

Faint extended elliptically-shaped ultra-diffuse galaxies and slightly brighter and more compact dwarf elliptical and lenticular stellar systems are common in galaxy clusters. Their poorly constrained evolutionary paths can be studied by identifying young ultra-diffuse galaxy and dwarf elliptical analogs populated with bright, massive stars. Using data mining we identified 11 such low-mass ($2\times10^8<M_*<2\times10^9 M_{\odot}$) galaxies with large half-light radii ($2.0<r_e<5$ kpc) and recently quenched star formation in the Coma and Abell 2147 galaxy clusters. All galaxies happen to have ram-pressure-stripped tails with signs of current or recent star formation. Deep spectroscopic observations revealed rotating stellar discs containing 70-95% dark matter by mass. A large fraction of the disc stars (10-60%) formed in intense star bursts 180-970 Myr ago, probably triggered by ram pressure. Observed global gradients of stellar age corroborate this scenario. Passive evolution in the next 10 Gyr will transform 9 of the 11 galaxies into ultra-diffuse galaxies. If we assume a constant rate of galaxy infall, 44$\pm$16% of the most luminous present-day ultra-diffuse galaxies in Coma must have formed via ram pressure stripping of disky progenitors.

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Fresh Insights on the Kinematics of M49's Globular Cluster System with MMT/Hectospec Spectroscopy

We present the first results of an MMT/Hectospec campaign to measure the kinematics of globular clusters (GCs) around M49 -- the brightest galaxy in the Virgo galaxy cluster, which dominates the Virgo B subcluster. The data include kinematic tracers beyond 95 kpc (~5.2 effective radii) for M49 for the first time, enabling us to achieve three key insights reported here. First, beyond ~20'-30' (~100-150 kpc), the GC kinematics sampled along the minor photometric axis of M49 become increasingly hotter, indicating a transition from GCs related to M49 to those representing the Virgo B intra-cluster medium. Second, there is an anomaly in the line-of-sight radial velocity dispersion ($σ_{r,los}$) profile in an annulus ~10-15' (~50-90 kpc) from M49 in which the kinematics cool by $Δσ_{r,los}~150$ km s$^{-1}$ relative to those in- or outward. The kinematic fingerprint of a previous accretion event is hinted at in projected phase-space, and we isolate GCs that both give rise to this feature, and are spatially co-located with two prominent stellar shells in the halo of M49. Third, we find a subsample of GCs with velocities representative of the dwarf galaxy VCC1249 that is currently interacting with M49. The spatial distribution of these GCs closely resembles the morphology of VCC1249's isophotes, indicating that several of these GCs are likely in the act of being stripped from the dwarf during its passage through M49's halo. Taken together, these results point toward the opportunity of witnessing on-going giant halo assembly in the depths of a cluster environment.

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Observational insights on the origin of giant low surface brightness galaxies

Giant low surface brightness galaxies (gLSBGs) with dynamically cold stellar discs reaching the radius of 130 kpc challenge currently considered galaxy formation mechanisms. We analyse new deep long-slit optical spectroscopic observations, archival optical images and published HI and optical spectroscopic data for a sample of seven gLSBGs, for which we performed mass modelling and estimated the parameters of dark matter haloes assuming the Burkert dark matter density profile. Our sample is not homogeneous by morphology, parameters of stellar populations and total mass, however, six of seven galaxies sit on the high-mass extension of the baryonic Tully-Fisher relation. In UGC 1382 we detected a global counterrotation of the stellar high surface brightness (HSB) disc with respect to the extended LSB disc. In UGC 1922 with signatures of a possible merger, the gas counterrotation is seen in the inner disc. Six galaxies host active galactic nuclei, three of which have the estimated black hole masses substantially below those expected for their (pseudo-)bulge properties suggesting poor merger histories. Overall, the morphology, internal dynamics, and low star formation efficiency in the outer discs indicate that the three formation scenarios shape gLSBGs: (i) a two-stage formation when an HSB galaxy is formed first and then grows an LSB disc by accreting gas from an external supply; (ii) an unusual shallow and extended dark matter halo; (iii) a major merger with fine-tuned orbital parameters and morphologies of the merging galaxies.

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Coupling local to global star formation in spiral galaxies: the effect of differential rotation

Star formation is one of the key factors that shapes galaxies. This process is relatively well understood from both simulations and observations on a small "local" scale of individual giant molecular clouds and also on a "global" galaxy-wide scale (e.g. the Kennicutt-Schmidt law). However, there is still no understanding on how to connect global to local star formation scales and whether this connection is at all possible. Here we analyze spatially resolved kinematics and the star formation rate density $Σ_{SFR}$ for a combined sample of 17 nearby spiral galaxies obtained using our own optical observations in H$α$ for 9 galaxies and neutral hydrogen radio observations combined with a multi-wavelength spectral energy distribution analysis for 8 galaxies from the THINGS project. We show that the azimuthally averaged normalized star formation rate density in spiral galaxies on a scale of a few hundred parsecs is proportional to the kinetic energy of giant molecular cloud collisions due to differential rotation of the galactic disc. This energy is calculated from the rotation curve using the two Oort parameters A and B as $\log (Σ_{SFR} / SFR_{tot}) \propto \log[2 A^2+ 5 B^2]$. The total kinetic energy of collision is defined by the shear velocity that is proportional to A and the rotational energy of a cloud proportional to the vorticity B. Hence, shear does not act as a stabilizing factor for the cloud collapse thus reducing star formation but rather increases it by boosting the kinetic energy of collisions. This result can be a tool through which one can predict a radial distribution of star formation surface density using only a rotation curve.

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Internal dynamics and stellar content of nine ultra-diffuse galaxies in the Coma cluster prove their evolutionary link with dwarf early-type galaxies

Ultra-diffuse galaxies (UDGs) are spatially extended, low surface brightness stellar systems with regular elliptical-like morphology found in a wide range of environments. Studies of the internal dynamics and dark matter content of UDGs that would elucidate their formation and evolution have been hampered by their low surface brightnesses. Here we present spatially resolved velocity profiles, stellar velocity dispersions, ages and metallicities for 9 UDGs in the Coma cluster. We use intermediate-resolution spectra obtained with Binospec, the MMT's new high-throughput optical spectrograph. We derive dark matter fractions between 50~\%\ and 90~\% within the half-light radius using Jeans dynamical models. Three galaxies exhibit major axis rotation, two others have highly anisotropic stellar orbits, and one shows signs of triaxiality. In the Faber--Jackson and mass--metallicity relations, the 9 UDGs fill the gap between cluster dwarf elliptical (dE) and fainter dwarf spheroidal (dSph) galaxies. Overall, the observed properties of all 9 UDGs can be explained by a combination of internal processes (supernovae feedback) and environmental effects (ram-pressure stripping, interaction with neighbors). These observations suggest that UDGs and dEs are members of the same galaxy population.

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UGC 1378 -- a Milky Way-sized galaxy embedded in a giant low-surface brightness disc

The dominant physical processes responsible for the formation and longevity of giant gaseous and stellar discs in galaxies remain controversial. Although they are rare (less than 10 confirmed as of now), giant low-surface brightness (gLSB) discy galaxies provide interesting insights given their extreme nature. We describe observations of UGC 1378 including deep spectroscopy with the Russian 6m telescope and multi-band imaging with Binospec at the MMT. Galaxy UGC 1378 has both high surface brightness and an extended low surface brightness discs. Our stellar velocity dispersion data for the high-surface brightness, Milky Way-sized, disc appears inconsistent with a recent major merger, a widely discussed formation scenario for the very extended low surface brightness disc. We estimate the star formation rates (SFR) from archival Wide-Field Infrared Survey Explorer data. The SFR surface density in the LSB disc is low relative to its gas density, consistent with recent gas accretion. We argue that the unusually large size of UGC 1378's disc may be the product of a rich gas reservoir (e.g. a cosmic filament) and an isolated environment that has preserved the giant disc.

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Binospec Software System

Binospec is a high-throughput, 370 to 1000 nm, imaging spectrograph that addresses two adjacent 8' by 15' fields of view. Binospec was commissioned in late 2017 at the f/5 focus of the 6.5m MMT and is now available to all MMT observers. Here we describe the Binospec software used for observation planning, instrument control, and data reduction. The software and control systems incorporate a high level of automation to minimize observer workload. Instrument configuration and observation sequencing is implemented using a database-driven approach to maximize observatory efficiency. A web-based interface allows users to define observations, monitor status, and retrieve data products.

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Binospec: A Wide-field Imaging Spectrograph for the MMT

Binospec is a high throughput, 370 to 1000 nm, imaging spectrograph that addresses two adjacent 8' by 15' fields of view. Binospec was commissioned in late 2017 at the f/5 focus of the 6.5m MMT and is now available to all MMT observers. Aperture masks cut from stainless steel with a laser cutter are used to define the entrance apertures that range from 15' long slits to hundreds of 2" slitlets. System throughputs, including the MMT's mirrors and the f/5 wide-field corrector peak at ~30%. Three reflection gratings, duplicated for the two beams, provide resolutions ($λ$/$Δλ$) between 1300 and $>$5000 with a 1" wide slit. Two through-the-mask guiders are used for target acquisition, mask alignment, guiding, and precision offsets. A full-time Shack-Hartmann wave front sensor allows continuous adjustment of primary mirror support forces, telescope collimation and focus. Active flexure control maintains spectrograph alignment and focus under varying gravity and thermal conditions.

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Using Star Clusters as Tracers of Star Formation and Chemical Evolution: the Chemical Enrichment History of the Large Magellanic Cloud

The star formation (SFH) and chemical enrichment (CEH) histories of Local Group galaxies are traditionally studied by analyzing their resolved stellar populations in a form of color-magnitude diagrams obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope. Star clusters can be studied in integrated light using ground-based telescopes to much larger distances. They represent snapshots of chemical evolution of their host galaxy at different ages. Here we present a simple theoretical framework for the chemical evolution based on the instantaneous recycling approximation (IRA) model. We infer a CEH from a SFH and vice versa using observational data. We also present a more advanced model for the evolution of individual chemical elements which takes into account the contribution of supernovae type Ia. We demonstrate that ages, iron and $α$-element abundances of 15 star clusters derived from fitting of their integrated optical spectra reliably trace the CEH of the Large Magellanic Cloud obtained from resolved stellar populations in the age range 40Myr$<t<$3.5Gyr. The CEH predicted by our model from the global SFH of the LMC agrees remarkably well with the observed cluster age-metallicity relation. Moreover, the present day total gas mass of the LMC estimated by the IRA model ($6.2\cdot10^8 M_{\odot}$) matches within uncertainties the observed HI mass corrected for the presence of molecular gas ($5.8\pm0.5\cdot10^8 M_{\odot}$). We briefly discuss how our approach can be used to study SFHs of galaxies as distant as 10Mpc at the level of detail that is currently available only in a handful of nearby Milky Way satellites.

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The Black Hole in the Most Massive Ultracompact Dwarf Galaxy M59-UCD3

We examine the internal properties of the most massive ultracompact dwarf galaxy (UCD), M59-UCD3, by combining adaptive optics assisted near-IR integral field spectroscopy from Gemini/NIFS, and Hubble Space Telescope (HST) imaging. We use the multi-band HST imaging to create a mass model that suggests and accounts for the presence of multiple stellar populations and structural components. We combine these mass models with kinematics measurements from Gemini/NIFS to find a best-fit stellar mass-to-light ratio ($M/L$) and black hole (BH) mass using Jeans Anisotropic Models (JAM), axisymmetric Schwarzschild models, and triaxial Schwarzschild models. The best fit parameters in the JAM and axisymmetric Schwarzschild models have black holes between 2.5 and 5.9 million solar masses. The triaxial Schwarzschild models point toward a similar BH mass, but show a minimum $χ^2$ at a BH mass of $\sim 0$. Models with a BH in all three techniques provide better fits to the central $V_{rms}$ profiles, and thus we estimate the BH mass to be $4.2^{+2.1}_{-1.7} \times 10^{6}$ M$_\odot$ (estimated 1$σ$ uncertainties). We also present deep radio imaging of M59-UCD3 and two other UCDs in Virgo with dynamical BH mass measurements, and compare these to X-ray measurements to check for consistency with the fundamental plane of BH accretion. We detect faint radio emission in M59cO, but find only upper limits for M60-UCD1 and M59-UCD3 despite X-ray detections in both these sources. The BH mass and nuclear light profile of M59-UCD3 suggests it is the tidally stripped remnant of a $\sim$10$^{9-10}$ M$_\odot$ galaxy.

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