arXiv subjects

M. L. N. Ashby

Publications and source records attributed to M. L. N. Ashby.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

arXiv2008

A point source survey of M31 with the Spitzer Space Telescope

We explore the stellar population of M31 in a Spitzer Space Telescope survey utilizing IRAC and MIPS observations. Red supergiants are the brightest objects seen in the infrared; they are a prominent evolutionary phase. Due to their circumstellar envelopes, many of these radiate the bulk of their luminosity at IRAC wavelengths and do not stand out in the near infrared or optically. Going fainter, we see large numbers of luminous asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars, many of which are known long period variables. Relative to M33, the AGB carbon star population of M31 appears sparse, but this needs to be spectroscopically confirmed.

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arXiv2008

Spitzer IRAC Infrared Colours of Submillimetre-bright Galaxies

High-redshift submillimetre-bright galaxies identified by blank field surveys at millimetre and submillimetre wavelengths appear in the region of the IRAC colour-colour diagrams previously identified as the domain of luminous active galactic nuclei (AGNs). Our analysis using a set of empirical and theoretical dusty starburst spectral energy distribution (SED) models shows that power-law continuum sources associated with hot dust heated by young (<100 Myr old), extreme starbursts at z>2 also occupy the same general area as AGNs in the IRAC colour-colour plots. A detailed comparison of the IRAC colours and SEDs demonstrates that the two populations are distinct from each other, with submillimetre-bright galaxies having a systematically flatter IRAC spectrum (>1 mag bluer in the observed [4.5]-[8.0] colour). Only about 20% of the objects overlap in the colour-colour plots, and this low fraction suggests that submillimetre galaxies powered by a dust-obscured AGN are not common. The red IR colours of the submillimetre galaxies are distinct from those of the ubiquitous foreground IRAC sources, and we propose a set of IR colour selection criteria for identifying SMG counterparts that can be used even in the absence of radio or Spitzer MIPS 24 micron data.

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arXiv2008

A catalog of mid-infrared sources in the Extended Groth Strip

The Extended Groth Strip (EGS) is one of the premier fields for extragalactic deep surveys. Deep observations of the EGS with the Infrared Array Camera (IRAC) on the Spitzer Space Telescope cover an area of 0.38 square degrees to a 50% completeness limit of 1.5 uJy at 3.6 um. The catalog comprises 57434 objects detected at 3.6 um, with 84%, 28%, and 24% also detected at 4.5, 5.8, and 8.0 um. Number counts are consistent with results from other Spitzer surveys. Color distributions show that the EGS IRAC sources comprise a mixture of populations: low-redshift star-forming galaxies, quiescent galaxies dominated by stellar emission at a range of redshifts, and high redshift galaxies and AGN.

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arXiv2008

The Mid-Infrared Properties of X-ray Sources

We combine the results of the Spitzer IRAC Shallow Survey and the Chandra XBootes Survey of the 8.5 square degrees Bootes field of the NOAO Deep Wide- Field Survey to produce the largest comparison of mid-IR and X-ray sources to date. The comparison is limited to sources with X-ray fluxes >8x10-15 erg cm-2s-1 in the 0.5-7.0 keV range and mid-IR sources with 3.6 um fluxes brighter than 18.4 mag (12.3 uJy). In this most sensitive IRAC band, 85% of the 3086 X-ray sources have mid-IR counterparts at an 80% confidence level based on a Bayesian matching technique. Only 2.5% of the sample have no IRAC counterpart at all based on visual inspection. Even for a smaller but a significantly deeper Chandra survey in the same field, the IRAC Shallow Survey recovers most of the X-ray sources. A majority (65%) of the Chandra sources detected in all four IRAC bands occupy a well-defined region of IRAC [3.6] - [4.5] vs [5.8] - [8.0] color-color space. These X-ray sources are likely infrared luminous, unobscured type I AGN with little mid-infrared flux contributed by the AGN host galaxy. Of the remaining Chandra sources, most are lower luminosity type I and type II AGN whose mid-IR emission is dominated by the host galaxy, while approximately 5% are either Galactic stars or very local galaxies.

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arXiv2008

AEGIS: Radio and Mid-Infrared Selection of Obscured AGN Candidates

The application of multi-wavelength selection techniques is crucial for discovering a complete and unbiased set of Active Galactic Nuclei (AGNs). Here, we select a sample of 72 AGN candidates in the Extended Groth Strip (EGS) using deep radio and mid-infrared data from the Very Large Array (VLA) and the Spitzer Space Telescope, and analyze their properties across other wavelengths. Only 30% of these sources are detected in deep 200 ks Chandra X-ray Observatory pointings. The X-ray detected sources demonstrate moderate obscuration with column densities of N_H > 10^22 cm^-2. A stacked image of sources undetected by Chandra shows low levels of X-ray activity, suggesting they may be faint or obscured AGNs. Less than 40% of our sample are selected as AGNs with optical broad lines, mid-infrared power laws, or X-ray detections. Thus, if our candidates are indeed AGNs, the radio/mid-infrared selection criteria we use provide a powerful tool for identifying sources missed by other surveys.

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arXiv2008

IRAC Photometric Analysis and the Mid-IR Photometric Properties of Lyman Break Galaxies

We present photometric analysis of deep mid-infrared observations obtained by Spitzer/IRAC covering the fields Q1422+2309, Q2233+1341, DSF2237a,b, HDFN, SSA22a,b and B20902+34, giving the number counts and the depths for each field. In a sample of 751 LBGs lying in those fields, 443, 448, 137 and 152 are identified at 3.6microns, 4.5microns, 5.8microns, 8.0microns IRAC bands respectively, expanding their spectral energy distribution to rest-near-infrared and revealing that LBGs display a variety of colours. Their rest-near-infrared properties are rather inhomogeneous, ranging from those that are bright in IRAC bands and exhibit [R]-[3.6] > 1.5 colours to those that are faint or not detected at all in IRAC bands with [R]-[3.6] < 1.5 colours and these two groups of LBGs are investigated. We compare the mid-IR colours of the LBGs with the colours of star-forming galaxies and we find that LBGs have colours consistent with star-foming galaxies at z~3. The properties of the LBGs detected in the 8microns IRAC band (rest frame K-band) are examined separately, showing that they exhibit redder [R]-[3.6] colours than the rest of the population and that IRAC 8microns band can be used as a diagnostic tool, to separate AGN dominated objects from normal star-forming galaxies at z~3

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arXiv2007

The Active Nucleus of IC4970: A Nearby Example of Merger-Induced Cold-Gas Accretion

We present results from Chandra X-ray and Spitzer mid-infrared observations of the interacting galaxy pair NGC6872/IC4970 in the Pavo galaxy group and show that the smaller companion galaxy IC4970 hosts a highly obscured active galactic nucleus (AGN). The 0.5-10 keV X-ray luminosity of the nucleus is variable, increasing by a factor 2.9 to 1.7 x 10^{42} erg/s (bright state) on ~100 ks timescales. The X-ray spectrum of the is heavily absorbed (N_H = 3 x 10^{23} cm^{-2}) for power law models with Gamma = 1.5-2.0 and shows a clear 6.4 keV Fe Kalpha line with equivalent width of 144-195 eV. Limits on the diffuse emission in IC4970 from Chandra X-ray data suggest that the available power from Bondi accretion of hot interstellar gas may be an order of magnitude too small to power the AGN. Spitzer images show that 8 micron nonstellar emission is concentrated in the central 1 kpc of IC4970, consistent with high obscuration in this region. The mid-infrared colors of the nucleus are consistent with those expected for a highly obscured AGN. Taken together these data suggest that the nucleus of IC4970 is a Seyfert 2, triggered and fueled by cold material supplied to the central supermassive black hole as a result of the off-axis collision of IC4970 with the cold-gas rich spiral galaxy NGC6872.

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arXiv2007

Dust Properties and Star-Formation Rates in Star-Forming Dwarf Galaxies

We have used the Spitzer Space Telescope to study the dust properties of a sample of star-forming dwarf galaxies. The differences in the mid-infrared spectral energy distributions for these galaxies which, in general, are low metallicity systems, indicate differences in the physical properties, heating, and/or distribution of the dust. Specifically, these galaxies have more hot dust and/or very small grains and less PAH emission than either spiral or higher luminosity starburst galaxies. As has been shown in previous studies, there is a gradual decrease in PAH emission as a function of metallicity. Because much of the energy from star formation in galaxies is re-radiated in the mid-infrared, star-formation rate indicators based on both line and continuum measurements in this wavelength range are coming into more common usage. We show that the variations in the interstellar medium properties of galaxies in our sample, as measured in the mid-infrared, result in over an order of magnitude spread in the computed star-formation rates.

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arXiv2007

The Local Galaxy 8 micron Luminosity Function

A SST survey in the NOAO Deep-Wide Field in Boötes provides a complete, 8-micron-selected sample of galaxies to a limiting (Vega) magnitude of 13.5. In the 6.88 deg$^2$ field sampled, 79% of the 4867 galaxies have spectroscopic redshifts, allowing an accurate determination of the local (z<0.3) galaxy luminosity function. Stellar and dust emission can be separated on the basis of observed galaxy colors. Dust emission (mostly PAH) accounts for 80% of the 8 micron luminosity, stellar photospheres account for 19%, and AGN emission accounts for roughly 1 %. A sub-sample of the 8 micron-selected galaxies have blue, early-type colors, but even most of these have significant PAH emission. The luminosity functions for the total 8 micron luminosity and for the dust emission alone are both well fit by Schechter functions. For the 8 micron luminosity function, the characteristic luminosity is νL_ν^*(8.0 \micron) = 1.8 \times 10^{10}$ \Lsun while for the dust emission alone it is 1.6 x 10^{10}$ \Lsun\null. The average 8 \micron luminosity density at z<0.3 is 3.1 x 10^7 \Lsun Mpc^{-3}, and the average luminosity density from dust alone is 2.5 x 10^7 \Lsun Mpc^{-3}. This luminos ity arises predominantly from galaxies with 8 \micron luminosities ($νL_ν$) between $2\times 10^9$ and $2 x 10^{10}$ \Lsun, i.e., normal galaxies, not LIRGs or ULIRGs.

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arXiv2007

The M33 Variable Star Population Revealed by Spitzer

We analyze five epochs of Spitzer Space Telescope/Infrared Array Camera (IRAC) observations of the nearby spiral galaxy M33. Each epoch covered nearly a square degree at 3.6, 4.5, and 8.0 microns. The point source catalog from the full dataset contains 37,650 stars. The stars have luminosities characteristic of the asymptotic giant branch and can be separated into oxygen-rich and carbon-rich populations by their [3.6] - [4.5] colors. The [3.6] - [8.0] colors indicate that over 80% of the stars detected at 8.0 microns have dust shells. Photometric comparison of epochs using conservative criteria yields a catalog of 2,923 variable stars. These variables are most likely long-period variables amidst an evolved stellar population. At least one-third of the identified carbon stars are variable.

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arXiv2006

Dusty waves on a starry sea: the mid-infrared view of M31

Mid-infrared observations of the Andromeda galaxy, M31, obtained with the Infrared Array Camera on board the Spitzer Space Telescope, are presented. The image mosaics cover areas of approximate 3.7deg x 1.6deg and include the satellite galaxies M32 and NGC 205. The appearance of M31 varies dramatically in the different mid-infrared bands, from the smooth bulge and disk of the old stellar population seen at 3.6um to the well-known '10 kpc ring' dominating the 8um image. The similarity of the 3.6um and optical isophotes and nearly constant optical-mid-infrared color over the inner 400 arcsec confirms that there is no significant extinction at optical wavelengths in M31's bulge. The nuclear colors indicate the presence of dust but not an infrared-bright nucleus. The integrated 8um non-stellar luminosity implies a star formation rate of 0.4 Msun/yr, consistent with other indicators that show M31 to be a quiescent galaxy.

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arXiv2006

A SCUBA/Spitzer Investigation of the Far Infra-Red Extragalactic Background

We have measured the contribution of submillimeter and mid-infrared sources to the extragalactic background radiation at 70 and 160um. Specifically, we have stacked flux in 70 and 160um Spitzer Space Telescope (Spitzer) observations of the Canada-UK Deep Sub-millimeter Survey 14h field at the positions of 850um sources detected by SCUBA and also 8 and 24um sources detected by Spitzer. We find that per source, the SCUBA galaxies are the strongest and the 8um sources the weakest contributors to the background flux at both 70 and 160um. Our estimate of the contribution of the SCUBA sources is higher than previous estimates. However, expressed as a total contribution, the full 8um source catalogue accounts for twice the total 24um source contribution and ~10 times the total SCUBA source contribution. The 8um sources account for the majority of the background radiation at 160um with a flux of 0.87+/-0.16 MJy/sr and at least a third at 70um with a flux of 0.103+/-0.019 MJy/sr. These measurements are consistent with current lower limits on the background at 70 and 160um. Finally, we have investigated the 70 and 160um emission from the 8 and 24um sources as a function of redshift. We find that the average 70um flux per 24um source and the average 160um flux per 8 and 24um source is constant over all redshifts, up to z~4. In contrast, the low-redshift half (z<1) of the of 8um sample contributes approximately four times the total 70um flux of the high-redshift half. These trends can be explained by a single non-evolving SED.

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arXiv2006

AEGIS: Infrared Spectral Energy Distributions of MIPS 70micron selected sources

We present 0.5 -160 micron Spectral Energy Distributions (SEDs) of galaxies, detected at 70microns with the Multiband Imaging Photometer for Spitzer (MIPS), using broadband imaging data from Spitzer and ground-based telescopes. Spectroscopic redshifts, in the range 0.2 0.5) and high redshift (0.5<z<1.2) bins. Using this unique ``far-infrared'' selected sample we derive an empirical mid to far-infrared relationship that can be used to estimate the infrared energy budget of galaxies in the high-redshift universe. Our sample can be used as a template to translate far-infrared luminosities into bolometric luminosities for high redshift objects.

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arXiv2006

An almost head-on collision as the origin of two off-centre rings in the Andromeda galaxy

The unusual morphology of the Andromeda Spiral (Messier 31, the closest spiral galaxy to the Milky Way) has long been an enigma. Although regarded for decades as showing little evidence of a violent history, M~31 has a well-known outer ring of star formation at a radius of 10 kpc whose center is offset from the galaxy nucleus. In addition, the outer galaxy disk is warped as seen at both optical and radio wavelengths. The halo contains numerous loops and ripples. Here we report the discovery, based on analysis of previously-obtained data, of a second, inner dust ring with projected dimensions 1.5 by 1 kpc and offset by ~0.5kpc from the center of the galaxy. The two rings appear to be density waves propagating in the disk. Numerical simulations offer a completely new interpretation for the morphology of M31: both rings result from a companion galaxy plunging head-on through the center of the disk of M31. The most likely interloper is M32. Head-on collisions between galaxies are rare, but it appears nonetheless that one took place 210 million years ago in our Local Group of galaxies.

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arXiv2006

Far-infrared characterization of an ultra-luminous starburst associated with a massively-accreting black hole at z=1.15

As part of the "All Wavelength Extended Groth Strip International Survey" (AEGIS), we describe the panchromatic characterization of an X-ray luminous active galactic nucleus (AGN) in a merging galaxy at z=1.15. This object is detected at infrared (8mic, 24mic, 70mic, 160mic), submillimeter (850mic) and radio wavelengths, from which we derive a bolometric luminosity L_bol ~ 9x10^12 Lsol. We find that the AGN clearly dominates the hot dust emission below 40mic but its total energetic power inferred from the hard X-rays is substantially less than the bolometric output of the system. About 50% of the infrared luminosity is indeed produced by a cold dust component that probably originates from enshrouded star formation in the host galaxy. In the context of a coeval growth of stellar bulges and massive black holes, this source might represent a ``transition'' object sharing properties with both quasars and luminous starbursts. Study of such composite galaxies will help address how the star formation and disk-accretion phenomena may have regulated each other at high redshift and how this coordination may have participated to the build-up of the relationship observed locally between the masses of black holes and stellar spheroids.

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arXiv2006

AEGIS: Infrared Spectroscopy of An Infrared Luminous Lyman Break Galaxy at z=3.01

We report the detection of rest--frame 6.2 and 7.7 \micron emission features arising from Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) in the Spitzer/IRS spectrum of an infrared-luminous Lyman break galaxy at z=3.01. This is currently the highest redshift galaxy where these PAH emission features have been detected. The total infrared luminosity inferred from the MIPS 24 \micron and radio flux density is 2$\times10^{13}$ L$_{\odot}$, which qualifies this object as a so--called hyperluminous infrared galaxy (HyLIRG). However, unlike local HyLIRGs which are generally associated with QSO/AGNs and have weak or absent PAH emission features, this HyLIRG has very strong 6.2 and 7.7 \micron PAH emission. We argue that intense star formation dominates the infrared emission of this source, although we cannot rule out the presence of a deeply obscured AGN. This LBG appears to be a distorted system in the HST ACS F606W and F814W images, possibly indicating that a significant merger or interaction is driving the large IR luminosity.

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arXiv2006

AEGIS: A Panchromatic Study of IRAC-selected Extremely Red Objects with Confirmed Spectroscopic Redshifts

We study 87 Extremely Red Objects (EROs), selected both to have color redder than R-[3.6] = 4.0, and to have confirmed spectroscopic redshifts. Together, these two constraints result in this sample populating a fairly narrow redshift range at 0.76 < z < 1.42. The key new ingredient included here is deep Spitzer Space Telescope InfraRed Array Camera (IRAC) data. Based on [3.6]-[8.0] color, we demonstrate that it is possible to classify EROs into early-type, dusty starburst, or power-law (AGN) types. We present ultraviolet to mid-infrared spectral energy distributions (SEDs) and Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) images, both of which support our simple IRAC color classification.

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arXiv2006

Mid-infrared Identification of 6 cm Radio Source Counterparts in the Extended Groth Strip

A new 6-cm survey of almost 0.6 square degrees to a limit of 0.55-mJy/beam (10-sigma) finds 37 isolated radio sources and 7 radio source pairs (not necessarily physical companions). IRAC counterparts are identified for at least 92% of the radio sources within the area of deep IRAC coverage, which includes 31 isolated sources and 6 pairs. This contrasts with an identification rate of <74% to R<23.95 in visible light. Eight of the IRAC galaxies have power law spectral energy distributions, implying that the mid-infrared emission comes from a powerful AGN. The remaining 26 IRAC galaxies show stellar emission in the mid-infrared, probably in most of these galaxies because the stellar emission is bright enough to outshine an underlying AGN. The infrared colors suggest that the majority of these galaxies are bulge-dominated and have redshifts between approximately 0.5 and 1.0. Visible spectra from the DEEP2 redshift survey, available for 11 galaxies, are consistent with this suggestion. The IRAC galaxies fall into two distinct groups in a color-magnitude diagram, one group (the "stripe") includes all the AGN. The other group (the "blue clump") has blue 3.6 to 8 micron colors and a small range of 8 micron magnitudes. This separation should be useful in classifying galaxies found in other radio surveys.

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