arXiv subjects

Robert J. Brunner

Publications and source records attributed to Robert J. Brunner.

67 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

arXiv2003

Peculiar Broad Absorption Line Quasars found in DPOSS

With the recent release of large (i.e., > hundred million objects), well-calibrated photometric surveys, such as DPOSS, 2MASS, and SDSS, spectroscopic identification of important targets is no longer a simple issue. In order to enhance the returns from a spectroscopic survey, candidate sources are often preferentially selected to be of interest, such as brown dwarfs or high redshift quasars. This approach, while useful for targeted projects, risks missing new or unusual species. We have, as a result, taken the alternative path of spectroscopically identifying interesting sources with the sole criterion being that they are in low density areas of the g - r and r - i color-space defined by the DPOSS survey. In this paper, we present three peculiar broad absorption line quasars that were discovered during this spectroscopic survey, demonstrating the efficacy of this approach. PSS J0052+2405 is an Iron LoBAL quasar at a redshift z = 2.4512 with very broad absorption from many species. PSS J0141+3334 is a reddened LoBAL quasar at z = 3.005 with no obvious emission lines. PSS J1537+1227 is a Iron LoBAL at a redshift of z = 1.212 with strong narrow Mgii and Feii emission. Follow-up high resolution spectroscopy of these three quasars promises to improve our understanding of BAL quasars. The sensitivity of particular parameter spaces, in this case a two-color space, to the redshift of these three sources is dramatic, raising questions about traditional techniques of defining quasar populations for statistical analysis.

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arXiv2001

Detecting Clusters of Galaxies in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey I : Monte Carlo Comparison of Cluster Detection Algorithms

We present a comparison of three cluster finding algorithms from imaging data using Monte Carlo simulations of clusters embedded in a 25 deg^2 region of Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) imaging data: the Matched Filter (MF; Postman et al. 1996), the Adaptive Matched Filter (AMF; Kepner et al. 1999) and a color-magnitude filtered Voronoi Tessellation Technique (VTT). Among the two matched filters, we find that the MF is more efficient in detecting faint clusters, whereas the AMF evaluates the redshifts and richnesses more accurately, therefore suggesting a hybrid method (HMF) that combines the two. The HMF outperforms the VTT when using a background that is uniform, but it is more sensitive to the presence of a non-uniform galaxy background than is the VTT; this is due to the assumption of a uniform background in the HMF model. We thus find that for the detection thresholds we determine to be appropriate for the SDSS data, the performance of both algorithms are similar; we present the selection function for each method evaluated with these thresholds as a function of redshift and richness. For simulated clusters generated with a Schechter luminosity function (M_r^* = -21.5 and alpha = -1.1) both algorithms are complete for Abell richness >= 1 clusters up to z ~ 0.4 for a sample magnitude limited to r = 21. While the cluster parameter evaluation shows a mild correlation with the local background density, the detection efficiency is not significantly affected by the background fluctuations, unlike previous shallower surveys.

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arXiv2001

The National Virtual Observatory

As a scientific discipline, Astronomy is rather unique. We only have one laboratory, the Universe, and we cannot, of course, change the initial conditions and study the resulting effects. On top of this, acquiring Astronomical data has historically been a very labor-intensive effort. As a result, data has traditionally been preserved for posterity. With recent technological advances, however, the rate at which we acquire new data has grown exponentially, which has generated a Data Tsunami, whose wave train threatens to overwhelm the field. In this conference proceedings, we present and define the concept of virtual observatories, which we feel is the only logical answer to this dilemma.

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arXiv2001

Panchromatic Mining for Quasars: An NVO Keystone Science Application

A data Tsunami is overwhelming Astronomy. This wave is affecting all aspects of our field, revolutionizing not just the type of scientific questions being asked, but the very nature of how the answers are uncovered. In this invited proceeding, we will address a particular scientific application - Panchromatic Mining for Quasars - of the forthcoming virtual observatories, which have arisen in an effort to control the effects of the data Tsunami. This project, in addition to serving as an important scientific driver for virtual observatory technologies, is designed to a) characterize the multi-wavelength nature of known active galaxies and quasars, especially in relation to their local environment, in order to b) quantify the clustering of these known systems in the multidimensional parameter space formed by their observables, so that new, and potentially unknown types of systems can be optimally targeted.

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arXiv2001

Massive Datasets in Astronomy

Astronomy has a long history of acquiring, systematizing, and interpreting large quantities of data. Starting from the earliest sky atlases through the first major photographic sky surveys of the 20th century, this tradition is continuing today, and at an ever increasing rate. Like many other fields, astronomy has become a very data-rich science, driven by the advances in telescope, detector, and computer technology. Numerous large digital sky surveys and archives already exist, with information content measured in multiple Terabytes, and even larger, multi-Petabyte data sets are on the horizon. Systematic observations of the sky, over a range of wavelengths, are becoming the primary source of astronomical data. Numerical simulations are also producing comparable volumes of information. Data mining promises to both make the scientific utilization of these data sets more effective and more complete, and to open completely new avenues of astronomical research. Technological problems range from the issues of database design and federation, to data mining and advanced visualization, leading to a new toolkit for astronomical research. This is similar to challenges encountered in other data-intensive fields today. These advances are now being organized through a concept of the Virtual Observatories, federations of data archives and services representing a new information infrastructure for astronomy of the 21st century. In this article, we provide an overview of some of the major datasets in astronomy, discuss different techniques used for archiving data, and conclude with a discussion of the future of massive datasets in astronomy.

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arXiv2000

Simulated Extragalactic Observations with a Cryogenic Imaging Spectrophotometer

In this paper we explore the application of cryogenic imaging spectrophotometers. Prototypes of this new class of detector, such as superconducting tunnel junctions (STJs) and transition edge sensors (TESs), currently deliver low resolution imaging spectrophotometry with high quantum efficiency (70-100%) and no read noise over a wide bandpass in the visible to near-infrared. In order to demonstrate their utility and the differences in observing strategy needed to maximize their scientific return, we present simulated observations of a deep extragalactic field. Using a simple analytic technique, we can estimate both the galaxy redshift and spectral type more accurately than is possible with current broadband techniques. From our simulated observations and a subsequent discussion of the expected migration path for this new technology, we illustrate the power and promise of these devices.

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arXiv2000

Digital Sky Surveys: Software Tools and Technologies

Large digital sky surveys, over a broad range of wavelengths, both from the ground and from space observatories, are becoming a major source of astronomical data. Some examples include the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) and the Digital Palomar Observatory Sky Survey (DPOSS) in the visible, the Two-Micron All-Sky Survey (2MASS) in the near-infrared, the NRAO VLA Sky Survey (NVSS) and the Faint Images of the Radio Sky at Twenty centimeters (FIRST) in the radio. Many others surveys are planned or expected, in addition to the previously named surveys. While most surveys are exclusively imaging, large-scale spectroscopic surveys also exist. In addition, a number of experiments with specific scientific goals, e.g., microlensing surveys for MACHOs, searches for near-Earth asteroids, are generating comparable data volumes. Typical sizes of resulting data sets (as of the late 1990's) are in the range of tens of Terabytes of digital information, with detections of many millions or even billions of sources, and several tens of parameters measured for each detected source. This vast amount of new information presents both a great scientific opportunity and a great technological challenge: how to process, and calibrate the raw data; how to store, combine, and access them using modern computing hardware and networks; and how to visualize, explore and analyses these great data sets quickly and efficiently.

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arXiv2000

Evolution in the Clustering of Galaxies for z < 1.0

Measuring the evolution in the clustering of galaxies over a large redshift range is a challenging problem. We have developed a new technique which uses photometric redshifts to measure the angular correlation function in redshift shells. This novel approach minimizes the galaxy projection effect inherent in standard angular correlation measurements, and allows for a measurement of the evolution in the galaxy correlation strength with redshift. In this paper, we present new results which utilize more accurate photometric redshifts, which are derived from a multi-band dataset (U,B,R, and I) covering almost two hundred square arcminutes to B_{AB} ~ 26.5, to quantify the evolution in the clustering of galaxies for z < 1. We also extend our technique to incorporate absolute magnitudes, which provides a simultaneous measurement of the evolution of clustering with both redshift and intrinsic luminosity. Specifically, we find a gradual decline in the strength of clustering with redshift out to z ~ 1, as predicted by semi-analytic models of structure formation. Furthermore, we find that r_0(z=0) ~ 4.0 h^{-1} Mpc for the predictions of linear theory in an Omega_0 = 0.1 universe.

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arXiv2000

XID: Cross-Association of ROSAT/Bright Source Catalog X-ray Sources with USNO A2 Optical Point Sources

We quantitatively cross-associate the 18811 ROSAT Bright Source Catalog (RASS/BSC) X-ray sources with optical sources in the USNO-A2 catalog, calculating the the probability of unique association (Pid) between each candidate within 75 arcsec of the X-ray source position, on the basis of optical magnitude and proximity. We present catalogs of RASS/BSC sources for which the probability of association is >98%, >90%, and >50%, which contain 2705, 5492, and 11301 unique USNO-A2 optical counterparts respectively down to the stated level of significance. We include in this catalog a list of objects in the SIMBAD database within 10 arcsec of the USNO position, as an aid to identification and source classification. The catalog is more useful than previous catalogs which either rely on plausibility arguments for association, or do not aid in selecting a counterpart between multiple off-band sources in the field. We find that a fraction ~65.8% of RASS/BSC sources have an identifiable optical counterpart, down to the magnitude limit of the USNO catalog which could be identified by their spatial proximity and high optical brightness.

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arXiv2000

Tests of the Accelerating Universe with Near-Infrared Observations of a High-Redshift Type Ia Supernova

We have measured the rest-frame B,V, and I-band light curves of a high-redshift type Ia supernova (SN Ia), SN 1999Q (z=0.46), using HST and ground-based near-infrared detectors. A goal of this study is the measurement of the color excess, E_{B-I}, which is a sensitive indicator of interstellar or intergalactic dust which could affect recent cosmological measurements from high-redshift SNe Ia. Our observations disfavor a 30% opacity of SN Ia visual light by dust as an alternative to an accelerating Universe. This statement applies to both Galactic-type dust (rejected at the 3.4 sigma confidence level) and greyer dust (grain size > 0.1 microns; rejected at the 2.3 to 2.6 sigma confidence level) as proposed by Aguirre (1999). The rest-frame $I$-band light cur ve shows the secondary maximum a month after B maximum typical of nearby SNe Ia of normal luminosi ty, providing no indication of evolution as a function of redshift out to z~0.5. A n expanded set of similar observations could improve the constraints on any contribution of extragalactic dust to the dimming of high-redshift SNe Ia.

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arXiv1999

Evolution in the Clustering of Galaxies for Z < 1

Measuring the evolution in the clustering of galaxies over a large redshift range is a challenging problem. For a two-dimensional galaxy catalog, however, we can measure the galaxy-galaxy angular correlation function which provides information on the density distribution of galaxies. By utilizing photometric redshifts, we can measure the angular correlation function in redshift shells (Brunner 1997, Connolly et al. 1998) which minimizes the galaxy projection effect, and allows for a measurement of the evolution in the correlation strength with redshift. In this proceedings, we present some preliminary results which extend our previous work using more accurate photometric redshifts, and also incorporate absolute magnitudes, so that we can measure the evolution of clustering with either redshift or intrinsic luminosity.

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arXiv1998

A blind test of photometric redshift prediction

Results of a blind test of photometric redshift predictions against spectroscopic galaxy redshifts obtained in the Hubble Deep Field with the Keck Telescope are presented. The best photometric redshift schemes predict spectroscopic redshifts with a redshift accuracy of |Delta-z|<0.1 for more than 68 percent of sources and with |Delta-z|<0.3 for 100 percent, when single-feature spectroscopic redshifts are removed from consideration. This test shows that photometric redshift schemes work well at least when the photometric data are of high quality and when the sources are at moderate redshifts.

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arXiv1997

Towards More Precise Photometric Redshifts: Calibration Via CCD Photometry

We present the initial results from a deep, multi-band photometric survey of selected high Galactic latitude redshift fields. Previous work using the photographic data of Koo and Kron demonstrated that the distribution of galaxies in the multi-dimensional flux space U B R I is nearly planar. The position of a galaxy within this plane is determined by its redshift, luminosity and spectral type. Using recently acquired deep CCD photometry in existing, published redshift fields, we have redetermined the distribution of galaxies in this four-dimensional magnitude space. Furthermore, from our CCD photometry and the published redshifts, we have quantified the photometric-redshift relation within the standard AB magnitude system. This empirical relation has a measured dispersion of approximately 0.02 for z < 0.4. With this work we are reaching the asymptotic intrinsic dispersions that were predicted from simulated distributions of galaxy colors.

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