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Wallace L. W. Sargent

Publications and source records attributed to Wallace L. W. Sargent.

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arXiv1997

The Metallicity and Dust Content of HVC 287.5+22.5+240: Evidence for a Magellanic Clouds Origin

We estimate the abundances of S and Fe in the high velocity cloud HVC 287.5+22.5+240, which has a velocity of +240 km/s with respect to the local standard of rest and is in the Galactic direction l~287, b~23. The measurements are based on UV absorption lines of these elements in the Hubble Space Telescope spectrum of NGC 3783, a background Seyfert galaxy, as well as new H I 21-cm interferometric data taken with the Australia Telescope. We find S/H=0.25+/-0.07 and Fe/H=0.033+/-0.006 solar, with S/Fe=7.6+/-2.2 times the solar ratio. The S/H value provides an accurate measure of the chemical enrichment level in the HVC, while the super-solar S/Fe ratio clearly indicates the presence of dust, which depletes the gas-phase abundance of Fe. The metallicity and depletion information obtained here, coupled with the velocity and the position of the HVC in the sky, strongly suggest that the HVC originated from the Magellanic Clouds. It is likely (though not necessary) that the same process(es) that generated the Magellanic Stream is also responsible for HVC 287.5+22.5+240.

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arXiv1997

Temporal Changes in Quasar Broad Emission Line Profiles and the Gravitationally Lensed Nature of Q1634+267A,B and Q2345+007A,B

(abridged) Steidel & Sargent (1991a) found that the spectra of the components of the close quasar pairs Q1634+267A,B and Q2345+007A,B were in each case remarkably similar but that individual broad emission lines due to Ly_alpha, Si IV, C IV, and C III] exhibited differences in profile or equivalent width between the A and B components. If the A and B components of these objects result from gravitational lensing of a single QSO, the difference in light travel time for the two images is roughly 1 year for both pairs. Accordingly, the authors suggested that observations of the spectra of single QSOs would reveal similar changes in emission line profiles and equivalent widths on a time scale of a year or less. In order to test Steidel & Sargent's hypothesis, we obtained in 1992 high quality spectra of 30 quasars with z(em) ~ 1 selected from the brighter QSOs in the sample of Steidel & Sargent (1991b), which those authors had observed in 1989-90. We find that the spectra from the two epochs are remarkably similar for all QSOs, except for overall changes in fluxes and minor differences in continuum shape which are probably artifacts introduced by the observing procedures. However, there are also changes in the equivalent widths or shapes of the stronger emission lines on rest-frame time scales of 1-1.5 years in about two thirds of the QSOs. These observations, therefore, support the notion that the spectra of the components in lensed QSOs need not be exactly identical. Moreover, it should be expected that any differences between the components in such systems should change with time.

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arXiv1997

The Norris Survey of the Corona Borealis Supercluster: III. Structure and Mass of the Supercluster

(Abridged) We present a study of the structure and dynamics of the Corona Borealis Supercluster (z ~ 0.07) based on the redshifts for 528 galaxies in the supercluster. The galaxy distribution within Corona Borealis is clumpy and appears overall to be far from relaxed. A background supercluster at z ~ 0.11 makes a substantial contribution to the projected surface density of galaxies in the Corona Borealis field. In order to estimate the mass of the supercluster, we have assumed that the mass of the supercluster is proportional to v^2r, where v and r are suitable scale velocity and radius, respectively, and we have used N-body simulations of both critical- and low-density universes to determine the applicability of standard mass estimators based on this assumption. Although superclusters are obviously not in equilibrium, our simulations demonstrate that the virial mass estimator yields mass estimates with an insignificant bias and a dispersion of only ~25% for objects with overdensities >~ 5. Non-uniform spatial sampling can, however, cause systematic underestimates by as much as 30%. All of our simulated superclusters turn out to be bound, and based on the overdensity of the Corona Borealis supercluster, we believe it is also very likely to be bound and may well have started to collapse. The mass of Corona Borealis is at least 3 x 10^16 solar masses, which yields a B(AB)-band mass-to-light ratio of 564h (M/L)_solar on scales of ~20 h^-1 Mpc. The background supercluster has a mass-to-light ratio of 726h (M/L)_solar. By comparing the supercluster mass-to-light ratios with the critical mass-to-light ratio required to close the universe, we determine that Omega_0 >~ 0.4 on supercluster scales.

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arXiv1997

The Norris Survey of the Corona Borealis Supercluster: II. Galaxy Evolution with Redshift and Environment

We measure the field galaxy luminosity function (LF) as a function of color and redshift from z = 0 to z = 0.5 using galaxies from the Norris Survey of the Corona Borealis Supercluster. We find that our local r-band LF, when normalized to counts in high galactic latitude fields, agrees well with the local LF measured in the Las Campanas Redshift Survey. Our B-band local LF, however, does not match the B-band LF from the Stromlo/APM survey, having a normalization 1.6 times higher. We see compelling evidence that B-band field galaxy LF evolves with redshift. The evolution is strongest for the population of star-forming galaxies with [OII]3727 rest-frame equivalent widths greater than 10A. The population of red, quiescent galaxies shows no sign of evolution to z = 0.5. The evolution of the LF which we observe is consistent with the findings of other faint galaxy redshift surveys. The fraction of galaxies with [OII] emission increases rapidly with redshift, but the fraction of galaxies with strong Hdelta 4101 absorption, a signature of a burst of star formation, does not. We thus conclude that the star formation in distant galaxies is primarily long-lived. We also compute the LFs of the Corona Borealis supercluster and the A2069 supercluster. The shapes of the two supercluster LFs are broadly similar to the shape of the local LF. However, there are important differences. Both supercluster LFs have an excess of very bright galaxies. In addition, there is a suggestion of an upturn in the LF for galaxies fainter than M(B) = -17 mag. (Abridged from the abstract in the paper.)

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arXiv1997

A Search for "Dwarf" Seyfert Nuclei. V. Demographics of Nuclear Activity in Nearby Galaxies

We use the sample of emission-line nuclei derived from a recently completed optical spectroscopic survey of nearby galaxies to quantify the incidence of local (z = 0) nuclear activity. Consistent with previous studies, we find detectable amounts of ionized gas in the central few hundred parsecs of most (86%) galaxies. Half of the objects can be classified as H II or star-forming nuclei and the other half as some form of AGN, of which we distinguish three classes --- Seyfert nuclei, LINERs, and transition objects. The population of AGNs consequently is very large; approximately 43% of the galaxies in our survey can be regarded as "active." Most of the objects have much lower luminosities than AGNs commonly studied; the median luminosity of the narrow H-alpha line, after correcting for extinction, is only 2 x 10^39 erg/s. Our sample therefore occupies the extreme faint end of the AGN luminosity function. We detect signatures of a broad-line region, as revealed by visible broad H-alpha emission, in $\sim$ 20% of the AGN sample. Seyfert nuclei, both type 1 and type 2, reside in $\sim$ 10% of all galaxies. LINERs make up the bulk (1/2--3/4) of the AGN population and a significant fraction (1/5--1/3) of all galaxies. A nonnegligible subset of LINERs emit broad H-alpha emission, furnishing direct evidence that at least some LINERs are indeed related physically to the AGN phenomenon. The dominant ionization mechanism of the nuclear emission depends strongly on the morphological type and luminosity of the host galaxy. AGNs are found predominantly in luminous, early-type (E to Sbc) galaxies, while H II nuclei prefer less luminous, late-type (Sbc and later) systems. The various AGN subclasses have broadly similar host galaxies.

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arXiv1997

Properties of H II Regions in the Centers of Nearby Galaxies

As part of an optical spectroscopic survey of nearby, bright galaxies, we have identified a sample of over 200 emission-line nuclei having optical spectra resembling those of giant extragalactic H II regions. Such "H II nuclei," powered by young, massive stars, are found in a substantial fraction of nearby galaxies, especially those of late Hubble type. This paper summarizes the observational characteristics of H II nuclei, contrasts the variation of their properties with Hubble type, and compares the nuclear H II regions with those found in galaxy disks. Similarities and differences between H II nuclei and luminous starburst nuclei are additionally noted.

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arXiv1997

The Influence of Bars on Nuclear Activity

We test ideas on fueling of galactic nuclei by bar-driven inflow by comparing the detection rate and intensity of nuclear H II regions and AGNs among barred and unbarred galaxies in a sample of over 300 spirals selected from our recent optical spectroscopic survey of nearby galaxies. Among late-type spirals (Sc-Sm), but not early-type (S0/a-Sbc), we observe in the barred group a very marginal increase in the detection rate of H II nuclei and a corresponding decrease in the incidence of AGNs. The minor differences in the detection rates, however, are statistically insignificant, most likely stemming from selection effects and not from a genuine influence from the bar. The presence of a bar seems to have no noticeable impact on the likelihood of a galaxy to host either nuclear star formation or an AGN. The nuclei of early-type barred spirals do exhibit measurably higher star-formation rates than their unbarred counterparts, as indicated by either the luminosity or the equivalent width of H-alpha emission. By contrast, late-type spirals do not show such an effect. Bars have a negligible effect on the strength of the AGNs in our sample, regardless of the Hubble type of the host galaxy. This result confirms similar conclusions reached by other studies based on much smaller samples.

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arXiv1997

A Search for "Dwarf" Seyfert Nuclei. III. Spectroscopic Parameters and Properties of the Host Galaxies

We have completed an optical spectroscopic survey of the nuclear regions (r < 200 pc) of a large sample of nearby galaxies. Although the main objectives of the survey are to search for low-luminosity active galactic nuclei and to quantify their luminosity function, the database can be used for a variety of other purposes. This paper presents measurements of the spectroscopic parameters for the 418 emission-line nuclei, along with a compilation of the global properties of all 486 galaxies in the survey. Stellar absorption generally poses a serious obstacle to obtaining accurate measurement of emission lines in nearby galactic nuclei. We describe a procedure for removing the starlight from the observed spectra in an efficient and objective manner. The main parameters of the emission lines (intensity ratios, fluxes, profile widths, equivalent widths) are measured and tabulated, as are several stellar absorption-line and continuum indices useful for studying the stellar population. Using standard nebular diagnostics, we determine the probable ionization mechanisms of the emission-line objects. The resulting spectral classifications provide extensive information on the demographics of emission-line nuclei in the local universe. This new catalog contains over 200 objects showing spectroscopic evidence for recent star formation and an equally large number of active galactic nuclei, including 46 which show broad H-alpha emission. These samples will serve as the basis of future studies of nuclear activity in nearby galaxies.

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arXiv1997

A Search for "Dwarf" Seyfert Nuclei. IV. Nuclei with Broad H-alpha Emission

We present the results of an optical spectroscopic survey designed to search for low-luminosity, "dwarf" Seyfert nuclei in a magnitude-limited sample of 486 bright, northern galaxies. Moderate-resolution spectra of exceptionally high quality were obtained in part to detect broad H-alpha emission, similar in character to, but much weaker than, the broad permitted lines that define type 1 Seyfert nuclei. One of the primary goals of the survey is to better quantify the faint end of the luminosity function of active galactic nuclei. This paper describes the subset of nuclei showing definite or probable evidence of broad H-alpha emission. We outline the procedures for determining the presence of this elusive spectral feature, steps for its quantitative measurement, and the associated systematic errors. Of the 211 emission-line galaxies classified as having Seyfert or LINER nuclei in our survey, the broad H-alpha line was detected with confidence in 34 objects, and with less certainty in another 12. Most of the detections are reported for the first time, and the detection rate represents a lower limit to the true incidence of active nuclei harboring a broad emission-line region. These statistics imply that broad-lined active nuclei are much more common than previously believed: they exist in at least 20% of all galaxies spectroscopically classified as "active" and in more than 10% of all luminous galaxies at the current epoch.

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arXiv1997

Initial Chemical Enrichment in Galaxies

We present evidence that damped Lyman-alpha galaxies detected in spectra of quasars may not have started forming stars until the redshift z~3. If damped Lyman-alpha absorbers are the progenitors of disk galaxies, then the above result may indicate that star formation in galactic disks first began at z~3.

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arXiv1997

Evidence for Rotation in the Galaxy at z=3.15 Responsible for a Damped Lyman-alpha Absorption System in the Spectrum of Q2233+1310

Proof of the existence of a significant population of normal disk galaxies at redshift z>2 would have profound implications for theories of structure formation and evolution. We present evidence based on Keck HIRES observations that the damped Lyman-alpha absorber at z=3.15 toward the quasar Q2233+1310 may well be such an example. Djorgovski et al have recently detected the Lyman-alpha emission from the absorber, which we assume is at the systemic redshift of the absorbing galaxy. By examining the profiles of the metal absorption lines arising from the absorbing galaxy in relation to its systemic redshift, we find strong kinematical evidence for rotation. Therefore the absorber is likely to be a disk galaxy. The inferred circular velocity for the galaxy is >200 km/s. With a separation of ~17 kpc between the galaxy and the quasar sightline, the implied dynamic mass for the galaxy is >1.6x10(11) solar mass. The metallicity of the galaxy is found to be [Fe/H]=-1.4, typical of damped Lyman-alpha galaxies at such redshifts. However, in another damped galactic rotation is evident. In the latter case, the damped Lyman-alpha absorber occurs near the background quasar in redshift so its properties may be influenced by the background quasar. These represent the only two cases at present for which the technique used here may be applied. Future applications of the same technique to a large sample of damped Lyman-alpha galaxies may allow us to determine if a significant population of disk galaxies already existed only a few billion years after the Big Bang.

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arXiv1996

The Lyman-alpha Forest at z~4: Keck HIRES Observations of Q 0000-26

This paper describes a study of the Lyman-alpha forest absorption clouds along the quasar sightline Q0000-26 (zem=4.1). The spectrum was obtained with the High Resolution Spectrometer on the 10m Keck telescope. We derive accurate H I column density and Doppler width distributions for the clouds from Voigt profile fitting. We also analyze simulated Lyman-alpha forest spectra of matching characteristics in order to gauge the effects of line blending/blanketing and noise in the data. The results are compared with similar studies at lower redshifts in order to study any possible evolution in the clouds' properties. We also estimate the mean intensity of the UV background at z=4 from an analysis of the proximity effect.

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arXiv1996

Low-Luminosity Seyfert Nuclei

We describe a new sample of Seyfert nuclei discovered during the course of an optical spectroscopic survey of nearby galaxies. The majority of the objects, many recognized for the first time, have luminosities much lower than those of classical Seyferts and populate the faint end of the AGN luminosity function. A significant fraction of the nuclei emit broad H-alpha emission qualitatively similar to the broad lines seen in classical Seyfert 1 nuclei and QSOs.

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arXiv1996

Abundances at High Redshifts: the Chemical Enrichment History of Damped Lyman-alpha Galaxies

Damped Lyman-alpha absorption systems found in the spectra of high redshift quasars are believed to trace the interstellar gas in high redshift galaxies. In this paper, we study the elemental abundances of C, N, O, Al, Si, S, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, and Zn in a sample of 14 damped Lyman-alpha systems using high quality echelle spectra of quasars obtained with the 10m Keck telescope. These abundances are combined with similar measurements in the literature in order to investigate the chemical evolution of damped Lyman-alpha galaxies in the redshift range 0.7<z<4.4. Among the things investigated are: the metallicity distribution of damped Lyman-alpha galaxy, its evolution with redshift (ie, age-metallicity relation), the relative abundance patterns of the heavy metals and implications for their nucleosynthetic origin, the effects of dust, the nature of the star formation process in damped Lyman-alpha galaxies, and the nature of damped Lyman-alpha galaxies themselves.

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