The European Large Area ISO Survey: optical identifications of 15-μm and 1.4-GHz sources in N1 and N2

We present the multiwavelength properties and catalogue of the 15 μm and 1.4 GHz radio sources detected in the European Large Area ISO Survey ( ELAIS ) areas N1 and N2. Using the optical data from the Wide Field Survey we use a likelihood ratio method to search for the counterparts of the 1056 and 691 sources detected at 15 μm and 1.4 GHz, respectively, down to flux limits of   S ₁₅= 0.5 mJy  and   S _1.4 GHz= 0.135 mJy  . We find that ∼92 per cent of the 15 μm ELAIS sources have an optical counterpart down to   r '= 24  . All mid-infrared (IR) sources with fluxes   S ₁₅≥ 3 mJy  have an optical counterpart. The magnitude distribution of the sources shows a well-defined peak at relatively bright magnitudes   r '∼ 18  . The mid-IR-to-optical and radio-to-optical flux diagrams are presented and discussed in terms of actual galaxy models. About 15 per cent of the sources are bright galactic stars; of the extragalactic objects ∼65 per cent are compatible with being normal or starburst galaxies and ∼25 per cent active galactic nuclei (AGNs). Objects with mid-IR-to-optical fluxes larger than 100 are found, comprising ∼20 per cent of the sample. We suggest that that these sources are highly obscured luminous and ultraluminous starburst galaxies and AGNs.     

Clarifying the nature of the brightest submillimetre sources: interferometric imaging of LH 850.02

We present high-resolution interferometric imaging of LH 850.02, the brightest 850- and 1200-μm submillimetre (submm) galaxy in the Lockman Hole. Our observations were made at 890 μm with the Submillimetre Array (SMA). Our high-resolution submm imaging detects LH 850.02 at  ≳6σ  as a single compact (size ≲1 arcsec or ≲8 kpc) point source and yields its absolute position to ∼0.2-arcsec accuracy. LH 850.02 has two alternative radio counterparts within the Submillimetre Common User Bolometer Array (SCUBA) beam (LH 850.02N and LH 850.02S), both of which are statistically very unlikely to be so close to the SCUBA source position by chance. However, the precise astrometry from the SMA shows that the submm emission arises entirely from LH 850.02N, and is not associated with LH 850.02S (by far the brighter of the two alternative identifications at 24 μm). Fits to the optical–infrared (IR) multicolour photometry of LH 850.02N and LH 850.02S indicate that both lie at   z ≈ 3.3  , and are therefore likely to be physically associated. At these redshifts, the 24-μm-to-submm flux density ratios suggest that LH 850.02N has an Arp 220-type starburst-dominated far-IR spectral energy distribution (SED), while LH 850.02S is more similar to Mrk 231, with less dust enshrouded star formation activity, but a significant contribution at 24 μm (rest frame 5–6 μm) from an active nucleus. This complex mix of star formation and active galactic nucleus (AGN) activity in multicomponent sources may be common in the high-redshift ultraluminous galaxy population, and highlights the need for precise astrometry from high-resolution interferometric imaging for a more complete understanding.     

Starburst galaxies and structure in the submillimetre background towards the Hubble Deep Field

We use an 850-μm SCUBA map of the Hubble Deep Field (HDF) to study the dust properties of optically-selected starburst galaxies at high redshift. The optical/infrared (IR) data in the HDF allow a photometric redshift to be estimated for each galaxy, together with an estimate of the visible star-formation rate. The 850-μm flux density of each source provides the complementary information: the amount of hidden, dust-enshrouded star formation activity. Although the 850-μm map does not allow detection of the majority of individual sources, we show that the galaxies with the highest UV star-formation rates are detected statistically, with a flux density of about S ₈₅₀=0.2 mJy for an apparent UV star-formation rate of 1  h ⁻² M_⊙ yr⁻¹. This level of submillimetre output indicates that the total star-forming activity is on average a factor of approximately 6 times larger than the rate inferred from the UV output of these galaxies. The general population of optical starbursts is then predicted to contribute at least 25 per cent of the 850-μm background. We carry out a power-spectrum analysis of the map, which yields some evidence for angular clustering of the background source population, but at a level lower than that seen in Lyman-break galaxies. Together with other lines of argument, particularly from the NICMOS HDF data, this suggests that the 850-μm background originates over an extremely wide range of redshifts – perhaps 1≲ z ≲6.     

Spitzer and ISO galaxy counts in the mid-infrared

Galaxy source counts that simultaneously fit the deep mid-infrared surveys at 24 microns and 15 microns made by the Spitzer Space Telescope and the Infrared Space Observatory ( ISO ), respectively, are presented for two phenomenological models. The models are based on starburst and luminous infrared galaxy dominated populations. Both models produce excellent fits to the counts in both wavebands and provide an explanation for the high-redshift population seen in the longer Spitzer 24-micron band supporting the hypothesis that they are luminous–ultraluminous infrared galaxies at   z = 2–3  , being the mid-infrared counterparts to the submillimetre galaxy population. The source counts are characterized by strong evolution to redshift unity, followed by less drastic evolution to higher redshift. The number–redshift distributions in both wavebands are well explained by the effect of the many mid-infrared features passing through the observation windows. The sharp upturn at around a millijansky in the 15-μm counts in particular depends critically on the distribution of mid-infrared features around 12 μm, in the assumed spectral energy distribution.     

The SCUBA 8-mJy survey – II. Multiwavelength analysis of bright submillimetre sources

We present the results of a multiwavelength study of the 19 most significant submillimetre (submm) sources detected in the SCUBA 8-mJy survey. As described in Scott et al. , this survey covers ≃260 arcmin² using the submillimetre camera SCUBA, to a limiting source detection limit   S _850 μm≃8 mJy  . One advantage of this relatively bright flux-density limit is that accurate astrometric positions are potentially achievable for every source using existing radio and/or millimetre-wave interferometers. However, an associated advantage is that spectral energy distribution (SED) based redshift constraints should be more powerful than in fainter submm surveys. Here we therefore exploit the parallel SCUBA 450-μm data, in combination with existing radio and Infrared Space Observatory ( ISO ) data at longer and shorter wavelengths to set constraints on the redshift of each source. We also analyse new and existing optical and near-infrared imaging of our SCUBA survey fields to select potential identifications consistent with these constraints. Our derived SED-based redshift constraints, and the lack of statistically significant associations with even moderately bright galaxies allow us to conclude that all 19 sources lie at   z >1  , and at least half of them apparently lie at   z >2  .     

The nature of faint submillimetre-selected galaxies

We present the source catalogue for the SCUBA Lens Survey. We summarize the results of extensive multiwavelength observations of the 15 submillimetre-selected galaxies in the catalogue, from X-rays to radio. We discuss the main observational characteristics of faint submillimetre galaxies as a population, and consider their interpretation within the framework of our understanding of galaxy formation and evolution.