Morphological and spectral study of the galaxies Kaz 69 and Kaz 460

Morphological and spectral studies of the galaxies Kaz 69 and Kaz 460 are reported. The observations were made on the 2.6-m telescope at the Byurakan Observatory using the VAGR multiaperture spectrograph. Isophotes of monochromatic images of the Hα, [NII] λ6584, and [SII] λ6717 lines are constructed. Densifications I and II are found to rotate with north-south oriented axes of rotation. The two densifications (“knots”) have all the kinematic and spectral properties of individual galaxies. It is assumed that Kaz 139 and the densifications I and II were ejected from the nucleus of Kaz 460 at different times, with Kaz 139 probably having been ejected first, although they may all have been ejected simultaneously with different velocities. Along with Kaz 460, these objects form a physical group of galaxies and, at the same time, are a consequence of the activity of the nucleus of Kaz 460. __________ Translated from Astrofizika, Vol. 50, No. 3, pp. 415–426 (August 2007).     

Morphological and Spectral Study of the Galaxy Kaz 73

Morphological and spectral studies of the nucleus and immediately surrounding regions of the galaxy Kaz 73 are reported. The observations were made on the 2.6 m telescope at the Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory in combination with the multi-pupil VAGR spectrograph. Isophotes are constructed for monochromatic images in the Hα, [NII]λ 6584, and [SII]λ6731 lines. It is shown that the surface brightness of the nucleus in monochromatic images of these lines increases rapidly from the edge to the center, with an increase of 5^m for the Hα line. The nucleus of Kaz 73 is found to rotate clockwise about its axis, which is perpendicular to the direction of the arms of the galaxy. The extent of the nucleus in the direction of the arms is found to be a consequence of its rotation; that is, the nucleus is flattened in the direction of the poles. Overall, the nucleus of Kaz 73 has all the kinematic features of an entire galaxy. The masses of the nucleus and its gaseous component are determined to be 6.5⋅10⁸ M• and 1.9⋅10⁴ M•, respectively.__________Translated from Astrofizika, Vol. 48, No. 2, pp. 291–301 (May 2005).     

Spectral observations of galaxies with UV excess

Spectral observations of 19 galaxies with UV-excesses from Kazarian’s list are reported. The spectra were obtained with the 2.6-m telescope at the Byurakan Observatory using the SCORPIO spectral camera. A grism was used to obtain spectra in the wavelength interval λλ7420-3920 Å. 43 spectra in which emission lines are mainly observed were obtained from the 19 galaxies, except for the spectra of Kaz 21, Kaz 178, Kaz 183, and Kaz 184. The spectra of Kaz 17, Kaz 151, Kaz 153, and Kaz 357 have type Sy2 galactic features. In the spectra of the galaxies Kaz 17, Kaz 151, and Kaz 153, absorption lines are observed along with high excitation emission lines such as HeI λ5876 Å and HeII λ4686 Å. No lines were observed within the interval λλ7420-3920 Å in the spectra of the galaxies Kaz 183 and Kaz 184. __________ Translated from Astrofizika, Vol. 49, No. 3, pp. 351–358 (August 2006).     

Panoramic spectroscopy of galaxies with star-formation regions. a study of SBS 1202?+?583

The methods of panoramic (3D) spectroscopy are used by us in a detailed study of galaxies with ongoing star formation chosen from among objects in seven selected fields of the Second Byurakan Survey (SBS). This article deals with the irregular galaxy SBS 1202 + 583, which our classification scheme identifies as being in a continuous phase of star formation. Observations were made with the panoramic spectrographs MPFS at the 6-m telescope of the Special Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) of the Russian Academy of Sciences and VAGR at the 2.6-m telescope of the Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory (BAO) in Armenia. The data are used to construct maps of the radiative fluxes in the continuum and various emission lines. Special attention is devoted to analyzing the emission in the Hα hydrogen recombination line and in the forbidden low-ionization doublets of nitrogen [NII] λλ6548, 6583 and sulfur [SII] λλ6716, 6731, and the ratios of the intensities of the forbidden lines to Hα. The observable characteristics (size, Hα fluxes, etc.) of nine HII regions are studied. The estimated current rates of star formation in the individual HII regions based on the Hα fluxes lie within the range of 0.3-1.2_⨀ M /year. The dependence of the ratio of the intensities of the emission in these above mentioned forbidden doublets on the rate of star formation in the HII regions is found.     

Data on the spectral variability of Kaz 102

Results from a spectral study of the quasar Kaz 102 are presented. It is shown that its spectrum varies as a whole; that is, the parameters of both the lines and the continuum change. Based on a comparison of results presented previously and in this paper, it is concluded that over a time of approximately 27.5 years the equivalent widths and relative intensities of the lines have increased, while their half widths have decreased. The spectral composition of Kaz 102 has also changed: new lines, HeII λ4686, [OIII] λ4363, and others, appear in spectra of 2000 and 2001 which were not observed in spectra taken in 1973. The electron density, and the mass and effective radius of the gas component are determined to be 2·107 cm-3, 2·10⁴ M_⊙, and 0.2 pc. __________ Translated from Astrofizika, Vol. 50, No. 2, pp. 161–170 (May 2007).     

New data on the variability of the spectrum of Kaz 163

The results of new spectral observations of the Seyfert component of the close binary galaxy with UV excess Kaz 163 are presented. Two new spectra have been obtained: with the 3-m telescope of Lick Observatory in 1986 and with the 1.8-m telescope of Asiago Observatory in 1993. It is shown that there was no short-term (about one month) variability in the spectrum. The emission lines Hell 4686 and Hel 5876 strengthen significantly between 1984 and 1986.Translated fromAstrofizika, Vol. 37, No. 1, pp. 5–12, January–March, 1994.     

Production of dust by massive stars at high redshift

The large amounts of dust detected in sub-millimeter galaxies and quasars at high redshift pose a challenge to galaxy formation models and theories of cosmic dust formation. At z>6 only stars of relatively high mass (>3 M_⊙) are sufficiently short-lived to be potential stellar sources of dust. This review is devoted to identifying and quantifying the most important stellar channels of rapid dust formation. We ascertain the dust production efficiency of stars in the mass range 3–40 M_⊙ using both observed and theoretical dust yields of evolved massive stars and supernovae (SNe) and provide analytical expressions for the dust production efficiencies in various scenarios. We also address the strong sensitivity of the total dust productivity to the initial mass function. From simple considerations, we find that, in the early Universe, high-mass (>3 M_⊙) asymptotic giant branch stars can only be dominant dust producers if SNe generate ≲3×10⁻³ M_⊙ of dust whereas SNe prevail if they are more efficient. We address the challenges in inferring dust masses and star-formation rates from observations of high-redshift galaxies. We conclude that significant SN dust production at high redshift is likely required to reproduce current dust mass estimates, possibly coupled with rapid dust grain growth in the interstellar medium.     

Variability of the spectrum of the galaxy kaz 701

Results from a spectrophotometric study of the galaxy Kaz 701 are presented. Spectra of this galaxy were obtained on the 2.6-m telescope at the Byurakan Observatory with the SCORPIO spectral camera. In the spectra of Kaz 701, strong Hα, [OIII] λλ5007, 4959, and Hβ emission were observed, and the [SII]λλ6731, 6717 lines were observed with moderate intensities, while the [NII]λ6584 line was scarcely noticeable in the spectra obtained in 2004, but was much more intense in the spectra of 2009. The lines observed in the spectrum of this galaxy are typical of type Sy2 galaxies. A component was observed in the red wings of both the Hα and Hβ lines in the data of 2004, but, although these lines were stronger, these components were absent in the spectra taken in 2009. The relative intensities, equivalent widths, and half widths of these lines are given. These data, obtained in different observation periods (2004 and 2009), differ greatly; that is, the emission is variable.     

Extrapolating SMBH correlations down the mass scale: the case for IMBHs in globular clusters

Empirical evidence for both stellar mass black holes (M _•<10²  M _⊙) and supermassive black holes (SMBHs, M _•>10⁵  M _⊙) is well established. Moreover, every galaxy with a bulge appears to host a SMBH, whose mass is correlated with the bulge mass, and even more strongly with the central stellar velocity dispersion σ _c , the M _•–σ relation. On the other hand, evidence for “intermediate-mass” black holes (IMBHs, with masses in the range 100–10⁵ M _⊙) is relatively sparse, with only a few mass measurements reported in globular clusters (GCs), dwarf galaxies and low-mass AGNs. We explore the question of whether globular clusters extend the M _•–σ relationship for galaxies to lower black hole masses and find that available data for globular clusters are consistent with the extrapolation of this relationship. We use this extrapolated M _•–σ relationship to predict the putative black hole masses of those globular clusters where existence of central IMBH was proposed. We discuss how globular clusters can be used as a constraint on theories making specific predictions for the low-mass end of the M _•–σ relation.     

Masses of the local group and of the M81 group estimated from distortions in the local velocity field

Based on high precision measurements of the distances to nearby galaxies with the Hubble telescope, we have determined the radii of the zero velocity spheres for the local group, R₀ = 0.96±0.03Mpc, and for the group of galaxies around M 81/M 82, 0.89±0.05Mpc. These yield estimates of M_T = (1.29±0.14)· 10¹² M_⊙ and (1.03±0.17)· 10¹² M_⊙, respectively, for the total masses of these groups. The R₀ method allows us to determine the mass ratios for the two brightest members in both groups, as well. By varying the position of the center of mass between the two principal members of a group to obtain minimal scatter in the galaxies on a Hubble diagram, we find mass ratios of 0.8:1.0 for our galaxy and Andromeda and 0.54:1.00 for the M82 and M81 galaxies, in good agreement with the observed ratios of the luminosities of these galaxies. __________ Translated from Astrofizika, Vol. 49, No. 1, pp. 5–22 (February 2006).     

Combined Analysis of Ultraviolet and Radio Observations of the 7 May 2004 CME/Shock Event

We report results from the combined analysis of UV and radio observations of a CME-driven shock observed on 7 May 2004 above the southeast limb of the Sun at 1.86 R _⊙ with the Ultraviolet Coronagraph Spectrometer (UVCS) on board the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO). The coronal mass ejection (CME) was first detected in white-light by the SOHO’s Large Angle and Spectrometric Coronagraph (LASCO) C2 telescope and shock-associated type II metric emission was recorded simultaneously by ground-based radio spectrographs. The shock speed (∼ 690 km s⁻¹), as deduced from the analysis of the type II emission drift in the radio spectra and the pre-shock local electron density estimated with the diagnostics provided by UVCS observations of the O vi λλ 1031.9, 1037.6 doublet line intensities, is just a factor ∼ 0.1 higher than the CME speed inferred by means of the white-light (and EUV) data in the middle corona. The local magnetosonic speed, computed from a standard magnetic field model, was estimated as high as ∼ 600 km s⁻¹, implying that the CME speed was probably just sufficient to drive a weak fast-mode MHD shock ahead of the front. Simultaneously with the type II radio emission, significant changes in the O vi doublet line intensities and profiles were recorded in the UVCS spectra and found compatible with abrupt post-shock plasma acceleration and modest ion heating. This work provides further evidence for the CME-driven origin of the shocks observed in the middle corona.     

Velocity field in the galaxy Mark 8 with vigorous starburst centres

The velocity field in the galaxy Mark 8 is studied by means of observations with the 2.6-m telescope at the Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory using the VAGR spectrograph. In the optical range, the central portion of this galaxy consists of five bright condensations which are superassociations (SA). These studies were made in a wavelength range that encompasses images of the galaxy in the Hα and [NII] λλ6548 and 6583Å emission lines. The radial velocity field was obtained. The velocities of all the superassociations were measured and a rotation curve constructed for the galaxy. The relative intensities of the emission lines have been determined. Images are constructed in the Hα and [NII] lines and in the red continuum. It is concluded that the superassociations were formed together and are, as a whole, young. The shape of the rotation curve shows that Mark 8 is an isolated galaxy with a composite multicomponent nucleus. Translated from Astrofizika, Vol. 51, No. 4, pp. 543–553 (November 2008).     

Survey of galaxies in the local volume in Hα: Faint companions of M31

Observations on the 6-m telescope in the Hα line and in the continuum are reported for 10 dwarf companions of the galaxy M31: And I, And II, And III, And V, And IX, And X, Cass dSph, Peg DSph, NGC147, NGC221, and one irregular dwarf galaxy in the background, And IV. All the observed companions of M31 have current star formation rates (SFR) on the order of or less than 10⁻⁶ M_⊙ /yr. On a “star formation rate-neutral hydrogen mass” diagram for galaxies in the local volume, the dwarf spheroidal companions of Andromeda lie in the region of extremely low values for these parameters. __________ Translated from Astrofizika, Vol. 49, No. 3, pp. 337–350 (August 2006).     

Absolute dimensions of the close binary systems V453 Monocerotis and V523 Cassiopeiae

We present multi-colour CCD observations of the low-temperature contact binaries, V453 Mon and V523 Cas. Their light curves are modelled to determine a new set of stellar and orbital parameters. Analysis of mid-eclipse times yields a new linear ephemeris for both systems. A period decrease (dP/dt=2.3×10⁻⁷ days/yr) in V453 Mon is discovered. V523 Cas, however, is detected to show a period increase (dP/dt=9.8×10⁻⁸ days/yr) because of the mass transfer of a rate of 1.1×10⁻⁷ M_⊙ yr⁻¹, from a less massive donor. Using these findings we can determine the physical parameters of the components of V523 Cas to be M ₁=0.76 (3)M _⊙, M ₂=0.39 (2)M _⊙, R ₁=0.74 (2)R _⊙, R ₂=0.55 (2)R _⊙, L ₁=0.19 (3)L _⊙, L ₂=0.14 (3)L _⊙, and the distance of system as 46(9) pc.     

Structure of clusters with bimodal distribution of galaxy line-of-sight velocities III: A1831

We study the A1831 cluster within the framework of our program of the investigation of galaxy clusters with bimodal velocity distributions (i.e., clusters where the velocities of subsystems differ by more than Δ _cz ∼ 3000 km/s).We identify two subsystems in this cluster: A1831A (cz = 18970 km/s) and A1831B (cz = 22629 km/s) and directly estimate the distances to these subsystems using three methods applied to early-type galaxies: the Kormendy relation, the photometric plane, and the fundamental plane. To this end, we use the results of our observations made with the 1-m telescope of the Special Astrophysical Observatory of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the data adopted from the SDSS DR6 catalog. We confirmed at a 99% confidence level that (1) the two subsystems are located at different distances, which are close to their Hubble distances, and (2) the two subsystems are located behind one another along the line of sight and are not gravitationally bound to each other. Both clusters have a complex internal structure, which makes it difficult to determine their dynamical parameters. Our estimates for the velocity dispersions and masses of the two clusters: 480 km/s and 1.9 × 10¹⁴ M _⊙ for A1831A, 952 km/s and 1.4 × 10¹⁵ M _⊙ for A1831B should be views as upper limits. At least three spatially and kinematically distinct groups of galaxies can be identified in the foreground cluster A1831A, and this fact is indicative of its incomplete dynamical relaxation. Neither can we rule out the possibility of a random projection. The estimate of the mass of the main cluster A1831B based on the dispersion of the line-of-sight velocities of galaxies is two-to-three times greater than the independent mass estimates based on the total K-band luminosity, temperature, and luminosity of the X-ray gas of the cluster. This fact, combined with the peculiarities of its kinematical structure, leads us to conclude that the cluster is in a dynamically active state: galaxies and groups of galaxies with large line-of-sight velocities relative to the center of the cluster accrete onto the virialized nucleus of the cluster (possibly, along the filament directed close to the line of sight).     

Survey of hα emission from thirty nearby dwarf galaxies

Measurements of the Hα flux from 30 neighboring dwarf galaxies are presented. After correction for absorption, these fluxes are used to estimate the star formation rate (SFR). The SFR for 18 of the galaxies according to the Hα emission are compared with estimates of the SFR from FUV magnitudes obtained with the GALEX telescope. These are in good agreement over the range log[SFR] = [ −3, 0] M_⨀ /year.     

Faint companions of isolated 2MIG galaxies

We present the results of a search for companions around the isolated galaxies from the 2MIG catalog. Among 3227 2MIG galaxies we detected 125 objects with a total of 214 neighbors having radial velocity differences of ΔV < 500 km/s and projected separations of R _p < 500 kpc relative to the 2MIG galaxies. The median luminosity of the companions is 1/25 of the luminosity of catalog galaxies, which has little effect on the dynamic isolation of the latter. The median ratio of the orbital mass to the K-luminosity determined from 60 companions of E and S0 2MIG galaxies, 63M _⊙/L _⊙, is significantly greater than that found from the spiral galaxy companions (17M _⊙/L _⊙). We note that a fraction of 2MIG galaxies with companions may be a part of low-contrast diffuse structures: clouds and filaments.     

Electron Temperatures and Flow Speeds of the Low Solar Corona: MACS Results from the Total Solar Eclipse of 29 March 2006 in Libya

An experiment was conducted in conjunction with the total solar eclipse on 29 March 2006 in Libya to measure both the electron temperature and its flow speed simultaneously at multiple locations in the low solar corona by measuring the visible K-coronal spectrum. Coronal model spectra incorporating the effects of electron temperature and its flow speed were matched with the measured K-coronal spectra to interpret the observations. Results show electron temperatures of (1.10±0.05) MK, (0.70±0.08) MK, and (0.98±0.12) MK, at 1.1 R _⊙ from Sun center in the solar north, east and west, respectively, and (0.93±0.12) MK, at 1.2 R _⊙ from Sun center in the solar west. The corresponding outflow speeds obtained from the spectral fit are (103±92) km s⁻¹, (0+10) km s⁻¹, (0+10) km s⁻¹, and (0+10) km s⁻¹. Since the observations were taken only at 1.1 R _⊙ and 1.2 R _⊙ from Sun center, these speeds, consistent with zero outflow, are in agreement with expectations and provide additional confirmation that the spectral fitting method is working. The electron temperature at 1.1 R _⊙ from Sun center is larger at the north (polar region) than the east and west (equatorial region).     

The Evolution of Star-Forming Galaxies: The SFR Density of the Universe

The evolution of the Star Formation Rate (SFR) density of the Universe as a function of look-back time is a fundamental parameter in order to understand the formation and evolution of galaxies. The current picture, only outlined in the last years, is that the global SFR density has dropped by about an order of magnitude from a redshift of z∼1.5 to the current value at z=0. Because these SFR density studies are now extended to the whole range in redshift, it becomes mandatory to combine data from different SFR tracers. At low redshifts, optical emission lines are the most widely used. Using Hα as current-SFR tracer, the Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM) Survey provided the first estimation of the global SFR density in the Local Universe. The Hα flux in emission is directly related to the number of ionizing photons and, modulo IMF, to the total mass of stars formed. Metallic lines like [OII]λ3727 and [OIII]λ5007 are affected by metallicity and excitation. Beyond redshifts z∼0.4, Hα is not observable in the optical and [OII]λ3727 or UV luminosities have to be used. The UCM galaxy sample has been used to obtain a calibration between [OII]λ3727 luminosity and SFR specially suitable for the different types of star-forming galaxies found by deep spectroscopic surveys in redshifts up to z∼1.5. These calibrations, when applied to recent deep redshift surveys confirm the drop of the SFR density of the Universe since z∼1 previously infered in the UV. However, the fundamental parameter that determines galactic evolution is mass, not luminosity. The mass function for local star-forming galaxies is critical for any future comparison with other galaxy populations of different evolutionary status. Hα velocity-widths for UCM galaxies indicate that besides a small fraction of 10¹⁰-10¹¹ M_⊙ starburst nuclei spirals, the majority have dynamical masses in the ∼10⁹ M_⊙ range. A comparison with published data for faint blue galaxies suggests that star-forming galaxies at z∼1 would have SFR per unit mass and burst strengths similar to those at z=0, but being intrinsically more massive. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Substructures in lens galaxies: PG1115+080 and B1555+375, two fold configurations

We study the anomalous flux ratio which is observed in some four-image lens systems, where the source lies close to a fold caustic. In this case two of the images are close to the critical curve and their flux ratio should be equal to unity, instead in several cases the observed value differs significantly. The most plausible solution is to invoke the presence of substructures, as for instance predicted by the Cold Dark Matter scenario, located near the two images. In particular, we analyze the two fold lens systems PG1115+080 and B1555+375, for which there are not yet satisfactory models which explain the observed anomalous flux ratios. We add to a smooth lens model, which reproduces well the positions of the images but not the anomalous fluxes, one or two substructures described as singular isothermal spheres. For PG1115+080 we consider a smooth model with the influence of the group of galaxies described by a SIS and a substructure with mass ∼10⁵ M _⊙ as well as a smooth model with an external shear and one substructure with mass ∼10⁸ M _⊙. For B1555+375 either a strong external shear or two substructures with mass ∼10⁷ M _⊙ reproduce the data quite well.