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J. -P. Kneib

Publications and source records attributed to J. -P. Kneib.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

Mid-Infrared Spectroscopy of Lensed Galaxies at 1<z<3: The Nature of Sources Near the MIPS Confusion Limit

We present Spitzer/IRS mid-infrared spectra for 15 gravitationally lensed, 24 micron--selected galaxies, and combine the results with 4 additional very faint galaxies with IRS spectra in the literature. The median intrinsic 24 micron flux density of the sample is 130 microJy, enabling a systematic survey of the spectral properties of the very faint 24 micron sources that dominate the number counts of Spitzer cosmological surveys. Six of the 19 galaxy spectra (32%) show the strong mid-IR continuua expected of AGN; X-ray detections confirm the presence of AGN in three of these cases, and reveal AGNs in two other galaxies. These results suggest that nuclear accretion may contribute more flux to faint 24 micron--selected samples than previously assumed. Almost all the spectra show some aromatic (PAH) emission features; the measured aromatic flux ratios do not show evolution from z=0. In particular, the high S/N mid-IR spectrum of SMM J163554.2+661225 agrees remarkably well with low--redshift, lower--luminosity templates. We compare the rest-frame 8 micron and total infrared luminosities of star--forming galaxies, and find that the behavior of this ratio with total IR luminosity has evolved modestly from z=2 to z=0. Since the high aromatic--to--continuum flux ratios in these galaxies rule out a dominant contribution by AGN, this finding implies systematic evolution in the structure and/or metallicity of infrared sources with redshift. It also has implications for the estimates of star forming rates inferred from 24 micron measurements, in the sense that at z ~2, a given observed frame 24 micron luminosity corresponds to a lower bolometric luminosity than would be inferred from low-redshift templates of similar luminosity at the corresponding rest wavelength.

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EROs found behind lensing clusters: II.Empirical properties, classification, and SED modelling based on multi-wavelength observations

We study the properties and nature of extremely red galaxies (ERO, R-K>5.6) found behind two lensing clusters and compare them with other known galaxy populations. New HST/ACS observations, Spitzer IRAC and MIPS, and Chandra/ACIS observations of the two lensing clusters Abell 1835 and AC114 contemplate our earlier optical and near-IR observations and have been used to study extremely red objects (EROs) in these deep fields. We have found 6 and 9 EROs in Abell 1835 and AC114. Several (7) of these objects are undetected up to the I and/or z band, and are hence ``optical'' drop-out sources. The photometric redshifts of most of our sources (80%) are z~0.7-1.5. According to simple colour-colour diagrams the majority of our objects would be classified as hosting old stellar populations. However, there are clear signs of dusty starbursts for several among them. These objects correspond to the most extreme ones in R-K colour. We estimate a surface density of (0.97+-0.31) arcmin-2 for EROs with (R-K>5.6) at K<20.5. Among our 15 EROs 6 (40 %) also classify as distant red galaxies (DRGs). 11 of 13 EROs with available IRAC photometry also fulfil the selection criteria for IRAC selected EROs (IEROs) of Yan et al. (2004). SED modelling shows that ~ 36 % of the IEROs in our sample are luminous or ultra-luminous infrared galaxies ((U)LIRG). Some very red DRGs are found to be very dusty starbursts, even (U)LIRGs, as also supported by their mid-IR photometry. No indication for AGNs is found, although faint activity cannot be excluded for all objects. From mid-IR and X-ray data 5 objects are clearly classified as starbursts. The derived properties are quite similar to those of DRGs and IEROs, except for 5 extreme objects in terms of colours, for which a very high extinction (Av>3) is found.

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The H$α$ Luminosity Function and Star Formation Rate at $z \approx 0.24$ in the Cosmos 2 Square-Degree Field

To derive a new H$α$ luminosity function and to understand the clustering properties of star-forming galaxies at $z \approx 0.24$, we have made a narrow-band imaging survey for H$α$ emitting galaxies in the HST COSMOS 2 square degree field. We used the narrow-band filter NB816 ($λ_c = 8150$ Å, $Δλ= 120$ Å) and sampled H$α$ emitters with $EW_{\rm obs}(\rm Hα+ [N\textsc{ii}]) > 12$ Åin a redshift range between $z=0.233$ and $z=0.251$ corresponding to a depth of 70 Mpc. We obtained 980 H$α$ emitting galaxies in a sky area of 5540 arcmin$^2$, corresponding to a survey volume of $3.1 \times 10^4 {\rm Mpc^3}$. We derive a H$α$ luminosity function with a best-fit Schechter function parameter set of $α= -1.35^{+0.11}_{-0.13}$, $\logϕ_* = -2.65^{+0.27}_{-0.38}$, and $\log L_* ({\rm erg s^{-1}}) = 41.94^{+0.38}_{-0.23}$. The H$α$ luminosity density is $2.7^{+0.7}_{-0.6} \times 10^{39}$ ergs s$^{-1}$ Mpc$^{-3}$. After subtracting the AGN contribution (15 %) to the H$α$ luminosity density, the star formation rate density is evaluated as $1.8^{+0.7}_{-0.4} \times 10^{-2}$ $M_{\sun}$ yr$^{-1}$ Mpc$^{-3}$. The angular two-point correlation function of H$α$ emitting galaxies of $\log L({\rm Hα}) > 39.8$ is well fit by a power law form of $w(θ) = 0.013^{+0.002}_{-0.001} θ^{-0.88 \pm 0.03}$, corresponding to the correlation function of $ξ(r) = (r/1.9{\rm Mpc})^{-1.88}$. We also find that the H$α$ emitters with higher H$α$ luminosity are more strongly clustered than those with lower luminosity.

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A Detailed Study of Gas and Star Formation in a Highly Magnified Lyman Break Galaxy at z=3.07

We report the detection of CO(3-2) emission from a bright, gravitationally lensed Lyman Break Galaxy, LBGJ213512.73-010143 (the 'Cosmic Eye'), at z=3.07 using the Plateau de Bure Interferometer. This is only the second detection of molecular gas emission from an LBG and yields an intrinsic molecular gas mass of (2.4+/-0.4)x10^9 Mo. The lens reconstruction of the UV morphology of the LBG indicates that it comprises two components separated by ~2 kpc. The CO emission is unresolved, and appears to be centered on the intrinsically fainter (and also less highly magnified) of the two UV components. The width of the CO line indicates a dynamical mass of (8+/-2)x10^9csc(i)^2 Mo within the central 2 kpc. Employing mid-infrared observations from Spitzer we derive a stellar mass of ~(6+/-2)x10^9 Mo and a star-formation rate of ~60 Mo/yr, indicating that the molecular gas will be consumed in ~40 Myr. The gas fractions, star-formation efficiencies and line widths suggests that LBGJ213512 is a high-redshift, gas-rich analog of a local luminous infrared galaxy. This galaxy has a similar gas-to-dynamical mass fraction as observed in the submillimeter-selected population, although the gas surface density and star-formation efficiency is a factor of 3x less, suggesting less vigorous activity. We discuss the uncertainties in our conclusions arising from adopting a CO-to-H2 conversion factor appropriate for either the Milky Way or local luminous infrared galaxies. These observations demonstrate that current facilities, when aided by fortuitous gravitational magnification, can study 'ordinary' galaxies at high-redshift and so act as pathfinders for ALMA.

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Scaling relations and mass calibration of the X-ray luminous galaxy clusters at z~0.2: XMM-Newton observations

We present the X-ray properties and scaling relations of a flux-limited morphology-unbiased sample of 12 X-ray luminous galaxy clusters at redshift around 0.2 based on XMM-Newton observations. The scaled radial profiles are characterized by a self-similar behavior at radii outside the cluster cores (>0.2 r500) for the temperature, surface brightness, entropy, gas mass and total mass. The cluster cores contribute up to 70% of the bolometric X-ray luminosity. The X-ray scaling relations and their scatter are sensitive to the presence of the cool cores. Using the X-ray luminosity corrected for the cluster central region and the temperature measured excluding the cluster central region, the normalization agrees to better than 10% for the cool core clusters and non-cool core clusters, irrelevant to the cluster morphology. No evolution of the X-ray scaling relations was observed comparing this sample to the nearby and more distant samples. With the current observations, the cluster temperature and luminosity can be used as reliable mass indicators with the mass scatter within 20%. Mass discrepancies remain between X-ray and lensing and lead to larger scatter in the scaling relations using the lensing masses (e.g. ~40% for the luminosity--mass relation) than using the X-ray masses (<20%) due to the possible reasons discussed.

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An Increase in the faint red galaxy population in massive clusters since z~0.5

We compare the luminosity functions for red galaxies lying on the restframe (U-V) color-magnitude sequence in a homogeneous sample of ten X-ray luminous clusters from the MACS survey at z~0.5 to a similarly selected X-ray cluster sample at z~0.1. We exploit deep Hubble Space Telescope ACS imaging in the F555W and F814W passbands of the central 1.2Mpc diameter regions of the distant clusters to measure precise colors for the galaxies in these regions and statistically correct for contamination by field galaxies using observations of blank fields. We apply an identical analysis to ground-based photometry of the z~0.1 sample. This comparison demonstrates that the number of faint, Mv~ -19, red galaxies relative to the bright population seen in the central regions of massive clusters has roughly doubled over the 4 Gyrs between z~0.5 and z~0.1. We quantify this difference by measuring the dwarf to giant ratio on the red sequence which increases by a factor of at least 2.2+/- 0.4 since z~0.5. This is consistent with the idea that many faint, blue star-forming galaxies in high density environments are transforming onto the red sequence in the last half of the Hubble time.

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EROs found behind lensing clusters. II. Stellar populations and dust properties of optical dropout EROs and comparison with related objects

We determine the nature, redshift, stellar populations and dust properties of optically faint or non-detected extremely red objects (ERO) found from our survey of the lensing clusters A1835 and AC114. We perform SED fitting and use deep optical, HST, VLT, Spitzer data, and for some objects and sub-mm data. For most of the lensed EROs we find photometric redshifts showing a strong degeneracy between "low-z" (z~1-3) and high-z (z~6-7). Although formally best fits are often found at high-z, their resulting bright absolute magnitudes, the number density of these objects, and in some cases Spitzer photometry or longer wavelength observations, suggest strongly that all of these objects are at "low-z". The majority of these objects are best fitted with young (<~ 0.5-0.7 Gyr) and dusty starbursts. Indications for strong extinction, with A_V~2.4-4, are found in some objects. For dusty objects star formation rates (SFR) have been estimated from the bolometric luminosity determined after fitting of semi-empirical starburst, ERO, and ULIRG templates. Typically we find SFR~(1-18) Msun/yr. Again, SMMJ14009+0252 stands out as a LIRG with SFR 1000 Msun/yr. Concerning the comparison objects, we argue that the massive post-starburst z~6.5 galaxy candidate HUDF-J2 showing observed properties very similar to our EROs, is more likely a dusty starburst at z~2.3-2.6. This interpretation also naturally explains the observed 24 micron emission. Both empirically and from our SED fits we find that the IRAC selectec EROs from Yan et al (2004) show very similar properties to our lensed EROs. Reasonable fits are found for most of them with relatively young and dusty stellar populations.

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The COSMOS Survey: Hubble Space Telescope / Advanced Camera for Surveys (HST/ACS) Observations and Data Processing

We describe the details of the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Advanced Camera for Surveys / Wide Field Channel (ACS/WFC) observations of the COSMOS field, including the data calibration and processing procedures. We obtained a total of 583 orbits of HST ACS/WFC imaging in the F814W filter, covering a field that is 1.64 square degrees in area, the largest contiguous field ever imaged with HST. The median exposure depth across the field is 2028 seconds (one HST orbit), achieving a limiting point-source depth AB(F814W) = 27.2 (5 sigma). We also present details about the astrometric image registration, distortion removal and image combination using MultiDrizzle, as well as motivating the choice of our final pixel scale (30 milliarcseconds per pixel), based on the requirements for weak lensing science. The final set of images are publicly available through the archive sites at IPAC and STScI, along with further documentation on how they were produced.

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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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The Cosmic Evolution Survey (COSMOS): a large-scale structure at z=0.73 and the relation of galaxy morphologies to local environment

We have identified a large-scale structure at z~0.73 in the COSMOS field, coherently described by the distribution of galaxy photometric redshifts, an ACS weak-lensing convergence map and the distribution of extended X-ray sources in a mosaic of XMM observations. The main peak seen in these maps corresponds to a rich cluster with Tx= 3.51+0.60/-0.46 keV and Lx=(1.56+/-0.04) x 10^{44} erg/s ([0.1-2.4] keV band). We estimate an X-ray mass within $r500$ corresponding to M500~1.6 x 10^{14} Msun and a total lensing mass (extrapolated by fitting a NFW profile) M(NFW)=(6+/-3) x 10^15 Msun. We use an automated morphological classification of all galaxies brighter than I_AB=24 over the structure area to measure the fraction of early-type objects as a function of local projected density Sigma_10, based on photometric redshifts derived from ground-based deep multi-band photometry. We recover a robust morphology-density relation at this redshift, indicating, for comparable local densities, a smaller fraction of early-type galaxies than today. Interestingly, this difference is less strong at the highest densities and becomes more severe in intermediate environments. We also find, however, local "inversions'' of the observed global relation, possibly driven by the large-scale environment. In particular, we find direct correspondence of a large concentration of disk galaxies to (the colder side of) a possible shock region detected in the X-ray temperature map and surface brightness distribution of the dominant cluster. We interpret this as potential evidence of shock-induced star formation in existing galaxy disks, during the ongoing merger between two sub-clusters.

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Resolved Spectroscopy of a Gravitationally Lensed L* Lyman-break Galaxy at z~5

By combining HST imaging with optical (VIMOS) and near-infrared (SINFONI) integral field spectroscopy we exploit the gravitational potential of a massive, rich cluster at z=0.9 to study the internal properties of a gravitationally lensed galaxy at z=4.88. Using a detailed gravitational lens model of the cluster RCS0224-002 we reconstruct the source-frame morphology of the lensed galaxy on 200pc scales and find an ~L* Lyman-break galaxy with an intrinsic size of only 2.0x0.8kpc, a velocity gradient of <60km/s and an implied dynamical mass of 1.0x10^10Mo within 2kpc. We infer an integrated star-formation rate of just 12+/-2Mo/yr from the intrinsic [OII] emission line flux. The Ly-alpha emission appears redshifted by +200+/-40km/s with respect to the [OII] emission. The Ly-alpha is also significantly more extended than the nebular emission, extending over 11.9x2.4kpc. Over this area, the Ly-alpha centroid varies by less than 10km/s. By examining the spatially resolved structure of the [OII] and asymmetric Ly-alpha emission lines we investigate the nature of this system. The model for local starburst galaxies suggested by Mass-Hesse et al. (2003) provides a good description of our data, and suggests that the galaxy is surrounded by a galactic-scale bi-polar outflow which has recently burst out of the system. The outflow, which appears to be currently located >30kpc from the galaxy, is escaping at a speed of upto ~500km/s. Although the mass of the outflow is uncertain, the geometry and velocity of the outflow suggests that the ejected material is travelling far faster than escape velocity and will travel more than 1Mpc (comoving) before eventually stalling.

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News from z~6-10 galaxy candidates found behind gravitational lensing clusters

We summarise the current status of our project to identify and study z~6-10 galaxies thanks to strong gravitational lensing. Building on the detailed work from Richard et al. (2006), we present results from new follow-up observations (imaging) undertaken with ACS/HST and the Spitzer Space Telescope and compare our results with findings from the Hubble Ultra-Deep Field (UDF). These new observations are in agreement with the high-z nature for the vast majority of the candidates presented in Richard et al. (2006). We also discuss the properties of other optical dropout sources found in our searches and related objects (EROs, sub-mm galaxies,...) from other surveys.

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The XMM-Newton wide-field survey in the COSMOS field: VI. Statistical properties of clusters of galaxies

We present the results of a search for galaxy clusters in the first 36 XMM-Newton pointings on the COSMOS field. We reach a depth for a total cluster flux in the 0.5-2 keV band of 3x10-15 ergs cm-2 s-1, having one of the widest XMM-Newton contiguous raster surveys, covering an area of 2.1 square degrees. Cluster candidates are identified through a wavelet detection of extended X-ray emission. Verification of the cluster candidates is done based on a galaxy concentration analysis in redshift slices of thickness of 0.1-0.2 in redshift, using the multi-band photometric catalog of the COSMOS field and restricting the search to z<1.3 and i_AB < 25. We identify 72 clusters and derive their properties based on the X-ray cluster scaling relations. A statistical description of the survey in terms of the cumulative log(N>S)-lg(S) distribution compares well with previous results, although yielding a somewhat higher number of clusters at similar fluxes. The X-ray luminosity function of COSMOS clusters matches well the results of nearby surveys, providing a comparably tight constraint on the faint end slope of alpha=1.93+/-0.04. For the probed luminosity range of 8x10+42 - 2x10+44 ergs s-1, our survey is in agreement with and adds significantly to the existing data on the cluster luminosity function at high redshifts and implies no substantial evolution at these luminosities to z=1.3.

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The Cosmic Evolution Survey (COSMOS) -- Overview

The Cosmic Evolution Survey (COSMOS) is designed to probe the correlated evolution of galaxies, star formation, active galactic nuclei (AGN) and dark matter (DM) with large-scale structure (LSS) over the redshift range z $> 0.5 $ to 6. The survey includes multi-wavelength imaging and spectroscopy from X-ray to radio wavelengths covering a 2 $\sq$°area, including HST imaging. Given the very high sensitivity and resolution of these datasets, COSMOS also provides unprecedented samples of objects at high redshift with greatly reduced cosmic variance, compared to earlier surveys. Here we provide a brief overview of the survey strategy, the characteristics of the major COSMOS datasets, and summarize the science goals.

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zCOSMOS: A Large VLT/VIMOS redshift survey covering 0 < z < 3 in the COSMOS field

zCOSMOS is a large redshift survey that is being undertaken in the COSMOS field using 600 hours of observation with the VIMOS spectrograph on the 8-m VLT. The survey is designed to characterise the environments of COSMOS galaxies from the 100 kpc scales of galaxy groups up to the 100 Mpc scale of the cosmic web and to produce diagnostic information on galaxies and active galactic nuclei. The zCOSMOS survey consists of two parts: (a) zCOSMOS-bright, a magnitude-limited I-band IAB < 22.5 sample of about 20,000 galaxies with 0.1 < z < 1.2 covering the whole 1.7 deg2 COSMOS ACS field and designed to mimic the parameters of the 2dfGRS; and (b) zCOSMOS-deep, a survey of approximately 10,000 galaxies selected through colour-selection criteria to have 1.4 < z < 3.0, within the central 1 deg2. This paper describes the survey design and the construction of the target catalogues, and briefly outlines the observational program and the data pipeline. In the first observing season, spectra of 1303 zCOSMOS-bright targets and of 977 zCOSMOS-deep targets have been obtained. These are briefly analysed to demonstrate the characteristics that may be expected from zCOSMOS, and particularly zCOSMOS-bright, when it is finally completed between 2008-2009. The power of combining spectroscopic and photometric redshifts is demonstrated, especially in correctly identifying the emission line in single-line spectra and in determining which of the less reliable spectroscopic redshifts are correct and which are incorrect. Our zCOSMOS-deep spectra demonstrate the effectiveness of our selection techniques to isolate high redshift galaxies at 1.4 < z < 3.0 and of VIMOS to measure their redshifts using ultraviolet absorption lines.

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A Survey for Supernovae in Massive High-Redshift Clusters

We describe our ongoing program designed to measure the SN-Ia rate in a sample of massive z=0.5-0.9 galaxy clusters. The SN-Ia rate is a poorly known observable, especially at high z, and in cluster environments. The SN rate and its redshift dependence can serve as powerful discrimiminants for a number of key issues in astrophysics and cosmology. Our observations will put clear constraints on the characteristic SN-Ia ``delay time'', the typical time between the formation of a stellar population and the explosion of some of its members as SNe-Ia. Such constraints can exclude entire categories of SN-Ia progenitor models, since different models predict different delays. These data will also help to resolve the question of the dominant source of the high metallicity in the intracluster medium (ICM) - SNe-Ia, or core-collapse SNe from an early stellar population with a top-heavy IMF, perhaps those population III stars responsible for the early re-ionization of the Universe. Since clusters are excellent laboratories for studying enrichment (they generally have a simple star-formation history, and matter cannot leave their deep potentials), the results will be relevant for understanding metal enrichment in general, and the possible role of first generation stars in early Universal enrichment. Observations obtained so far during cycles 14 and 15 yield many SNe in our cluster fields, but our follow-up campaign reveals most are not in cluster galaxies.

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A very bright, highly magnified Lyman-break galaxy at z=3.07

We report the discovery using Hubble Space Telescope imaging and Keck spectroscopy of a very bright, highly magnified (~30*) Lyman Break Galaxy (LBG) at z=3.07 in the field of the massive z=0.33 cluster MACSJ2135.2-0102. The system comprises two high-surface brightness arcs with a maximum extent of 3", bracketing a central object which we identify as a massive early-type galaxy at z=0.73. We construct a lens model which reproduces the main features of the system using a combination of a galaxy-scale lens and the foreground cluster. We show that the morphological, spectral and photometric properties of the arcs are consistent with them arising from the lensing of a single ~L* LBG. The most important feature of this system is that the lensing magnification results in an apparent magnitude of r=20.3, making this one of the brightest LBGs known. Such a high magnification provides the opportunity of obtaining very high signal to noise (and potentially spatially resolved) spectroscopy of a high redshift galaxy to study its physical properties. We present initial imaging and spectroscopy demonstrating the basic properties of the system and discuss the opportunities for future observations.

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An ISOCAM survey through gravitationally lensing galaxy clusters. III. New results from mid-infrared observations of th e cluster Abell 2219

The massive cluster of galaxies Abell 2219 (z = 0.228) was observed at 14.3 $μ$m with the Infrared Space Observatory and results were published by Barvainis et al. (1999). These observations have been reanalyzed using a method specifically designed for the detection of faint sources that had been applied to other clusters. Five new sources were detected and the resulting cumulative total of ten sources all have optical counterparts. The mid-infrared sources are identified with three cluster members, three foreground galaxies, an Extremely Red Object, a star and two galaxies of unknown redshift. The spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of the galaxies are fit with models from a selection, using the program GRASIL. Best-fits are obtained, in general, with models of galaxies with ongoing star formation. For three cluster members the infrared luminosities derived from the model SEDs are between ~5.7x10^10 Lsun and 1.4x10^11 Lsun, corresponding to infrared star formation rates between 10 and 24 Msun yr^-1. The two cluster galaxies that have optical classifications are in the Butcher-Oemler region of the color-magnitude diagramme. The three foreground galaxies have infrared luminosities between 1.5x10^10 Lsun and 9.4x10^10 Lsun yielding infrared star formation rates between 3 and 16 Msun yr^-1. Two of the foreground galaxies are located in two foreground galaxy enhancements (Boschin et al. 2004). Including Abell 2219, six distant clusters of galaxies have been mapped with ISOCAM and luminous infrared galaxies (LIRGs) have been found in three of them. The presence of LIRGs in Abell 2219 strengthens the association between luminous infrared galaxies in clusters and recent or ongoing cluster merger activity.

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