Galaxy formation and evolution

Abstract:

Combining observations of multiple CO lines with radiative transfer modelling is a verypowerful tool to investigate the physical properties of the molecular gas in galaxies. Usingnew observations and literature data, we provide the most complete CO ladders ever generatedfor eight star-forming regions in the spiral arms and inter-arms of the spiral galaxyNGC 6946, with observations of the CO(1-0), CO(2-1), CO(3-2), CO(4-3), CO(6-5),13CO(1-0) and 13CO(2-1) transitions. For each region, we use the large velocity gradientassumption to derive beam-averaged molecular gas physical properties, namely the gas kinetictemperature (TK), H2 number volume density (n(H2)) and CO number column density(N(CO)). Two complementary approaches are used to compare the observations with themodel predictions: x2 minimization and likelihood. The physical conditions derived varygreatly from one region to the next: TK = 10-250 K, n(H2) = 102.3-107.0 cm-3 and N(CO) =1015.0-1019.3 cm-2. The spectral line energy distribution (SLED) in some of these extranuclearregions indicate a star formation activity that is more intense than that at the centre of ourown Milky Way. The molecular gas in regions with a large SLED turnover transition (Jmax > 4) is hot but tenuous with a high CO column density, while that in regions with a low SLEDturnover transition (Jmax ≤ 4) is cold but dense with a low CO column density. We finallydiscuss and find some correlations between the physical properties of the molecular gas ineach region and the presence of young stellar population indicators (supernova remnants, HIIregions, HI holes, etc.). © 2013 The Authors.

Abstract:

With the first ELTs around the corner it is becoming ever more important to determine observational strategies and assess the prospective success of observing programs prior to making the observations. To this end, scientific simulations need to become more refined to understand the criteria required for a specific science case. We address the science simulations for HARMONI, an AO assisted first light integral field spectrograph (IFS) for the E-ELT. AO point spread functions (PSFs) vary markedly as a function of wavelength and type of AO system used, so there is need to create detailed PSFs across all IFS wavelength channels for accurate simulations. Detailed AO simulations have shown that for LTAO on the E-ELT, Strehl ratios can vary from 0.5% in V-band up to 75% in K-band. Using a single PSF for an entire datacube (especially with large instantaneous wavelength coverage) could introduce misleading features into simulated observations using HARMONI. We have developed a method to parameterise detailed PSFs using analytical models, which can then be interpolated as a function of wavelength. This allows us to create accurate, but computationally inexpensive, AO PSF datacubes for HARMONI simulations. This shall be developed to cover LTAO, SCAO and GLAO/no-AO PSFs.

Abstract:

In the lead-up to the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project, several next-generation radio telescopes and upgrades are already being built around the world. These include APERTIF (The Netherlands), ASKAP (Australia), e-MERLIN (UK), VLA (USA), e-EVN (based in Europe), LOFAR (The Netherlands), MeerKAT (South Africa), and the Murchison Widefield Array. Each of these new instruments has different strengths, and coordination of surveys between them can help maximise the science from each of them. A radio continuum survey is being planned on each of them with the primary science objective of understanding the formation and evolution of galaxies over cosmic time, and the cosmological parameters and large-scale structures which drive it. In pursuit of this objective, the different teams are developing a variety of new techniques, and refining existing ones. To achieve these exciting scientific goals, many technical challenges must be addressed by the survey instruments. Given the limited resources of the global radio-astronomical community, it is essential that we pool our skills and knowledge. We do not have sufficient resources to enjoy the luxury of re-inventing wheels. We face significant challenges in calibration, imaging, source extraction and measurement, classification and cross-identification, redshift determination, stacking, and data-intensive research. As these instruments extend the observational parameters, we will face further unexpected challenges in calibration, imaging, and interpretation. If we are to realise the full scientific potential of these expensive instruments, it is essential that we devote enough resources and careful study to understanding the instrumental effects and how they will affect the data. We have established an SKA Radio Continuum Survey working group, whose prime role is to maximise science from these instruments by ensuring we share resources and expertise across the projects. Here we describe these projects, their science goals, and the technical challenges which are being addressed to maximise the science return. © 2013 Astronomical Society of Australia.

Abstract:

Sub-millimetre observations of the William Herschel Deep Field (WHDF) using the Large Apex Bolometer Camera (LABOCA) revealed possible sub-mm counterparts for two X-rayabsorbed quasars. The primary aim here is to exploit ExpandedVery LargeArray (EVLA) radio continuum imaging at 8.4GHz to establish the absorbed quasars as radio/sub-mm sources. The main challenge in reducing the WHDF EVLA data was the presence of a strong 4C source at the field edge. A new calibration algorithm was applied to the data to model and subtract this source. The resulting thermal noise limited radiomap covers a sky area which includes the 16× 16arcmin2 Extended WHDF. It contains 41 radio sources above the 4σ detection threshold, 17 of which have primary beam corrected flux densities. The radio observations show that the two absorbed active galactic nuclei (AGN) with LABOCA detections are also coincident with radio sources, confirming the tendency for X-ray-absorbed AGN to be sub-mm bright. These two sources also show strong ultraviolet excess (UVX) which suggest that the nuclear sightline is gas absorbed but not dust absorbed. Of the three remaining LABOCA sources within the ≈5arcmin half-power diameter of the EVLA primary beam, one is identified with a faint nuclear X-ray/radio source in a nearby galaxy, one with a faint radio source and the other is unidentified in any other band. More generally, differential radio source counts calculated from the beam-corrected data are in good agreement with previous observations, showing atS < 50μJy a significant excess over a pure AGN model. In the full area, of 10 sources fainter than this limit, six have optical counterparts of which three are UVX (i.e. likely quasars) including the two absorbed quasar LABOCA sources. The other faint radio counterparts are not UVX but are only slightly less blue and likely to be star-forming/merging galaxies, predominantly at lower luminosities and redshifts. The four faint, optically unidentified radio sources may be either dust-obscured quasars or galaxies. These high-redshift obscured AGN and lower redshift star-forming populations are thus the main candidates to explain the observed excess in the faint source counts and hence also the excess radio background found previously by the Absolute Radiometer for Cosmology, Astrophysics and Diffuse Emission (ARCADE2) experiment. © 2012 The Authors Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Royal Astronomical Society.