赛弗特星系恒星速度弥散度的测量

星系中心黑洞质量和核球恒星速度弥散度的紧密关系揭示出准确测量恒星速度弥散度对测定星系中心黑洞质量尤为重要.文中提供了一种利用SDSS(Sloan Digital SkySurvey)光谱测定速度弥散度及其不确定性的方法.通过对像素空间包含显著特征吸收线的4个不同谱区的拟合,得到准确测量恒星速度弥散度σ的光谱区域.文中4个拟合波段主要包含的吸收线为CaⅡK,MgⅠb三重线(波长5167.5,5172.7,5183.6(?))和CaT(CaⅡ三重线,波长8498.0,8542.1,8662.1(?)).不同区域结果表明,MgⅠb区由于受到铁族发射线影响,拟合的σ值偏低;CaⅡK线区谱线强度很弱,易受限于最小二乘法搜索算法;CaT+CaⅡK联合区得出的速度弥散度和只计算CaT区域的结果相当.利用该方法,测试了一个红移小于0.05的赛弗特星系样本,发现CaT区是测速度弥散度的最佳谱区.     

Gaseous versus Stellar Velocity Dispersion in Emission-Line Galaxies

We compare the ionized gas velocity dispersion σgas with the stellar velocity dispersion σ＊ in star-forming galaxies, composite galaxies, Low Ionization Nuclear Emissionline Regions （LINERs） and Seyfert 2s, compiled from a cross-identification of Sloan Digital Sky Survey Fourth Data Release （SDSS DR4） and Point Source Catalogue Redshift Survey （PSCz）. We measure σgas from the FWHMs of emission lines （Hα, [NⅡ]λλ6548, 6583 and [SⅡ]λλ6716, 6731）. A significant correlation between the gas and stellar velocity dispersion exists, despite substantial scatter. The mean value of the gas to stellar velocity dispersion ratio is close to unity. This suggests that gas velocity dispersion can substitute for the stellar velocity dispersion as a tracer of the gravitational potential well for all the four types of galaxies, but the involved uncertainties are different from type to type. We also studied -↑σgas, as a function of the redshift and the axial ratio to test the effects of aperture and galaxy inclination, and found that both effects are weak. Finally we checked the trend of -↑σgas/σ＊ with the infrared luminosity and found no significant correlation.     

Gaseous versus Stellar Velocity Dispersion in Emission-Line Galaxies

We compare the ionized gas velocity dispersion σgas with the stellar velocity dis-persion σ* in star-forming galaxies, composite galaxies, Low Ionization Nuclear Emission-line Regions (LINERs) and Seyfert 2s, compiled from a cross-identification of Sloan Digital Sky Survey Fourth Data Release (SDSS DR4) and Point Source Catalogue Redshift Survey (PSCz). We measure σgas from the FWHMs of emission lines (Hα, [NII]λλ6548, 6583 and [SII] λλ6716, 6731). A significant correlation between the gas and stellar velocity dispersion exists, despite substantial scatter. The mean value of the gas to stellar velocity dispersion ratio is close to unity. This suggests that gas velocity dispersion can substitute for the stellar veloc-ity dispersion as a tracer of the gravitational potential well for all the four types of galaxies,but the involved uncertainties are different from type to type. We also studied σgas/σ* as a function of the redshift and the axial ratio to test the effects of aperture and galaxy inclina-tion, and found that both effects are weak. Finally we checked the trend of σgas/σ* with the infrared luminosity and found no significant correlation.     

Measurements of the Stellar Velocity Dispersions of Seyfert Galaxies

The close relation between the mass of the central black hole of galaxy and the stellar velocity dispersion of bulge indicates that it is of especial importance to accurately measure the stellar velocity dispersion for determining the mass of the central black hole of galaxy. A method which uses the spectra of SDSS (Sloan Digital Sky Survey) to measure the velocity dispersion and its uncertainty is provided in this paper. Through fitting four different spectral regions which contain remarkable characteristic absorption lines in pixel space, the spectral regions used to accurately measure the stellar velocity dispersion σ are obtained. In this paper, the absorption lines which are mainly contained in these four fitted bands are Ca II K, Mg I b triplet (with wavelengths of 5 167.5, 5 172.7, 5 183.6 Å) and CaT (Ca II triplet with wavelengths of 8 498.0, 8 542.1, 8 662.1 Å). As indicated by the results in different regions, the values of σ obtained by fitting the Mg I b region are small because this region is affected by the emission lines of iron group; the spectral line in the Ca II K line region is easily restricted to the searching algorithm of least square method because its strength is very weak; the stellar velocity dispersions obtained in the combined region of CaT and Ca II K are equivalent to the results given by calculating only the CaT region. This method is used to test a sample of Seyfert galaxies whose redshifts are less than 0.05. It is found that the CaT region is the best spectral region for measuring the stellar velocity dispersion.     

The Growth Rate of Supermassive Black Holes and Its Dependence on the Stellar Mass of Galaxies at the Present Epoch

Astronomy Letters - We study the distribution of accretion rates onto supermassive black holes in AGNs of the local Universe ( $$z<0.15$$ ) based on near-infrared and hard X-ray surveys...     

星系的恒星速度弥散度的归算方法

星系的恒星视向速度分布是星系动力学模型的重要观测约束,其特征参数包括速度弥散度、分布轮廓以及红移。这些参数对研究星系的动力学、结构和演化以及中央黑洞的质量等都具有重要的价值。该文全面总结了从星系光谱归算星系的恒星视向速度分布及其弥散度的各种方法,以及对观测和处理的一些要求。这些方法都假设星系谱线可看作是模板星光谱经多普勒位移并加宽后的线性叠加。提取尽可能多的星系内部恒星运动信息、减少模板星失配的影响、简化误差分析,是这些方法追求的目标。     

快速射电暴寄主星系色散量的估计

定位快速射电暴(Fast Radio Burst, FRB)以及确认其寄主星系至今仍是一个具有挑战性的难题,截至2021年4月已确认13个快速射电暴的寄主星系,其中只有3个重复暴,其余都是非重复暴.快速射电暴的寄主星系对快速射电暴起源的探索起着非常重要的作用,约束着快速射电暴前身星模型.对这些已确认寄主星系的FRB进行研究,发现FRB寄主星系对色散量(Dispersion Measure, DM)的贡献在一定范围内波动(0–240 pc·cm-3),并且寄主星系对DM的贡献与寄主星系的性质(恒星形成率、金属丰度)也可能具有关联性.寄主星系恒星形成率、金属丰度与色散量的统计关系对FRB邻近环境的研究有着重要意义.     

The Stellar Ages of Elliptical Galaxies

Integrated broad-band colors and metallic lines cannot discriminate clearly between the effects of age and Z in old stellar populations. Such data are more sensitive to Z than to age. The Hβ feature provides a way to break this degeneracy. New measurements indicate that the mean stellar ages of typical E galaxy nuclei are fairly young, ranging from 2 to ∼12 Gyr. The outer parts of E galaxies are both older and more metal-poor than nuclei, consistent with the formation of E galaxies via mergers and starbursts. Age effects contribute strongly to the classic color-line strength sequence of E galaxies. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The Stellar Content of Active Galaxies

We present the results of a long-slit spectroscopic study of 38 active and four normal galaxies. Stellar absorption features, continuum colours and their radial variations are analysed in an effort to characterize the stellar population in these galaxies and detect the presence of a featureless continuum underlying the starlight spectral component. Spatial variations of the equivalent widths of conspicuous absorption lines and continuum colours are detected in most galaxies. Star-forming rings, in particular, leave clear fingerprints in the equivalent widths and colour profiles. We find that the stellar populations in the inner regions of active galaxies present a variety of characteristics, and cannot be represented by a single starlight template. Dilution of the stellar lines by an underlying featureless continuum is detected in most broad-lined objects, but little or no dilution is found for most of the 20 type 2 Seyferts in the sample. Colour gradients are also ubiquitous. In particular, all but one of the observed Seyfert 2s are redder at the nucleus than in its immediate vicinity. Possible consequences of these findings are briefly outlined.     

Evolution of Quasar Host Galaxies

Near-IR images, obtained at the ESO-VLT during excellent seeing conditions, of a sample of 17 radio-loud and radio-quiet quasars in the redshift range 1 < z < 2 are presented. The host galaxies of both types of quasars appear to follow the expected trend in luminosity of massive ellipticals undergoing simple passive evolution. We find a systematic difference by a factor ∼2 in the host luminosity between RLQs and RQQs that does not change significantly from z = 2 to the present epoch. Quasar hosts appear thus to be already well formed at z ∼ 2 and similar to massive inactive spheroids. These findings are in disagreement with the predictions of models for the joint formation and evolution of galaxies and active nuclei based on the hierarchical structure formation scenario.     

Superassociations and Stellar Complexes in Galaxies

The basic characteristics of stellar complexes and superassociations, as well as the differences between these kinds of gigantic groups of young stars, are discussed. The main difference is that superassociations are the result of induced (triggered) star formation, while the stars and clusters in stellar complexes develop as a result of the spontaneous processes typical of galactic gaseous disks.     

The Stellar Populations of Early-Type Galaxies in the Fornax Cluster

We have measured central line strengths for a complete sample of early-type galaxies in the Fornax Cluster comprising 11 elliptical and 11 lenticular galaxies, more luminous than M _B=–17. We find that the centres of Fornax ellipticals follow the locus of galaxies of fixed age in Worthey's models and have metallicities varying roughly from half to 2.5 times solar. The centres of (relatively low luminosity) lenticular galaxies, however, exhibit a substantial spread to younger luminosity-weighted ages indicating amore extended star formation history. Our conclusions are based on two age/metallicity diagnostic diagrams in the Lick/IDS system comprising established indices such as [MgFe]and H_β as well as new and more sensitive indices, such as Fe3and H . The inferred difference in the age distribution between lenticular and elliptical galaxies is a robust conclusion as the models generate consistent relative ages using different age and metallicity indicators even though the absolute ages remain uncertain. The absolute age uncertainty is caused mainly by the effects of non-solar abundance ratios, which are not accounted for in the stellar population models. We find that Es are generally overabundant in magnesium and the most luminous galaxies show stronger overabundances. The luminosity-weighted stellar populations of young S0s are consistent with solar abundance ratios or a weak Mg under abundance. Two of the faintest lenticular galaxies in our sample have blue continua and extremely strong Balmer-line absorptions suggesting starbursts <2 Gyr ago. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

VLBI Imaging of Luminous Infrared Galaxies: Starbursts & AGN

As described by Colin Lonsdale in this Workshop, VLBI observations reveal thepresence of both AGN and Starburst activity in Luminous Infrared Galaxies.We highlight new results on two classical LIGs which span the range of LIGradio activity: Arp 220, which reveals luminous radio supernovae (RSN)produced in an intense starburst, and Mrk231, which has a powerful compact,AGN radio core. Second epoch observations of the compact radio sources inArp 220 confirm their nature as luminous Radio Supernovae, but indicate alower luminous RSN frequency (_LRSN 0.3 yr^-1) andconsequent slower decay rate than previously suggested. We interpret thisas due to the dense starburst medium into which the supernovaedetonate. The compact radio morphology of Mrk231 places it among theCompact Symmetric Objects (CSOs) which are suggested to be young radio sources in which asymmetric lobes or hotspots reveal theworking surface of a relativistic jet upon the ambient medium. Assumingthat the lobes in Mrk 231 are confined by ram pressure, we estimate an agefor the jet/compact source, 10⁶yr. We interpret Mrk 231as a newly formed QSO emerging from a starburst.     

Compact Groups of Galaxies: Evolution of the Stellar Population

We present a study focusing on the nature of compact groups (CGs) through the study of their elliptical (E) galaxies. Parameters describing the internal dynamics and the stellar populations of the galaxies are compared with their counterparts in other environments. Our sample has24 bright E galaxies located in the core of Hickson CGs and 11 bright ‘bona fide’ Es, located in the field or very loose groups. Their spectra were obtained with the 2.1 m Telescope at KPNO and have a 4.1 Å resolution over the wavelength range 3500–7000 Å. We have found that, from the dynamical point of view, E galaxies in CGs are essentially similar to those in dense clusters. Moreover, the stellar populations of Es in CGs seem to be older and less metal rich than those in the field, behaviour which has also been observed by Rose et al. (1994).     

Old Stellar Populations in Nearby Dwarf Galaxies

What can we learn from the somewhat arduous study of old stellar populations in nearby galaxies? Unless the nearby universe is subtly anomalous, it should contain a relatively normal selection of galaxies whose histories are representative of field galaxies in general throughout the Universe. We can therefore take advantage of our ability to resolve local galaxies into individual stars to directly, and accurately, measure star formation histories. The star formation histories are determined from numerical models, based on stellar evolution tracks, of colour-magnitude diagrams. The most accurate information on star formation rates extending back to the earliest epoches can be obtained from the structure of the main sequence. However, the oldest main sequence turnoffs are very faint, and it is often necessary to use the brighter, more evolved, populations to infer the star formation history at older times. A complete star formation history can be compared with the spectroscopic properties of galaxies seen over a large range of lookback times in redshift surveys. There is considerable evidence that the faint blue galaxies seen in large numbers in cosmological surveys are the progenitors of the late-type irregular galaxies seen in copious numbers in the Local Group, and beyond. We consider how the `Madau-diagram', the star formation history of the Universe, would look if the Local Group were to be considered representative of the Universe as a whole.     

Host galaxies and the unification of radio-loud AGN

Our HST WFPC2 survey of 110 BL Lac objects, from six complete X-ray-, radio-, and optically-selected catalogs, probes the host galaxies of low-luminosity radio sources in the redshift range 0<z<1.35. The host galaxies are luminous ellipticals, well matched in radio power and galaxy magnitude to FR I radio galaxies. Similarly, the host galaxies of high luminosity quasars occupy the same region of this plane as FR II radio galaxies (matched in redshift). This strongly supports the unification of radio-loud AGN, and suggests that studying blazars at high redshift is a proxy for investigating less luminous (to us) but intrinsically identical radio galaxies, which are harder to find at high z. Accordingly, the difference between low-power jets in BL Lac objects and high-power jets in quasars can then be related to the FR I/FR II dichotomy; and the evolution of blazar host galaxies or their nuclei (jets) should correspond to the evolution of radio galaxies.     

Stellar Populations in Bulges of Spiral Galaxies

We present a few results of a work in progress tackling the radial spectroscopic properties of bulges of spiral galaxies. This revised version was published online in September 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Kinematics and Stellar Populations of Seyfert Galaxies

We have analyzed high signal-to-noise spectra of 10 active galaxies in order to investigate the stellar populations of these objects and the kinematics of the gas and stars in their nuclei. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Stellar Population Analysis of Galaxies based on Genetic Algorithms

We present a new method for determining the age and relative contribution of different stellar populations in galaxies based on the genetic algorithm. We apply this method to the barred spiral galaxy NGC 3384, using CCD images in U, B, V, R and I bands. This analysis indicates that the galaxy NGC 3384 is mainly inhabited by old stellar population (age >109yr). Some problems were encountered when numerical simulations are used for determining the contribution of different stellar populations in the integrated color of a galaxy. The results show that the proposed genetic algorithm can search efficiently through the very large space of the possible ages.