The FORS Deep Field: the photometric catalog

The FORS Deep Field project is a multi-colour, multi-object spectroscopical investigation of a ∼ 7′ × ′' region near the south galactic pole based mostly on observations carried out with the FORS instruments attached to the VLT telescopes. It includes the QSO Q 0103-260 (z = 3.36). The goal of this study is to improve our understanding of the formation and evolution of galaxies in the young Universe. In this contribution, the photometric observations are presented. In particular, a combined B and I selected UBgRIJKs photometric catalog of 8753 objects in the FDF is presented and its content is briefly described. The formal 50% completeness limits for point sources, derived from the coadded images, are 25.64, 27.69, 26.86, 26.68, 26.37, 23.60 and 21.57in U, B, g, R, I, J and Ks, respectively. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Supernova 1993k — first photometric results

The 61 cm Lowell telescope at Perth Observatory has been automated by the Perth Astronomy Research Group (PARG) for the detection, confirmation and follow-up studies of supernovae and other transient events. This search program complements similar searches operating in the Northern Hemisphere, such as the Berkeley Supernova Search. The first supernova found by our search program, SN 1993k, was discovered on March 28, 1993 (IAUC 5733). The discovery has been made with the telescope in fully automated mode, including automated image analysis. We are currently imaging some 80 galaxies per night. Photometric methods for the analysis of lightcurves are at present being implemented.     

Visible spectroscopic and photometric survey of Jupiter Trojans: Final results on dynamical families

We present the results of a visible spectroscopic and photometric survey of Jupiter Trojans belonging to different dynamical families. The survey was carried out at the 3.5 m New Technology Telescope (NTT) of the European Southern Observatory (La Silla, Chile) in April 2003, May 2004 and January 2005. We obtained data on 47 objects, 23 belonging to the L5 swarm and 24 to the L4 one. These data together with those already published by Fornasier et al. [Fornasier, S., Dotto, E., Marzari, F., Barucci, M.A., Boehnhardt, H., Hainaut, O., de Bergh, C., 2004a. Icarus 172, 221-232] and Dotto et al. [Dotto, E., Fornasier, S., Barucci, M.A., Licandro, J., Boehnhardt, H., Hainaut, O., Marzari, F., de Bergh, C., De Luise, F., 2006. Icarus 183, 420-434], acquired since November 2002, constitute a total sample of visible spectra for 80 objects. The survey allows us to investigate six families (Aneas, Anchises, Misenus, Phereclos, Sarpedon, Panthoos) in the L5 cloud and four L4 families (Eurybates, Menelaus, 1986 WD and 1986 TS6). The sample that we measured is dominated by D-type asteroids, with the exception of the Eurybates family in the L4 swarm, where there is a dominance of C- and P-type asteroids. All the spectra that we obtained are featureless with the exception of some Eurybates members, where a drop-off of the reflectance is detected shortward of 5200 Å. Similar features are seen in main belt C-type asteroids and commonly attributed to the intervalence charge transfer transition in oxidized iron. Our sample comprises fainter and smaller Trojans as compared to the literature's data and allows us to investigate the properties of objects with estimated diameter smaller than 40-50 km. The analysis of the spectral slopes and colors versus the estimated diameters shows that the blue and red objects have indistinguishable size distribution, so any relationship between size and spectral slopes has been found. To fully investigate the Trojans population, we include in our analysis 62 spectra of Trojans available in literature, resulting in a total sample of 142 objects. Although the mean spectral behavior of L4 and L5 Trojans is indistinguishable within the uncertainties, we find that the L4 population is more heterogeneous and that it has a higher abundance of bluish objects as compared to the L5 swarm. Finally, we perform a statistical investigation of the Trojans's spectra property distributions as a function of their orbital and physical parameters, and in comparison with other classes of minor bodies in the outer Solar System. Trojans at lower inclination appear significantly bluer than those at higher inclination, but this effect is strongly driven by the Eurybates family. The mean colors of the Trojans are similar to those of short period comets and neutral Centaurs, but their color distributions are different.     

Photometric redshifts for an optical/near-infrared catalogue in the Chandra Deep Field South

Photometric redshifts have proven a powerful tool in identifying galaxies over a large range of lookback times. We have been generalising this technique to incorporate the selection of candidate high redshift QSOs. We have applied this to a large optical/near-infrared imaging survey in 6 wavebands aiming to push farther in redshift (and fainter in luminosity) than previous studies. We believe that study of these very faint and distant objects provides valuable insights into galaxy formation and evolution. Here we present work in progress and preliminary results for a catalogue of objects detected as part of the Las Campanas Infrared Survey. This is a stepping stone to the type of survey data that will become available in the next few years from projects such as UKIDSS and VISTA. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The photometric and spectroscopic variability of 1329-294

Photometric and spectroscopic observations of the poorly documented cataclysmic variable 1329-294 are presented. No definite period neither on a long nor on a short time scale could be derived from the photometric data. The radial velocity curve of the emission lines has been used to improve the known orbital period and to confine the primary mass to a value within the Chandrasekhar limit.Based on observations collected at the European Southern Observatory.     

A reliable cluster detection technique using photometric redshifts: introducing the 2TecX algorithm

We present a new cluster detection algorithm designed for finding high-redshift clusters using optical/infrared imaging data. The algorithm has two main characteristics. First, it utilizes each galaxy's full redshift probability function, instead of an estimate of the photometric redshift based on the peak of the probability function and an associated Gaussian error. Second, it identifies cluster candidates through cross-checking the results of two substantially different selection techniques (the name 2TecX representing the cross-check of the two techniques). These are adaptations of the Voronoi Tesselations and Friends-Of-Friends methods. Monte Carlo simulations of mock catalogues show that cross-checking the cluster candidates found by the two techniques significantly reduces the detection of spurious sources. Furthermore, we examine the selection effects and relative strengths and weaknesses of either method. The simulations also allow us to fine-tune the algorithm's parameters, and define completeness and mass limit as a function of redshift. We demonstrate that the algorithm isolates high-redshift clusters at a high level of efficiency and low contamination.     

The molecular spectroscopic methods of CBR-temperature measurement in epochs with large redshifts

There is the possibility to measure the background radiation temperature in earlier cosmological epochs. If the background radiation temperature changes linearly with change of redshift, it can coincide with the excitation temperature of molecules rotational levels. The present paper deals with the situation arising when the background radiation field dominates in the population of CH-rotational level . At Z>2 the hyperfine structure lines of this level shift to the millimeter radio-region and can be observed by radio-astronomical methods. They can be the absorption lines observed in QSO absorption spectra.     

Visible and near-infrared spectroscopic investigation of near-Earth objects at ESO: first results

Near-Earth objects (NEOs) represent one of the most intriguing populations of Solar System bodies. These objects appear heterogeneous in all aspects of their physical properties, like shapes, sizes, spin rates, compositions etc. Moreover, as these objects represent also a real threat to the Earth, a good knowledge of their properties and composition is the necessary first step to evaluate mitigation techniques and to understand their origin and evolution. In the last few years we have started a long-term spectroscopic investigation in the visible and near-infrared (NIR) region of near-Earth objects. The observations have been performed with the 3.5 m NTT of the European Southern Observatory of La Silla (Chile). The data presented here are a set of 24 spectra, 14 of which are both visible and NIR. We discuss the taxonomic classification of the observed NEOs, resulting in 13 S-type objects, 1 Q-type, 2 K-types, 3 C-types, 5 Xe-types (two of these, (3103) Eger and (4660) Nereus, are already known as E-types). Moreover, we discuss their links with meteorites and the possible influences of space weathering.     

Simultaneous spectroscopic and photometric observations of binary asteroids

Abstract— We present results of visible wavelengths spectroscopic measurements (0.45 to 0.72 microns) of two binary asteroids, obtained with the 1‐m telescope at the Wise Observatory on January 2008. The asteroids 90 Antiope and 1509 Esclangona were observed to search for spectroscopic variations correlated with their rotation while presenting different regions of their surface to the viewer. Simultaneous photometric observations were performed with the Wise Observatory's 0.46 m telescope, to investigate the rotational phase behavior and possible eclipse events. 90 Antiope displayed an eclipse event during our observations. We could not measure any slope change of the spectroscopic albedo within the error range of 3%, except for a steady decrease in the total light flux while the eclipse took place. We conclude that the surface compositions of the two components do not differ dramatically, implying a common origin and history. 1509 Esclangona did not show an eclipse, but rather a unique lightcurve with three peaks and a wide and flat minimum, repeating with a period of 3.2524 hours. Careful measurements of the spectral albedo slopes reveal a color variation of 7 to 10 percent on the surface of 1509 Esclangona, which correlates with a specific region in the photometric lightcurve. This result suggests that the different features on the lightcurve are at least partially produced by color variations and could perhaps be explained by the existence of an exposed fresh surface on 1509 Esclangona.     

Neptune's rotation period: A correction and a speculation on the difference between photometric and spectroscopic results

An error in the Hayes and Belton (1977), Icarus32, 383–401) estimate of the rotation period of Neptune is corrected. If Neptune exhibits the same degree of limb darkening as Uranus near 4900 Å, the rotation period is 15.4 ± 3 hr. This value is compatible with a recent spectroscopic determination of Munch and Hippelein (1979) who find a period of 11.2_?1.2^+1.8 hr. However, if, as indirect evidence suggests, the law of darkening on Neptune at these wavelengths is less pronounced than on Uranus, then the above estimates may need to be lengthened by several hours. Recent photometric data are independently analyzed and are found to admit several possible periods, none of which can be confidently assumed to be correct. The period of Neptune most probably falls somewhere in the range 15–20 hr. The Hayes-Belton estimate of the period of Uranus is essentially unaffected by the above-mentioned error and remains at 24 ± 4 hr. All observers agree that the rotation period of Uranus is longer than that of Neptune.     

The OPD photometric survey of open clusters I. Techniques,program details and first results of robust determination of the fundamental parameters

Open clusters are considered valuable objects for the investigation of galactic structure and dynamics since their distances, ages and velocities can be determined with good precision. According to the New Catalog of Optically Visible Open Clusters and Candidates (Dias et al., 2002) about 10% of the optically revealed open clusters remain unstudied. However, previous analysis (Moitinho, 2010) has indicated that not considering this unstudied population introduces significant biases in the study of the structure and evolution of the Milky Way. In addition, a systematic revision of the data contained in the catalog, collected from the literature, is needed, due to its inhomogeneity.In this first paper of a series, we present the observational strategy, data reduction and analysis procedures of a UBRVI photometric survey of southern open star clusters carried out at Pico dos Dias Observatory (Brazil). The aim of the program is to contribute to an unbiased, homogenous collection of cluster fundamental parameters. We show that the implementation of a sequence of systematic procedures considerably improves the quality of the results.To illustrate the methods we present the first results based on one night of observations. The parameters, reddening, distance, age and metallicity, were obtained by fitting theoretical isochrones to cluster color–color and multidimensional color–magnitude diagrams, applying a cross-entropy optimization algorithm developed by our group, which takes into account UBVRI photometric data weighted using a membership-likelihood estimation.     

Simultaneous solutions for photometric and spectroscopic observations of TX UMa

B andV light curves for one epoch and radial velocity curves of three different epochs have been analyzed to revise the solution of TX UMa. The solution has been adjusted simultaneously in the light curves and radial velocity curves by the method of Wilson and Devinney's differential correction. The primary star's surface rotation rate to synchronous rate is determined as 1.768 from one of the radial velocity curves. The absolute dimension of the system has been deduced based on the simultaneous solution. The primary star is well fitted to the evolutionary track for a single star while the secondary star, while filling its Roche lobe, is fitted to the evolutionary track for a close binary system.