arXiv subjects

J. D. Collier

Publications and source records attributed to J. D. Collier.

48 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2016

A survey of the cold molecular gas in gravitationally lensed star-forming galaxies at z>2

Using the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA), we conducted a survey of CO J=1-0 and J=2-1 line emission towards strongly lensed high-redshift dusty star forming galaxies (DSFGs) previously discovered with the South Pole Telescope (SPT). Our sample comprises 17 sources that had CO-based spectroscopic redshifts obtained with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) and the Atacama Pathfinder Experiment (APEX). We detect all sources with known redshifts in either CO J=1-0 or J=2-1. Twelve sources are detected in the 7-mm continuum. The derived CO luminosities imply gas masses in the range (0.5-11)x10^{10} M_sun and gas depletion timescales <200 Myr, using a CO to gas mass conversion factor alpha_CO=0.8 M_sun (K km/s pc^2)^{-1}. Combining the CO luminosities and dust masses, along with a fixed gas-to-dust ratio, we derive alpha_CO factors in the range 0.4-1.8, similar to what is found in other starbursting systems. We find small scatter in alpha_CO values within the sample, even though inherent variations in the spatial distribution of dust and gas in individual cases could bias the dust-based alpha_CO estimates. We find that lensing magnification factors based on the CO linewidth to luminosity relation (mu_CO) are highly unreliable, but particularly when mu<5. Finally, comparison of the gas and dynamical masses suggest that the average molecular gas fraction stays relatively constant at z=2-5 in the SPT DSFG sample.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2015

An Evolutionary Sequence of Young Radio Galaxies

We have observed the faintest sample of Gigahertz Peaked Spectrum (GPS) and Compact Steep Spectrum (CSS) sources to date, using the Australia Telescope Compact Array. We test the hypothesis that GPS and CSS sources are the youngest radio galaxies, place them into an evolutionary sequence along with a number of other young Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) candidates, and search for evidence of the evolving accretion mode and its relationship to star formation. GPS/CSS sources have very small radio jets that have been recently launched from the central Supermassive Black Hole and grow in linear size as they evolve, which means that the linear size of the jets is an excellent indicator of the evolutionary stage of the AGN. We use high-resolution radio observations to determine the linear size of GPS/CSS sources, resolve their jets and observe their small-scale morphologies. We combine this with other multi-wavelength age indicators, including the spectral age, colours, optical spectra and Spectral Energy Distribution of the host galaxy, in an attempt to assemble all age indicators into a self-consistent model. We observe the most compact sources with Very Large Baseline Interferometry, which reveals their parsec-scale structures, giving us a range of source sizes and allowing us to test what fraction of GPS/CSS sources are young and evolving.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2015

Sub-kiloparsec Imaging of Cool Molecular Gas in Two Strongly Lensed Dusty, Star-Forming Galaxies

We present spatially-resolved imaging obtained with the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) of three CO lines in two high-redshift gravitationally lensed dusty star-forming galaxies, discovered by the South Pole Telescope. Strong lensing allows us to probe the structure and dynamics of the molecular gas in these two objects, at z=2.78 and z=5.66, with effective source-plane resolution of less than 1kpc. We model the lensed emission from multiple CO transitions and the dust continuum in a consistent manner, finding that the cold molecular gas as traced by low-J CO always has a larger half-light radius than the 870um dust continuum emission. This size difference leads to up to 50% differences in the magnification factor for the cold gas compared to dust. In the z=2.78 galaxy, these CO observations confirm that the background source is undergoing a major merger, while the velocity field of the other source is more complex. We use the ATCA CO observations and comparable resolution Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array dust continuum imaging of the same objects to constrain the CO-H_2 conversion factor with three different procedures, finding good agreement between the methods and values consistent with those found for rapidly star-forming systems. We discuss these galaxies in the context of the star formation - gas mass surface density relation, noting that the change in emitting area with observed CO transition must be accounted for when comparing high-redshift galaxies to their lower redshift counterparts.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2014

The Spectral Variability of the GHz-Peaked Spectrum Radio Source PKS 1718-649 and a Comparison of Absorption Models

Using the new wideband capabilities of the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA), we obtain spectra for PKS 1718-649, a well-known gigahertz-peaked spectrum radio source. The observations, between approximately 1 and 10 GHz over three epochs spanning approximately 21 months, reveal variability both above the spectral peak at ~3 GHz and below the peak. The combination of the low and high frequency variability cannot be easily explained using a single absorption mechanism, such as free-free absorption or synchrotron self-absorption. We find that the PKS 1718-649 spectrum and its variability are best explained by variations in the free-free optical depth on our line-of-sight to the radio source at low frequencies (below the spectral peak) and the adiabatic expansion of the radio source itself at high frequencies (above the spectral peak). The optical depth variations are found to be plausible when X-ray continuum absorption variability seen in samples of Active Galactic Nuclei is considered. We find that the cause of the peaked spectrum in PKS 1718-649 is most likely due to free-free absorption. In agreement with previous studies, we find that the spectrum at each epoch of observation is best fit by a free-free absorption model characterised by a power-law distribution of free-free absorbing clouds. This agreement is extended to frequencies below the 1 GHz lower limit of the ATCA by considering new observations with Parkes at 725 MHz and 199 MHz observations with the newly operational Murchison Widefield Array. These lower frequency observations argue against families of absorption models (both free-free and synchrotron self-absorption) that are based on simple homogenous structures.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2014

Radio-Continuum Emission From The Young Galactic Supernova Remnant G1.9+0.3

We present an analysis of a new Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) radio-continuum observation of supernova remnant (SNR) G1.9+0.3, which at an age of $\sim$181$\pm$25 years is the youngest known in the Galaxy. We analysed all available radio-continuum observations at 6-cm from the ATCA and the Very Large Array. Using this data we estimate an expansion rate for G1.9+0.3 of 0.563%$\pm$0.078% per year between 1984 and 2009. We note that in the 1980's G1.9+0.3 expanded somewhat slower (0.484% per year) than more recently (0.641% per year). We estimate that the average spectral index between 20-cm and 6-cm, across the entire SNR is $α=-0.72\pm 0.26$ which is typical for younger SNRs. At 6-cm, we detect an average of 6% fractionally polarised radio emission with a peak of 17%$\pm$3%. The polarised emission follows the contours of the strongest of X-ray emission. Using the new equipartition formula we estimate a magnetic field strength of B$\approx 273μ$G, which to date, is one of the highest magnetic field strength found for any SNR and consistent with G1.9+0.3 being a very young remnant. This magnetic field strength implies a minimum total energy of the synchrotron radiation of E$_{\textrm{min}} \approx$ 1.8$\times$10$^{48}$ ergs.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2014

Multi-frequency observations of a superbubble in the LMC: The case of LHA 120-N 70

We present a detailed study of new Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) and XMM-Newton observations of LHA 120-N 70 (hereafter N 70), a spherically shaped object in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) classified as a superbubble (SB). Both archival and new observations were used to produce high quality radio-continuum, X-ray and optical images. The radio spectral index of N 70 is estimated to be $α=-0.12\pm 0.06$ indicating that while a supernova or supernovae have occurred in the region at some time in the distant past, N70 is not the remnant of a single specific supernova. N70 exhibits limited polarisation with a maximum fractional polarisation of 9% in a small area of the north west limb. We estimate the size of N 70 to have a diameter of 104 pc ($\pm 1$ pc). The morphology of N 70 in X-rays closely follows that in radio and optical, with most X-ray emission confined within the bright shell seen at longer wavelengths. Purely thermal models adequately fit the soft X-ray spectrum which lacks harder emission (above 1 keV). We also examine the pressure output of N 70 where the values for the hot (PX) and warm (PHii) phase are consistent with other studied Hii regions. However, the dust-processed radiation pressure (PIR) is significantly smaller than in any other object studied in Lopez et al. (2013). N70 is a very complex region that is likely to have had multiple factors contributing to both the origin and evolution of the entire region.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2013

Radio-continuum Observations of a Giant Radio Source QSO J0443.8-6141

We report the discovery of a giant double-lobed (lobe-core-lobe) radio-continuum structure associated with QSO J0443.8-6141 at z=0.72. This QSO was originally identified during the follow-up of a sample of ROSAT All Sky Survey sources at radio and optical frequencies. With a linear size of ~0.77 Mpc, QSO J0443.8-6141 is classified as a giant radio source (GRS); based on its physical properties, we classify QSO J0443.8-6141 as a FR II radio galaxy. High-resolution observations are required to reliably identify GRSs; the next generation of southern-sky radio and optical surveys will be crucial to increasing our sample of these objects.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2012

Radio confirmation of Galactic supernova remnant G308.3-1.4

We present radio-continuum observations of the Galactic supernova remnant (SNR) candidate, G308.3-1.4, made with the Australia Telescope Compact Array, Molonglo Observatory Synthesis Telescope and the Parkes radio telescope. Our results combined with Chandra X-ray images confirm that G308.3-1.4 is a bona fide SNR with a shell morphology. The SNR has average diameter of D = 34 +- 19 pc, radio spectral index of alpha = -0.68 +- 0.16 and linear polarisation of 10 +- 1%; We estimate the SNR magnetic field B = 29 uG. Employing a Sigma-D relation, we estimate a distance to G308.3-1.4 of d = 19 +- 11 kpc. The radio morphology, although complex, suggests a smaller size for the SNR than previously implied in an X-Ray study. These results imply that G308.3-1.4 is a young to middle-aged SNR in the early adiabatic phase of evolution.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2012

New 6 and 3-cm radio-continuum maps of the Small Magellanic Cloud: Part II - Point source catalogue

We present two new catalogues of radio-continuum sources in the field of the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC). These catalogues contain sources found at 4800 MHz (lambda=6 cm) and 8640 MHz (lambda=3 cm). Some 457 sources have been detected at 3 cm with 601 sources at 6 cm created from new high-sensitivity and resolution radio-continuum images of the SMC from Crawford et al. (2011).

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2012

Multi-Frequency Study of Supernova Remnants in the Large Magellanic Cloud. The case of LMC SNR J0530-7007

Context: The Supernova Remnants (SNRs) known in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) show a variety of morphological structures in the different wavelength bands. This variety is the product of the conditions in the surrounding medium with which the remnant interacts and the inherent circumstances of the supernova event itself. Aims: This paper performs a multi-frequency study of the LMC SNR J0530-7007 by combining Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA), Molonglo Observatory Synthesis Telescope (MOST), Röntgensatellit (ROSAT) and Magellanic Clouds Emission Line Survey (MCELS) observations. Methods: We analysed radio-continuum, X-ray and optical data and present a multi-wavelength morphological study of LMC SNR J0530-7007. Results We find that this object has a shell-type morphology with a size of 215"x180" (52 pc x 44 pc); a radio spectral index (alpha=-0.85+-0.13); with [Sii]/Halpha > 0.4 in the optical; and the presence of non-thermal radio and X-ray emission. Conclusions: We confirmed this object as a bona-fide shell-type SNR which is probably a result of a Type Ia supernova.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2011

New 20-CM Radio-Continuum Study of The Small Magellanic Cloud: Part II - Point Sources Catalogue

We present a new catalogue of radio-continuum sources in the field of the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC). This catalogue contains sources previously not found in 2370 MHz (λ=13 cm) with sources found at 1400 MHz (λ=20 cm) and 843 MHz (λ=36 cm). 45 sources have been detected at 13 cm, with 1560 sources at 20 cm created from new high sensitivity and resolution radio-continuum images of the SMC at 20 cm from Paper I . We also created a 36 cm catalogue to which we listed 1689 radio-continuum sources.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2011

New 6 and 3-cm Radio-Continuum Maps of the Small Magellanic Cloud. Part I - The Maps

We present new 6 and 3-cm radio-continuum maps of the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC), created with the "peeling" technique and a joint deconvolution. The maps have resolutions of 30" and 20" and r.m.s. noise of 0.7 and 0.8 mJy/beam at 6 and 3 cm, respectively. These maps will be used for future studies of the SMC's radio source population and overall extended structure.

astro-ph.CO↗