| 1. |
- Chisholm, J., et al.
(författare)
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The far-ultraviolet continuum slope as a Lyman Continuum escape estimator at high redshift
- 2022
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Ingår i: Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0035-8711 .- 1365-2966. ; 517:4, s. 5104-5120
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Most of the hydrogen in the intergalactic medium (IGM) was rapidly ionized at high redshifts. While observations have established that reionization occurred, observational constraints on the high-redshift ionizing emissivity remain elusive. Here, we present a new analysis of the Low-redshift Lyman Continuum Survey (LzLCS) and literature observations, a combined sample of 89 star-forming galaxies at redshifts near 0.3 with Hubble Space Telescope observations of their ionizing continua (or Lyman Continuum, LyC). We find a strong (6σ significant) inverse correlation between the continuum slope at 1550 Å (defined as Fλ ∝ λβ1550obs) and both the LyC escape fraction (fesc, LyC) and fesc, LyC times the ionizing photon production efficiency (ξion). On average, galaxies with redder continuum slopes have smaller fesc, LyC than galaxies with bluer slopes mainly due to higher dust attenuation. More than 5 per cent (20 per cent) of the LyC emission escapes galaxies with β1550obs <−2.1 (−2.6). We find strong correlations between β1550obs and the [O III]/[O II] flux ratio (at 7.5σ significance), galaxy stellar mass (at 5.9σ), the gas-phase metallicity (at 4.6σ), and the observed far-ultraviolet absolute magnitude (at 3.4σ). Using previous observations of β1550obs at high redshift, we estimate the evolution of fesc, LyC with both redshift and galaxy magnitude. The LzLCS observations suggest that fainter and lower mass galaxies dominate the ionizing photon budget at higher redshift, possibly due to their rapidly evolving metal and dust content. Finally, we use our correlation between β1550obs and fesc, LyC × ξion to predict the ionizing emissivity of galaxies during the epoch of reionization. Our estimated emissivities match IGM observations, and suggest that star-forming galaxies emit sufficient LyC photons into the IGM to exceed recombinations near redshifts of 7–8.
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| 2. |
- Guaita, Lucia, et al.
(författare)
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The Lyman alpha reference sample IV. Morphology at low and high redshift
- 2015
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Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 576
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context. The transport of Ly alpha photons in galaxies is a complex process and the conditions under which Ly alpha photons manage to escape from certain galaxies is still under investigation. The Lyman alpha reference sample (LARS) is a sample of 14 local star-forming galaxies, designed to study Ly alpha in detail and relate it to rest-frame UV and optical emission. Aims. With the aim of identifying rest-frame UV and optical properties, which are typical of Ly alpha emitters (LAEs, galaxies with EW(Ly alpha) > 20 angstrom) at both low and high redshift, we investigated the morphological properties of the LARS galaxies, in particular the ones that exhibit intense Ly alpha radiation. Methods. We measured sizes and morphological parameters in the continuum, Ly alpha, and Ha images. We studied morphology by using the Gini coefficient vs. M20 and asymmetry vs. concentration diagrams. We then simulated LARS galaxies at z similar to 2 and 5.7, performing the same morphological measurements. We also investigated the detectability of LARS galaxies in current deep field observations. The subsample of LAEs within LARS (LARS-LAEs) was stacked to provide a comparison to stacking studies performed at high redshift. Results. LARS galaxies have continuum size, stellar mass, and rest-frame absolute magnitude typical of Lyman break analogues in the local Universe and also similar to 2 < z < 3 star-forming galaxies and massive LAEs. LARS optical morphology is consistent with the one of merging systems, and irregular or starburst galaxies. For the first time we quantify the morphology in Ly alpha images: even if a variety of intrinsic conditions of the interstellar medium can favour the escape of Ly alpha photons, LARS-LAEs appear small in the continuum, and their Ly alpha is compact. LARS galaxies tend to be more extended in Ly alpha than in the rest-frame UV. It means that Ly alpha photons escape by forming haloes around HII regions of LARS galaxies. Conclusions. The stack of LARS-LAE Ly alpha images is peaked in the centre, indicating that the conditions, which make a galaxy an LAE, tend to produce a concentrated surface brightness profile. On the other hand, the stack of all LARS galaxies is shallower and more extended. This can be caused by the variety of dust and HI amount and distribution, which produces a more complex, patchy, and extended profile, like the one observed for Lyman break galaxies that can contribute to the stack. We cannot identify a single morphological property that controls whether a galaxy emits a net positive Ly alpha flux. However, the LARS-LAEs have continuum properties consistent with merging systems.
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| 3. |
- Marques-Chaves, R., et al.
(författare)
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No correlation of the Lyman continuum escape fraction with spectral hardness
- 2022
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Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 663
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The properties that govern the production and escape of hydrogen-ionizing photons (Lyman continuum, LyC; with energies > 13.6 eV) in star-forming galaxies are still poorly understood, but they are key to identifying and characterizing the sources that reionized the Universe. Here we empirically explore the relation between the hardness of ionizing radiation and the LyC leakage in a large sample of low-z star-forming galaxies from the recent Hubble Space Telescope Low-z Lyman Continuum Survey. Using Sloan Digital Sky Survey stacks and deep X-shooter observations, we investigate the hardness of the ionizing spectra (QHe+/QH) between 54.4 eV (He+) and 13.6 eV (H) from the optical recombination lines He II 4686 Å and Hβ 4861 Å for galaxies with LyC escape fractions spanning a wide range, fesc(LyC) ≃ 0−90%. We find that the observed intensity of He II/Hβ is primarily driven by variations in the metallicity, but is not correlated with LyC leakage. Both very strong (esc(LyC)> ≃ 0.5) and nonleakers (esc(LyC)> ≃ 0) present similar observed intensities of He II and Hβ at comparable metallicity, between ≃0.01 and ≃0.02 for 12 + log(O/H)> 8.0 and < 8.0, respectively. Our results demonstrate that QHe+/QH does not correlate with fesc(LyC), which implies that strong LyC emitters do not show harder ionizing spectra than nonleakers at similar metallicity.
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| 4. |
- Nordin, J., et al.
(författare)
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Lensed Type Ia supernovae as probes of cluster mass models
- 2014
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Ingår i: Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0035-8711 .- 1365-2966. ; 440:3, s. 2742-2754
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Using three magnified Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) detected behind CLASH (Cluster Lensing and Supernovae with Hubble) clusters, we perform a first pilot study to see whether standardizable candles can be used to calibrate cluster mass maps created from strong lensing observations. Such calibrations will be crucial when next-generation Hubble Space Telescope cluster surveys (e.g. Frontier) provide magnification maps that will, in turn, form the basis for the exploration of the high-redshift Universe. We classify SNe using combined photometric and spectroscopic observations, finding two of the three to be clearly of Type Ia and the third probable. The SNe exhibit significant amplification, up to a factor of 1.7 at similar to 5 Sigma significance (SN-L2). We conducted this as a blind study to avoid fine-tuning of parameters, finding a mean amplification difference between SNe and the cluster lensing models of 0.09 +/- 0.09(stat) +/- 0.05(sys) mag. This impressive agreement suggests no tension between cluster mass models and high-redshift-standardized SNe Ia. However, the measured statistical dispersion of Sigma(mu) = 0.21 mag appeared large compared to the dispersion expected based on statistical uncertainties (0.14). Further work with the SN and cluster lensing models, post-unblinding, reduced the measured dispersion to Sigma(mu) = 0.12. An explicit choice should thus be made as to whether SNe are used unblinded to improve the model, or blinded to test the model. As the lensed SN samples grow larger, this technique will allow improved constraints on assumptions regarding e.g. the structure of the dark matter halo.
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| 5. |
- Oti-Floranes, H., et al.
(författare)
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Multiwavelength analysis of the Lyman-alpha emitting galaxy Haro 2 : relation between the diffuse Lyman-alpha and soft X-ray emissions
- 2012
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Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 546, s. A65-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context. Lyman-alpha emission is commonly used as star formation tracer in cosmological studies. Nevertheless, resonant scattering strongly affects the resulting luminosity, leading to variable and unpredictable escape fractions in different objects. Aims. To understand how the Ly alpha escape fraction depends on the properties of the star-forming regions, we need high spatial resolution multiwavelength studies of nearby Ly alpha emitters, like Haro 2. Methods. We study the Ly alpha emission of Haro 2 in connection with the properties of the young stellar population, the characteristics of the interstellar medium, the distribution and intensity of the Balmer emission lines and the properties of the X-ray emission. We have used HST-STIS spectral images along the major and minor axes of Haro 2 to characterize the Ly alpha emission, as well as FOC UV, WFPC-2 optical and NICMOS near infrared broadband-filter images to analyze the properties of the stellar population. WFPC-2 Ha image and ground-based spectroscopy allow us to study the Balmer emission lines. Finally, Chandra/ACIS X-ray images provide resolved distribution of the X-ray emission at various energy bands. The observational data are analyzed by comparison with the predictions from evolutionary synthesis models to constrain the properties of the star formation episode. Results. The UV, H alpha and far infrared luminosities of the Haro 2 nuclear starburst are well reproduced assuming a young stellar population with ages similar to 3.5-5.0 Myr, affected by differential intestellar extinctions. A significant fraction of the stars are completely obscured in the UV, being identifiable only indirectly by their contribution to the ionization of the gas and to the far infrared emission. The diffuse soft X-ray emission extending over the whole source is attributed to gas heated by the mechanical energy released by the starburst. A compact hard X-ray emission (likely an UltraLuminous X-ray source) has been identified in a star-forming condensation to the southeast. Both compact and diffuse Ly alpha emission components are observed along the major and minor axes in STIS spectral images. Ly alpha is spatially decoupled from Balmer lines emission, Balmer decrement and UV continuum. However, the diffuse Ly alpha component is spatially correlated with the diffuse soft X-ray emission. Moreover, unlike the compact Ly alpha emission, diffuse Ly alpha shows luminosities larger than predicted from H alpha, assuming case B recombination and considering the dust extinction as derived from H alpha/H beta. Conclusions. The Ly alpha emission closely associated to the massive stellar clusters is strongly affected by the properties of the surrounding neutral gas (presence of outflows, dust abundance), leading to even a range of escape fractions at different locations within the same starburst. On the other hand, we propose that the diffuse Ly alpha emission originates in gas ionized by the hot plasma responsible for the soft X-ray radiation, as suggested by their spatial correlation and by the measured L(H alpha)/L0.4-2.4keV ratios. Calibration of Ly alpha as star formation rate tracer should therefore include both effects (destruction vs. enhancement) to avoid biases in the study of galaxies at cosmological distances.
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| 6. |
- Oti-Floranes, H., et al.
(författare)
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Physical properties and evolutionary state of the Lyman alpha emitting starburst galaxy IRAS 08339+6517
- 2014
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Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 566, s. A38-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context. Though Ly alpha emission is one of the most used tracers of massive star formation at high redshift, it is strongly affected by neutral gas radiation transfer effects. A correct understanding of these effects is required to properly quantify the star formation rate along the history of the Universe. Aims. We aim to parameterize the escape of Ly alpha photons as a function of the galaxy properties, in order to properly calibrate the Ly alpha luminosity as a tracer of star formation intensity at any age of the Universe. Methods. We have embarked on a program to study the properties of the Ly alpha emission (spectral profile, spatial distribution, relation to Balmer lines intensity,...) in a number of starburst galaxies in the Local Universe. The study is based on Hubble Space Telescope spectroscopic and imaging observations at various wavelengths, X-ray data, and ground-based spectroscopy, complemented with the use of evolutionary population synthesis models. Results. We present here the results obtained for one of those sources, IRAS 08339+6517, a strong Ly alpha emitter in the Local Universe, which is undergoing an intense episode of massive star formation. We have characterized the properties of the starburst, which transformed 1.4 x 10(8) M-circle dot of gas into stars around 5-6 Myr ago. The mechanical energy released by the central super stellar cluster (SSC), located in the core of the starburst, has created a cavity devoid of gas and dust around it, leaving a clean path through which the UV continuum of the SSC is observed, with almost no extinction. While the average extinction affecting the stellar continuum is significantly larger out of the cavity, with E(B - V) = 0.15 on average, we have not found any evidence for regions with very large extinctions, which could be hiding some young, massive stars not contributing to the global UV continuum. The observed soft and hard X-ray emissions are consistent with this scenario, being originated by the interstellar medium heated by the release of mechanical energy in the first case, and by a large number of active high-mass X-ray binaries (HMXBs) in the second. In addition to the central compact emission blob, we have identified a diffuse Ly alpha emission component smoothly distributed over the whole central area of IRAS 08339+6517. This diffuse emission is spatially decoupled from the UV continuum, the H alpha emission, or the H alpha/H beta ratio. Both locally and globally, the Ly alpha/H alpha ratio is lower than the Case B predictions, even after reddening correction, with an overall Ly alpha escape fraction of only 4%. Conclusions. We conclude that in IRAS 08339+6517 the Ly alpha photons resonantly scattered by an outflowing shell of neutral gas are being smoothly redistributed over the whole central area of the galaxy. Their increased probability of being destroyed by dust would explain the low Ly alpha escape fraction measured. In any case, in the regions where the diffuse Ly alpha emission shows the largest Ly alpha/H alpha ratios, no additional sources of Ly alpha emission are required, like ionization by hot plasma as proposed for Haro 2, another galaxy in our sample. These results stress again the importance of a proper correction of scattering and transfer effects when using Ly alpha to derive the star formation rate in high-redshift galaxies.
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| 7. |
- Atek, H., et al.
(författare)
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Empirical estimate of Lyα escape fraction in a statistical sample of Lyα emitters
- 2009
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Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 506:2, s. L1-L4
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context: The Lyman-alpha (Lyα) recombination line is a fundamental tool for galaxy evolution studies and modern observational cosmology. However, subsequent interpretations are still prone to a number of uncertainties. Besides numerical efforts, empirical data are urgently needed for a better understanding of the Lyα escape process. Aims: We empirically estimate the Lyα escape fraction in a statistically significant sample of galaxies in a redshift range z ~ 0 - 0.3. This estimate will constrain interpretations of current high-redshift Lyα observations. Methods: An optical spectroscopic follow-up of a sub-sample of 24 Lyα emitters detected by GALEX at z ~ 0.2 - 0.3, combined with a UV-optical sample of local starbursts, both with matched apertures, allow us to quantify the dust extinction through Balmer lines, and to estimate the Lyα escape fraction from the Hα flux corrected for extinction in the framework of the recombination theory. Results: The global escape fraction of Lyα radiation spans a wide range of values and fesc(Lyα) clearly decreases with increasing nebular dust extinction E(B-V). Several objects show fesc(Lyα) greater than fesc(continuum), which may be taken as observational evidence for a clumpy ISM geometry or for an aspherical ISM. Selection biases and aperture size effects may still prevail between z ~ 0.2 - 0.3 Lyman-alpha emitters (LAEs) and local starbursts and may explain the difference observed for fesc(Lyα).
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