SearcharxivSearch

arXiv subjects

R. Scarpa

Publications and source records attributed to R. Scarpa.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Virial theorem in clusters of galaxies with MOND

A specific modification of Newtonian dynamics known as MOND has been shown to reproduce the dynamics of most astrophysical systems at different scales without invoking non-baryonic dark matter (DM). There is, however, a long-standing unsolved problem when MOND is applied to rich clusters of galaxies in the form of a deficit (by a factor around two) of predicted dynamical mass derived from the virial theorem with respect to observations. In this article we approach the virial theorem using the velocity dispersion of cluster members along the line of sight rather than using the cluster temperature from X-ray data and hydrostatic equilibrium. Analytical calculations of the virial theorem in clusters for Newtonian gravity+DM and MOND are developed, applying pressure (surface) corrections for non-closed systems. Recent calibrations of DM profiles, baryonic ratio and baryonic ($\beta $ model or others) profiles are used, while allowing free parameters to range within the observational constraints. It is shown that solutions exist for MOND in clusters that give similar results to Newton+DM -- particularly in the case of an isothermal $\beta $ model for $\beta =0.55-0.70$ and core radii $r_c$ between 0.1 and 0.3 times $r_{500}$ (in agreement with the known data). The disagreements found in previous studies seem to be due to the lack of pressure corrections (based on inappropriate hydrostatic equilibrium assumptions) and/or inappropriate parameters for the baryonic matter profiles.

astro-ph.GA

Visible and near-infrared observations of interstellar comet 2I/Borisov with the 10.4-m GTC and the 3.6-m TNG telescopes

In this work, we present the results of an observational study of 2I/Borisov carried out with the 10.4-m Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC) and the 3.6-m Telescopio Nazionale Galileo (TNG), both telescopes located at the Roque de Los Muchachos Observatory, in the island of La Palma (Spain). The study includes images in the visible and near-infrared, as well as visible spectra in the 3600 - 9200 A wavelength range. N-body simulations were also performed to explore its orbital evolution and Galactic kinematic context. The comet's dust continuum and near-infrared colours are compatible with those observed for Solar system comets. From its visible spectrum on the nights of 2019, September 24 and 26 we measured CN gas production rates Q(CN) = (2.3 +- 0.4) x 10^{24} mol/s and Q(CN) = (9.5 +- 0.2) x 10^{24} mol/s, respectively, in agreement with measurements reported by other authors on similar nights. We also obtained an upper limit for the C2 production rate of Q(C2) < (4.5 +- 0.1) x 10^{24} mol/s. Dust modelling results indicate a moderate dust production rate of about 50 kg/s at heliocentric distance r_h=2.6 au, with a differential power-law dust size distribution of index -3.4, within the range reported for many comet comae. Our simulations show that the Galactic velocity of 2I/Borisov matches well that of known stars in the solar neighbourhood and also those of more distant regions of the Galactic disc.

astro-ph.EP

A new Einstein Cross gravitational lens of a Lyman-break galaxy

We report the study of an "Einstein Cross" configuration first identified in a set of HST images by Cerny et al. 2018. Deep spectroscopic observations obtained at the Spanish 10.4m GTC telescope, allowed us to demonstrate the lens nature of the system, that consists of a Lyman-break galaxy, not a QSO as is usually the case, at z = 3.03 lensed by a galaxy at z=0.556. Combining the new spectroscopy with the archival HST data, it turns out that the lens is an elliptical galaxy with M_V =-21.0, effective radius 2.8 kpc and stellar velocity dispersion sigma=208+-39 km/sec. The source is a Lyman break galaxy with Ly_alpha luminosity ~L* at that redshift. From the modeling of the system, performed by assuming a singular isothermal ellipsoid (SIE) with external shear, we estimate that the flux source is magnified about 4.5 times, and the velocity dispersion of the lens is sigma_SIE=197.9-1.3+2.6 km/s, in good agreement with the value derived spectroscopically. This is the second case known of an Einstein cross of a Lyman-break galaxy.

astro-ph.GA

Challenging a Newtonian prediction through Gaia wide binaries

Under Newtonian dynamics, the relative motion of the components of a binary star should follow a Keplerian scaling with separation. Once orientation effects and a distribution of ellipticities are accounted for, dynamical evolution can be modelled to include the effects of Galactic tides and stellar mass perturbers, over the lifetime of the solar neighbourhood. This furnishes a prediction for the relative velocity between the components of a binary and their projected separation. Taking a carefully selected small sample of 81 solar neighbourhood wide binaries from the {\it Hipparcos} catalogue, we identify these same stars in the recent Gaia DR2, to test the prediction mentioned using the latest and most accurate astrometry available. The results are consistent with the Newtonian prediction for projected separations below 7000 AU, but inconsistent with it at larger separations, where accelerations are expected to be lower than the critical $a_{0}=1.2 \times 10^{-10} $ { m s$^{-2}$} value of MONDian gravity. This result challenges Newtonian gravity at low accelerations and shows clearly the appearance of gravitational anomalies of the type usually attributed to dark matter at galactic scales, now at much smaller stellar scales.

astro-ph.GA

High redshift BL Lac objects: spectroscopy of candidates

We report on 16 BL Lacertae objects that were proposed to be at z > 1. We present spectroscopic observations secured at the 10.4m GTC that allowed us to assess the redshift of these sources. In particular, for five objects we disprove the previous value of the redshift reported in literature and found that they lie at z < 1. Moreover, two of them exhibit broad emission lines that are not characteristic of BL Lacertae object. On the other hand, for eight targets we improve the tentative value of z, previously based on only one feature, by detecting a number emission lines. Finally, in three cases we detect onset of Ly-{\alpha} forest at z > 2.50. Based on the new high quality spectra we found that only half of the observed objects can be classified as bona-fine BL Lacs.

astro-ph.HE

On the lensed blazar B0218+357

We present an optical spectrum (4000-10500 {\AA} ) of the lensed blazar B0218+357 secured at the 10m GTC and aimed to investigate and clarify the properties of this intriguing system. We found that the emission line spectrum of the blazar is characterised by only one broad emission line that interpreted as Mg II 2800 {\AA} yields z=0.95. In addition we detect narrow absorption lines of Mg II 2800 {\AA} and Ca II (H,K) and Na I 5892 {\AA} at z=0.68437 +/- 0.00005 due to intervening interstellar gas. No stellar absorption features attributable to the lens galaxy are revealed. Thus the assumed redshift of the lens is dubious. The continuum spectrum of the object exhibits a remarkable drop towards the short wavelengths likely due to a significant extinction. This extinction cannot be produced in the lens galaxy at z =0.684 with any value of R$_V$ under the assumption that the intrinsic shape of the blazar is dominated by a power law emission. However, the observed continuum is consistent with a power law emission assuming a standard (R$_V$ = 3.1) extinction at the source redshift (z=0.95) as supported also by the presence of Mg II absorptions at the same redshift. HST images of B0218+357 exhibit the double image of the source together with extended image of a face on spiral galaxy. We argue that this galaxy is possibly not the lensing galaxy but the host galaxy of the blazar. This has substantial consequences on the models of the system and on the derived values of the Hubble constant.

astro-ph.GA

MONDian dynamical modeling of NGC 288 with $\beta \neq 0$

NGC 288 is a diffuse Galactic globular cluster, it is remarkable in that its low density results in internal accelerations being below the critical MOND $a_{0}$ acceleration throughout. This makes it an ideal testing ground for MONDian gravity, as the details of the largely unknown transition function between the Newtonian and modified regimes become unimportant. Further, exact analytical solutions exist for isothermal spherical equilibrium structures in MOND, allowing for arbitrary values of the anisotropy parameter, $\beta$. In this paper we use observations of the velocity dispersion profile of NGC 288, which is in fact isothermal, as dynamical constraints on MONDian models for this cluster, where the remaining free parameters are adjusted to fit the observed surface brightness profile. We find the optimal fit requires $\beta =0$, an isotropic solution with a total mass of $3.5 \pm 1.1 \times 10^{4} M_{\odot}$.

astro-ph.GA

The circum-galactic medium of quasars: CIV absorption systems

We investigate the properties of the circumgalactic gas in the halo of quasar host galaxies from CIV absorption line systems. Optical spectroscopy of closely aligned pairs of quasars (projected distance \leq 200 kpc) obtained at the Gran Telescopio Canarias is used to investigate the distribution of the absorbing gas for a sample of 18 quasars at z \sim 2. We found that the detected absorption systems of EW \geq 0.3Ang associated with the foreground QSO are revealed up to 200 kpc from the center of the host galaxy. The structure of the absorbing gas is rather patchy with a covering fraction of the gas that quickly decreases beyond 100 kpc. These results are in qualitative agreement with those found for the lower ionisation metal Mg II 2800 Ang.

astro-ph.GA

What is the redshift of the gamma- ray BL Lac source S4 0954+65?

High signal-to-noise ratio spectroscopic observations of the BL Lac object S4 0954+65 at the alleged redshift z = 0.367 are presented. This source was detected at gamma frequencies by MAGIC (TeV) and FERMI (GeV) telescopes during a remarkable outburst that occurred in February 2015, making the determination of its distance particularly relevant for our understanding of the properties of the Extragalactic Background Light. Contrary to previous reports on the redshift, we found that the optical spectrum is featureless at an equivalent width limit of \sim 0.1 Ang. A critical analysis of the existing observations indicates that the redshift is still unknown. Based on the new data we estimate a lower limit to the redshift at z \geq 0.45.

astro-ph.CO

The extent of the MgII absorbing circum-galactic medium of quasars

We investigate the extent and the properties of the MgII cool, low-density absorbing gas located in the halo and in the circum-galactic environment of quasars, using a sample of 31 projected quasar pairs with impact parameter pd<200kpc in the redshift range 0.5 0.3Ang. ranges from fc~1.0 at pd<65kpc to fc~0.2 at pd>150kpc, and appears to be higher than for galaxies. Our findings support a scenario where the luminosity/mass of the host galaxies affect the extent and the richness of the absorbing MgII circum-galactic medium.

astro-ph.CO

Reclassification of the nearest quasar pair candidate: SDSS J15244+3032 - RXS J15244+3032

We present optical spectroscopy of the nearest quasar pair listed in the 13th edition of the Veron-Cetty & Veron catalogue, i.e. the two quasars SDSS J15244+3032 and RXS J15244+3032 (redshift z~0.27, angular separation ~7 arcsec, and line-of-sight velocity difference ~1900 km/s). This system would be an optimal candidate to investigate the mutual interaction of the host galaxies with ground based optical imaging and spectroscopy. However, new optical data demonstrate that RXS J15244+3032 is indeed a star of spectral type G. This paper includes data gathered with the Asiago 1.82m telescope (Cima Ekar Observatory, Asiago, Italy).

astro-ph.CO

Testing Newtonian gravity with distant globular clusters: NGC1851 and NGC1904

Globular clusters are useful to test the validity of Newtonian dynamics in the low acceleration regime typical of galaxies, without the complications of non-baryonic dark matter. Specifically, in absence of disturbing effects, e.g. tidal heating, their velocity dispersion is expected to vanish at large radii. If such behaviour is not observed, and in particular if, as observed in elliptical galaxies, the dispersion is found constant at large radii below a certain threshold acceleration, this might indicate a break down of Newtonian dynamics. To minimise the effects of tidal heating in this paper we study the velocity dispersion profile of two distant globular clusters, NGC 1851 and NGC 1904. The velocity dispersion profile is derived from accurate radial velocities measurements, obtained at the ESO 8m VLT telescope. Reliable data for 184 and 146 bona fide cluster star members, respectively for NGC 1851 and NGC 1904, were obtained. These data allow to trace the velocity dispersion profile up to ~2r0, where r0 is the radius at which the cluster internal acceleration of gravity is a0 = 10e-8 cm/s/s. It is found that in both clusters the velocity dispersion becomes constant beyond ~r0. These new results are fully in agreement with those found for other five globular clusters previously investigated as part of this project. Taken all together, these 7 clusters support the claim that the velocity dispersion is constant beyond r0, irrespectively of the specific physical properties of the clusters: mass, size, dynamical history, and distance from the Milky Way. The strong similarly with the constant velocity dispersion observed in elliptical galaxies beyond r0 is suggestive of a common origin for this phenomenon in the two class of objects, and might indicate a breakdown of Newtonian dynamics below a0.

astro-ph.GA

The quasar M_bh - M_host relation through Cosmic Time I - Dataset and black hole masses

We study the M_bh - M_host relation as a function of Cosmic Time in a sample of 96 quasars from z=3 to the present epoch. In this paper we describe the sample, the data sources and the new spectroscopic observations. We then illustrate how we derive M_bh from single-epoch spectra, pointing out the uncertainties in the procedure. In a companion paper, we address the dependence of the ratio between the black hole mass and the host galaxy luminosity and mass on Cosmic Time.

astro-ph.CO

The quasar M_bh - M_host relation through Cosmic Time II - Evidence for evolution from z=3 to the present age

We study the dependence of the M_bh - M_host relation on the redshift up to z=3 for a sample of 96 quasars the host galaxy luminosities of which are known. Black hole masses were estimated assuming virial equilibrium in the broad line regions (Paper I), while the host galaxy masses were inferred from their luminosities. With this data we are able to pin down the redshift dependence of the M_bh - M_host relation along 85 per cent of the Universe age. We show that, in the sampled redshift range, the M_bh - L_host relation remains nearly unchanged. Once we take into account the aging of the stellar population, we find that the M_bh / M_host ratio (Gamma) increases by a factor ~7 from z=0 to z=3. We show that Gamma evolves with z regardless of the radio loudness and of the quasar luminosity. We propose that most massive black holes, living their quasar phase at high-redshift, become extremely rare objects in host galaxies of similar mass in the Local Universe.

astro-ph.CO

The properties of quasar hosts at the peak of the quasar activity

We present near-infrared imaging obtained with ESO VLT/ISAAC of a sample of 16 low luminosity radio-quiet quasars at the epoch around the peak of the quasar activity (2 < z < 3), aimed at investigating their host galaxies. For 11 quasars, we are able to detect the host galaxies and derive their properties, while for the other five quasars, upper limits to the host luminosity are estimated. The luminosities of the host galaxies of radio-quiet quasars at high redshift are in the range of those of massive inactive elliptical galaxies. This work complements our previous systematic study of quasar hosts aimed to trace the cosmological luminosity evolution of the host galaxies up to z ~2 and extends our pilot study of a few luminous quasars at z > 2. The luminosity trend with cosmic epoch resembles that observed for massive inactive galaxies, suggesting a similar star formation history. In particular, both quasar host galaxies and massive inactive galaxies appear mostly assembled already at the peak age of the quasar activity. This result is of key importance for testing the models of joint formation and evolution of galaxies and their active nuclei.

astro-ph.CO

Re-classification of the alleged quasar Q0045-3337

We present a medium-resolution optical spectrum of the alleged high-redshift quasar Q0045-3337, taken at the ESO/3.6m telescope. Our observations show that the object is not a quasar but a star of spectral type B. We suggest that the object is either a white dwarf or a halo population Blue Horizontal Branch star.

astro-ph

Near-infrared adaptive optics imaging of high redshift quasars

The properties of high redshift quasar host galaxies are studied, in order to investigate the connection between galaxy evolution, nuclear activity, and the formation of supermassive black holes. We combine new near-infrared observations of three high redshift quasars (2 < z < 3), obtained at the ESO Very Large Telescope equipped with adaptive optics, with selected data from the literature. For the three new objects we were able to detect and characterize the properties of the host galaxy, found to be consistent with those of massive elliptical galaxies of M(R) ~ -24.7 for the one radio loud quasar, and M(R) ~ -23.8 for the two radio quiet quasars. When combined with existing data at lower redshift, these new observations depict a scenario where the host galaxies of radio loud quasars are seen to follow the expected trend of luminous (~5L*) elliptical galaxies undergoing passive evolution. This trend is remarkably similar to that followed by radio galaxies at z > 1.5. Radio quiet quasars hosts also follow a similar trend but at a lower average luminosity (~0.5 mag dimmer). The data indicate that quasar host galaxies are already fully formed at epochs as early as ~2 Gyr after the Big Bang and then passively fade in luminosity to the present epoch.

astro-ph

ESO-VLT optical spectroscopy of BL Lac objects: II. New redshifts, featureless objects and classification assessments

We report on ESO Very Large Telescope optical spectroscopy of 42 BL Lacertae objects of unknown redshift. Nuclear emission lines were observed in 12 objects, while for another six we detected absorption features due to their host galaxy. The new high S/N spectra therefore allow us to measure the redshift of 18 sources. Five of the observed objects were reclassified either as stars or quasars, and one is of uncertain nature. For the remaining 18 the optical spectra appear without intrinsic features in spite of our ability to measure rather faint (EW nearly 0.1 Angstrom) spectral lines. For the latter sources a lower limit to the redshift was set exploiting the very fact that the absorption lines of the host galaxy are undetected on the observed spectra.

astro-ph