We present results of a program of optical spectroscopy of radio galaxies in rich clusters. Redshifts are reported for 268 radio galaxies or close companions in Abell clusters and 36 objects which turned out to be foreground or background objects. Absolute line strengths are also reported for the 3727{AA} [OII] line and the [NII]/H{alpha} complex. We find no evidence that the radio activity in our sample of mostly FR I radio galaxies is associated with emission-line luminosities above those found in "normal" galaxies of the same absolute magnitude and optical type. We also find that the radial velocity differences between radio galaxies and the cluster mean seem mainly to be a function of galaxy absolute magnitude rather than radio properties.
We present the results of a program to acquire high-quality optical spectra of X-ray sources detected in the Extended-Chandra Deep Field-South (E-CDF-S) and its central 2Ms area. New spectroscopic redshifts, up to z=4, are measured for 283 counterparts to Chandra sources with deep exposures (t~2-9hr per pointing) using multi-slit facilities on both VLT (VIMOS) and Keck (DEIMOS), thus bringing the total number of spectroscopically identified X-ray sources to over 500 in this survey field. Since our new spectroscopic identifications are mainly associated with X-ray sources in the shallower 250ks coverage, we provide a comprehensive catalog of X-ray sources detected in the E-CDF-S including the optical and near-infrared counterparts, determined by a likelihood routine, and redshifts (both spectroscopic and photometric), that incorporate published spectroscopic catalogs, thus resulting in a final sample with a high fraction (80%) of X-ray sources having secure identifications. Our redshift catalog includes 17 type-2 QSOs at 1<~z<~3.5. Based on our deepest (9 hr) VLT/VIMOS observation, we identify "elusive" optically faint galaxies (Rmag~25) at z~2-3 based upon the detection of interstellar absorption lines (e.g., OII+SiIV, CII], CIV).
We present spectra of 59 nearby star candidates, M dwarfs and white dwarfs, previously identified using high proper motion catalogues and the DENIS database. We review the existing spectral classification schemes and spectroscopic parallax calibrations in the near-infrared J band and derive spectral types and distances of the nearby candidates. Forty-two stars have spectroscopic distances smaller than 25pc, three of them being white dwarfs. Two targets lie within 10pc, one M8 star at 10.0pc (APMPM J0103-3738), and one M4 star at 8.3pc (L 225-57). One star, LHS 73, is found to be among the few subdwarfs lying within 20pc. Furthermore, together with LHS 72, it probably belongs to the closest pair of subdwarfs we know.
We report on optical spectroscopy of 165 flat spectrum radio quasars (FSRQs) in the Fermi 1LAC sample, which have helped allow a nearly complete study of this population. Fermi FSRQs show significant evidence for non-thermal emission even in the optical; the degree depends on the {gamma}-ray hardness. They also have smaller virial estimates of hole mass than the optical quasar sample. This appears to be largely due to a preferred (axial) view of the {gamma}-ray FSRQ and non-isotropic (H/R ~ 0.4) distribution of broad-line velocities. Even after correction for this bias, the Fermi FSRQs show higher mean Eddington ratios than the optical population. A comparison of optical spectral properties with Owens Valley Radio Observatory radio flare activity shows no strong correlation.
We present optical spectroscopy of a sample of 77 luminous active galactic nuclei (AGNs) and quasars selected on the basis of their mid-infrared colors. Our objects are selected from the Spitzer Extragalactic First Look Survey and the SWIRE XMM-Newton Large-Scale Structure Survey (XMM-LSS) fields, with a typical 24um flux density of 5mJy. The median redshift is 0.6, with a range of ~0.05-4. Only 33% (25 out of 77) of these objects are normal type 1 quasars, with no obscuration. Forty-four percent (34 out of 77) are type 2 objects, with high-ionization, narrow emission lines, and 14% (11 out of 77) are dust-reddened type 1 quasars, showing broad lines but a dust-reddened or unusually weak quasar continuum.
Among the different observational techniques used to select high-redshift galaxies, the hydrogen recombination line Lyman-alpha (Ly{alpha}) is of particular interest because it gives access to the measurement of cosmological quantities such as the star formation rate (SFR) of distant galaxy populations. However, interpreting this line and calibrating such observables are still subject to serious uncertainties. In this context, it important to understand the mechanisms responsible for the attenuation of Ly{alpha} emission, and under what conditions the Ly{alpha} emission line can be used as a reliable star formation diagnostic tool. We used a sample of 24 Ly{alpha} emitters at z~0.3 with an optical spectroscopic follow-up to calculate the Ly{alpha} escape fraction and its dependence upon different physical properties. We also examined the reliability of Ly{alpha} as a SFR indicator. We combined these observations with a compilation of Ly{alpha} emitters selected at z=0-0.3 from the literature to assemble a larger sample.
