arXiv subjects

J. B. Hutchings

Publications and source records attributed to J. B. Hutchings.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

arXiv1998

The eclipsing supersoft X-ray binary CAL 87

We present and discuss 25 spectra obtained in November 1996, covering all phases of the CAL 87 binary system. These spectra are superior both in signal-to-noise and wavelength coverage to previously published data so that additional spectral features can be measured. Photometry obtained on the same nights is used to confirm the ephemeris and to compare with light curves from previous years. Analysis of the color variation through the orbital cycle has been carried out using archival MACHO data. When a barely resolved red field star is accounted for, there is no (V-R)-color variation, even through eclipse. There have been substantial changes in the depth of minimum light since 1988; it has decreased more than 0.5 mag in the last several years. The spectral features and radial velocities are also found to vary not only through the 0.44-day orbit but also over timescales of a year or more. Possible interpretations of these long-term changes are discussed. The 1996 spectra contain phase-modulated Balmer absorption lines not previously seen, apparently arising in gas flowing from the region of the compact star. The changes in emission-line strengths with orbital phase indicate there are azimuthal variations in the accretion disk structures. Radial velocities of several lines give different amplitudes and phasing, making determination of the stellar masses difficult. All solutions for the stellar masses indicate that the companion star is considerably less massive than the degenerate star. The Balmer absorption-line velocities correspond to masses of ~1.4Msun for the degenerate star and ~0.4Msun for the mass donor. However, the strong He II emission lines indicate a much more massive accreting star, with Mx>4Msun.

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arXiv1998

Six supersoft X-ray binaries: system parameters and twin-jet outflows

A comparison is made between the properties of CAL 83, CAL 87, RX J0513.9-6951, 1E 0035.4-7230 (SMC 13), RX J0019.8+2156, and RX J0925.7-4758, all supersoft X-ray binaries. Spectra with the same resolution and wavelength coverage of these systems are compared and contrasted. Some new photometry is also presented. The equivalent widths of the principal emission lines of H and He II differ by more than an order of magnitude among these sources, although those of the highest ionization lines (e.g. O VI) are very similar. In individual systems, the velocity curves derived from various ions often differ in phasing and amplitude, but those whose phasing is consistent with the light curves (implying the lines are formed near the compact star) give masses of $\sim 1.2M_{\odot}$ and $\sim 0.5M_{\odot}$ for the degenerate and mass-losing stars, respectively. This finding is in conflict with currently prevailing theoretical models for supersoft binaries. The three highest luminosity sources show evidence of "jet" outflows, with velocities of $\sim 1-4 \times10^3 km/s$. In CAL 83 the shape of the He II 4686Åprofile continues to show evidence that these jets may precess with a period of $\sim 69$ days.

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arXiv1998

HST resolved image and spectra of z=2 QSO 1345+584

The QSO 1345+584 has been spatially resolved by direct images and in spectral images, and has extended flux asymmetrically to the W, where its inner radio structure is seen. The brightest knots in the resolved flux correspond closely with knots in the curved radio jet, and the brightest knot has velocity of approach of some 3000 km/s with respect to the nucleus. Other parts of the line-emitting material appear to follow a systematic velocity field with values up to 1000 km/s with respect to the nucleus. The signal from the resolved continuum is not detected spectroscopically but accounts for 2/3 of the (rest UV) flux, so that it is likely to originate in hot stars. The QSO lies in or behind a compact group of galaxies of comparable brightness and irregular and knotty morphology, which probably form a dense physical group with very young stellar populations.

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arXiv1997

Omega_M and the CNOC Surveys

The CNOC1 cluster survey measures Omega_M via Oort's method, Omega_M= M/L x j/rho_c, where M/L is the field mass-to-light ratio, j is the field luminosity density and rho_c is the closure density. A wide range of potential systematic effects are explicitly controlled by independently deriving the mean cluster mass profile (finding good agreement with theoretical predictions), the cluster light profile, the redshift evolution of both cluster and field galaxies, the differential evolution between the two, and the field and cluster efficiencies for the conversion of baryons into galaxies. We conclude that Omega_M=0.19+/-0.06 where the errors are objectively evaluated via resampling methods. The redshift evolution of the numbers of clusters per unit co-moving volume over the 0< z < 0.6 range is found to be very slow, as is required for consistency with a low density universe. The evolution of galaxy clustering in the field is compatible with a low density universe, and strongly disfavors models of galaxy evolution that associate low density halos with individual galaxies.

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arXiv1997

The SMC Supersoft X-ray Binary 1E 0035.4-7230 (SMC 13)

Details of simultaneous photometric and spectroscopic observations of the optical counterpart of the `supersoft' X-ray source 1E 0035.4-7230 (SMC 13) are presented. Although the spectrum is dominated by emission lines of He II, the Balmer series of hydrogen is also present in emission with a strong decrement, and Balmer lines are seen as broad absorptions. Several high ionization emission features are also present including O VI (3811, 3834, and 5290A). Radial velocities and photometry confirm that the binary period is ~0.1719d, and an improved value of the period is derived from four years of photometry and analysis of ROSAT-HRI X-ray data. The orbital light variation is primarily due to an eclipse of the extensive accretion disk. X-ray and optical minima occur together. The UBV light curves are similar to each other, and no clear phase-related color variations are found. He II emission-line velocities show a semi-amplitude of K ~100 km/s, and maximum velocity occurs when the light curve indicates the compact star would be moving away from the observer, suggesting this emitting region may trace the orbital motion of the compact star. The range of possible masses implied for the X-ray source lies between 0.5 and 1.5 solar masses if the mass donor is a main sequence star filling its Roche lobe. The light curve suggests values at the high end of this range. The broad H absorption lines appear to have a much larger velocity amplitude and lower systemic velocity, making it difficult to understand their origin. We discuss possible models for the system.

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arXiv1997

Omega baryon via Oort's Method

The baryon density of the universe is equal to the product of the baryon-to-light ratio, M_b/L, and the luminosity density, j. We estimate M_b/L as the sum of the masses of the X-ray gas and the visible stars in a rich cluster of galaxies divided by the luminosity of the cluster galaxies in precisely the same sky aperture. We evaluate the gas-to-light ratio derived from the EMSS detect cell flux and the CNOC cluster redshift survey galaxies. After making an aperture correction to an effective overdensity of 500rho_c, we find that Omega_gas=0.012-0.016 h^-3/2, depending on the galaxy fading correction. Adding in the galaxy baryons at a mass-to-light ratio of 5 Msun/Lsun, equivalent to Omega_stars=0.003h^-1, we find that Omega_b=0.015-0.019 for H_0=100 (or 0.040-0.051 for H_0=50). Expressed as the baryon to photon ratio, eta, this corresponds to eta=4.0-5.2x10^{-10} (H_0=100) and is in the mid-range of values from other methods. The individual clusters have a dispersion about the mean Omega_{gas} of 40%, and the chi^2 of the 14 clusters is consistent with the hypothesis that the gas-to-light ratio is a universal constant. If we ignore the light of the cD, the variance increases by a factor of three. After the radial segregation of gas and light within a cluster is taken into account, these statistics indicate that there is little variation of the gas-to-light ratio from cluster to cluster over the 0.2 to 0.55 range in redshift.

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arXiv1997

The Average Mass Profile of Galaxy Clusters

The average mass density profile measured in the CNOC cluster survey is well described with the analytic form rho(r)=A/[r(r+a_rho)^2], as advocated on the basis on n-body simulations by Navarro, Frenk & White. The predicted core radii are a_rho=0.20 (in units of the radius where the mean interior density is 200 times the critical density) for an Omega=0.2 open CDM model, or a_rho=0.26 for a flat Omega=0.2 model, with little dependence on other cosmological parameters for simulations normalized to the observed cluster abundance. The dynamically derived local mass-to-light ratio, which has little radial variation, converts the observed light profile to a mass profile. We find that the scale radius of the mass distribution, 0.20<= a_rho <= 0.30 (depending on modeling details, with a 95% confidence range of 0.12-0.50), is completely consistent with the predicted values. Moreover, the profiles and total masses of the clusters as individuals can be acceptably predicted from the cluster RMS line-of-sight velocity dispersion alone. This is strong support of the hierarchical clustering theory for the formation of galaxy clusters in a cool, collisionless, dark matter dominated universe.

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arXiv1997

The CNOC Cluster Survey: Omega, sigma_8, Phi(L,z) Results, and Prospects for Lambda Measurement

Rich galaxy clusters are powerful probes of both cosmological and galaxy evolution parameters. The CNOC cluster survey was primarily designed to distinguish between Omega=1 and Omega~0.2 cosmologies. Projected foreground and background galaxies provide a field sample of comparable size. The results strongly support a low-density universe. The luminous cluster galaxies are about 10-30% fainter, depending on color, than the comparable field galaxies, but otherwise they show a slow and nearly parallel evolution. On the average, there is no excess star formation when galaxies fall into clusters. These data provide the basis for a simple Lambda measurement using the survey's clusters and the field data. The errors in Omega_M, Lambda, sigma_8 and galaxy evolution parameters could be reduced to a few percent with a sample of a few hundred clusters spread over the 0<z<1 range.

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arXiv1997

A QSO in a Cluster at z=2.4

Photometry is presented in R, J, H, K of the z=2.37 QSO 0820+296 and its environment. Colours and magnitudes of most of the objects within 50 arcsec of the QSO suggest they are a group of galaxies at the QSO redshift with a young stellar population.

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arXiv1997

Near Infrared Imaging of the Proposed z=2 Cluster Behind CL 0939+4713 (Abell 851)

We have obtained deep J and K' images of a 90 arcsec square field containing the z=2.0 QSO that is viewed through the z=0.4 rich cluster A851. Brightnesses of individual galaxies are measured from these data, and archival F702W WFPC2 images from HST. The results are used to construct 2-colour diagrams, colour-magnitude diagrams, and luminosity functions of galaxies in A851 and the faint objects discovered by Dressler et al (1993) near the QSO. The QSO faint companions appear to form a separate population from other faint galaxies in the field. Comparisons with the GISSEL models covering redshifts from 0 to 3 indicate that (1) the A851 galaxies have ages between 3 and 10 Gyr, and (2) if they are at the QSO redshift, the QSO companion galaxies are within 1Gyr of cessation of star-formation.

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arXiv1996

JHK Imaging and Photometry of Low z QSOs and Radio Galaxy

We describe J,H,K deep imaging of 90 arcmin fields around 4 QSOs and one Radio galaxy at redshifts in the range 0.06 to 0.30, and show their images, luminosity profiles, and NIR 2-colour diagrams of objects. We find that the QSO hosts are all resolved, and compare them with previous CCD images. The host galaxy colours are consistent with old and young stellar populations at the QSO redshift. The colours of nearby galaxies suggest that all the AGN live in groups of generally smaller companion galaxies, mostly with evolved populations at the same redshift. The two radio-loud objects live in richer cluster environments than the others. Gissel population models indicate reddening in the galaxies, star-forming regions, and possibly a systematic H-K offset. The QSO luminosity profiles are complex and reveal some of their tidal disturbance and star-formation history.

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arXiv1996

Galaxy Evolution in Abell 2390

The galaxy population in the intermediate-redshift ($z=0.228$) rich cluster Abell 2390 is investigated. We present velocities, colors, and morphological information for an exceptionally large sample of 323 galaxies (216 cluster members) in a 46$^\prime \times 7^\prime$ (6 $h^{-1}$ Mpc $\times$ 1 $h^{-1}$ Mpc) strip centered on the cD galaxy. This sample of confirmed cluster members is second only to that for the Coma cluster in terms of sample size and spatial coverage in the cluster rest frame, and is the first to trace the transition between a rich cluster and the field at intermediate redshift. The galaxy population in the cluster changes gradually from a very evolved, early-type population in the inner 0.4 \hmpc\ of the cluster to a progressively later-type population in the extensive outer envelope of the cluster from 1 to 3 \hmpc\/ in radius. Radial gradients in galaxy $g-r$ color, 4000 Å\/ break, H$δ$ and [O II] line strengths and morphology are seen in the cluster, and are investigated by comparing the data to models computed with the GISSEL spectral synthesis package. The results suggest that the cluster has been gradually built up by the infall of field galaxies over $\sim 8$ Gyr and that star formation has been truncated in infalling galaxies during the accretion process. The morphological composition of the cluster is shown to be consistent with such a scenario. If true for other clusters, infall-truncated star formation as seen in Abell 2390 may explain both the Butcher-Oemler effect and the large fraction of S0 galaxies in clusters. Only $\simlt$5\% of the galaxies observed in Abell 2390 exhibit evidence for star formation at levels stronger than those seen in typical late-type systems. This suggests that starbursts do not play a major role in driving cluster galaxy evolution at the redshift of

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arXiv1996

Quasar Radio Structure in Cluster Environments

VLA B-configuration snapshots have been obtained at 6cm and 20cm of 43 radio quasars with a range of known galaxy cluster environments. The radio sources are characterised by measures of morphology, flux, and size. These are studied as a function of cluster density, characterised by published Bgq numbers. We find no strong dependence of radio source properties on this measure of cluster density. We find ~2 sigma evidence that sources in higher cluster densities have more lobe-dominated morphology with higher lobe luminosities and lower core luminosities. The 7 unresolved sources are found in low density clusters, as are the most bent sources. We find that QSO clusters have fewer other radio sources within a radius of 3 arcminutes than do the central galaxies of a sample of rich X-ray selected clusters.

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arXiv1995

A Supersoft X-Ray Binary in the Small Magellanic Cloud

Photometric observations of the supersoft X-ray source 1E 0035.4-7230 obtained during two years reveal that the very blue optical counterpart (V (maximum)=20.2, B-V=-0.15, U-B=-1.06) undergoes nearly sinusoidal variations with a period of 0.1719256 days and an amplitude of Delta V~0.3 mag. ROSAT observations show the X-rays vary with approximately the same period. However, either the X-ray minimum precedes the optical minimum by about a quarter cycle or there is a small period difference between the two wavelength regions. We consider that this X-ray source is a close binary, with the optical light coming primarily from an accretion disk surrounding the compact star. Optical spectra show weak, variable He II (4686 Angstrom) emission which probably originates in this disk. Possible interpretations of the light curve are discussed, including X-ray heating of the secondary star. The very broad minimum in the X-ray light curve suggests the X-rays may be scattered in a large accretion disk corona (ADC) which is partially occulted, probably by an azimuthally irregular bulge on the disk rim. If this system lies at the distance of the Small Magellanic Cloud, it radiates near the Eddington luminosity.

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arXiv1995

Star-Formation Knots in IRAS Galaxies

Images of IRAS galaxies with a range of IR properties are examined for bright knots, both within and outside the galaxy. These are found almost exclusively in galaxies with steep IR spectra, but over a wide range of IR luminosity, and usually without strong nuclear activity. In most cases, the knots are likely to be star-formation induced by tidal interactions, and are seen in the early stages of such interactions. Detailed photometry is presented of knots in six representative galaxies. The knots appear to have a wide range of colour and luminosity, but it is argued that many are heavily reddened. Knots formed outside the parent galaxy may be a new generation of what later become globular clusters, but they appear to have a wide range of luminosities.

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arXiv1995

The LMC Supersoft X-Ray Binary RX J0513.9-6951

A detailed analysis of simultaneous photometric and spectroscopic observations of the optical counterpart of the LMC "supersoft" X-ray source RX J0513.9-6951 (identified with HV 5682) is presented. The spectrum is dominated by He II emission lines and H + He II blends; no He I is observed but several higher ionization emission features, especially O VI (3811, 3834, and 5290A) are prominent. Radial velocity measurements suggest a binary period of 0.76 days. If the small velocity amplitude, K~11 km/s, is interpreted as orbital motion, this implies that the binary system contains a somewhat evolved star plus a relatively massive compact object, viewed nearly pole-on. No orbital photometric variations were found, although irregular brightness changes of ~0.3 mag occurred. Unusual emission lines are observed which cannot be identified except as high velocity (4000 km/s) bipolar outflows or jets. These outflows are seen in H and He II at the same positive and negative velocities. They were relatively stable for periods of ~5 days, but their velocities appear to have been ~250 km/s smaller in 1992 than in 1993 or 1994.

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arXiv1995

QSO HOST GALAXIES AT Z=2.3

Images are discussed of six QSOs at z=2.3, one QSO-like IRAS source at z=2.3, and one QSO at z=1.1, taken with resolution 0.6 to 0.9 arcsec. Five of the QSOs are radio-quiet. All QSOs except one are just resolved, while the IRAS source has definite structure. In some cases, part of the QSO fuzz appears to be a close companion rather than a concentric host galaxy. The luminosities implied for the hosts or companions are typical of bright galaxies with young hot star populations. Radio-quiet QSOs appear to have host galaxies less luminous by ~2 magnitudes than radio-loud QSOs.

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arXiv1995

IMAGING OF LOW REDSHIFT QSOs WITH WFPC2

Observations with the PC2 CCD of the Hubble Space Telescope are described of two bright QSOs of redshift ~0.3. 1403+434 is IR-bright and radio-quiet, and 2201+315 is radio-loud with extended structure. Exposures were taken with the F702W and F555W filters. The images are deconvolved on their own and combined with 0.5 arcsec ground-based images. Both host galaxies have the form and luminosity of bright ellipticals, with nuclei of 1-2 times higher luminosity. 1403+434 is strongly interacting while 2201+315 may be in later stages of a merger, both with a smaller companion. Both host galaxies have compact knots and other small-scale peculiar features. Some general remarks are made based on the total program sample of 6 QSOs.

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