arXiv subjects

S. L. Lumsden

Publications and source records attributed to S. L. Lumsden.

76 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

arXiv1997

Strict Limits on the Ionizing Luminosity in NGC 1068 from Jet-axis Molecular Clouds

The radio jet axis of NGC 1068 is characterised by energetic activity from x-ray to radio wavelengths. Detailed kinematic and polarization studies have shown that this activity is confined to bipolar cones centered on the AGN which intersect the plane of the disk. Thus, molecular clouds at 1 kpc distance along this axis are an important probe of the nuclear ionizing luminosity and spectrum. Extended MIR emission coincident with the clouds is reasonably understood by dust heated to high temperatures by the nuclear radiation field. This model predicts that the nuclear spectrum is quasar-like (power law + blue excess) with a luminosity 2-5 times higher than inferred by Pier et al. Consequently, there is little or no polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) emission associated with the radio-axis molecular clouds. We review this model in the light of new observations. A multi-waveband collage is included to illustrate the possible orientations of the double cones to our line of sight and the galaxian plane.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1997

The Edinburgh-Durham Southern Galaxy Catalogue - VIII: The Cluster Galaxy Luminosity Function

We have re-examined the nature of the cluster galaxy luminosity function using the data from the Edinburgh-Durham Southern Galaxy Catalogue and the Edinburgh-Milano Redshift Survey. We derive a best fit luminosity function over the range M(bj)=-18 to -21, for a composite sample of 22 of the richer clusters that has M*=-20.16+/-0.02 and alpha=-1.22+/-0.04. The dominant error in these values results from the choice of background subtraction method. From extensive simulations we can show that when the LF is fitted over this narrow range, it is difficult to discriminate against bright values of M*in the single cluster fits, but that faint values provide a strong test of the universality of the luminosity function. We find that all the individual cluster data are well fit by a Schechter function with alpha fixed at -1.25, and that <=10% of these have fitted values of M* that disagree from the average at the 99% confidence level. We further show that fitting only a single parameter Schechter function to composite subsets of the data can give erroneous results for the derived M*. By considering two parameter fits, the results of Monte-Carlo simulations and direct two-sample chi-squared tests we conclude that there is only weak evidence for differences between the data when broken down into subsets based on physical properties (Bautz-Morgan class, richness, velocity dispersion): from our simulations, only the evidence for a difference between subsets based on velocity dispersion may in fact be significant. We find no evidence at all that a Schechter function is not a good model for the intrinsic cluster luminosity function over this absolute magnitude range. Models that invoke strong evolution of galaxy luminosity of all galaxies within clusters are inconsistent with our results.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1995

Forbidden Fe+ Emission from Supernovae Remnants in M33

Supernovae remnants are known to be luminous sources of infrared [FeII] emission. By studying how the luminosity scales with age, environment and other relevant factors, we can construct an [FeII] luminosity function for supernovae remnants. This will enable us to predict supernovae rates in starburst galaxies that are too distant for individual remnants to be resolved. First, however, we require accurate luminosities for a sample of remnants of varying ages, and in varying physical environments. As part of this project we have carried out an initial study of a small sample of evolved (ages greater than a few thousand years) remnants in M33. From these data we tentatively conclude that there is evidence for the peak luminosity in the [FeII] lines of these sources to arise in a narrow range of ages. In other respects, the M33 remnants are similar to their galactic and Magellanic Cloud counterparts in the observed peak luminosity. From this, and internal evidence as to the environment present in these regions, we conclude that the luminosity of evolved remnants is only marginally dependent on density and metallicity.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1995

The EDSGC - VII: The Edinburgh-Milano Cluster Redshift Survey

We present the redshifts of the galaxies and galaxy clusters which form the Edinburgh--Milano (EM) cluster redshift survey. A total of 777 galaxy redshifts have been measured in 94 clusters extracted from the digitised Edinburgh Durham Cluster Catalogue. We also present the radial velocity dispersions for 37 clusters. Observational and data reduction techniques are discussed in detail, together with the strategy adopted to determine the mean redshift of a cluster and to identify and discard plausible phantom clusters. Some 10% of our clusters show heavy contamination, indicating that projection is a serious problem for optically selected rich clusters. The median velocity dispersion estimated for a sub--sample of richness R \geq 1 clusters is 742 \pm63 km/sec From a simple comparison with Omega=1 Cold Dark Matter models of structure formation, these results favour a biasing parameter b=1.6-2.0 and are inconsistent with a bias outside of the range b=1.3-2.5.

astro-ph↗