The UV emission of elliptical galaxies (original) (raw)
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The Astrophysical Journal, 1995
We present an analysis of the far-ultraviolet upturn phenomenon (UVX) observed in elliptical galaxies and spiral galaxy bulges. Our premise is that the UV radiation from these systems emanates primarily from extreme horizontal branch (EHB) stars and their progeny. Such objects have Zero Age Horizontal Branch envelope masses M 0 env < 0:05M. Local examples of EHB stars exist in some globular clusters and in the Galactic disk field and serve both as a guide and constraint. We re-derive the broad-band UV colors 1500 V and 2500 V for globular clusters and elliptical galaxies from the available satellite data and investigate color-color and color-line strength correlations. There are several important distinctions between clusters and galaxies. They do not occupy a single Mg 2-color sequence. Clusters can be bluer than any galaxy in 15 V and 25 V , implying larger hot star populations, but galaxies are significantly bluer than clusters in 15 25 at a given 15 V. We attribute this primarily to the effect of metal abundance on the mid-UV (2500 A) light. It also implies that the UVX in galaxies is not produced by metal poor subpopulations similar to the clusters. We develop a simple spectral synthesis formulation for all phases of single star evolution from the ZAMS to the white dwarf cooling track that requires only one or two parameters for each choice of age and abundance. We provide the ingredients necessary for constructing models with arbitrary HB morphologies in the age range 2 < t < 20 Gyr and for 6 metallicities in the range 2:26 < [Fe=H] < 0:58; we also consider the effect of enhanced Y in metal rich models. UV properties of the models are predicted using the Kurucz (1991) atmospheres. The maximum lifetime UV output is produced by EHB stars with M 0 env 0:02M , and can be up to 30 times higher than for post-asymptotic-giant-branch (P-AGB) stars. The ultraviolet output of old populations is governed primarily by the distribution of M 0 env , P(M 0 env), on the ZAHB. The UV output is not very sensitive to [Fe=H] or to Y , but it can change very rapidly with M 0 env. Thus, it is extremely sensitive to the precise nature of giant branch mass loss. Because this process is not well understood physically, we choose to leave mass loss as an implicit free parameter. Our models use simple descriptions of P(M 0 env) to bracket the colors produced from any real distribution of stars. Our models accurately predict the range of UV colors observed for the globular clusters, given known constraints on their age, abundances, and HB morphologies. Clusters with "blue HB" morphologies do not require the hotter EHB stars to explain their UV colors, although a small EHB population is consistent with our models. The largest known population of these stars in a cluster, as a fraction of the total HB, is 20% in ! Cen. For [Fe=H] > 0:5, however, blue HB stars will be rare. As a consequence, we find that models with [Fe=H] > 0 which do not contain EHB stars cannot reproduce the colors of most of the galaxies. However, only small EHB fractions are required: < 5% for the bulk of the E galaxies and 20% for those with the strongest UVX. These results are independent of the assumed [Fe/H]. The EHB fraction required for most galaxies is comparable to the fraction of hot subdwarfs in the Galactic disk. Most of these are EHB stars, and their existence considerably strengthens the case for EHB populations as the source of elliptical galaxy UV light. The models also predict that the fraction of the far-UV light from P-AGB stars, which are spatially resolvable in nearby galaxies, is 70% and 20% for moderate UVX and strong UVX systems, respectively. We find that 25 V , but not 15 V , is sensitive to the age and abundance, though these cannot always be cleanly distinguished. The galaxy colors place strong limits of h[Fe=H]i > 0:5 and < 15% on the contribution of globular cluster-type populations to the V light. Galaxy colors are consistent with solar-abundance models with ages in the range 6-14 Gyr. However, the 25 V colors of the galaxies other than the strong UVX systems are too blue to be consistent with [Fe=H] > 0:2 for any age. This may be additional evidence that [Mg/Fe] > 0 in elliptical galaxies. UV colors for M32 are consistent with the solar abundance, intermediate age (4-6 Gyr) population inferred from optical/IR observations.
The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series, 1994
In this paper we present new chemo-spectrophotometric models of elliptical galaxies in which infall of primordial gas is allowed to occur. They aim to simulate the collapse of a galaxy made of two components, i.e. luminous material and dark matter. The mass of the dark component is assumed to be constant in time, whereas that of the luminous material is supposed to accrete at a suitable rate. They also include the effect of galactic winds powered by supernova explosions and stellar winds from massive, early-type stars. The models are constrained to match a number of properties of elliptical galaxies, i.e. the slope and mean colours of the colour-magnitude relation (CMR), V versus (V-K), the UV excess as measured by the colour (1550-V) together with the overall shape of the integrated spectral energy distribution (ISED) in the ultraviolet, the relation between the Mg 2 index and (1550-V), the mass to blue luminosity ratio M/L B as a function of the B luminosity, and finally the broad-band colours (U-B), (B-V), (V-I), (V-K), etc. The CMR is interpreted as a mass-metallicity sequence of old, nearly coeval objects, whose mean age is 15 Gyr. Assuming the law of star formation to be proportional to M k g (t) with k = 1, the rate of star formation as function of time starts small, grows to a maximum, and then declines thus easily avoiding the excess of metal-poor stars found by BCF with the closed-box scheme (the analog of the G-Dwarf Problem in the solar vicinity). Owing to their stellar content, infall models can easily reproduce all the basic data of the galaxies under examination. As far as the UV excess is concerned, the same sources proposed by BCF are found to hold also with the infall scheme. H-HB and AGB manqué stars of high metallicity play the dominant role, and provide a robust explanation of the correlation between the (1550-V) colour and the luminosity, mass and metallicity of the galaxies. Furthermore, these models con-⋆ Send offprint requests to: C. Chiosi firm the potential of the (1550-V) colour as an age indicator in cosmology as already suggested by BCF. In the rest frame of a massive and metal-rich elliptical galaxy, this colour suffers from one major variation: at the onset of the so-called H-HB and AGB-manqué stars (age about 5.6 Gyr). This transition occurs at reasonably small redshifts and therefore could be detected with the present-day instrumentation.
1994
We present an analysis of the far-ultraviolet upturn phenomenon (UVX) observed in elliptical galaxies and spiral galaxy bulges. Our premise is that the UV radiation from these systems emanates primarily from extreme horizontal branch (EHB) stars and their progeny. We re-derive the broad-band UV colors 1500−V1500-V1500−V and 2500−V2500-V2500−V for globular clusters and elliptical galaxies from the available satellite data and investigate color-color and color-line strength correlations. We also provide the ingredients necessary for constructing models with arbitrary HB morphologies.
The far-ultraviolet radiation from elliptical galaxies
1997
Since the discovery of the Ultraviolet Upturn Phenomenon ("UVX") in early-type galaxies it has been clear that the stellar populations of such systems contain an unexpected hot component. Recent work has provided strong circumstantial evidence that the stars radiating at short wavelengths (λ < 2000Å) is in fact due to hot horizontal branch, post-HB stars and post-AGB stars. We summarize the arguments in favour of this hypothesis. We then derive an estimate for the fraction of all HB stars that must be contributing to the UV upturn phenomenon in the strongest UVX galaxy, NGC 1399, and derive a hot star fraction fH ∼ 0.16. The implication is that UVX arises from a minority fraction of the dominant stellar population. We conclude that the mechanism that produces the UVX is not one that can be explained naturally by the presence of an extremely metal-rich or metal-poor population.
Evolution of the UV upturn in early-type cluster galaxies
2019
The UV upturn is a rise in the spectra of early-type galaxies below 2500Å down to the Lyman limit. The objective of this thesis is to analyse the stellar population giving rise to this phenomenon and to understand how it evolves with redshift in cluster early-type galaxies. In chapter 2, using GALEX, UVOT and optical photometry, I explore the prevalence and strength of the UV upturn in the SEDs of quiescent early-type galaxies in several nearby clusters. Even for galaxies with completely passive optical colours, there is a large spread in vacuum UV colour consistent with almost all having some UV upturn component. Combining GALEX and UVOT data below 3000Å, I generate for the first time comparatively detailed UV SEDs for Coma cluster galaxies. Fitting the UV upturn component with a blackbody, twenty six of these show a range of characteristic temperatures (10000-21000K) for the UV upturn population. Assuming a single temperature to explain GALEX-optical colours could underestimate the fraction of galaxies with UV upturns and mis-classify some as systems with residual star formation. The UV upturn phenomenon is not an exclusive feature found only in giant galaxies; I identify galaxies with similar (or even bluer) F U V − V colours to the giants with upturns over a range of fainter luminosities. The temperature and strength of the UV upturn are correlated with galaxy mass. Under the plausible hypothesis that the sources of the UV upturn are blue horizontal branch stars, the most likely mechanism for this is the presence of a substantial (between 4% and 20%) Helium rich (Y 0.38) population of stars in these galaxies, potentially formed at Declaration I declare that the work in this dissertation was carried out in accordance with the Regulations of the University of Bristol. This work is original except where indicated by special reference in the text and no part of the dissertation has been submitted for any other degree. Any views expressed in the dissertation are those of the author and in no way represent those of the University of Bristol. The dissertation has not been presented to any other university for examination either in the United Kingdom or overseas.
Ultraviolet Light from Old Stellar Populations
1996
We consider the general theoretical problem of ultraviolet light from old stellar populations (t > 2 Gyr), and the interpretation of galaxy spectra at short wavelengths (lamda < 3200A) The sources believed to be responsible for the observed `ultraviolet upturn phenomenon' (UVX) are Post-AGB (P-AGB), extreme horizontal branch (EHB) and AGB-Manque (AGBM) stars. The production of EHB stars depends on mass loss on the red giant branch, which is poorly understood, making the far-UV flux problematical as an indicator of the gross properties, such as the age, of a given galaxy. We discuss the current state of the comparison between theory and observation for the UVX phenomenon, and revisit the interpretation of the well-known UVX-Mg2 correlation. In particular, we draw attention to the fact that the UVX appears not to be correlated with indices that measure the iron abundance, which has implications for models that explain the UV-Mg2 correlation as an abundance-driven effect. Finally, we note the potential utility of ultraviolet observations in distinguishing age and metallicity from galaxy spectral energy distributions.
Late Stages of Stellar Evolution and their Impact on Spectrophotometric Properties of Galaxies
2007
The connection between AGB evolution of stellar populations and infrared vs. ultraviolet properties of the parent galaxies is reviewed relying on the updated lookout provided by population-synthesis theory. In particular, planetary-nebula events and hot horizontal-branch evolution are assessed in a unitary view to outline a plain general picture of galaxy spectrophotometric evolution. This will include a brief discussion of relevant phenomena such as the ``UV upturn'' in ellipticals and the stellar mass loss properties along the galaxy morphological sequence.
UV Properties and Evolution of High-redshift Galaxies
2003
I assess the problem of morphological and photometric evolution of high-redshift galaxies in the ultraviolet wavelength range. My discussion will partly rely on a new set of template galaxy models, in order to infer the expected changes along the Hubble morphological sequence at the different cosmic epochs. The impact of evolution on the faint-end galaxy luminosity function at z~1 and beyond will also be evaluated and briefly discussed. See http://www.merate.mi.astro.it/\~eps/home.html for more info and model retrieval.
UV SEDs of early-type cluster galaxies: a new look at the UV upturn
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 2018
Using GALEX, Ultraviolet Optical Telescope (UVOT), and optical photometry, we explore the prevalence and strength of the Ultraviolet (UV) upturn in the spectra of quiescent early-type galaxies in several nearby clusters. Even for galaxies with completely passive optical colours, there is a large spread in vacuum UV colour consistent with almost all having some UV upturn component. Combining GALEX and UVOT data below 3000 Å, we generate for the first time comparatively detailed UV spectral energy distributions for Coma cluster galaxies. Fitting the UV upturn component with a blackbody, 26 of these show a range of characteristic temperatures (10 000-21 000K) for the UV upturn population. Assuming a single temperature to explain GALEX-optical colours could underestimate the fraction of galaxies with UV upturns and mis-classify some as systems with residual star formation. The UV upturn phenomenon is not an exclusive feature found only in giant galaxies; we identify galaxies with similar (or even bluer) FUV − V colours to the giants with upturns over a range of fainter luminosities. The temperature and strength of the UV upturn are correlated with galaxy mass. Under the plausible hypothesis that the sources of the UV upturn are blue horizontal branch stars, the most likely mechanism for this is the presence of a substantial (between 4 per cent and 20 per cent) Helium-rich (Y > 0.3) population of stars in these galaxies, potentially formed at z ∼ 4 and certainly at z > 2; this plausibly sets a lower limit of ∼0.3−0.8 × 10 10 M to the in situ stellar mass of ∼L * galaxies at this redshift.
A Far Ultraviolet Analysis of the Stellar Populations in Six Elliptical and S0 Galaxies
Astrophysical Journal, 1997
We have analyzed the far-ultraviolet (FUV) spectra of six elliptical and S0 galaxies in order to characterize their hot stellar populations. The spectra were obtained using the Hopkins Ultraviolet Telescope (HUT) in March 1995. These data, together with the spectra of two galaxies observed with HUT in 1990, represent the only FUV spectra of early type galaxies that extend to the Lyman limit at 912 A and therefore include the "turnover" in the spectral energy distribution below Lyman alpha. Using an extensive new grid of synthetic spectra which match the HUT resolution and cover the relevant parameter space of temperature and gravity, we have constructed synthetic spectral energy distributions by integrating over predicted stellar evolutionary tracks for horizontal branch stars and their progeny. When the models are compared with the HUT data, we find that those with supersolar metal abundances and helium best reproduce the flux across the entire HUT wavelength range, while those with subsolar Z & Y fit less well, partly because of a significant flux deficit shortward of 970 A in the models. We find that AGB-Manque evolution is required in all fits to the HUT spectra, suggesting that all of the galaxies have some subdwarf B star population. At any Z & Y, the models that best match the HUT flux are dominated by stars evolving from a narrow range of envelope mass on the blue end of the horizontal branch.