James Edward Gunn

Cosmic homogeneity demonstrated with luminous red galaxies

We test the homogeneity of the universe at z ~ 0.3 with the luminous red galaxy (LRG) spectroscopic sample of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. First, the mean number N(R) of LRGs within completely surveyed LRG-centered spheres of comoving radius R is shown to be proportional to R3 at radii greater than R ~ 70 h-1 Mpc. The test has the virtue that it does not rely on the assumption that the LRG sample has a finite mean density; its results show, however, that there is such a mean density. Second, the survey sky area is divided into 10 disjoint solid angular regions, and the fractional rms density variations of the LRG sample in the redshift range 0.2 < z < 0.35 among these (~ 2 × 107 h-3 Mpc3) regions is found to be 7% of the mean density. This variance is consistent with typical biased ΛCDM models and puts very strong constraints on the quality of SDSS photometric calibration.

M5 V101 - A close binary system in a globular cluster

Spectrophotometric and photographic observations of the large amplitude variable V101 in the globular cluster M5 show it to have the characteristics of a dwarf nova. In particular, a spectrum obtained with the Hale 5 m reflector of the object in quiescence (V approximately equal to 20) shows strong, broad Balmer and He I emission. It is suggested that M5 V101 is the strongest case for the existence of close binary systems in globular clusters.

Focal plane array alignment and cryogenic surface topography measurements for the Prime Focus Spectrograph

We describe the infrastructure developed to align and measure the focal plane arrays (FPA) for the Subaru Measurement of Images and Redshifts (SuMIRe) Prime Focus Spectrograph (PFS), and detail the results of these efforts at ambient and operating temperatures. PFS will employ four three-channel spectrographs with an operating wavelength range of 380 nm to 1260 nm. Each spectrograph will be comprised of two visible channels and one near infrared (NIR) channel, and each channel will use individual Schmidt cameras to image the captured spectra onto their respective detectors. In the visible channels, Hamamatsu 2k x 4k charge coupled devices (CCDs) will be mounted in pairs to create a 4k x 4k mosaic, while the NIR channel will use a single Teledyne H4RG 4k x 4k Mercury Cadmium Telluride (HgCdTe) complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) device.

SUBARU prime focus spectrograph integration and performance at LAM

The Prime Focus Spectrograph (PFS) of the Subaru Measurement of Images and Redshifts (SuMIRe) project for Subaru telescope includes four identical spectrograph modules fed by 600 fibers each. This paper presents the integration, alignment and test procedures for the first spectrograph module composed by an optical entrance unit that creates a collimated beam and distributes the light to three channels, two visible and one near infrared. In particular, we present the performance of the single Red channel module. Firstly, we report on the measured optical performance: optical quality and ghost analysis. We also report on the thermal performance of the visible camera cryostat. Finally, we describe the software used to control and monitor the instrument.

The extragalactic nature of CL4

Spectroscopy of the faint optical counterpart of the variable radio source CL4 shows a single broad emission line at 6480 A. The object is almost surely a quasar, thus settling a decade old dispute of whether this source, near the center of Cygnus Loop, is galactic or extragalactic. The precise redshift cannot be determined without extending the current spectral coverage of this red object into the blue, a difficult observational task. Candidate redshifts are z = 1.31, 2.39, and 3.18, for identifications of the emission feature as Mg II, C III), and C IV, respectively. We also report an unsuccessful search for an optical identification of a second radio source with similar properties 1910+052. These two objects are part of a group of eight compact, variable radio sources that have been previously suggested as related to SS 433. Current evidence on this possible association is summarized and indicates that none of the objects is a strong candidate for an SS 433 analog.

Slit device assembly of Prime Focus Spectrograph for Subaru telescope

The Fiber Optic Cable and Connector System, FOCCoS, is a set of optical cables to feed the Prime Focus Spectrograph, PFS, for Subaru telescope [01,02]. The extremity responsible for delivering light to spectrographs is called, FCA, Fiber Cable A. Cable A is the cable installed at the Spectrograph side and consists of the Fiber Slit Assembly, FSA, the routing with its support and the Fiber Input Assembly, FIA. FSA is composed of a set of optical fibers arranged linearly on the Slit device and supported by the Frame, protected by segmented tubes and routed between strain relief boxes and the connection interface. FIA is composed by the Connector Bench (Gang Connector) that allow connection with Cable B, at the Subaru Telescope interface, to receive light from Cable C where the fibers end is coupled with microlens. As four Spectrographs are considered for PFS/Subaru, four units of Cable A are necessary. In this paper, we present in details of a complete FCA to be installed in the spectrograph bench. We discuss about the general design, methods used to manufacture the involved devices.