A Study of the Black Hole Mass and Accretion Rate Distributions of AGNs

The redshift, central black hole mass and accretion rate are important parameters when studying the AGN evolution. The central black hole masses for 172 quasars and Seyfert galaxies are calculated in this paper using the reverberation mapping method. The distributions of central black hole masses, redshifts and the Eddington accretion rates are analyzed, to verify the transition from the quasar to the Seyfert galaxy in the course of evolution.     

Revisiting the relations: Galactic thin disc age–velocity dispersion relation

The velocity dispersion of stars in the solar neighbourhood thin disc increases with time after star formation. Nordström et al. performed the most recent observations to constrain the age–velocity dispersion relation. They fitted the age–velocity dispersion relations of each Galactic cardinal direction space velocity component, U (towards the Galactic Centre), V (in the direction of Galactic rotation) and W (towards the North Galactic Pole), with power laws and interpreted these as evidence for continuous heating of the disc in all directions throughout its lifetime. We revisit these relations with their data and use the results of Famaey et al. to show that structure in the local velocity distribution function distorts the in-plane ( U and V ) velocity distributions away from Gaussian so that a dispersion is not an adequate parametrization of their functions. The age–σ _W relation can however be constrained because the sample is well phase-mixed vertically. We do not find any local signature of the stellar warp in the Galactic disc. Vertical disc heating does not saturate at an early stage. Our new result is that a power law is not required by the data: disc heating models that saturate after ∼4.5 Gyr are equally consistent with observations.     

Discovery of Five Narrow－Line Seyfert 1 Galaxies and Implications on the NLS1 Model

We report the discovery of five Narrow-Line Seyfert 1 galaxies (NLSls) identified from the ROSAT All-Sky Survey bright sources. One of them has a quasarlike luminosity and two, including the quasar-like one, have close companions and/or show interacting features. We calculate the central black hole masses and Eddington ratios for the five NLSls. In combination with the objects of Kaspi et al., we find that NLSls have smaller central black hole masses and higher accretion rate than normal Seyfert ls.     

Discovery of Five Narrow-Line Seyfert 1 Galaxies and Im- plications on the NLS1 Model

We report the discovery of five Narrow-Line Seyfert 1 galaxies (NLSls) identified from the ROSAT All-Sky Survey bright sources. One of them has a quasar-like luminosity and two, including the quasar-like one, have close companions and/or show interacting features. We calculate the central black hole masses and Eddington ratios for the five NLSls. In combination with the objects of Kaspi et al., we find that NLSls have smaller central black hole masses and higher accretion rate than normal Seyfert 1s.     

Extremely metal‐poor stars in SDSS fields

Some insight on the first generation of stars can be obtained from the chemical composition of their direct descendants, extremely metal‐poor stars (EMP), with metallicity less than or equal to 1/1000 of the solar metallicity. Such stars are exceedingly rare, the most successful surveys, for this purpose, have so far provided only about 100 stars with 1/1000 the solar metallicity and 4 stars with about 1/10000 of the solar metallicity. The Sloan Digital Sky Survey has the potential to provide a large number of candidates of extremely low metallicity. X‐shooter has the unique capability of performing the necessary follow‐up spectroscopy providing accurate metallicities and abundance ratios for several elements (Mg, Al, Ca, Ti, Cr, Sr,...) for EMP candidates. We here report on the results for the first two stars observed in the course of our Franco‐Italian X‐shooter GTO. The two stars were targeted to be of metallicity around –3.0, the analysis of the X‐shooter spectra showed them to be of metallicity around –2.0, but with a low α to iron ratio, which explains the underestimate of the metallicity from the SDSS spectra. The efficiency of X‐shooter allows an in situ study of the outer halo, for the two stars studied here we estimate distances of 3.9 and 9.1 kpc, these are likely the most distant dwarf stars studied in detail to date (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Predicting spectral features in galaxy spectra from broad-band photometry

We explore the prospects of predicting emission-line features present in galaxy spectra given broad-band photometry alone. There is a general consent that colours, and spectral features, most notably the 4000 Å break, can predict many properties of galaxies, including star formation rates and hence they could infer some of the line properties. We argue that these techniques have great prospects in helping us understand line emission in extragalactic objects and might speed up future galaxy redshift surveys if they are to target emission-line objects only. We use two independent methods, Artificial Neural Networks (based on the ANNz code) and Locally Weighted Regression (LWR), to retrieve correlations present in the colour N -dimensional space and to predict the equivalent widths present in the corresponding spectra. We also investigate how well it is possible to separate galaxies with and without lines from broad-band photometry only. We find, unsurprisingly, that recombination lines can be well predicted by galaxy colours. However, among collisional lines some can and some cannot be predicted well from galaxy colours alone, without any further redshift information. We also use our techniques to estimate how much information contained in spectral diagnostic diagrams can be recovered from broad-band photometry alone. We find that it is possible to classify active galactic nuclei and star formation objects relatively well using colours only. We suggest that this technique could be used to considerably improve redshift surveys such as the upcoming Fibre Multi Object Spectrograph (FMOS) survey and the planned Wide Field Multi Object Spectrograph (WFMOS) survey.     

History of Star Formation of the Galaxy Cluster Abell 85

Abell 85 is a cD galaxy cluster in the southern hemisphere and has a redshift of 0.055. Based on the spectra of 242 member galaxies provided by the Sloan spectral survey data, using the stellar population constituents and star formation history of these member galaxies obtained from the population synthesis software STARLIGHT, we study the regularities of the variations of star formation properties of galaxies (such as the ages, metal abundances and star formation rates of the characteristic stellar populations) with the local surface density of galaxies. As revealed by the results, the galaxies situated in the highdensity environments of the central region of the cluster possess higher population ages and metal abundances, and their rates of star formation are rather low, the recent activities of star formation are obviously suppressed. Besides, the correlations of the galaxy metal abundance and speci?c star formation rate with the stellar mass are asserted.     

The programme “Milky Way”: the physical and kinematical investigation of galactic structures

Das Programm “Milky Way” zur Komplexuntersuchung von Struktur, Kinematik und Evolution der Galaxie wird beschrieben. Im Rahmen dieses Programms werden neue astrometrische und astrophysikalische Beobachtungen ausgeführt. Vorläufige Ergebnisse bezüglich der Struktur von Sternentstehungsgebieten, der Bewegungen und der Struktur des lokalen Spiralarmes werden dargestellt. Die Abhängigkeit der kinematischen Parameter von der Entfernung von der galaktischen Ebene wird abgeleitet. Diese Untersuchungen stützen sich auf neue Beobachtungen und auf Daten aus bereits veröffentlichten Katalogen.     

Constraints on decaying dark matter from XMM–Newton observations of M31

We derive constraints on the parameters of the radiatively decaying dark matter (DM) particle, using the XMM–Newton EPIC spectra of the Andromeda galaxy (M31). Using the observations of the outer (5–13 arcmin) parts of M31, we improve the existing constraints. For the case of sterile neutrino DM, combining our constraints with the latest computation of abundances of sterile neutrinos in the Dodelson–Widrow (DW) scenario, we obtain the lower mass limit   m _s < 4 keV  , which is stronger than the previous one   m _s < 6 keV  , obtained recently by Asaka, Laine & Shaposhnikov. Comparing this limit with the most recent results on Lyman α forest analysis of Viel et al.  ( m _s > 5.6 keV  ), we argue that the scenario in which all the DM is produced via the DW mechanism is ruled out. We discuss, however, other production mechanisms and note that the sterile neutrino remains a viable candidate for DM, either warm or cold.     

Clues on the Hubble sequence formation from self-consistent hydrodynamical simulations

We report on two fully self-consistent hydrodynamical simulations run, in the context of a ΛCDM cosmological model, with the DEVA code. Galaxy-like-objects of different morphologies form. The assembly patterns identified in these simulations give support to the ab initio scenario to explain morphological differentiation, even if violent events at lower z could also have played a role. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

星系团次结构的统计研究

对星系团次结构研究中所应用的各种统计学方法进行了全面的评述．内容包括：次结构存在可能性的统计探测、团结构分析以及次团的运动学参数拟合和成员的统计确定．     

Environmental dependence of five photometric band concentration indexes for luminous red galaxies from the SDSS Data Release 7

Using the Luminous Red Galaxy (LRG) sample of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release 7 (SDSS DR7), we explore the environmental dependence of five photometric band concentration indexes of LRGs. It turns out that the trends for all the five band concentration indexes to change with the local density are the same: galaxies with higher concentration reside preferentially in overdense environments, while galaxies with lower concentration are located preferentially in underdense environments (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Isolated Main Galaxy Pairs from the SDSS Data Release 4

From the Main galaxy data of the SDSS Data Release 4 (SDSS4), we have identified close galaxy pairs at neighbourhood radius R = 100 kpc by three-dimensional cluster analysis. Using the criterion that an "isolated galaxy pair" must be separated from its "nearest neighbor" by more than 500 kpc, we constructed an isolated galaxy pair sample of 1158 pairs. We also constructed a random pair sample by randomly selecting 1158 galaxy pairs from the Main galaxy sample, which has the same redshift distribution as the isolated galaxy pair sample, and in which the two components of any pair have the same redshifts. Comparative studies of luminosity and size between the members of the galaxy pairs are performed. We find and further confirm there is no tendency for paired galaxies to have similar luminosities or sizes. From the isolated pair sample we also selected a subsample with the magnitude limit of the primary raised by 2 magnitudes, so as to include pairs in which the secondary is 2 magnitudes fainter than the primary. This subsample contains 82 pairs. A random pair sample is similarly constructed.     

Environmental dependence of dark matter halo growth – I. Halo merger rates

In an earlier paper, we quantified the mean merger rate of dark matter haloes as a function of redshift z , descendant halo mass M ₀, and progenitor halo mass ratio ξ using the Millennium simulation of the Λ cold dark matter cosmology. Here, we broaden that study and investigate the dependence of the merger rate of haloes on their surrounding environment. A number of local mass overdensity variables, both including and excluding the halo mass itself, are tested as measures of a halo's environment. The simple functional dependence on   z , M ₀  , and ξ of the merger rate found in our earlier work, is largely preserved in different environments, but we find that the overall amplitude of the merger rate has a strong positive correlation with the environmental densities. For galaxy-mass haloes, we find mergers to occur ∼2.5 times more frequently in the densest regions than in voids at both   z = 0  and higher redshifts. Higher mass haloes show similar trends. We present a fitting form for this environmental dependence that is a function of both mass and local density and valid out to   z = 2  . The amplitude of the progenitor (or conditional) mass function shows a similar correlation with local overdensity, suggesting that the extended Press–Schechter model for halo growth needs to be modified to incorporate environmental effects.     

The irregular galaxy Cassiopeia 1 – a new member of the Local group

A photometry in the V, R, I (Cousins) system has been performed for stars in the galaxy Cassiopeia 1. The resulting colour-agnitude (CM) diagram of Cas 1 reveals the existence of blue stars and the absence of red ones. From an analysis of the CM diagram of the galaxy it is concluded that A_v = 4.0 mag, and the distance modulus (m – M)_o = 24.5 mag, corresponding to a distance of 790 kpc. The visual magnitude of the galaxy is V = 14^m.62 (M_v = −13^m.8) and the colour index (V – R) = 0.89 mag. From the distance determination the galaxy Cassiopeia 1 is a member of the Local group.     

The Kiloparsec-scale Structure of 3C 286

We present radio images of the compact steep spectrum (CSS) quasar 3C 286 acquired with the Very Large Array (VLA) at 8.4 and 22.5 GHz. The source exhibits a two-sided core-jet structure with a bright central component and two extended components one to the east (P.A. 100°) and another to the southwest (P.A. - 116°). From the compact core, an extension runs towards the southwest component up to - 0.7 arcsecond. The emission between the primary central component and the southwest component exhibits a knotty structure. A gradual change of the jet position angles from -135° to -120° in the inner southwest jet suggests a local bend. The position angle changes of the major eastern components E2 and El suggest that the eastern jet likely follows a curved trace. The bends in the jet trace may be associated with a relativistic precession or some interaction between the jet and the ambient matter. A mean spectral index of a22.58.4 - -0.76 (Sv ∝ va) is estimated for the core component. Steep spectra are also     

Anisotropic Inhomogeneous Riemann S-Ellipsoids in Spheroidal Halos. I.

The classical Riemann S-ellipsoids are generalized to account for a Ferrers inhomogeneity in the mass distribution, a three-dimensional anisotropy of the velocity dispersions, and the gravitation of a spheroidal halo. The Ferrers inhomogeneity does not affect the equilibrium and stability conditions for the ellipsoids, but only changes the numerical coefficients in the equilibrium parameters. The anisotropy of the velocity dispersions changes both the equilibrium conditions and the criterion for stability of the ellipsoids, either extending or limiting the region in which the ellipsoids exist. A halo extends this region in all cases and stabilizes the ellipsoids. The observed of the velocity dispersions of stars in the neighborhood of the sun are obtained using the inhomgeneous model. __________ Translated from Astrofizika, Vol. 48, No. 4, pp. 613–632 (November 2005).     

Orbits of galactic globular clusters

New absolute proper motions of the two globular clusters NGC 4147 and NGC 6218 and a specific model of galactic mass distribution are used to integrate their orbits numerically. The resulting values of orbital parameters and their variation due to the uncertainty of the initial values are discussed. Furthermore, the deviations from the time average of the virial theorem are determined.     

2Mass Observation Of Infrared Quasars

The 2MASS observation of the infrared quasars (IR QSOs) known so far is presented in this paper. Compared with the optical selected quasars, infrared quasars are more dust-enshrouded and have redder colors and steeper spectral indices in the near infrared. In consequence, they are much younger than the optical selected quasars. The result may be helpful to the suggestion that the evolution links could be the ULIRGs - > the IR QSOs - > the optical selected quasars. This publication makes use of data products from the Two Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS), which is a joint project of the University of Massachusetts and the Infrared Processing and Analysis Center, funded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the National Science Foundation of the United States.     

星爆后星系NGC4736核区的环状结构

在１９９２年３月３１日至４月２日期间，我们利用云南天文台１ｍ望远镜２号ＣＣＤ和缩焦装置，对环星系ＮＧＣ４７３６进行了Ⅴ和Ⅰ波段深曝光观测。在经过Ｒｉｃｈａｒｄｓｏｎ－Ｌｕｃｙ图象复原以及自适应滤波两种方法处理后，发现仅仅在Ⅴ波段图象上，其核区存在一个直径约为１０″的环状结构。