Engineering topics

Rigby, Jane R

Publications and source records attributed to Rigby, Jane R.

6 records

DOE OSTI2012

CONSTRAINTS ON THE LOW-MASS END OF THE MASS-METALLICITY RELATION AT z = 1-2 FROM LENSED GALAXIES

We present multi-wavelength imaging and near-IR spectroscopy for 10 gravitationally lensed galaxies at 0.9 < z < 2.5 selected from a new, large sample of strong lens systems in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release 7. We derive stellar masses from the rest-frame UV to near-IR spectral energy distributions, star formation rates (SFRs) from the dust-corrected H{alpha} flux, and metallicities from the [N II]/H{alpha} flux ratio. We combine the lensed galaxies with a sample of 60 star-forming galaxies from the literature in the same redshift range for which measurements of [N II]/H{alpha} have been published. Due to the lensing magnification, the lensed galaxies probe intrinsic stellar masses that are on average a factor of 11 lower than have been studied so far at these redshifts. They have specific SFRs that are an order of magnitude higher than seen for main-sequence star-forming galaxies at z {approx} 2. We measure an evolution of 0.16 {+-} 0.06 dex in the mass-metallicity relation between z {approx} 1.4 and z {approx} 2.2. In contrast to previous claims, the redshift evolution is smaller at low stellar masses. We do not see a correlation between metallicity and SFR at fixed stellar mass. The combined sample is in general agreement with the local fundamental relation between metallicity, stellar mass, and SFR from Mannucci et al. Using the Kennicutt-Schmidt law to infer gas fractions, we investigate the importance of gas inflows and outflows on the shape of the mass-metallicity relation using simple analytical models. This suggests that the Maiolino et al. calibration of the [N II]/H{alpha} flux ratio is biased high.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2012

SOURCE-PLANE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE BRIGHT LENSED GALAXY RCSGA 032727-132609

We present new Hubble Space Telescope/Wide Field Camera 3 imaging data of RCSGA 032727-132609, a bright lensed galaxy at z = 1.7 that is magnified and stretched by the lensing cluster RCS2 032727-132623. Using this new high-resolution imaging, we modify our previous lens model (which was based on ground-based data) to fully understand the lensing geometry, and use it to reconstruct the lensed galaxy in the source plane. This giant arc represents a unique opportunity to peer into 100 pc scale structures in a high-redshift galaxy. This new source reconstruction will be crucial for a future analysis of the spatially resolved rest-UV and rest-optical spectra of the brightest parts of the arc.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2012

STELLAR POPULATIONS OF HIGHLY MAGNIFIED LENSED GALAXIES: YOUNG STARBURSTS AT z {approx} 2

We present a comprehensive analysis of the rest-frame UV to near-IR spectral energy distributions (SEDs) and rest-frame optical spectra of four of the brightest gravitationally lensed galaxies in the literature: RCSGA 032727-132609 at z = 1.70, MS1512-cB58 at z = 2.73, SGAS J152745.1+065219 at z = 2.76, and SGAS J122651.3+215220 at z = 2.92. This includes new Spitzer imaging for RCSGA0327 as well as new spectra, near-IR imaging and Spitzer imaging for SGAS1527 and SGAS1226. Lensing magnifications of 3-4 mag allow a detailed study of the stellar populations and physical conditions. We compare star formation rates (SFRs) as measured from the SED fit, the H{alpha} and [O II] {lambda}3727 emission lines, and the UV+IR bolometric luminosity where 24 {mu}m photometry is available. The SFR estimate from the SED fit is consistently higher than the other indicators, which suggests that the Calzetti dust extinction law used in the SED fitting is too flat for young star-forming galaxies at z {approx} 2. Our analysis finds similar stellar population parameters for all four lensed galaxies: stellar masses (3-7) Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 9} M{sub Sun }, young ages {approx}100 Myr, little dust content E(B - V) = 0.10-0.25, and SFRs around 20-100 M{sub Sun} yr{sup -1}. Compared to typical values for the galaxy population at z {approx} 2, this suggests we are looking at newly formed, starbursting systems that have only recently started the buildup of stellar mass. These results constitute the first detailed, uniform analysis of a sample of the growing number of strongly lensed galaxies known at z {approx} 2.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2011

THE CARNEGIE HUBBLE PROGRAM

We present an overview of and preliminary results from an ongoing comprehensive program that has a goal of determining the Hubble constant to a systematic accuracy of {+-}2%. As part of this program, we are currently obtaining 3.6 {mu}m data using the Infrared Array Camera on Spitzer, and the program is designed to include James Webb Space Telescope in the future. We demonstrate that the mid-infrared period-luminosity relation for Cepheids at 3.6 {mu}m is the most accurate means of measuring Cepheid distances to date. At 3.6 {mu}m, it is possible to minimize the known remaining systematic uncertainties in the Cepheid extragalactic distance scale. We discuss the advantages of 3.6 {mu}m observations in minimizing systematic effects in the Cepheid calibration of H{sub 0} including the absolute zero point, extinction corrections, and the effects of metallicity on the colors and magnitudes of Cepheids. We undertake three independent tests of the sensitivity of the mid-IR Cepheid Leavitt Law to metallicity, which when combined will allow a robust constraint on the effect. Finally, we provide a new mid-IR Tully-Fisher relation for spiral galaxies.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2011

THE CARNEGIE HUBBLE PROGRAM: THE LEAVITT LAW AT 3.6 {mu}m AND 4.5 {mu}m IN THE LARGE MAGELLANIC CLOUD

The Carnegie Hubble Program is designed to improve the extragalactic distance scale using data from the post-cryogenic era of Spitzer. The ultimate goal is a determination of the Hubble constant to an accuracy of 2%. This paper is the first in a series on the Cepheid population of the Large Magellanic Cloud, and focusses on the period-luminosity (PL) relations (Leavitt laws) that will be used, in conjunction with observations of Milky Way Cepheids, to set the slope and zero point of the Cepheid distance scale in the mid-infrared. To this end, we have obtained uniformly sampled light curves for 85 LMC Cepheids, having periods between 6 and 140 days. PL and period-color relations are presented in the 3.6 {mu}m and 4.5 {mu}m bands. We demonstrate that the 3.6 {mu}m band is a superb distance indicator. The cyclical variation of the [3.6]-[4.5] color has been measured for the first time. We attribute the amplitude and phase of the color curves to the dissociation and recombination of CO molecules in the Cepheid's atmosphere. The CO affects only the 4.5 {mu}m flux making it a potential metallicity indicator.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2011

PROBING THE STAR FORMATION HISTORY AND INITIAL MASS FUNCTION OF THE z {approx} 2.5 LENSED GALAXY SMM J163554.2+661225 WITH HERSCHEL

We present the analysis of Herschel Spectral and Photometric Imaging Receiver far-infrared (FIR) observations of the z = 2.515 lensed galaxy SMM J163554.2+661225. Combining new 250, 350, and 500 {mu}m observations with existing data, we make an improved fit to the FIR spectral energy distribution of this galaxy. We find a total infrared (IR) luminosity of L(8-1000 {mu}m) = 6.9 {+-} 0.6 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 11} L{sub Sun }, a factor of three more precise over previous L{sub IR} estimates for this galaxy, and one of the most accurate measurements for any galaxy at these redshifts. This FIR luminosity implies an unlensed star formation rate (SFR) for this galaxy of 119 {+-} 10 M{sub Sun} yr{sup -1}, which is a factor of 1.9 {+-} 0.35 lower than the SFR derived from the nebular Pa{alpha} emission line (a 2.5{sigma} discrepancy). Both SFR indicators assume an identical Salpeter initial mass function (IMF) with slope {Gamma} = 2.35 over a mass range of 0.1-100 M{sub Sun }; thus this discrepancy suggests that more ionizing photons may be necessary to account for the higher Pa{alpha}-derived SFR. We examine a number of scenarios and find that the observations can be explained with a varying star formation history (SFH) due to an increasing SFR, paired with a slight flattening of the IMF. If the SFR is constant in time, then larger changes need to be made to the IMF by either increasing the upper mass cutoff to {approx}200 M{sub Sun }, or a flattening of the IMF slope to 1.9 {+-} 0.15, or a combination of the two. These scenarios result in up to double the number of stars with masses above 20 M{sub Sun }, which produce the requisite increase in ionizing photons over a Salpeter IMF with a constant SFH.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗