The 2dF Galaxy Redshift Survey: luminosity functions by density environment and galaxy type

We use the 2dF Galaxy Redshift Survey to measure the dependence of the b _J-band galaxy luminosity function on large-scale environment, defined by density contrast in spheres of radius  8  h ⁻¹ Mpc  , and on spectral type, determined from principal component analysis. We find that the galaxy populations at both extremes of density differ significantly from that at the mean density. The population in voids is dominated by late types and shows, relative to the mean, a deficit of galaxies that becomes increasingly pronounced at magnitudes brighter than   M _{b J}−5log₁₀ h ≲−18.5  . In contrast, cluster regions have a relative excess of very bright early-type galaxies with   M _{b J}−5log₁₀ h ≲−21  . Differences in the mid- to faint-end population between environments are significant: at   M _{b J}−5log₁₀ h =−18  early- and late-type cluster galaxies show comparable abundances, whereas in voids the late types dominate by almost an order of magnitude. We find that the luminosity functions measured in all density environments, from voids to clusters, can be approximated by Schechter functions with parameters that vary smoothly with local density, but in a fashion that differs strikingly for early- and late-type galaxies. These observed variations, combined with our finding that the faint-end slope of the overall luminosity function depends at most weakly on density environment, may prove to be a significant challenge for models of galaxy formation.     

An improved method of constructing binned luminosity functions

We show that binned differential luminosity functions constructed using the 1/ V _a method have a significant systematic error for objects close to the flux limit(s) of their parent sample. This is particularly noticeable when luminosity functions are produced for a number of different redshift ranges as is common in the study of AGN or galaxy evolution. We present a simple method of constructing a binned luminosity function which overcomes this problem and has a number of other advantages over the traditional 1/ V _a method. We also describe a practical method for comparing binned and model luminosity functions, by calculating the expectation values of the binned luminosity function from the model.
Binned luminosity functions produced by the two methods are compared for simulated data and for the Large Bright QSO Survey (LBQS). It is shown that the 1/ V _a method produces a very misleading picture of evolution in the LBQS. The binned luminosity function of the LBQS is then compared with a model two-power-law luminosity function undergoing pure luminosity evolution from Boyle et al. The comparison is made using a model luminosity function averaged over each redshift shell, and using the expectation values for the binned luminosity function calculated from the model. The luminosity function averaged in each redshift shell gives a misleading impression that the model over predicts the number of QSOs at low luminosity even for 1.0< z <1.5, when model and data are consistent. The expectation values show that there are significant differences between model and data: the model overpredicts the number of low luminosity sources at both low and high redshift. The luminosity function does not appear to steepen relative to the model as redshift increases.     

Near-infrared bulge–disc correlations of lenticular galaxies

We consider the luminosity and environmental dependence of structural parameters of lenticular galaxies in the near-infrared K band. Using a 2D galaxy image decomposition technique, we extract bulge and disc structural parameters for a sample of 36 lenticular galaxies observed by us in the K band. By combining data from the literature for field and cluster lenticulars with our data, we study correlations between parameters that characterize the bulge and the disc as a function of luminosity and environment. We find that scaling relations such as the Kormendy relation, photometric plane and other correlations involving bulge and disc parameters show a luminosity dependence. This dependence can be explained in terms of galaxy formation models in which faint lenticulars  ( M _T > −24.5)  formed via secular formation processes that likely formed the pseudo-bulges of late-type disc galaxies, while brighter lenticulars  ( M _T < −24.5)  formed through a different formation mechanism most likely involving major mergers. On probing variations in lenticular properties as a function of environment, we find that faint cluster lenticulars show systematic differences with respect to faint field lenticulars. These differences support the idea that the bulge and disc components fade after the galaxy falls into a cluster, while simultaneously undergoing a transformation from spiral to lenticular morphologies.     

The luminosity dependence of opening angle in unified models of active galaxies

In unified models of active galaxies the direct line of sight to the nucleus is unobscured only within a certain cone of directions. An opening angle for this cone is usually estimated by methods such as the overall ratio of Seyfert 1s to Seyfert 2s, the latter assumed to be obscured versions of the former. Here we shall show, as has often been suspected, that the opening angle of the cone depends on the luminosity of the central source, with higher luminosities corresponding to larger opening angles. This conclusion depends only on the assumption that the width of the broad emission lines at a given luminosity is a measure of inclination angle, an assumption that is supported by observation in radio-loud systems. On the other hand we show that the scatter in X-ray spectral index is not primarily an effect of viewing angle, in contrast to what might be expected if the scatter on the spectral index versus luminosity relation were a consequence of absorption in the obscuring material. The observed correlation between linewidth and spectral index appears to be a further consequence of the dependence of opening angle on luminosity.     

The luminosity function and surface brightness distribution of H i selected galaxies

We measure the     B -band optical luminosity function (LF) for galaxies selected in a blind H  i survey. The total LF of the H  i selected sample is flat, with Schechter parameters     and     , in good agreement with LFs of optically selected late-type galaxies. Bivariate distribution functions of several galaxy parameters show that the H  i density in the local Universe is more widely spread over galaxies of different size, central surface brightness and luminosity than the optical luminosity density is. The number density of very low surface brightness (LSB ) (>24.0 mag arcsec⁻²) gas-rich galaxies is considerably lower than that found in optical surveys designed to detect dim galaxies. This suggests that only a part of the population of LSB galaxies is gas-rich and that the rest must be gas-poor. However, we show that this gas-poor population must be cosmologically insignificant in baryon content. The contribution of gas-rich LSB galaxies (>23.0 mag arcsec⁻²) to the local cosmological gas and luminosity density is modest     and     per cent respectively); their contribution to Ω_matter is not well-determined, but probably <11 per cent. These values are in excellent agreement with the low redshift results from the Hubble Deep Field.     

Comparisons of u ‐, g ‐, r ‐, i ‐, and z ‐band luminosity distributions between galaxy members of compact groups and isolated galaxies

To investigate the environmental dependence of u ‐, g ‐, r ‐, i ‐, and z ‐band luminosities, we perform comparative studies of luminosity distributions between galaxy members of compact groups (CGs) and isolated galaxies. It is found that for the r, i, and z bands isolated galaxies have a higher proportion of faint galaxies and a lower proportion of luminous galaxies than galaxy members of CGs, but for the u band an opposite trend is observed. The correlation between the g ‐band luminosity and the environment has different trends in different luminosity regions (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

The Phoenix Deep Survey: 1.4-GHz source counts

We present the first results from the Phoenix Deep Survey, a multiwavelength survey of a 2° diameter region. Observations in the radio continuum at 1.4 GHz carried out with the Australia Telescope Compact Array are described. The catalogue of over 1000 radio sources compiled from these observations is analysed, and the source counts are presented. We model the observational source counts using a two-population model and published luminosity functions for these populations. Upon invoking luminosity and density evolution, we find that a luminosity evolution model best fits the radio observations, consistent with earlier work. The redshift distribution of the two galaxy populations investigated is also modelled and discussed.     

X‐ray luminosity functions of different morphological and X‐ray type AGN populations

Luminosity functions are one of the most important observational clues when studying galaxy evolution over cosmic time. In this paper we present the X‐ray luminosity functions for X‐ray detected AGN in the SXDS and GWS fields. The limiting fluxes of our samples are 9.0 ×10^–15 and 4.8 ×10^–16 erg cm^–2 s^–1 in the 0.5–7.0 keV band in the two fields, respectively. We carried out analysis in three X‐ray bands and in two redshift intervals up to z ≤ 1.4. Moreover, we derive the luminosity functions for different optical morphologies and X‐ray types. We confirm strong luminosity evolution in all three bands, finding the most luminous objects at higher redshift. However, no signs of density evolution are found in any tested X‐ray band. We obtain similar results for compact and early‐type objects. Finally, we observe the “Steffen effect”, where X‐ray type‐1 sources are more numerous at higher luminosities in comparison with type‐2 sources. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

The environments and clustering properties of 2dF Galaxy Redshift Survey selected starburst galaxies

We investigate the environments and clustering properties of starburst galaxies selected from the 2dF Galaxy Redshift Survey (2dFGRS) in order to determine which, if any, environmental factors play a role in triggering a starburst. We quantify the local environments, clustering properties and luminosity functions of our starburst galaxies and compare to random control samples. The starburst galaxies are also classified morphologically in terms of their broad Hubble type and evidence of tidal merger/interaction signatures. We find the starburst galaxies to be much less clustered on large (5–15 Mpc) scales compared to the overall 2dFGRS galaxy population. In terms of their environments, we find just over half of the starburst galaxies to reside in low to intermediate luminosity groups, and a further ∼30 per cent residing in the outskirts and infall regions of rich clusters. Their luminosity functions also differ significantly from that of the overall 2dFGRS galaxy population, with the sense of the difference being critically dependent on the way their star formation rates are measured. In terms of pin-pointing what might trigger the starburst, it would appear that factors relating to their local environment are most germane. Specifically, we find clear evidence that the presence of a near neighbour of comparable luminosity/mass within 20 kpc is likely to be important in triggering a starburst. We also find that a significant fraction (20–30 per cent) of the galaxies in our starburst samples have morphologies indicative of either an ongoing or a recent tidal interaction and/or merger. These findings notwithstanding, there remain a significant portion of starburst galaxies where such local environmental influences are not in any obvious way playing a triggering role, leading us to conclude that starbursts can also be internally driven.     

The changing interstellar medium of massive elliptical galaxies and cosmic evolution of radio galaxies and quasars

The recently discovered apparent dramatic expansion in the effective radii of massive elliptical galaxies from   z ≃ 2  to ≃0.1 has been interpreted in terms of either galaxy mergers or the rapid loss of cold gas due to active galactic nuclei (AGN) feedback. In examining the latter case, we have quantified the extent of the expansion, which is uncertain observationally, in terms of the star formation parameters and time of the expulsion of the cold gas. In either case, the large global decrease in stellar density should translate into a major drop in the interstellar medium density and pressure with cosmic epoch. These cosmological changes are expected to have a major influence on the gas accretion mode, which will shift from 'cold' thin disc accretion at high redshifts towards 'hot' Bondi fed Advection Dominated Accretion Flow (ADAF) accretion at low redshifts. The decline of angular momentum inflow would then lead to a spin down of the black hole, for which we have calculated more precise time-scales; a value of about 0.2 Gyr is typical for a  10⁹ M_⊙  central black hole. These results have implications for the different cosmological evolutionary patterns found for the luminosity functions of powerful and weak radio galaxies.     

Host galaxy morphologies of X-ray selected AGN: assessing the significance of different black hole fuelling mechanisms to the accretion density of the Universe at z∼ 1.

We use morphological information of X-ray selected active galactic nuclei (AGN) hosts to set limits on the fraction of the accretion density of the Universe at   z ≈ 1  that is not likely to be associated with major mergers. Deep X-ray observations are combined with high-resolution optical data from the Hubble Space Telescope in the All-wavelength Extended Groth strip International Survey, Great Observatories Origins Deep Survey (GOODS) North and GOODS South fields to explore the morphological breakdown of X-ray sources in the redshift interval  0.5 < z < 1.3  . The sample is split into discs, early-type bulge-dominated galaxies, peculiar systems and point sources in which the nuclear source outshines the host galaxy. The X-ray luminosity function and luminosity density of AGN at   z ≈ 1  are then calculated as a function of morphological type. We find that disc-dominated hosts contribute  30 ± 9  per cent to the total AGN space density and  23 ± 6  per cent to the luminosity density at   z ≈ 1  . We argue that AGN in disc galaxies are most likely fuelled not by major merger events but by minor interactions or internal instabilities. We find evidence that these mechanisms may be more efficient in producing luminous AGN     compared to predictions for the stochastic fuelling of massive black holes in disc galaxies.     

A simple model for the evolution of supermassive black holes and the quasar population

An empirically motivated model is presented for accretion-dominated growth of supermassive black holes (SMBH) in galaxies, and the implications are studied for the evolution of the quasar population in the Universe. We investigate the core aspects of the quasar population, including space density evolution, evolution of the characteristic luminosity, plausible minimum masses of quasars, the mass function of SMBH and their formation epoch distribution. Our model suggests that the characteristic luminosity in the quasar luminosity function arises primarily as a consequence of a characteristic mass scale above which there is a systematic separation between the black hole and the halo merging rates. At lower mass scales, black hole merging closely tracks the merging of dark haloes. When combined with a declining efficiency of black hole formation with redshift, the model can reproduce the quasar luminosity function over a wide range of redshifts. The observed space density evolution of quasars is well described by formation rates of SMBH above  ∼10⁸  M_⊙  . The inferred mass density of SMBH agrees with that found independently from estimates of the SMBH mass function derived empirically from the quasar luminosity function.     

The clustering evolution of the galaxy distribution

We follow the evolution of the galaxy population in a ΛCDM cosmology by means of high-resolution N -body simulations in which the formation of galaxies and their observable properties are calculated using a semi-analytic model. We display images of the spatial distribution of galaxies in the simulations that illustrate its evolution and provide a qualitative understanding of the processes responsible for the various biases that develop. We consider three specific statistical measures of clustering at     and     : the correlation length (in both real and redshift space) of galaxies of different luminosity, the morphology–density relation and the genus curve of the topology of galaxy isodensity surfaces. For galaxies with luminosity below L ∗, the     correlation length depends very little on the luminosity of the sample, but for brighter galaxies it increases very rapidly, reaching values in excess of 10  h ⁻¹ Mpc. The 'accelerated' dynamical evolution experienced by galaxies in rich clusters, which is partly responsible for this effect, also results in a strong morphology–density relation. Remarkably, this relation is already well-established at     . The genus curves of the galaxies are significantly different from the genus curves of the dark matter, however this is not a result of genuine topological differences but rather of the sparse sampling of the density field provided by galaxies. The predictions of our model at     will be tested by forthcoming data from the 2dF and Sloan galaxy surveys, and those at     by the DEEP and VIRMOS surveys.     

Extended gas in Seyfert 2 galaxies: implications for the nuclear source

We use long-slit spectroscopic optical data to derive the properties of the extended emitting gas and the nuclear luminosity of a sample of 18 Seyfert 2 galaxies. From the emission-line luminosities and ratios we derive the density, reddening and mass of the ionized gas as a function of distance up to 2–4 kpc from the nucleus. Taking into account the geometric dilution of the nuclear radiation, we derive the radial distribution of covering factors and the minimum rate of ionizing photons emitted by the nuclear source. This number is an order of magnitude larger than that obtained from the rate of ionizing photons 'intercepted' by the gas and measured from the Hα luminosity. A calibration is proposed to recover this number from the observed luminosity. The He  ii λ4686/Hβ line ratio was used to calculate the slope of the ionizing spectral energy distribution (SED), which in combination with the number of ionizing photons allows the calculation of the hard X-ray luminosities. These luminosities are consistent with those derived from X-ray spectra in the eight cases for which such data are available and recover the intrinsic X-ray emission in Compton-thick cases. Our method can thus provide reliable estimates of the X-ray fluxes in Seyfert 2 galaxies for the cases where it is not readily available. We also use the ionizing SED and luminosity to predict the infrared luminosity under the assumption that it is dominated by reprocessed radiation from a dusty torus, and find a good agreement with the observed IRAS luminosities.     

Intergalactic Extinction and the Quasar Cut-off

The intergalactic extinction in FRIEDMANN (with A = o) universes homogeneously filled with dust grains is calculated assuming the extinction to be 0.5 mag at z = 1 and a λ⁻¹ wavelength dependence. With the resulting intergalactic extinction the number of quasars which should be observed at different redshifts are estimated assuming two different luminosity functions and a density evolution of the quasars according to M. SCHMIDT (1970, 1972). The expected number of quasars decreases rapidly with increasing redshift between z = 2 and z = 3. The observed number-magnitude relation by G. A. RICHTER (1975) is well represented.     

CENSORS: A Combined EIS–NVSS Survey Of Radio Sources – I. Sample definition, radio data and optical identifications

A new sample of radio sources, with the designated name CENSORS (A Combined EIS–NVSS Survey Of Radio Sources), has been defined by combining the National Radio Astronomy Observatory Very Large Array Sky Survey (NVSS) at 1.4 GHz with the ESO Imaging Survey (EIS) Patch D, a 3° by 2° region of sky centred at RA     , Dec. −21°00'00' (J2000). New radio observations of 199 NVSS radio sources with NVSS flux densities   S _{1.4 GHz} > 7.8 mJy  are presented, and are compared with the EIS I -band imaging observations which reach a depth of   I ∼ 23  ; optical identifications are obtained for over two-thirds of the ∼150 confirmed radio sources within the EIS field. The radio sources have a median linear size of 6 arcsec, consistent with the trend for lower flux density radio sources to be less extended. Other radio source properties, such as the lobe flux density ratios, are consistent with those of brighter radio source samples. From the optical information, 30–40 per cent of the sources are expected to lie at redshifts   z ≳ 1.5  .
One of the key goals of this survey is to accurately determine the high-redshift evolution of the radio luminosity function. These radio sources are at the ideal flux density level to achieve this goal; at redshifts   z ∼ 2  they have luminosities which are around the break of the luminosity function and so provide a much more accurate census of the radio source population at those redshifts than the existing studies of extreme, high radio power sources. Other survey goals include investigating the dual-population unification schemes for radio sources, studying the radio luminosity dependence of the evolution of radio source environments, and understanding the radio power dependence of the K – z relation for radio galaxies.     

The X-ray luminosity function of AGN at z∼ 3

We combine Lyman-break colour selection with ultradeep (≳200 ks) Chandra X-ray imaging over a survey area of ∼0.35 deg² to select high-redshift active galactic nuclei (AGN). Applying careful corrections for both the optical and X-ray selection functions, the data allow us to make the most accurate determination to date of the faint end of the X-ray luminosity function (XLF) at   z ∼ 3  . Our methodology recovers a number density of X-ray sources at this redshift which is at least as high as previous surveys, demonstrating that it is an effective way of selecting high z AGN. Comparing to results at   z = 1  , we find no evidence that the faint slope of the XLF flattens at high z , but we do find significant (factor ∼3.6) negative evolution of the space density of low luminosity AGN. Combining with bright end data from very wide surveys we also see marginal evidence for continued positive evolution of the characteristic break luminosity   L _*  . Our data therefore support models of luminosity-dependent density evolution between   z = 1  and   z = 3  . A sharp upturn in the the XLF is seen at the very lowest luminosities  ( L _X≲ 10^42.5 erg s⁻¹)  , most likely due to the contribution of pure X-ray starburst galaxies at very faint fluxes.     

Cosmological evolution and hierarchical galaxy formation

We calculate the rate at which dark matter haloes merge to form higher mass systems. Two complementary derivations using Press–Schechter theory are given, both of which result in the same equation for the formation rate. First, a derivation using the properties of the Brownian random walks within the framework of Press–Schechter theory is presented. We then use Bayes' theorem to obtain the same result from the standard Press–Schechter mass function. The rate obtained is shown to be in good agreement with results from Monte Carlo and N -body simulations. We illustrate the usefulness of this formula by calculating the expected cosmological evolution in the rate of star formation that is due to short-lived, merger-induced starbursts. The calculated evolution is well-matched to the observed evolution in ultraviolet luminosity density, in contrast to the lower rates of evolution that are derived from semi-analytic models that do not include a dominant contribution from starbursts. Hence we suggest that the bulk of the observed ultraviolet starlight at z >1 arises from merger-induced starbursts. Finally, we show that a simple merging-halo model can also account for the bulk of the observed evolution in the comoving quasar space density.