Galaxy formation and evolution

Research group

Research theme

Sub department

About

SWIFT: An adaptive optics assisted I/z band integral field spectrograph

NEW ASTRON REV 49:10-12 (2006) 647-654

Authors:

M Tecza, N Thatte, F Clarke, T Goodsall, M Symeonidis

Abstract:

SWIFT is an adaptive optics assisted integral field spectrograph covering the I and z astronomical bands (0.7-1.0 mu m) at a spectral resolving power R <= 5000. At its heart is an all-glass image slicer with high throughput based on a novel de-magnifying design allowing a compact instrument. SWIFT profits from two recent developments: (i) the improved ability of second generation adaptive optics systems to correct for atmospheric turbulence in SWIFTS's bandpass, and (ii) the availability of CCD array detectors with high quantum efficiency at very red wavelengths. It is a dedicated integral field spectrograph, specifically built to address a range of interesting astrophysical questions. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Stellar kinematics and populations of early-type galaxies with the SAURON and OASIS integral-field spectrographs

NEW ASTRON REV 49:10-12 (2006) 521-535

Authors:

RM McDermid, R Bacon, H Kuntschner, E Emsellem, KL Shapiro, M Bureau, M Cappellari, RL Davies, J Falcon-Barroso, D Krajnovic, RF Peletier, M Sarzi, T de Zeeuw

Abstract:

We summarise the results and achievements of integral-field spectroscopy of early-type galaxies.. observed as part of a survey using both the SAURON and OASIS spectrographs. From the perspective of integral-field spectroscopy, these otherwise smooth and featureless objects show a wealth of structure, both in their stellar kinematics and populations. We focus on the stellar content, and examine properties on both kiloparsec scales with SAURON, and scales of 100's of parsecs with OASIS. These complementary studies reveal two types of kinematically distinct components (KDCs), differing primarily in their intrinsic sizes. In previous studies, KDCs and their host galaxies have generally been found to be unremarkable in other aspects. We show that large KDCs, typical of the well-studied cases, indeed show little or no age differences with their host galaxy. The KDCs detected with the higher spatial-resolution of OASIS are intrinsically smaller and include, in contrast, a significant fraction of young stars. We speculate on the relationship between KDCs and their host galaxies, and the implications for young populations in early-type galaxies. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

K-band observations of boxy bulges -: I.: Morphology and surface brightness profiles

MONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY 370:2 (2006) 753-772

Authors:

M Bureau, G Aronica, E Athanassoula, R-J Dettmar, A Bosma, KC Freeman

Dark Matter in the Central Regions of Early Type Galaxies

EAS Publications Series EDP Sciences 20 (2006) 127-130

Authors:

M Cappellari, R Bacon, M Bureau, MC Damen, RL Davies, PT de Zeeuw, E Emsellem, J Falc贸n-Barroso, D Krajnovi膰, H Kuntschner, RM McDermid, RF Peletier, M Sarzi, RCE van den Bosch, G van de Ven

Design of the KMOS multi-object integral field spectrograph - art. no. 62691C

P SOC PHOTO-OPT INS 6269 (2006) C2691-C2691

Authors:

R Sharples, R Bender, R Bennett, K Burch, P Carter, M Casali, P Clark, R Content, R Davies, R Davies, M Dubbeldam, G Finger, R Genzel, R Haefner, A Hess, M Kissler-Patig, K Laidlaw, M Lehnert, I Lewis, A Moorwood, B Muschielok, NF Schreiber, J Pirard, SR Howat, P Rees, J Richter, D Robertson, I Robson, R Saglia, M Tecza, N Thatte, S Todd, M Wegner

Abstract:

KMOS is a near-infrared multi-object integral field spectrometer which has been selected as one of a suite of second-generation instruments to be constructed for the ESO VLT in Chile. The instrument will be built by a consortium of UK and German institutes working in partnership with ESO and is currently at the end of its preliminary design phase. We present the design status of KMOS and discuss the most novel technical aspects and the compliance with the technical specification.