arXiv subjects

R. M. Sharples

Publications and source records attributed to R. M. Sharples.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2002

Forming Globular Cluster Systems Semi-analytically

We describe a scheme for the formation of globular cluster systems in early-type galaxies using a semi-analytic model of galaxy formation. Operating within a Lambda CDM cosmology, we assume that metal-poor globular clusters are formed at high-redshift in pre-galactic fragments, and that the subsequent gas-rich merging of these fragments leads to the formation of metal-rich clusters. We compare our results with contemporary data, and look at the particular case of the globular cluster and stellar metallicity distribution function of the nearby elliptical galaxy Centaurus A.

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arXiv2002

The luminosity functions and stellar masses of galactic disks and spheroids

We present a method to obtain quantitative measures of galaxy morphology and apply it to a spectroscopic sample of field galaxies in order to determine the luminosity and stellar mass functions of galactic disks and spheroids. We estimate, for each galaxy, the bulge-to-disk luminosity ratio in the I-band using a two-dimensional image fitting procedure. Monte Carlo simulations indicate that reliable determinations are only possible for galaxies approximately two magnitudes brighter than the photometric completeness limit, leaving a sample of 90 galaxies with well determined bulge-to-total light ratios. We construct the luminosity functions of disks and spheroids and, using a stellar population synthesis model, we estimate the stellar mass functions of each of these components. The disk and spheroid luminosity functions are remarkably similar. We do, however, find evidence in the bi-variate luminosity function that spheroid-dominated galaxies occur only among the brightest spheroids, while disk-dominated galaxies span a much wider range of disk luminosities. Remarkably, the total stellar mass residing in disks and spheroids is approximately the same. For our sample, we find the ratio of stellar masses in disks and spheroids to be 1.3+/-0.2. Ongoing large photometric and redshift surveys will lead to a large increase in the number of galaxies to which our techniques can be applied and thus to an improvement in the current estimates. (abridged)

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arXiv2002

On the Formation of Globular Cluster Systems in a Hierarchical Universe

We have investigated the formation of globular cluster (GC) systems in the fiducial semi-analytic galaxy formation model of Cole et al. We assume that GCs are formed at high-redshift (z > 5) in proto-galactic fragments, and during the subsequent gas-rich merging of these fragments. We find that the mean ages of the metal-rich GCs are dependent upon host galaxy luminosity and halo circular velocity, whereas the mean ages of the metal-poor GCs are not. We find that gaseous merging of the proto-galactic fragments leads to a significant age-spread amongst the metal-rich GCs, which increases for lower-luminosity galaxies. We find the total GC populations scale with host galaxy luminosity as L^1.25, due to the systematic increase in the mass-to-light ratios (with mass) of the galaxy haloes in the model. A comparison between the luminosity growth of the model ellipticals and their GC formation indicates that mergers do not significantly effect S_N at z < 2. We conclude that gaseous merging, the bulk of which occurs at 1 < z < 4 in the Lambda-CDM model, leads to the formation of the metal-rich peak of the GC systems of elliptical galaxies. We suggest that the formation and subsequent truncation of the metal-poor GCs is closely related to the star formation rate in the proto-galactic fragments, which may have been significantly higher at early times (abridged).

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arXiv2002

The Anglo-Australian Observatory's 2dF Facility

The 2dF (Two-degree Field) facility at the prime focus of the Anglo-Australian Telescope provides multiple object spectroscopy over a 2 degree field of view. Up to 400 target fibres can be independently positioned by a complex robot. Two spectrographs provide spectra with resolutions of between 500 and 2000, over wavelength ranges of 440nm and 110nm respectively. The 2dF facility began routine observations in 1997. 2dF was designed primarily for galaxy redshift surveys and has a number of innovative features. The large corrector lens incorporates an atmospheric dispersion compensator, essential for wide wavelength coverage with small diameter fibres. The instrument has two full sets of fibres on separate field plates, so that re-configuring can be done in parallel with observing. The robot positioner places one fibre every 6 seconds, to a precision of 0.3 arcsec (20micron) over the full field. All components of 2dF, including the spectrographs, are mounted on a 5-m diameter telescope top-end ring for ease of handling and to keep the optical fibres short in order to maximise UV throughput . There is a pipeline data reduction system which allows each data set to be fully analysed while the next field is being observed. In this paper we provide the historical background to the 2dF facility, the design philosophy, a full technical description and a summary of the performance of the instrument. We also briefly review its scientific applications and possible future developments.

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arXiv2000

Ages and Metallicities of Globular Clusters in NGC 4472

We have derived ages and metallicities from co-added spectra of 131 globular clusters associated with the giant elliptical galaxy NGC 4472. Based upon a calibration with Galactic globular clusters, we find that our sample of globular clusters in NGC 4472 span a metallicity range of approximately -1.6 <= [Fe/H] <= 0 dex. There is evidence of a radial metallicity gradient in the globular cluster system, which is steeper than that seen in the underlying starlight. Determination of the absolute ages of the globular clusters is uncertain, but formally, the metal-poor population of globular clusters has an age of 14.5 +/- 4 Gyr and the metal-rich population is 13.8 +/- 6 Gyr old. Monte Carlo simulations indicate that the globular cluster populations present in these data are older than 6 Gyr at the 95% confidence level. We find that within the uncertainties, the globular clusters are old and coeval, implying that the bimodality seen in the broadband colours primarily reflects metallicity and not age differences.

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arXiv1999

Spectroscopy of Globular Clusters in the Sculptor Group Galaxies NGC 253 and NGC 55

We have obtained spectra for 103 published globular cluster candidates in the Sculptor Group galaxies NGC 253 and NGC 55. On the basis of radial velocities and digitized plate images, 14 globular clusters are identified in NGC 253 and one probable globular cluster is identified in NGC 55. The majority of the objects in the sample appear to be background galaxies. We have obtained and analysed COSMOS plate scans of NGC 253 and NGC 55 and use these along with the spectroscopically identified clusters to define new samples of globular cluster candidates in the two galaxies which should have reduced contamination.

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arXiv1999

Colour-magnitude relations and spectral line strengths in the Coma cluster

We use the $C_{2}4668$, $Fe4383$, $Hγ_A$ and $Hδ_A$ spectral absorption line indices, together with U- and V-band photometry of 101 galaxies in the Coma cluster, to investigate how mean age and metal abundance correlate with galaxy luminosity. In particular, we use the line index measurements to address the origin of the colour-magnitude relation (CMR). We find that the CMR in Coma is driven primarily by a luminosity-metallicity correlation. We additionally show evidence for a relation between age and luminosity, in the direction predicted by the semi-analytic hierarchical clustering models of Kauffmann & Charlot, but this is only present in the $C_24668$ index models, and could be an effect of the lack of non solar abundance ratios in the Worthey models used. By comparing deviations from the CMR, with deviations in absorption index from analogous `index-magnitude' relations, we find that colour deviations bluewards of the mean relation are strongly correlated with the hydrogen Balmer line series absorption. We show that the properties of these blue galaxies are consistent with the presence of a young stellar population in the galaxies, rather than with a reduced metallicity.

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arXiv1999

The Formation and Evolution of Young Globular Clusters in NGC 3256

We present images of the recent galaxy merger NGC 3256 obtained with the WFPC2 of the Hubble Space Telescope in B and I filters. We show that there is a large population of more than 1,000 compact, bright blue objects in this galaxy within the 7 kpc x 7 kpc region studied. These objects have sizes, colors and luminosities like those expected for young Galactic globular clusters with ages ranging from a few to several hundred Myr. On this basis, we identify at least some fraction of the compact, bright blue objects in NGC 3256 as young globular clusters. The young cluster system comprises 15-20% of the luminosity of the galaxy in B and half that in I within the region studied, indicating a high efficiency of cluster formation on a galaxy-wide scale. We find that the intrinsic color distribution is broad, and there is no significant trend of color with magnitude. The combination of the broad range of observed colors and the lack of a trend of redder colors at fainter magnitudes can not be fit solely by a broad age distribution and/or differential reddening, although the latter is clearly present. The observations can be accounted for by either the preferential depletion/destruction of lower mass clusters as they age, or a very young age (<= 20 Myr) for the cluster population, comparable to or less than the dynamical time of the region in which the clusters are observed. We also find that the luminosity function of the young cluster system can be roughly fit by a power-law with an exponent of -1.8, with tentative evidence that it flattens at faint magnitudes. The clusters are compact in size, with typical estimated half-light radii of 5-10 parsecs, but there is no obvious cut-off for larger radii, and only a shallow trend of size with luminosity. (slightly abridged).

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arXiv1998

Spectroscopy of Globular Clusters in NGC 4472

Optical multi-slit spectra have been obtained for 47 globular clusters surrounding the brightest Virgo elliptical NGC 4472 (M49). Including data from the literature, we analyze velocities for a total sample of 57 clusters and present the first tentative evidence for kinematic differences between the red and blue cluster populations which make up the bimodal colour distribution of this galaxy. The redder clusters are more centrally concentrated and have a velocity dispersion of 240 km/sec compared with 320 km/sec for the blue clusters. The origin of this difference appears to be a larger component of systematic rotation in the blue cluster system. The larger rotation in the more extended blue cluster system is indicative of efficient angular momentum transport, as provided by galaxy mergers. Masses estimated from the globular cluster velocities are consistent with the mass distribution estimated from X-ray data, and indicate that the M/L rises to 50 times solar at 2.5 R_e.

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arXiv1998

New Constraints on the Luminosity Evolution of Spheroidal Galaxies in Distant Clusters

We investigate various probes of luminosity evolution in the rich cluster environment, concentrating in particular on the spheroidal (E/S0) galaxies, using a newly-constructed catalog of morphologically-classified Hubble Space Telescope images of galaxies observed in the cores of 13 clusters with redshifts 0.17<z<0.56. An important distinction of this study compared to earlier work is the availability of new near-infrared ground-based photometry for a substantial subset of our HST fields, which we have used to select and study the various populations. We find no significant change in the characteristic luminosity of the spheroidal populations at redshifts of 0.31 and 0.56. As a more sensitive probe of luminosity evolution, deriving effective metric radii and mean effective surface brightnesses. At the standard condition corresponding to R_e = 1 kpc, we find convincing evidence of evolutionary brightening in both rest-frame B and K light, consistent with model predictions based on the passive evolution of stellar populations.

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arXiv1997

Morphological studies of the galaxy populations in distant "Butcher-Oemler" clusters with HST. II. AC103, AC118 and AC114 at z=0.31

We present new results of a program to study the detailed morphologies of galaxies in intermediate redshift clusters and hence understand the physical origin of the enhanced star formation in these environments at earlier epochs. Deep, high resolution imagery has been obtained of 3 rich clusters, AC103,AC118 & AC114 at z=0.31, using the WFPC2 on HST. For AC103 & AC118, single pointings covering a central 0.5x0.5Mpc have been obtained; for AC114, 4 pointings covering a 1.2x0.7Mpc area have been obtained, allowing the more outer regions of a distant cluster to be studied. Hubble types plus evidence for dynamical interactions and/or structural abnormalities have been determined visually for all galaxies down to R=22.25 in AC103 & AC118 and R=23.0 in AC114.We find the numbers of spirals (Sa-Sdm) in our clusters to be up to 4x higher than that seen in present-day clusters; only in the virialised core of our most massive regular cluster, AC114, do we see morphological fractions approaching those of the present epoch. Dynamical interactions are also widespread throughout the clusters with ~20% of members showing morphological evidence of this phenomenon. The highest incidence is amongst those blue members either undergoing a starburst or seen <0.5Gyr thereafter with the majority being involved in major mergers. These galaxies, however, are of modest luminosity (L~L*+1mag), destined to become dwarfs once they fade. Cluster members with ongoing star formation typical of nearby spirals are largely late Sb-Sdm Hubble types. Galaxies whose star formation ended 1-2Gyr prior to the epoch of observation are all normal early-type (S0-Sb) disk systems. The red H-delta strong galaxies are a mixture of E & S0 galaxies, consistent with them being old dormant systems which have undergone a secondary star formation episode.

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arXiv1997

The Southern SHARC Survey: the z = 0.3 - 0.7 Cluster XLF

We present the z = 0.3 - 0.7 cluster X-ray luminosity function (XLF) determined from the Southern SHARC (Serendipitous High-redshift Archival ROSAT Cluster) survey. Over the luminosity range L ~ (0.3 - 3) x 10^44 erg/s (0.5 - 2.0 keV) the XLF is in close agreement with that of the low redshift X-ray cluster population. This result greatly strengthens our previous claim of no evolution of the cluster population, at these luminosities, at a median redshift of z =0.44.

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arXiv1997

A wide-field K-band survey. The luminosity function of galaxies

We present the first determination of the near-infrared K-band luminosity function of field galaxies from a wide field K-selected redshift survey. The best fit Schechter function parameters are $M^* = -23.12 +5log(h)$, $α= -0.91$, and $ϕ^* = 1.66 \times 10^{-2} h^3 ~ Mpc^{-3}$. We estimate that systematics are no more than 0.1 mag in $M^*$ and 0.1 in $α$, which is comparable to the statistical errors on this measurement.

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arXiv1997

On The Evolution of X-ray Clusters at High Redshift

We report on the first results from a redshift survey of a flux-limited sample of X-ray clusters selected serendipitously from the ROSAT PSPC data archive. We spectroscopically confirm 15 clusters in the range 0.3 < z < 0.7, to a flux limit of ~ 3.9 x 10^-14 erg s^-1 cm^-2, over a survey area of 17.2 deg^2. The surface density of clusters in our survey is 2.0 (+0.4,-0.3) deg^-2, in good agreement with the number density of cluster candidates detected using algorithms designed to search for very extended sources. The number of clusters detected between 0.3 < z < 0.7 is consistent with a prediction based on a simple extrapolation of the local X-ray cluster luminosity function, which indicates that over this redshift range no significant evolution in the cluster population has taken place. These results are in conflict with recent claims that the number density of X-ray clusters found in deep ROSAT PSPC pointings evolves rapidly beyond z = 0.3.

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arXiv1996

Kinematics and Metallicities of Globular Clusters in M104

We have obtained spectra for globular cluster candidates in M104 with LDSS-2 on the William Herschel Telescope, confirming 34 objects as M104 globular clusters. We find a cluster velocity dispersion of $\sim$ 260 km/sec, and the Projected Mass Estimator gives a mass of 5.0 (3.5,6.7) $\times 10^{11}$ M$_\odot$ for M104 within a projected radius of $\sim 330^{''}$ (14 kpc for D=8.55 Mpc). Our best estimate for the mass-to-light ratio is M/L$_{V_T}$= 16$^{+5.5}_{-5.0}$ within the same radius. Considering all of the possible sources of uncertainty, we find a lower limit of M/L_V= 5.3, which is larger than the M/L$_V$ found from rotation curve analyses inside 180$^{''}$. We thus conclude that the mass-to-light ratio increases with radius, or in other words that M104 possesses a dark matter halo. There is a marginal detection of rotation in the M104 cluster system at the 92.5% confidence level; larger samples will be needed to investigate this possibility. Interestingly, the M104 globular cluster and planetary nebulae (PNe) kinematics are roughly consistent inside $\sim 100^{''}$. Finally, we find a mean cluster metallicity of [Fe/H] = $-$0.70 $\pm$ 0.3, which is more typical of clusters in gE/cD galaxies than it is of clusters in other spirals.

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arXiv1996

A wide-field K-band survey - II. Galaxy clustering

We present the first measurement of the angular correlation function in a $K$-selected galaxy survey, from two fields covering almost 10 square degrees. The angular correlation function at small angles is well described by a $θ^{-0.8}$ power law, as for optically selected samples. The clustering amplitude is reduced by a factor of $\sim 4$ between galaxies with $K<15$ and a fainter magnitude slice with $15<K<16$. This allows us to place constraints upon the redshift distribution of the galaxies and their spatial correlation function. We find no clear evidence for a change in clustering amplitude when galaxies are selected by their observed $B-K$ colours.

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arXiv1996

A wide-field K-band survey - I. Galaxy counts in B, V, I and K

We present bright galaxy number counts measured with linear detectors in the B, V, I, and K bands in two fields covering nearly 10 square degrees. All of our measurements are consistent with passive evolution models, and do not confirm the steep slope measured in other surveys at bright magnitudes. Throughout the range 16 < B < 19, our B-band counts are consistent with the "high normalization" models proposed to reduce the faint blue galaxy problem. Our K-band counts agree with previous measurements, and have reached a fair sample of the universe in the magnitude range where evolution and K-corrections are well understood.

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arXiv1995

A search for distant X-ray galaxy clusters

We report on the progress of our search for serendipitous distant X-ray galaxy clusters in the ROSAT PSPC pointed observations archive. The initial aim of our work is to measure the X-ray luminosity function of clusters down to 4 x 10^-14 erg cm^-2 s^-1 and so test the claims of cluster evolution at moderate redshifts. We have R band images and spectroscopy for 45 extended sources detected in 50 of the 100 deepest southern fields. A preliminary analysis suggests we cover a range of distances, from nearby clusters to possible distant clusters, z \simeq 1.0.

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