M. Clampin

The Photometric Performance and Calibration of the Hubble Space Telescope Advanced Camera for Surveys

ABSTRACT We present the photometric calibration of the Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS). The ACS was installed in the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) in 2002 March. It comprises three cameras: the Wide Field Channel (WFC), optimized for deep near‐IR survey imaging programs; the High Resolution Channel (HRC), a high‐resolution imager that fully samples the HST point‐spread function (PSF) in the visible; and the Solar Blind Channel (SBC), a far‐UV imager. A significant amount of data has been collected to characterize the on‐orbit performance of the three channels. We give here an overview of the performance and calibration of the two CCD cameras (WFC and HRC) and a description of the best techniques for reducing ACS CCD data. The overall performance is as expected from prelaunch testing of the camera. Surprises were a better‐than‐predicted sensitivity in the visible and near‐IR for both the WFC and HRC and an unpredicted dip in the HRC UV response at ∼3200 A. On‐orbit observations of spectrophotometric stand...

The Morphology-Density Relation in z ~ 1 Clusters

We measure the morphology-density relation (MDR) and morphology-radius relation (MRR) for galaxies in seven z ~ 1 clusters that have been observed with the Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) on board the Hubble Space Telescope. Simulations and independent comparisons of our visually derived morphologies indicate that ACS allows one to distinguish between E, S0, and spiral morphologies down to z850 = 24, corresponding to L/L* = 0.21 and 0.30 at z = 0.83 and 1.24, respectively. We adopt density and radius estimation methods that match those used at lower redshift in order to study the evolution of the MDR and MRR. We detect a change in the MDR between 0.8 < z < 1.2 and that observed at z ~ 0, consistent with recent work; specifically, the growth in the bulge-dominated galaxy fraction, fE+S0, with increasing density proceeds less rapidly at z ~ 1 than it does at z ~ 0. At z ~ 1 and Σ ≥ 500 galaxies Mpc-2, we find fE+S0 = 0.72 ± 0.10. At z ~ 0, an E+S0 population fraction of this magnitude occurs at densities about 5 times smaller. The evolution in the MDR is confined to densities Σ 40 galaxies Mpc-2 and appears to be primarily due to a deficit of S0 galaxies and an excess of Sp+Irr galaxies relative to the local galaxy population. The fE-density relation exhibits no significant evolution between z = 1 and 0. We find mild evidence to suggest that the MDR is dependent on the bolometric X-ray luminosity of the intracluster medium. Implications for the evolution of the disk galaxy population in dense regions are discussed in the context of these observations.

FOMALHAUT'S DEBRIS DISK AND PLANET: CONSTRAINING THE MASS OF FOMALHAUT B FROM DISK MORPHOLOGY

Following the optical imaging of exoplanet candidate Fomalhaut b (Fom b), we present a numerical model of how Fomalhauts debris disk is gravitationally shaped by a single interior planet. The model is simple, adaptable to other debris disks, and can be extended to accommodate multiple planets. If Fom b is the dominant perturber of the belt, then to produce the observed disk morphology it must have a mass M pl 101.5 AU, and an orbital eccentricity e pl = 0.11-0.13. These conclusions are independent of Fom bs photometry. To not disrupt the disk, a greater mass for Fom b demands a smaller orbit farther removed from the disk; thus, future astrometric measurement of Fom bs orbit, combined with our model of planet-disk interaction, can be used to determine the mass more precisely. The inner edge of the debris disk at a ≈ 133 AU lies at the periphery of Fom bs chaotic zone, and the mean disk eccentricity of e ≈ 0.11 is secularly forced by the planet, supporting predictions made prior to the discovery of Fom b. However, previous mass constraints based on disk morphology rely on several oversimplifications. We explain why our constraint is more reliable. It is based on a global model of the disk that is not restricted to the planets chaotic zone boundary. Moreover, we screen disk parent bodies for dynamical stability over the system age of ~ 100 Myr, and model them separately from their dust grain progeny; the latters orbits are strongly affected by radiation pressure and their lifetimes are limited to ~ 0.1 Myr by destructive grain-grain collisions. The single planet model predicts that planet and disk orbits be apsidally aligned. Fomalhaut bs nominal space velocity does not bear this out, but the astrometric uncertainties may be large. If the apsidal misalignment proves real, our calculated upper mass limit of 3M J still holds. If the orbits are aligned, our model predicts M pl = 0.5M J, a pl = 115 AU, and e pl = 0.12. Parent bodies are evacuated from mean-motion resonances with Fom b; these empty resonances are akin to the Kirkwood gaps opened by Jupiter. The belt contains at least 3M ⊕ of solids that are grinding down to dust, their velocity dispersions stirred so strongly by Fom b that collisions are destructive. Such a large mass in solids is consistent with Fom b having formed in situ.

HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE ADVANCED CAMERA FOR SURVEYS CORONAGRAPHIC IMAGING OF THE AU MICROSCOPII DEBRIS DISK

We present Hubble Space Telescope Advanced Camera for Surveys multicolor coronagraphic images of the recently discovered edge-on debris disk around the nearby (� 10 pc) M dwarf AU Microscopii. The disk is seen between r ¼ 0B75 and 15 00 (7.5–150 AU) from the star. It has a thin midplane with a projected FWHM thickness of 2.5–3.5 AU within r < 50 AU of the star that increases to 6.5–9 AU at r � 75 AU. The disk’s radial brightness profile is generally flat forr < 15 AU, then decreases gradually (I / r � 1:8 )o ut tor � 43 AU, beyond which it falls rapidly (I / r � 4:7 ). Within 50 AU the midplane is straight and aligned with the star, and beyond that it deviates by � 3 � , resulting in a bowed appearance that was also seen in ground-based images. Three-dimensional modeling of the disk shows that the inner region (r < 50 AU) is inclined to the line of sight by less than 1 � and the outer disk by � 3 � . The inclination of the outer disk and moderate forward scattering (g � 0:4) can explain the apparentbow. The intrinsic, deprojected FWHM thickness is 1.5–10 AU, increasing with radius. The models indicate that the disk is clear of dust within � 12 AU of the star, in general agreement with the previous prediction of 17 AU based on the infrared spectral energy distribution. The disk is blue, being 60% brighter at B than I relative to the star. One possible explanation for this is that there is a surplus of very small grains compared with other imaged debris disks that have more neutral or red colors. This may be due to the low radiation pressure exerted by the late-type star. Observations at two epochs show that an extended source seen along the midplane is a background galaxy.

VLT and ACS observations of RDCS J1252.9-2927: Dynamical structure and galaxy populations in a massive cluster at z=1.237

We present results from an extensive spectroscopic survey, carried out with VLT FORS, and from an extensive multiwavelength imaging data set from the HST Advanced Camera for Surveys and ground-based facilities, of the cluster of galaxies RDCS J1252.9-2927. We have spectroscopically confirmed 38 cluster members in the redshift range 1.22 1, kinematic structure. The velocity distribution, which is not Gaussian at the 95% confidence level, is consistent with two groups that are also responsible for the projected east-west elongation of the cluster. The groups are composed of 26 and 12 galaxies with velocity dispersions of 486 and 426 km s-1, respectively. The elongation is also seen in the intracluster gas and the dark matter distribution. This leads us to conclude that RDCS J1252.9-2927 has not yet reached a final virial state. We extend the analysis of the color-magnitude diagram of spectroscopic members to more than 1 Mpc from the cluster center. The scatter and slope of non-[O II]-emitting cluster members in the near-IR red sequence is similar to that seen in clusters at lower redshift. Furthermore, most of the galaxies with luminosities greater than ~K + 1.5 do not show any [O II], indicating that these more luminous, redder galaxies have stopped forming stars earlier than the fainter, bluer galaxies. Our observations provide detailed dynamical and spectrophotometric information on galaxies in this exceptional high-redshift cluster, delivering an in-depth view of structure formation at this epoch only 5 Gyr after the big bang.

Clustering of Star-forming Galaxies Near a Radio Galaxy at z = 5.2*

We present HST ACS observations of the most distant radio galaxy known, TN J0924-2201 at z = 5.2. This radio galaxy has six spectroscopically confirmed Ly?-emitting companion galaxies and appears to lie within an overdense region. The radio galaxy is marginally resolved in i775 and z850, showing continuum emission aligned with the radio axis, similar to what is observed for lower redshift radio galaxies. Both the half-light radius and the UV star formation rate are comparable to the typical values found for Lyman break galaxies at z ~ 4-5. The Ly? emitters are sub-L* galaxies, with deduced star formation rates of 1-10 M? yr-1. One of the Ly? emitters is only detected in Ly?. Based on the star formation rate of ~3 M? yr-1 calculated from Ly?, the lack of continuum emission could be explained if the galaxy is younger than ~2 Myr and is producing its first stars. Observations in V606i775z850 were used to identify additional Lyman break galaxies associated with this structure. In addition to the radio galaxy, there are 22 V606 break (z ~ 5) galaxies with z850 99%), based on a counts-in-cells analysis applied to the control field. The excess suggests that the V606 break objects are associated with a forming cluster around the radio galaxy.

Revealing the Structure of a Pre-Transitional Disk: The Case of the Herbig F Star SAO 206462 (HD 135344B)

SAO 206462 (HD 135344B) has previously been identified as a Herbig F star with a circumstellar disk with a dip in its infrared excess near 10 μm. In combination with a low accretion rate estimated from Br γ ,i t may represent a gapped, but otherwise primordial or “pre-transitional” disk. We test this hypothesis with Hubble Space Telescope coronagraphic imagery, FUV spectroscopy and imagery and archival X-ray data, and spectral energy distribution (SED) modeling constrained by the observed system inclination, disk outer radius, and outer disk radial surface brightness (SB) profile using the Whitney Monte Carlo Radiative Transfer Code. The essentially face-on (i 20 ◦ ) disk is detected in scattered light from 0. �� 4t o 1. �� 15 (56–160 AU), with a steep (r −9.6 ) radial SB profile from 0. 6t o 0. 93. Fitting the SB data requires a concave upward or anti-flared outer disk, indicating substantial dust grain growth and settling by 8 ± 4 Myr. The warm dust component is significantly variable in near to mid-IR excess and in temperature. At its warmest, it appears confined to a narrow belt from 0.08 to 0.2 AU. The steep SED for this dust component is consistent with grains with a 2.5 μm. For cosmic carbon to silicate dust composition, conspicuous 10 μm silicate emission would be expected and is not observed. This may indicate an elevated carbon to silicate ratio for the warm dust, which is not required to fit the outer disk. At its coolest, the warm dust can be fit with a disk from 0.14 to 0.31 AU, but with a higher inclination than either the outer disk or the gaseous disk, providing confirmation of the high inclination inferred from mid-IR interferometry. In tandem, the compositional and inclination difference between the warm dust and the outer dust disk suggests that the warm dust may be of second-generation origin, rather than a remnant of a primordial disk component. With its near face-on inclination, SAO 206462’s disk is a prime location for planet searches.

The Transformation of Cluster Galaxies at Intermediate Redshift

We combine imaging data from the Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) with VLT/FORS optical spectroscopy to study the properties of star-forming galaxies in the z = 0.837 cluster Cl 0152-1357. We have morphological information for 24 star-forming cluster galaxies, which range in morphology from late-type and irregular to compact early-type galaxies. We find that while most star-forming galaxies have r625 - i775 colors bluer than 1.0, eight are in the red cluster sequence. Among the star-forming cluster population, we find five compact early-type galaxies that have properties consistent with their identification as progenitors of dwarf elliptical galaxies. The spatial distribution of the star-forming cluster members is nonuniform. We find none within R ~ 500 Mpc of the cluster center, which is highly suggestive of an intracluster medium interaction. We derive star formation rates from [O II] λ3727 line fluxes and use these to compare the global star formation rate of Cl 0152-1357 to other clusters at low and intermediate redshifts. We find a tentative correlation between integrated star formation rates and TX, in the sense that hotter clusters have lower integrated star formation rates. Additional data from clusters with low X-ray temperatures are needed to confirm this trend. We do not find a significant correlation with redshift, suggesting that evolution is either weak or absent between z = 0.2 and 0.8.

A Resolved Debris Disk around the G2 V Star HD 107146

We present resolved scattered-light images of the debris disk around HD 107146, a G2 star 28.5 pc from the Sun. This is the first debris disk to be resolved in scattered light around a solar-type star. We observed it with the HST/ACS coronagraph, using a 1.8” occulting spot and the F606W (broad V) and F814W (broad I) filters. Within 2” from the star, the image is dominated by PSF subtraction residuals. Outside this limit, the disk looks featureless except for a northeast-southwest brightness asymmetry that we attribute to forward scattering. The disk has scattered-light fractional luminosities of (LSca/L∗)F 606W = 6.8±0.8×10 −5 and (LSca/L∗)F 814W = 10±1×10 −5 and it is detected up to 6.5” away from the star. To map the surface density of the disk, we deproject it by 25 ◦ ±5 ◦ , divide by the dust scattering phase (gF 606W = 0.3±0.1, gF 814W = 0.2±0.1) and correct for the geometric dilution of starlight. Within the errors, the surface density has the same shape in each bandpass, and it appears to be a broad (85 AU) ring with most of the opacity concentrated at 130 AU. The ratio of the relative luminosity in F814W to that in F606W has the constant value of 1.3 ± 0.3, with the error dominated by uncertainties in the value of g in each filter. An examination of far infrared and submillimeter measurements suggests the presence of small grains. The colors and the derived values of g are consistent with the presence of dust particles smaller than the radiation pressure limit. The dust generated by the creation of a small planet or the scattering and circularization of a large one, are possible scenarios that may explain the shape of the surface density profile.

Luminosity Functions of the Galaxy Cluster MS 1054–0321 at z = 0.83 based on ACS Photometry

We present new measurements of the galaxy luminosity function (LF) and its dependence on local galaxy density, color, morphology, and clustocentric radius for the massive z = 0.83 cluster MS 1054-0321. Our analyses are based on imaging performed with the Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) on board the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) in the F606W, F775W, and F850LP passbands and extensive spectroscopic data obtained with the Keck Low-Resolution Imaging Spectrograph. Our main results are based on a spectroscopically selected sample of 143 cluster members with morphological classifications derived from the ACS observations. Our three primary findings are (1) the faint-end slope of the LF is steepest in the bluest filter, (2) the LF in the inner part of the cluster (or highest density regions) has a flatter faint-end slope, and (3) the fraction of early-type galaxies is higher at the bright end of the LF, and gradually decreases toward fainter magnitudes. These characteristics are consistent with those in local galaxy clusters, indicating that, at least in massive clusters, the common characteristics of cluster LFs are established at z = 0.83. These results provide additional support for the hypothesis that the formation of galaxies in MS 1054-0321 began at redshifts considerably greater than unity. We also find a 2 σ deficit of intrinsically faint, red galaxies (i775 - z850 ≥ 0.5, Mi > -19) in this cluster. Although the significance is marginal, this trend may suggest that faint, red galaxies (which are common in z 30 Mpc-2, coinciding with the environment where the galaxy star formation rate and the morphology-density relation start to appear. A physical process that begins to become effective at around the virial radius or Σ ~ 30 Mpc-2 may thus be responsible for the evolution of color and luminosity of cluster galaxies.