Engineering topics

Willner, S. P.

Publications and source records attributed to Willner, S. P..

At least 19 records

NASA NTRS2013

Candels Multi-Wavelength Catalogs: Source Detection and Photometry in the Goods-South Field

We present a UV to mid-infrared multi-wavelength catalog in the CANDELS/GOODS-S field, combining the newly obtained CANDELS HST/WFC3 F105W, F125W, and F160W data with existing public data. The catalog is based on source detection in the WFC3 F160W band. The F160W mosaic includes the data from CANDELS deep and wide observations as well as previous ERS and HUDF09 programs. The mosaic reaches a 5σ limiting depth (within an aperture of radius 0farcs17) of 27.4, 28.2, and 29.7 AB for CANDELS wide, deep, and HUDF regions, respectively. The catalog contains 34,930 sources with the representative 50% completeness reaching 25.9, 26.6, and 28.1 AB in the F160W band for the three regions. In addition to WFC3 bands, the catalog also includes data from UV (U band from both CTIO/MOSAIC and VLT/VIMOS), optical (HST/ACS F435W, F606W, F775W, F814W, and F850LP), and infrared (HST/WFC3 F098M, VLT/ISAAC Ks, VLT/HAWK-I Ks, and Spitzer/IRAC 3.6, 4.5, 5.8, 8.0 μm) observations. The catalog is validated via stellar colors, comparison with other published catalogs, zero-point offsets determined from the best-fit templates of the spectral energy distribution of spectroscopically observed objects, and the accuracy of photometric redshifts. The catalog is able to detect unreddened star-forming (passive) galaxies with stellar mass of 10(exp 10) M(sub ☉) at a 50% completeness level to z ~ 3.4 (2.8), 4.6 (3.2), and 7.0 (4.2) in the three regions. As an example of application, the catalog is used to select both star-forming and passive galaxies at z ~ 2-4 via the Balmer break. It is also used to study the color-magnitude diagram of galaxies at 0 < z < 4.

CATALOGS↗

NASA NTRS2013

SEDS: The Spitzer Extended Deep Survey. Survey Design, Photometry, and Deep IRAC Source Counts

The Spitzer Extended Deep Survey (SEDS) is a very deep infrared survey within five well-known extragalactic science fields: the UKIDSS Ultra-Deep Survey, the Extended Chandra Deep Field South, COSMOS, the Hubble Deep Field North, and the Extended Groth Strip. SEDS covers a total area of 1.46 deg(exp 2) to a depth of 26 AB mag (3sigma) in both of the warm Infrared Array Camera (IRAC) bands at 3.6 and 4.5 micron. Because of its uniform depth of coverage in so many widely-separated fields, SEDS is subject to roughly 25% smaller errors due to cosmic variance than a single-field survey of the same size. SEDS was designed to detect and characterize galaxies from intermediate to high redshifts (z = 2-7) with a built-in means of assessing the impact of cosmic variance on the individual fields. Because the full SEDS depth was accumulated in at least three separate visits to each field, typically with six-month intervals between visits, SEDS also furnishes an opportunity to assess the infrared variability of faint objects. This paper describes the SEDS survey design, processing, and publicly-available data products. Deep IRAC counts for the more than 300,000 galaxies detected by SEDS are consistent with models based on known galaxy populations. Discrete IRAC sources contribute 5.6 +/- 1.0 and 4.4 +/- 0.8 nW / square m/sr at 3.6 and 4.5 micron to the diffuse cosmic infrared background (CIB). IRAC sources cannot contribute more than half of the total CIB flux estimated from DIRBE data. Barring an unexpected error in the DIRBE flux estimates, half the CIB flux must therefore come from a diffuse component.

Spitzer↗

NASA NTRS2009

On the Nature of the First Galaxies Selected at 350 Micrometers

We present constraints on the nature of the first galaxies selected at 350 micrometers. The sample includes galaxies discovered in the deepest blank-field survey at 350 micrometers (in the Bo6tes Deep Field) and also later serendipitous detections in the Lockman Hole. In determining multiwavelength identifications, the 350 lam position and map resolution of the second generation Submillimeter High Angular Resolution Camera are critical, especially in the cases where multiple radio sources exist and the 24 micrometer counterparts are unresolved. Spectral energy distribution templates are fitted to identified counterparts, and the sample is found to comprise IR-luminous galaxies at 1 < z < 3 predominantly powered by star formation. The first spectrum of a 350 micrometer selected galaxy provides an additional confirmation, showing prominent dust grain features typically associated with star-forming galaxies. Compared to submillimeter galaxies selected at 850 and 1100 micrometers, galaxies selected at 350 micrometers have a similar range of far-infrared color temperatures. However, no 350 micrometer selected sources are reliably detected at 850 or 1100 micrometers. Galaxies in our sample with redshifts 1 < z < 2 show a tight correlation between the far- and mid-infrared flux densities, but galaxies at higher redshifts show a large dispersion in their mid- to far-infrared colors. This implies a limit to which the mid-IR emission traces the far-IR emission in star-forming galaxies. The 350 micrometer flux densities (15 < S(sub 350) < 40 mJy) place these objects near the Herschel/SPIRE 350 micrometer confusion threshold, with the lower limit on the star formation rate density suggesting the bulk of the 350 micrometers contribution will come from less luminous infrared sources and normal galaxies. Therefore, the nature of the dominant source of the 350 micrometers background-star-forming galaxies in the epoch of peak star formation in the universe-could be more effectively probed using ground-based instruments with their angular resolution and sensitivity offering significant advantages over space-based imaging. Key words: galaxies: high-redshift galaxies: starburst infrared: galaxies submillimeter

Khan, Sophia A.↗

NASA NTRS1994

Atlas of quasar energy distributions

We present an atlas of the spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of normal, nonblazar, quasars over the whole available range (radio to 10 keV X-rays) of the electromagnetic spectrum. The primary (UVSX) sample includes 47 quasars for which the spectral energy distributions include X-ray spectral indices and UV data. Of these, 29 are radio quiet, and 18 are radio loud. The SEDs are presented both in figures and in tabular form, with additional tabular material published on CD-ROM. Previously unpublished observational data for a second set of quasars excluded from the primary sample are also tabulated. The effects of host galaxy starlight contamination and foreground extinction on the UVSX sample are considered and the sample is used to investigate the range of SED properties. Of course, the properties we derive are influenced strongly by the selection effects induced by quasar discovery techniques. We derive the mean energy distribution (MED) for radio-loud and radio-quiet objects and present the bolometric corrections derived from it. We note, however, that the dispersion about this mean is large (approximately one decade for both the infrared and ultraviolet components when the MED is normalized at the near-infrared inflection). At least part of the dispersion in the ultraviolet may be due to time variability, but this is unlikely to be important in the infrared. The existence of such a large dispersion indicates that the MED reflects only some of the properties of quasars and so should be used only with caution.

Elvis, Martin↗

NASA NTRS1993

Photometric and spectroscopic observations of SN 1990E in NGC 1035 - Observational constraints for models of type II supernovae

We present 126 photometric and 30 spectral observations of SN 1990E spanning from 12 days before B maximum to 600 days past discovery. These observations show that SN 1990E was of type II-P, displaying hydrogen in its spectrum, and the characteristic plateau in its light curve. SN 1990E is one of the few SNe II which has been well observed before maximum light, and we present evidence that this SN was discovered very soon after its explosion. In the earliest spectra we identify, for the first time, several N II lines. We present a new technique for measuring extinction to SNe II based on the evolution of absorption lines, and use this method to estimate the extinction to SN 1990E, A(V) = 1.5 +/- 0.3 mag. From our photometric data we have constructed a bolometric light curve for SN 1990E and show that, even at the earliest times, the bolometric luminosity was failing rapidly. We use the late-time bolometric light curve to show that SN 1990E trapped a majority of the gamma rays produced by the radioactive decay of Co-56, and estimate that SN 1990E ejected an amount of Ni-56 virtually identical to that of SN 1987A.

Schmidt, Brian P.↗

NASA NTRS1989

A faint, dust-enshrouded carbon star at high galactic latitude

During the initial phase of a program to search for substellar candidates at high galactic in the IRAS Serendipitous Survey Catalog, one source, SSC 08546+1732, was found to have no optical couterpart on the Palomar Observatory Sky Survey plates. Ground-based positional, photometric, and spectroscopic observations have identified this source as a heavily dust-enshrouded carbon star, similar to those found in the Galactic plane. The high latitude and relative faintness of this source imply that it lies at a distance of 20-50 kpc, and is 10-30 kpc out of the plane of the Galaxy. SSC 08546+1732 and one other distant obscured carbon star found in the IRAS Point Source Catalog (Low 1987; Beichman et al. 1989) represent the first examples of such objects found in the Galactic halo. These stars may either have evolved from Population I precursors ejected from the disk, or they may be the first obscured Population II halo carbon stars to be observed. A survey for other distant enshrouded carbon stars in the IRAS Faint Source Cattalog should help to elucidate the nature of this new population.

Cutri, Roc M.↗

NASA NTRS1988

The submillimeter spectral break in Seyfert galaxies

Observations have been made of four Seyfert 1 galaxies at 155 microns and three at 370 microns. Two of the galaxies were detected at 155 microns, but none was detected at 370 microns. The 155 microns data and the strong upper limits at 370 microns show that the infrared continua decrease sharply beyond 100-155 microns. These observations depict a clear spectral difference between radio-loud and radio-quiet active galactic nuclei. The limits on the 100-370 microns spectral slope are consistent either with synchrotron self-absorption of a nonthermal source or with thermal dust emission similar to that arising from the disks of normal galaxies. The 155 microns flux from NGC 4151 is spatially extended through a radius of at least 48 arcsec, arguing for substantial dust emission at wavelengths greater than 80 microns and an even shorter cutoff wavelength for nonthermal emission from the active nucleus. The spectral breaks implied by our data suggest that the nuclear nonthermal sources must be smaller than about 10 light hours.

Engargiola, G.↗

NASA NTRS1987

BE Ursae Majoris: A detached binary with a unique reprocessing spectrum

New infrared photometry, optical and UV spectrophotometry, and a photographic ephemeris are presented for the detached binary BE UMa. Results show the primary to be a DO white dwarf with an effective temperature of 80,000 + or - 15,000 K and a mass of 0.6 + or - 0.1 solar masses. No evidence is found for variability of the primary. The main sequence secondary star is shown to be of early M spectral type, with a formal range of M1 to M5 being possible. A reflection effect in reprocessed line and continuum radiation is produced by EUV radiation from the primary incident on the secondary atmosphere. It is suggested that the temperature of the reprocessed component of the secondary's atmosphere is in the 5000 to 8500 K range, and that emission lines of decreasing ionization form deeper in the irradiated envelope. Relatively narrow He II and high excitation metal lines are formed from recombination and continuum fluorescence processes.

Ferguson, Donald H.↗

NASA NTRS1987

BE Ursae Majoris - A detached binary with a unique reprocessing spectrum

New infrared photometry, optical and UV spectrophotometry, and a photographic ephemeris are presented for the detached binary BE UMa. Results show the primary to be a DO white dwarf with an effective temperature of 80,000 + or - 15,000 K and a mass of 0.6 + or - 0.1 solar masses. No evidence is found for variability of the primary. The main-sequence secondary star is shown to be of early-M spectral type, with a formal range of M1-M5 being possible. A reflection effect in reprocessed line and continum radiation is produced by EUV radiation from the primary incident on the secondary atmosphere. It is suggested that the temperature of the reprocessed component of the secondary's atmosphere is in the 5000-8500 K range, and that emission lines of decreasing ionization form deeper in the irradiated envelope. Relatively narrow He II and high-excitation metal lines are formed from recombination and continuum fluorescence processes.

Ferguson, Donald H.↗

NASA NTRS1987

The continuum of type 1 Seyfert galaxies. I - A single form modified by the effects of dust

Broad-band measurements from 1 to 20 microns of 26 emission-line active galactic nuclei (AGNs), mainly Seyfert 1 galaxies, have been made. These data have been combined with previous optical and infrared photometry and IRAS 12, 25, 60 and 100 micron fluxes, giving a total sample of 37 AGNs, all of which have hard X-ray measurements. The sample includes all the emission-line AGNs identified in the Piccinotti et al. (1982) survey. When corrected for stellar contributions in the near-infrared, the continuum energy distributions can be classified observationally into three types: (1) bare, minimally reddened AGNs; (2) reddened AGNs; and (3) AGNs for which the far-infrared emission is contaminated by the host galaxy. These classifications reflect a range of luminosities and different environments rather than intrinsic differences in the primary continuum of the AGNs. The data are consistent with a single underlying form of active galaxy continuum modified by the presence of dust and of the host galaxy.

Ward, Martin↗

NASA NTRS1986

The highly obscured nucleus of 3C 219

The detection of a strong, and possibly broad, Paschen-alpha line from the narrow-line radio galaxy 3C 219 is reported. The detected flux is larger than predicted from the H-alpha line and the case B recombination. This implies the presence of a highly reddened line-emitting region in the nucleus.

Fabbiano, G.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Wide field and diffraction limited array camera for SIRTF

The Infrared Array Camera for the space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF/IRAC) is capable of two-dimensional photometry in either a wide field or diffraction-limited mode over the wavelength interval from 2 to 30 microns. Three different two-dimensional direct readout (DRO) array detectors will be used: Band 1-InSb or Si:In (2-5 microns) 128 x 128 pixels, Band 2-Si:Ga (5-18 microns) 64 x 64 pixels, and Band 3-Si:Sb (18-30 microns) 64 x 64 pixels. The hybrid DRO readout architecture has the advantages of low read noise, random pixel access with individual readout rates, and nondestructive readout. The scientific goals of IRAC are discussed, which are the basis for several important requirements and capabilities of the array camera: (1) diffraction-limited resolution from 2-30 microns, (2) use of the maximum unvignetted field of view of SIRTF, (3) simultaneous observations within the three infrared spectral bands, and (4) the capability for broad and narrow bandwidth spectral resolution. A strategy has been developed to minimize the total electronic and environmental noise sources to satisfy the scientific requirements.

Fazio, G. G.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Wide field and diffraction limited array camera for SIRTF

The Infrared Array Camera for the Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF/IRAC) is capable of two-dimensional photometry in either a wide field or diffraction-limited mode over the wavelength interval from 2 to 30 microns. Three different two-dimensional direct readout (DRO) array detectors are being considered: Band 1-InSb or Si:In (2-5 microns) 128 x 128 pixels, Band 2-Si:Ga (5-18 microns) 64 x 64 pixels, and Band 3-Si:Sb (18-30 microns) 64 x 64 pixels. The hybrid DRO readout architecture has the advantages of low read noise, random pixel access with individual readout rates, and nondestructive readout. The scientific goals of IRAC are discussed, which are the basis for several important requirements and capabilities of the array camera: (1) diffraction-limited resolution from 2-30 microns, (2) use of the maximum unvignetted field of view of SIRTF, (3) simultaneous observations within the three infrared spectral bands, and (4) the capability for broad and narrow bandwidth spectral resolution. A strategy has been developed to minimize the total electronic and environmental noise sources to satisfy the scientific requirements.

Fazio, G. G.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Observations from 1 to 20 microns of low-luminosity active galaxies

The 1-20 micron photometry of Liners (Low Ionization Nuclear Emission-line Regions), star burst nuclei, and high-excitation (mostly Seyfert 2) nuclei are presented and discussed. Liners have strong, flattish 10-20 micron excesses but are dominated by a stellar population through 1-5 micron. By contrast, most type 2 Seyfert galaxies and all star-burst nuclei have flux distributions that are flat through 1-5 microns, and steeply rising through 10-20 microns. The 1-5 micron flux distributions of type 2 Seyfert galaxies and starburst nuclei can be explained by mixtures of stellar emission, recombination radiation, and hot dust, although a nonthermal component is likely in a few objects. One Liner, NGC 3079, was found to be extended to 10 microns. A map which shows the 10-micron and optical maxima to differ by 6 arcsec is presented.

Lawrence, A.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Abundances in galactic H II regions. III - G25.4-0.2, G45.5+0.06, M8, S159, and DR 22

Measurements of the ARII (6.99 microns), ArIII (8.99 microns), NeI (12.81 microns), SIII (18.71 microns), and SIV (10.51 microns) lines are presented for five compact HII regions along with continuum spectroscopy. From these data and radio data, lower limits to the elemental abundances of Ar, S, and Ne were deduced. The complex G25.4-0.2 is only 5.5 kpc from the galactic center, and is considerably overabundant in all these elements. Complex G45.5+0.06 is at seven kpc from the galactic center, and appears to be approximately consistent with solar abundance. The complex S159 in the Perseus Arm, at 12 kpc from the galactic center, has solar abundance, while M8 in the solar neighborhood may be somewhat overabundant in Ar and Ne. Complex DR 22, at 10 kpc from the galactic center in the Cygnus Arm, is overabundant in Ar. A summary of results from a series of papers on abundances is given.

Pipher, J. L.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Abundances in galactic H2 regions, 3: G25.4-0.2, G45.5+0.06, M8, S159 and DR22

Measurements of the ARII (6.99 microns), ArIII (8.99 microns), NeII (12.81 microns), SIII (18.71 microns), and SIV (10.51 microns) lines are presented for five compact HII regions along with continuum spectroscopy. From these data and radio data, lower limits to the elemental abundances of Ar, S, and Ne were deduced. The complex G25.4-0.2 is only 5.5 kpc from the galactic center, and is considerably overabundant in all these elements. Complex G45.5+0.06 is at seven kpc from the galactic center, and appears to be approximately consistent with solar abundance. The complex S159 in the Perseus Arm, at 12 kpc from the galactic center, has solar abundance, while M8 in the solar neighborhood may be somewhat overabundant in Ar and Ne. Complex DR 22, at 10 kpc from the galactic center in the Cygnus Arm, is overabundant in Ar. A summary of results from a series of papers on abundances is given.

Pipher, J. L.↗

NASA NTRS1984

The spatial extent of the 3.3 micron emission feature in the Seyfert galaxy NGC 7469

Observations have been made of the 3.3-micron feature and the infrared continuum in the type 1 Seyfert galaxy NGC 7469 using multiaperture techniques. While as much as 10 to the 7th solar luminosities in 3.3-micron line emission may arise from within the nucleus, the data indicate that the 3.3-micron emission-line region is extended, with a significant fraction of the luminosity of the line originating at distances greater than 240 pc from the nucleus. Possible mechanisms for the heating of the dust associated with the extended emission are discussed together with observational tests which can be used to verify the more promising of these mechanisms.

Cutri, R. M.↗

NASA NTRS1984

1-20 micron infrared photometry of 3CR radio galaxies

Seven emission-line radio galaxies in the wavelength range from 1 to 20 microns were observed in February 1983. Three broad emission-line galaxies (BLRGs 3C 109, 3C 234, and 3C 445), and four narrow emission-line radio galaxies (NLRGs 3C 98, 3C 198, 3C 223, and 3C 293) were found. The BLRGs showed strong infrared fluxes beyond 3.5 microns, with steep infrared slopes similar to optical slopes. In a comparison with earlier observational data it was found that two of the BLRGs are variable in the JHK filter range without a change of slope. The NLRGs showed strong excess at 10 microns and normal elliptical galaxy colors at JHK and L. Simple predictions based on type-2 Seyfert galaxies show that strong infrared excesses are absent.

Elvis, M.↗