A search for radio emission from Galactic supersoft X-ray sources

We have made a deep search for radio emission from all the northern hemisphere supersoft X-ray sources using the Very Large Array (VLA) and multi-element radio-linked interferometer network (MERLIN) telescopes, at 5 and 8.4 GHz. Three previously undetected sources, T Pyx, V1974 Cygni and RX J0019.8+2156, were imaged in quiescence using the VLA in order to search for any persistent emission. No radio emission was detected in any of the VLA fields down to a typical 1 σ rms noise of 20 μJy beam⁻¹, however, 17 new point sources were detected in the fields with 5-GHz fluxes between 100 and 1500 μJy, giving an average 100-μJy source density of ∼200 deg⁻², comparable to what was found in the MERLIN Hubble Deep Field survey. The persistent source AG Draconis was observed by MERLIN to provide a confirmation of previous VLA observations and to investigate the source at a higher resolution. The core is resolved at the milliarcsec scale into two components that have a combined flux of ∼1 mJy. It is possible that we are detecting nebulosity, which is becoming resolved out by the higher MERLIN resolution. We have investigated possible causes of radio emission from a wind environment, both directly from the secondary star, and also consequently, of the high X-ray luminosity from the white dwarf. There is an order of magnitude discrepancy between observed and modelled values that can be explained by the uncertainty in fundamental quantities within these systems.     

Galaxy Evolution in the Reddest Possible Filter

We describe an observational programme aimed at understanding the radio emission from distant, rapidly evolving galaxy populations. These observations were carried out at 1.4 and 8.5 GHz with the VLA, centred on the Hubble Deep Field, obtaining limiting flux densities of 40 and 8 μJy respectively. The differential count of the radio sources is marginally sub-Euclidean to the completeness limits(γ = − 2.4 ± 0.1) and fluctuation analysis suggests nearly 60 sources per arcmin² at the 1 μJy level. Using high-resolution 1.4 GHz observations obtained with MERLIN, we resolve all radio sources detected in the VLA complete sample and measure a median angular size for the microjansky radio population of 1-2". This clue, coupled with the steep spectral index of the 1.4 GHz selected sample, suggests diffuse synchrotron radiation in z ∼ 1 galactic discs. The wide-field HST and ground-based optical exposures show that the radio sources are identified primarily with disc systems composed of irregulars, peculiars, interacting/merging galaxies and a few isolated field spirals. Only 20% of the radio sources can be attributed to AGN – the majority are probably associated with starburst activity. The available redshifts range from 0.1 to 3, with a mean of about 0.8. We are plrobably witnessing a major episode of starburst activity in these luminous (L > L _*) systems, occasionallyaccompanied by an embedded AGN.About 20% of the radio sources remain unidentified to I = 26-28 inthe HDF and flanking fields. Several of these objectshave extremely red counterparts. We suggestthat these are high-redshift dusty protogalaxies. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

B0712+472: a new radio four-image gravitational lens

A new four-image gravitational lens system, B0712+472, has been discovered during the Cosmic Lens All-Sky Survey. This system consists of four flat-spectrum radio images that are also seen on a Hubble Space Telescope ( HST ) image, together with the lensing galaxy. We present MERLIN, VLA and VLBA maps and WHT spectra of the system as well as the HST images. The light distribution of the lensing galaxy is highly elongated and so too is the mass distribution deduced from modelling. We suggest a redshift of ∼1.33 for the lensed object; the lens redshift will require further investigation. The discovery of this new system further increases the ratio of four-image to two-image lens systems currently known, exacerbating problems of required ellipticity of matter distributions in lensing galaxies.     

B2114+022: a distant radio source gravitationally lensed by a starburst galaxy

We have discovered a radio source (B2114+022) with a unique structure during the course of the JVAS gravitational lens survey. VLA, MERLIN, VLBA and MERLIN+EVN radio maps reveal four compact components, in a configuration unlike that of any known lens system, or, for that matter, any of the ∼15 000 radio sources in the JVAS and CLASS surveys. Three of the components are within 0.3 arcsec of each other while the fourth is separated from the group by 2.4 arcsec. The widest separation pair of components have similar radio structures and spectra. The other pair also have similar properties. This latter pair have spectra which peak at ∼5 GHz. Their surface brightnesses are much lower than expected for synchrotron self-absorbed components.
Ground-based and Hubble Space Telescope optical observations show two galaxies ( z =0.3157 and 0.5883) separated by 1.25 arcsec. The lower redshift galaxy has a post-starburst spectrum and lies close to, but not coincident with, the compact group of three radio components. No optical or infrared emission is detected from any of the radio components down to I =25 and H =23 . We argue that the most likely explanation of the B2114+022 system is that the post-starburst galaxy, assisted by the second galaxy, lenses a distant radio source producing the two wide-separation images. The other two radio components are then associated with the post-starburst galaxy. The combination of the angular sizes of these components, their radio spectra and their location with respect to their host galaxy still remains puzzling.     

A Complete Microjansky Radio Survey

The Phoenix Deep Survey is an ongoing multi-wavelength survey of a 2^° diameter field aimed at studying the properties of the sub-mJy and μJy radio population. Here, we present the latest 1.4 GHz observations of this field. The new data, reaching a 5 σ flux level of 45 μJy at the centre of a 50′ diameter field, comprise more than 700 sources with flux densities less than 1 mJy (187 of which have S_1.4 < 100 μJy). This provides one of the deepest radio (1.4 GHz) surveys currently available. The 1.4 GHz source counts are presented and show a flattening down to the 50 μJy level. At flux densities around 300 μJy there are indications that the sources detected may exhibit higher clustering than those observed at higher flux levels. This suggests that deep radio surveys could be useful for studies of large-scale structure but it also presents a warning for the representativity of sources in deep pencil-beam radio surveys. The study of the optical counterparts of the μJy population seems to indicate that the median R magnitude starts to decrease below 100 μJy. Spectroscopic classification of a sample of sources in this survey confirms the trend for an increasing fraction of star-forming galaxies over other systems down to ～ 100 μJy.     

The Cosmic Lens All-Sky Survey – II. Gravitational lens candidate selection and follow-up

We report the final results of the search for gravitationally lensed flat-spectrum radio sources found in the combination of CLASS (Cosmic Lens All-Sky Survey) and JVAS (Jodrell Bank VLA Astrometric Survey). VLA (Very Large Array) observations of 16 503 sources have been made, resulting in the largest sample of arcsec-scale lens systems available. Contained within the 16 503 sources is a complete sample of 11 685 sources which have two-point spectral indices between 1.4 and 5 GHz flatter than −0.5, and 5-GHz flux densities  ≥30 mJy  . A subset of 8958 sources form a well-defined statistical sample suitable for analysis of the lens statistics. We describe the systematic process by which 149 candidate lensed sources were picked from the statistical sample on the basis of possessing multiple compact components in the 0.2-arcsec resolution VLA maps. Candidates were followed up with 0.05-arcsec resolution MERLIN and 0.003-arcsec VLBA observations at 5 GHz and rejected as lens systems if they failed well-defined surface brightness and/or morphological tests. To illustrate the candidate elimination process, we show examples of sources representative of particular morphologies that have been ruled out by the follow-up observations. 194 additional candidates, not in the well-defined sample, were also followed up. Maps for all the candidates can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.jb.man.ac.uk/research/gravlens/index.html . We summarize the properties of each of the 22 gravitational lens systems in JVAS/CLASS. 12 are double-image systems, nine are four-image systems and one is a six-image system. 13 constitute a statistically well-defined sample giving a point-source lensing rate of  1:690 ± 190  . The interpretation of the results in terms of the properties of the lensing galaxy population and cosmological parameters will be published elsewhere.     

The new gravitational lens system B1030 + 074

We report the discovery of a new double-image gravitational lens system, B1030 + 074, which was found during the Jodrell Bank–VLA Astrometric Survey (JVAS). We have collected extensive radio data on the system using the VLA, MERLIN, the EVN and the VLBA, and optical observations using WFPC2 on the HST . The lensed images are separated by 1.56 arcsec and their flux density ratio at centimetric wavelengths is approximately 14:1, although the ratio is slightly frequency-dependent and the images appear to be time-variable. The HST pictures show both the lensed images and the lensing galaxy close to the weaker image. The lensing galaxy has substructure which could be a spiral arm or an interacting galaxy. We have modelled B1030 + 074 using a singular isothermal ellipsoid which yields a time delay of 156/ h ₅₀ d. This lens is likely to be suitable for the measurement of the Hubble constant.     

Tailed Radio Sources in the CDFS Field

Using 1.4 GHz ATCA & VLA images with 5.5 GHz ATCA data, we present a sample of 12 bent-tailed galaxies over the 4 deg² area of the Chandra Deep Field South (CDFS). We find 10 new sources, one of which is possibly the highest red-shift bent-tailed galaxy detected at z ∼ 2.     

CLASS B2108+213: a new wide-separation gravitational lens system

We present observations of CLASS B2108+213, the widest separation gravitational lens system discovered by the Cosmic Lens All-Sky Survey. Radio imaging using the VLA at 8.46 GHz and MERLIN at 5 GHz shows two compact components separated by 4.56 arcsec with a faint third component in between which we believe is emission from a lensing galaxy. 5-GHz VLBA observations reveal milliarcsecond-scale structure in the two lensed images that is consistent with gravitational lensing. Optical emission from the two lensed images and two lensing galaxies within the Einstein radius is detected in Hubble Space Telescope imaging. Furthermore, an optical gravitational arc, associated with the strongest lensed component, has been detected. Surrounding the system is a number of faint galaxies which may help explain the wide image separation. A plausible mass distribution model for CLASS B2108+213 is also presented.     

Starburst galaxies and structure in the submillimetre background towards the Hubble Deep Field

We use an 850-μm SCUBA map of the Hubble Deep Field (HDF) to study the dust properties of optically-selected starburst galaxies at high redshift. The optical/infrared (IR) data in the HDF allow a photometric redshift to be estimated for each galaxy, together with an estimate of the visible star-formation rate. The 850-μm flux density of each source provides the complementary information: the amount of hidden, dust-enshrouded star formation activity. Although the 850-μm map does not allow detection of the majority of individual sources, we show that the galaxies with the highest UV star-formation rates are detected statistically, with a flux density of about S ₈₅₀=0.2 mJy for an apparent UV star-formation rate of 1  h ⁻² M_⊙ yr⁻¹. This level of submillimetre output indicates that the total star-forming activity is on average a factor of approximately 6 times larger than the rate inferred from the UV output of these galaxies. The general population of optical starbursts is then predicted to contribute at least 25 per cent of the 850-μm background. We carry out a power-spectrum analysis of the map, which yields some evidence for angular clustering of the background source population, but at a level lower than that seen in Lyman-break galaxies. Together with other lines of argument, particularly from the NICMOS HDF data, this suggests that the 850-μm background originates over an extremely wide range of redshifts – perhaps 1≲ z ≲6.     

Modelling the number counts of early-type galaxies by pure luminosity evolution

In this paper, we explore the plausible luminosity evolution of early-type galaxies in different cosmological models by constructing a set of pure luminosity evolution (PLE) models via the choices of the star-formation rate (SFR) parameters and formation redshift z _f of galaxies, with the observational constraints derived from the Hubble Space Telescope ( HST  ) morphological number counts for elliptical and S0 galaxies of the Medium Deep Survey (MDS) and the Hubble Deep Field (HDF). We find that the number counts of early-type galaxies can be explained by the pure luminosity evolution models, without invoking exotic scenarios such as merging or introducing an additional population, but the evolution should be nearly passive, with a high z _f assumed. The conclusion is valid in all of the three cosmological models we adopt in this paper. We also present the redshift distributions for three bins of observed magnitudes in the F814w passband, to show the redshift at which the objects that dominate the counts at a given magnitude may be found. The predictions of the redshift distribution of 22.5 <  b _j  < 24.0 are also presented for comparison with future data.     

A high-frequency radio continuum study of massive young stellar objects

We present high-resolution observations made with the Very Large Array (VLA) in its A configuration at frequencies between 5 and 43 GHz of a sample of five massive young stellar objects (YSOs): Lk Hα101, NGC 2024-IRS2, S106-IR, W75N and S140-IRS1. The resolution varied from 0.04 arcsec (at 43 GHz) to 0.5 arcsec (at 5 GHz), corresponding to a linear resolution as high as 17 au for our nearest source. A MERLIN observation of S106-IR at 23 GHz with 0.03-arcsec resolution is also presented. S106-IR and S140-IRS1 are elongated at 43 GHz perpendicular to their large-scale bipolar outflows. This confirms the equatorial wind picture for these sources seen previously in MERLIN 5-GHz observations. The other sources are marginally resolved at 43 GHz. The spectral indices we derive for the sources in our sample range from +0.2 to +0.8, generally consistent with ionized stellar winds. We have modelled our sources as uniform, isothermal spherical winds, with Lk Hα101 and NGC 2024-IRS2 yielding the best fits. However, in all cases our fits give wind temperatures of only 2000–5000 K, much less than the effective temperatures of main-sequence stars of the same luminosity, a result which is likely due to the clumpy nature of the winds.     

The Torun catalogue of 6.7 GHz methanol masers

We report the observations of 289 methanol maser sources at 6.7 GHz obtained over a two month period with the Torun 32 m telescope. The data form a catalogue of all objects north of δ = –22° brighter than 7.5 Jy in the peak emission. The positions of sub‐arcsecond accuracy are updated for 76 % of the objects. We find that about one third of the sources show changes in the peak fluxes by a factor of two or more on time scales of 8.5–9.5 years (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Galaxy Evolution in the Northern HDF

The history of star formation in the Northern Hubble Deep Field is probed using a combination of optical and near infrared images taken with WFPC2 and NICMOS on the Hubble Space Telescope. These images cover more than a factor of five in wavelength. This broad wavelength coverage allows accurate photometric determinations of redshift, extinction and intrinsic spectral energy distribution for each galaxy. From these parameters the star formation rate for each galaxy is determined by relating the 1500 angstrom flux to the net star formation rate. We then correct the rates at high redshift for the effects of surface brightness dimming by using a standard form of the star formation intensity distribution. Our measurements show that the star formation rate in the Northern HDF is roughly constant from a redshift of 1 through 6. This revised version was published online in September 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

An AzTEC 1.1 mm survey of the GOODS-N field – II. Multiwavelength identifications and redshift distribution

We present results from a multiwavelength study of 29 sources (false detection probabilities <5 per cent) from a survey of the Great Observatories Origins Deep Survey-North (GOODS-N) field at 1.1 mm using the Astronomical Thermal Emission Camera (AzTEC). Comparing with existing 850 μm Submillimetre Common-User Bolometer Array (SCUBA) studies in the field, we examine differences in the source populations selected at the two wavelengths. The AzTEC observations uniformly cover the entire survey field to a 1σ depth of ∼1 mJy. Searching deep 1.4 GHz Very Large Array (VLA) and Spitzer 3–24 μm catalogues, we identify robust counterparts for 21 1.1 mm sources, and tentative associations for the remaining objects. The redshift distribution of AzTEC sources is inferred from available spectroscopic and photometric redshifts. We find a median redshift of   z = 2.7  , somewhat higher than   z = 2.0  for  850 μm  selected sources in the same field, and our lowest redshift identification lies at a spectroscopic redshift   z = 1.1460  . We measure the 850 μm to 1.1 mm colour of our sources and do not find evidence for '850 μm dropouts', which can be explained by the low signal-to-noise ratio of the observations. We also combine these observed colours with spectroscopic redshifts to derive the range of dust temperatures T , and dust emissivity indices β for the sample, concluding that existing estimates   T ∼ 30 K  and  β∼ 1.75  are consistent with these new data.     

Deep Hubble Space Telescope imaging surveys and the formation of spheroidal galaxies

We have extended our previous analysis of morphologically selected elliptical and S0 galaxies in the Hubble Deep Field (HDF) North to include Hubble Space Telescope ( HST ) data in the HDF South and the HDFS–NICMOS areas. Our final sample amounts to 69 E/S0 galaxies with K <20.15 over an area of 11 arcmin². Although a moderately small number over a modest sky area, this sample benefits from the best imaging and photometric data available on high-redshift galaxies. Multi-waveband photometry allows us to estimate with good accuracy the redshifts for the majority of these galaxies, which lack a spectroscopic measure. We confirm our previous findings that massive E/S0s tend to disappear from flux-limited samples at z >1.4. This adds to the evidence that the rest-frame colours and spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of the numerous objects found at 0.8< z <1.2 are inconsistent with a very high redshift of formation for the bulk of stars, while they are more consistent with protracted (either continuous or episodic) star formation down to z ≤1. These results based on high-quality imaging on a small field can be complemented with data from colour-selected extremely red objects (EROs) on much larger sky areas: our claimed demise of E/S0s going from z =1 to z =1.5 is paralleled by a similarly fast decrease in the areal density of EROs when the colour limit is changed from ( R − K )=5 to ( R − K )=6 (corresponding to z ≃1 and z ≃1.3 respectively). Altogether, the redshift interval from 1 to 2 seems to correspond to a very active phase for the assembly of massive E/S0 galaxies in the field, and also probably one where a substantial fraction of their stars are formed.     

ARCS, the Arcminute Radio Cluster-lens Search – I. Selection criteria and initial results

We present the results of an unbiased radio search for gravitational lensing events with image separations between 15 and 60 arcsec, which would be associated with clusters of galaxies with masses >10^13–14 M_⊙. A parent population of 1023 extended radio sources stronger than 35 mJy with stellar optical identifications was selected using the FIRST radio catalogue at 1.4 GHz and the APM optical catalogue. The FIRST catalogue was then searched for companions to the parent sources stronger than 7 mJy and with separation in the range 15 to 60 arcsec. Higher-resolution observations of the resulting 38 lens candidates were made with the VLA at 1.4 and 5 GHz, and with MERLIN at 5 GHz in order to test the lens hypothesis in each case. None of our targets was found to be a gravitational lens system. These results provide the best current constraint on the lensing rate for this angular scale, but improved calculations of lensing rates from realistic simulations of the clustering of matter on the relevant scales are required before cosmologically significant constraints can be derived from this null result. We now have an efficient, tested observational strategy with which it will be possible to make an order-of-magnitude larger unbiased search in the near future.     

Radio imaging of the Subaru/XMM–Newton Deep Field – I. The 100-μJy catalogue, optical identifications, and the nature of the faint radio source population

We describe deep radio imaging at 1.4 GHz of the 1.3-deg² Subaru/ XMM–Newton Deep Field (SXDF), made with the Very Large Array in B and C configurations. We present a radio map of the entire field, and a catalogue of 505 sources covering 0.8 deg² to a peak flux density limit of 100 μJy. Robust optical identifications are provided for 90 per cent of the sources, and suggested identifications are presented for all but 14 (of which seven are optically blank, and seven are close to bright contaminating objects). We show that the optical properties of the radio sources do not change with flux density, suggesting that active galactic nuclei (AGN) continue to contribute significantly at faint flux densities. We test this assertion by cross-correlating our radio catalogue with the X-ray source catalogue and conclude that radio-quiet AGN become a significant population at flux densities below 300 μJy, and may dominate the population responsible for the flattening of the radio source counts if a significant fraction of them are Compton-thick.     

Wide-field VLBI imaging

We discuss the technique of Wide-field imaging as it applies to Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI). In the past VLBI data sets were usually averaged so severely that the field-of-view was typically restricted to regions extending a few hundred milliarcseconds from the phase centre of the field. Recent advances in data analysis techniques, together with increasing data storage capabilities, and enhanced computer processing power, now permit VLBI images to be made whose angular size represents a significant fraction of an individual antenna's primary beam. This technique has recently been successfully applied to several large separation gravitational lens systems, compact Supernova Remnants in the starburst galaxy M82, and two faint radio sources located within the same VLA FIRST field. It seems likely that other VLBI observing programmes might benefit from this wide-field approach to VLBI data analysis. With the raw sensitivity of global VLBI set to improve by a factor 4–5 over the coming few years, the number of sources that can be detected in a given field will rise considerably. In addition, a continued progression in VLBI's ability to image relatively faint and extended low brightness temperature features (such as hot-spots in large-scale astrophysical jets) is also to be expected. As VLBI sensitivity approaches the μJy level, a wide-field approach to data analysis becomes inevitable.     

The radio jets in B2 0755+379

We present and discuss observations of the radio galaxy 0755+379 made with the VLA at 1.4 and 5.0 GHz and with MERLIN at 1.7 GHz. These data allow us to image the radio jets over two orders of magnitude in linear size and to investigate the hypothesis that jets in low-luminosity radio galaxies start with velocities close to c and then slow down to subrelativistic speeds. We apply a model for an adiabatically expanding relativistic jet to the observed surface brightness and derive velocity profiles along the jet for various assumed starting conditions. We show that these profiles are consistent with the observed jet/counter-jet brightness ratios provided that the angle to the line of sight θ ≃27°. The inferred velocity at a distance of 0.5 kpc from the nucleus is ≃0.9 c . Finally, we show that the predicted velocity at 10 kpc from the nucleus is consistent with that obtained independently from energy-balance arguments.