Publications (9)17.57 Total impact
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Article: A Successful Broad-band Survey for Giant Lya Nebulae II: Spectroscopic Confirmation
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ABSTRACT: Using a systematic broad-band search technique, we have carried out a survey for large Lya nebulae (or Lya "blobs") at 2<z<3 within 8.5 square degrees of the NOAO Deep Wide-Field Survey (NDWFS) Bootes field, corresponding to a total survey comoving volume of ~10^8 h_70^-3 Mpc^3. Here, we present our spectroscopic observations of candidate giant Lya nebulae. Of 26 candidates targeted, 5 were confirmed to have Lya emission at 1.7<z<2.7, four of which were new discoveries. The confirmed Lya nebulae span a range of Lya equivalent widths, colors, sizes, and line ratios, and most show spatially-extended continuum emission. The remaining candidates did not reveal any strong emission lines, but instead exhibit featureless, diffuse, blue continuum spectra. Their nature remains mysterious, but we speculate that some of these might be Lya nebulae lying within the redshift desert (i.e., 1.2<z<1.6). Our spectroscopic follow-up confirms the power of using deep broad-band imaging to search for the bright end of the Lya nebula population across enormous comoving volumes.11/2012; -
Article: Constraining Dust and Molecular Gas Properties in Lyα Blobs at z ~ 3
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ABSTRACT: In order to constrain the bolometric luminosities, dust properties, and molecular gas content of giant Lyα nebulae, the so-called Lyα blobs, we have carried out a study of dust continuum and CO line emission in two well-studied representatives of this population at z ~ 3: an Lyα blob discovered by its strong Spitzer Multiband Infrared Photometer 24 μm detection (LABd05) and the Steidel blob 1 (SSA22-LAB01). We find that the spectral energy distribution of LABd05 is well described by an active-galactic-nucleus-starburst composite template with L FIR = (4.0 ± 0.5) × 1012 L ☉, comparable to high-z submillimeter galaxies and ultraluminous infrared galaxies. New Large APEX Bolometer Camera 870 μm measurements rule out the reported Submillimeter Common-User Bolometer Array detection of the SSA22-LAB01 (S 850 μm = 16.8 mJy) at the >4σ level. Consistent with this, ultradeep Plateau de Bure Interferometer observations with ~2'' spatial resolution also fail to detect any 1.2 mm continuum source down to 0.45 mJy beam–1 (3σ). Combined with the existing (sub)millimeter observations in the literature, we conclude that the FIR luminosity of SSA22-LAB01 remains uncertain. No CO line is detected in either case down to integrated flux limits of S νΔV 0.25-1.0 Jy km s–1, indicating a modest molecular gas reservoir, M(H2) < (1-3) × 1010 M ☉. The non-detections exclude, with high significance (12σ), the previous tentative detection of a CO J = 4-3 line in the SSA22-LAB01. The increased sensitivity afforded by the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array will be critical in studying molecular gas and dust in these interesting systems.The Astrophysical Journal 12/2011; 744(2):178. · 6.02 Impact Factor -
Article: A Successful Broad-band Survey for Giant Lya Nebulae I: Survey Design and Candidate Selection
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ABSTRACT: Giant Lya nebulae (or Lya "blobs") are likely sites of ongoing massive galaxy formation, but the rarity of these powerful sources has made it difficult to form a coherent picture of their properties, ionization mechanisms, and space density. Systematic narrow-band Lya nebula surveys are ongoing, but the small redshift range covered and the observational expense limit the comoving volume that can be probed by even the largest of these surveys and pose a significant problem when searching for such rare sources. We have developed a systematic search technique designed to find large Lya nebulae at 2<z<3 within deep broad-band imaging and have carried out a survey of the 9.4 square degree NOAO Deep Wide-Field Survey (NDWFS) Bootes field. With a total survey comoving volume of ~10^8 h^-3_70 Mpc^3, this is the largest volume survey for Lya nebulae ever undertaken. In this first paper in the series, we present the details of the survey design and a systematically-selected sample of 79 candidates, which includes one previously discovered Lya nebula.11/2011; -
Article: Resolving the Galaxies within a Giant Lya Nebula: Witnessing the Formation of a Galaxy Group?
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ABSTRACT: Detailed analysis of the substructure of Lya nebulae can put important constraints on the physical mechanisms at work and the properties of galaxies forming within them. Using high resolution HST imaging of a Lya nebula at z~2.656, we have taken a census of the compact galaxies in the vicinity, used optical/near-infrared colors to select system members, and put constraints on the morphology of the spatially-extended emission. The system is characterized by (a) a population of compact, low luminosity (~0.1 L*) sources --- 17 primarily young, small (Re~1-2 kpc), disky galaxies including an obscured AGN --- that are all substantially offset (>20 kpc) from the line-emitting nebula; (b) the lack of a central galaxy at or near the peak of the Lya emission; and (c) several nearly coincident, spatially extended emission components --- Lya, HeII, and UV continuum --- that are extremely smooth. These morphological findings are difficult to reconcile with theoretical models that invoke outflows, cold flows, or resonant scattering, suggesting that while all of these physical phenomena may be occurring, they are not sufficient to explain the powering and large extent of Lya nebulae. In addition, although the compact galaxies within the system are irrelevant as power sources, the region is significantly overdense relative to the field galaxy population (by at least a factor of 4). These observations provide the first estimate of the luminosity function of galaxies within an individual Lya nebula system, and suggest that large Lya nebulae may be the seeds of galaxy groups or low-mass clusters.11/2011; -
Article: Constraining Dust and Molecular Gas Properties in Lyman Alpha Blobs at z~3
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ABSTRACT: In order to constrain the bolometric luminosities, dust properties and molecular gas content of giant Lyman alpha nebulae, the so-called Lyman alpha blobs, we have carried out a study of dust continuum and CO line emission in two well-studied representatives of this population at z ~ 3: a Lya blob discovered by its strong Spitzer MIPS 24um detection (LABd05; Dey et al. 2005) and the Steidel blob 1 (SSA22-LAB01; Steidel et al. 2000). We find that the spectral energy distribution of LABd05 is well described by an AGN-starburst composite template with L(FIR) = (4.0 +/- 0.5) x 10^12 Lsun, comparable to high-z sub-millimeter galaxies and ultraluminous infrared galaxies. New APEX/LABOCA 870um measurements rule out the reported SCUBA detection of the SSA22-LAB01 (S[850um] = 16.8 mJy) at the > 4sigma level. Consistent with this, ultra-deep Plateau de Bure Interferometer (PdBI) observations with ~2arcsec spatial resolution also fail to detect any 1.2mm continuum source down to ~0.45mJy per beam (3sigma). Combined with the existing (sub)mm observations in the literature, we conclude that the FIR luminosity of SSA22-LAB01 remains uncertain. No CO line is detected in either case down to integrated flux limits of (Snu dV) < 0.25--1.0 Jy km/s, indicating a modest molecular gas reservoir, M(H_2) < 1--3 x 10^10 Msun. The non-detections exclude, with high significance (12 sigma), the previous tentative detection of a CO(4-3) line in the SSA22-LAB01. The increased sensitivity afforded by ALMA will be critical in studying molecular gas and dust in these interesting systems.10/2011; -
Article: The Line Polarization within a Giant Lyα Nebula
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ABSTRACT: Recent theoretical work has suggested that Lyα nebulae could be substantially polarized in the Lyα emission line, depending on the geometry, kinematics, and powering mechanism at work. Polarization observations can therefore provide a useful constraint on the source of ionization in these systems. In this Letter, we present the first Lyα polarization measurements for a giant Lyα nebula at z 2.656. We do not detect any significant linear polarization of the Lyα emission: P Lyα = 2.6% ± 2.8% (corrected for statistical bias) within a single large aperture. The current data also do not show evidence for the radial polarization gradient predicted by some theoretical models. These results rule out singly scattered Lyα (e.g., from the nearby active galactic nucleus, AGN) and may be inconsistent with some models of backscattering in a spherical outflow. However, the effects of seeing, diminished signal-to-noise ratio, and angle averaging within radial bins make it difficult to put strong constraints on the radial polarization profile. The current constraints may be consistent with higher density outflow models, spherically symmetric infall models, photoionization by star formation within the nebula or the nearby AGN, resonant scattering, or non-spherically symmetric cold accretion (i.e., along filaments). Higher signal-to-noise ratio data probing to higher spatial resolution will allow us to harness the full diagnostic power of polarization observations in distinguishing between theoretical models of giant Lyα nebulae.The Astrophysical Journal Letters 03/2011; 730(2):L25. · 5.53 Impact Factor -
Article: The Line Polarization Within a Giant Lyman-alpha Nebula
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ABSTRACT: Recent theoretical work has suggested that Lyman-alpha nebulae could be substantially polarized in the Lyman-alpha emission line, depending on the geometry, kinematics, and powering mechanism at work. Polarization observations can therefore provide a useful constraint on the source of ionization in these systems. In this Letter, we present the first Lyman-alpha polarization measurements for a giant Lyman-alpha nebula at z~2.656. We do not detect any significant linear polarization of the Lyman-alpha emission: P_{Lyman-alpha}=2.6+/-2.8% (corrected for statistical bias) within a single large aperture. The current data also do not show evidence for the radial polarization gradient predicted by some theoretical models. These results rule out singly scattered Lyman-alpha (e.g., from the nearby AGN) and may be inconsistent with some models of backscattering in a spherical outflow. However, the effects of seeing, diminished signal-to-noise ratio, and angle averaging within radial bins make it difficult to put strong constraints on the radial polarization profile. The current constraints may be consistent with higher density outflow models, spherically symmetric infall models, photoionization by star formation within the nebula or the nearby AGN, resonant scattering, or non-spherically symmetric cold accretion (i.e., along filaments). Higher signal-to-noise ratio data probing to higher spatial resolution will allow us to harness the full diagnostic power of polarization observations in distinguishing between theoretical models of giant Lyman-alpha nebulae.02/2011; -
Article: THE DISCOVERY OF A LARGE Lyα+ He II NEBULA AT z 1.67: A CANDIDATE LOW METALLICITY REGION?
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ABSTRACT: We have discovered a ≈45 kpc Lyα nebula (or Lyα "blob") at z ≈ 1.67 which exhibits strong, spatially-extended He ii emission and very weak C iv and C iii] emission. This is the first spatially-extended Lyα+He ii emitter observed and the lowest redshift Lyα blob yet found. Strong Lyα and He iiλ1640 emission in the absence of metal lines has been proposed as a unique observational signature of primordial galaxy formation (e.g., from gravitational cooling radiation or Population III star formation), but no convincing examples of spatially-extended Lyα+He ii emitters have surfaced either in Lyα-emitting galaxy surveys at high redshifts (z > 4) or in studies of Lyα nebulae at lower redshifts. From comparisons with photoionization models, we find that the observed line ratios in this nebula are consistent with low metallicity gas (Z 10 −2 − 10 −3 Z ⊙), but that this conclusion depends on the unknown ionization parameter of the system. The large He ii equivalent width (≈37±1 A) and the large He ii/Lyα ratio (0.12±0.04) suggest that the cloud is being illuminated by a hard ionizing continuum, either an AGN or very low metallicity stars, or perhaps powered by gravitational cooling radiation. Thus far there is no obvious sign of a powerful AGN in or near the system, so in order to power the nebula while remaining hidden from view even in the mid-infrared, the AGN would need to be heavily obscured. Despite the strong Lyα+He ii emission, it is not yet clear what is the dominant power source for this nebula. The system therefore serves as an instructive example of how the complexities of true astrophysical sources will complicate matters when attempting to use a strong Lyα+He ii signature as a unique tracer of primordial galaxy formation.07/2009; -
Article: The Overdense Environment of a Large Lyα Nebula at z ≈ 2.7
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ABSTRACT: Large nebulae ( 50 kpc) emitting strongly in Lyα (also known as Lyα "blobs") are likely signposts of ongoing massive galaxy formation. The relative rarity of these sources and their discovery in well-studied galaxy overdensities suggest that they may be associated with regions of high galaxy density. One of the largest Lyα nebulae, discovered at a redshift of z ≈ 2.7 via its strong mid-infrared emission, provides an unbiased test of this association. We have carried out a deep intermediate-band imaging survey for Lyα-emitting galaxies (LAEs) within a 30' × 26' field of view around this Lyα nebula. This is the first study of the environment of a Lyα nebula found without a priori knowledge of its surroundings. We find that the nebula is located in an overdense region, at least 20 × 50 h70−1 comoving Mpc in size, showing a factor of ~3 LAE number density enhancement relative to the edge of the field. Given the predicted number of such overdensities, we rule out the possibility of a chance coincidence at the 1% level. This study, in conjunction with previous work, provides strong confirmation of the association between the largest Lyα nebulae and overdense regions of the universe.The Astrophysical Journal 12/2008; 678(2):L77. · 6.02 Impact Factor
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Institutions
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2011
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University of California, Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA, USA
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2008–2009
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The University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ, USA
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