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Context. 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. Aims. 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. Methods. We used a sample of 24 Ly alpha emitters at z similar to 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. Results. We confirm that the Ly alpha escape fraction clearly depends on the dust extinction following the relation f(esc)(Ly alpha) = C-Ly alpha x 10(-0.4 E(B-V) kLy alpha) where k(Ly alpha) similar to 6.67 and C-Ly alpha = 0.22. However, the correlation does not follow the expected curve for a simple dust attenuation. A higher attenuation can be attributed to a scattering process, while f(esc)(Ly alpha) values that are clearly above the continuum extinction curve can be the result of various mechanisms that can lead to an enhancement of the Ly alpha output. We also observe that the strength of Ly alpha and the escape fraction appear unrelated to the galaxy metallicity. Regarding the reliability of Ly alpha as a SFR indicator, we show that the deviation of SFR(Ly alpha) from the true SFR (as traced by the UV continuum) is a function of the observed SFR(UV), which can be seen as the decrease in f(esc)(Ly alpha) with incr, AuthorCount:7

Aims. We present deep surface photometry of a volume-limited sample of 21 UM emission line galaxies in broadband optical UBVRI and near infrared (NIR) HKs filters. The sample comprises 19 blue compact galaxies (BCGs) and two spirals. Methods. We separated the burst and host populations for each galaxy and compared them to stellar evolutionary models with and without nebular emission contribution. We measured and analyzed the A(180) asymmetry in all filters, the concentration index C, the scale length, and the central surface brightness of the host galaxy. Results. A shift in the average A180 asymmetry is detected from optical to NIR. This shift seems correlated with the morphological class of the BCGs. Using the color-asymmetry relation, we identify five BCGs in the sample as mergers, which is confirmed by their morphological class. Though clearly separated from normal galaxies in the concentration-asymmetry parameter space, we find that it is not possible to distinguish luminous starbursting BCGs from the merely star forming low luminosity BCGs., AuthorCount:9

We present analysis of Fabry-Perot interferometric observations for a sample of 11 starburst galaxies with redshift z less than or similar to 0.03 selected from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. We have targeted the H alpha lambda 6562.78 emission line at spatial sampling of 0.2arcsec-0.4 arcsec and at spectral resolution of R similar to 16 000. Studying two-dimensional maps for the velocity, velocity dispersion, line emission and continuum deliver new insights into the nature of starburst and postburst galaxies. The velocity fields are fitted to an exponential disc model, providing scalelengths and masses, to be compared with the photometric scalelength and the mass estimated from the velocity dispersions. From the line emission, the star formation rates are also calculated and compared with values in the literature. We have found that between 55 and 64 per cent of our sample show large-scale dominating rotation, while 27 per cent show local rotation typically restricted to the central part of each system. The morphology and line profiles in the centre of eight objects are consistent with a recent merger, while another two seem to be involved in a accretion process which, for the moment, has not disrupted their kinematics., AuthorCount:5;Funding agencies:Alfred P. Sloan Foundation; National Science Foundation; US Department of Energy; National Aeronautics and Space Administration; Japanese Monbukagakusho; Max Planck Society; Higher Education Funding Council for England; Nordic Optical Telescope Scientific Association (NOTSA;) Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation; Swedish research council (VR); Swedish National Space Board (SNSB;) Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation AYA2007-67625-CO2-01; Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias 3E 310386; Swedish Research Council (Vetenskapsradet)

Using high-resolution Hubble Space Telescope data, we re-examine the fundamental properties (ages, masses and extinction values) of the rich star cluster population in the dwarf starburst galaxy NGC 5253. The gain in resolution compared to previous studies is of order a factor of 2 in both spatial dimensions, while our accessible wavelength range transcends previous studies by incorporation of both near-ultraviolet and near-infrared (IR) passbands. We apply spectral synthesis treatments based on two different simple stellar population model suites to our set of medium-, broad-band and H alpha images to gain an improved physical understanding of the IR-excess flux found for a subset of young clusters (30 of 149). With the caveat that our models are based on fully sampled stellar mass functions, the NGC 5253 cluster population is dominated by a significant number of relatively low-mass (M-cl less than or similar to a few x 10(4) M-circle dot) objects with ages ranging from a few x 10(6) to a few x 10(7) yr, which is in excellent agreement with the starburst age of the host galaxy. The IR-excess clusters are almost all found in this young age range and have masses of up to a few x 10(4) M-circle dot. The IR excess in the relatively low-mass NGC 5253 clusters is most likely caused by a combination of stochastic sampling effects and colour variations due to the presence of either luminous red or pre-main-sequence stars. We also find a small number of intermediate-age (similar to 1 Gyr old), similar to 10(5) M-circle dot clusters, as well as up to a dozen massive, similar to 10 Gyr old globular clusters. Their presence supports the notion that NGC 5253 is a very active galaxy that has undergone multiple episodes of star cluster formation., AuthorCount:4

We present deep optical and near-infrared (NIR) UBVRIHKs imaging data for 24 blue compact galaxies (BCGs). The individual exposure times are on average similar to 40 min in the optical (B) and similar to 90 min in the NIR, but on occasion up to similar to 5 h for a single target and filter, observed with 2.5, 3.5, 8.2-m telescopes. The sample contains luminous dwarf and intermediate-mass BCGs which are predominantly metal poor, although a few have near-solar metallicities. We have analysed isophotal and elliptical integration surface brightness and colour profiles, extremely deep (mu(B) less than or similar to 29 mag arcsec(-2)) contour maps and RGB images for each galaxy in the sample, and provide a morphological classification where such is missing. Separating the burst from the underlying host we find that regardless of the total luminosity the host galaxy has the properties of a low surface brightness (LSB) dwarf with M-B greater than or similar to -18. For a number of galaxies we discover a distinct LSB component dominant around and beyond the Holmberg radius. For the specific case of ESO 400-43A&B we detect an optical bridge between the two companion galaxies at the mu(V) similar to 28th mag arcsec(-2) isophotal level. Synthetic disc tests are performed to verify that we can trace such faint components with negligible errors down to mu(B) = 28 and mu(K) = 23 mag arcsec(-2). By examining the structural parameters (central surface brightness mu(0) and scalelength h(r)) derived from two radial ranges typically assumed to be dominated by the underlying host galaxy, we demonstrate the importance of sampling the host well away from the effects of the burst. We find that mu(0) and h(r) of the BCGs host deviate from those of dwarf ellipticals (dEs) and dwarf irregulars (dI) solely due to a strong burst contribution to the surface brightness profile almost down to the Holmberg radius. Structural parameters obtained from a fainter region, mu(B) = 26-28 mag arcsec(-2, AuthorCount:8

Aims. To investigate the ingredients, which allow star-forming galaxies to present Ly alpha line in emission, we studied the kinematics and gas phase metallicity of the interstellar medium. Methods. We used multi-object near-infrared spectroscopy with Magellan/MMIRS to study nebular emission from z similar or equal to 2-3 star-forming galaxies discovered in three MUSYC fields. Results. We detected emission lines from four active galactic nuclei and 13 high-redshift star-forming galaxies, including H alpha lines down to a flux of (4 +/- 1)E-17 erg s(-1) cm(-2). This yielded seven new redshifts. The most common emission line detected is [OIII]5007, which is sensitive to metallicity. We were able to measure metallicity (Z) for two galaxies and to set upper (lower) limits for another two (two). The metallicity values are consistent with 0.3 < Z/Z(circle dot) < 1.2, 12 + log (O/H) similar to 8.2-8.8. Comparing the Ly alpha central wavelength with the systemic redshift, we find Delta(vLy alpha-[OIII]5007) = 70 270 km s(-1). Conclusions. High-redshift star-forming galaxies, Ly alpha emitting (LAE) galaxies, and H alpha emitters appear to be located in the low mass, high star-formation rate (SFR) region of the SFR versus stellar mass diagram, confirming that they are experiencing burst episodes of star formation, which are building up their stellar mass. Their metallicities are consistent with the relation found for z <= 2.2 galaxies in the Z versus stellar mass plane. The measured Delta(vLy alpha[OIII]5007) values imply that outflows of material, driven by star formation, could be present in the z similar to 2 3 LAEs of our sample. Comparing with the literature, we note that galaxies with lower metallicity than ours are also characterized by similar Delta(vLy alpha[OIII]5007) velocity off sets. Strong F([OIII]5007) is detected in many Ly alpha emitters. Therefore, we propose the F(Ly alpha)/F([OIII]5007) flux ratio as a tool for the study of high-redshift galaxies, AuthorCount:7

We present supernova rate measurements at redshift 0.1–1.5 from the Stockholm VIMOS Supernova Survey (SVISS). The sample contains 16 supernovae in total. The discovered supernovae have been classified into core collapse or thermonuclear (Ia) types based on their light curves, colour evolution and host galaxy photometric redshift. The rates we find for the core collapse supernovae are 1.25 (+2.27 +0.85 −0.97 −0.78) - with statistical and systematic errors, respectively - at z = 0.39 and 6.90 (+5.24 +3.04 −3.25 −2.14) at z = 0.73. For the Ia supernovae the rates are 2.02 (+1.57 +0.53−0.96 −0.57) at z = 0.39 and 1.03 (+0.92 +0.31−0.54 −0.36) at z = 0.80. All of these rate estimates have been corrected for host galaxy extinction. Using Monte Carlo simulations we make a thorough study of the systematic effects from assumptions made when calculating the rates and find that the most important errors comes from misclassification, the assumed mix of faint and bright supernova types and uncertainties in redshift. We compare our rates to other observations, to the star formation history for core collapse rates and to different models of the delay time distribution for Ia rates. Overall, our measurements agree quite well with these other rates when using redshift-dependent corrections for extinction. We do not find any evidence of a missing fraction of core collapse supernovae., Author count:10

We present supernova rate measurements at redshift 0.1–1.5 from the Stockholm VIMOS Supernova Survey (SVISS). The sample contains 16 supernovae in total. The discovered supernovae have been classified into core collapse or thermonuclear (Ia) types based on their light curves, colour evolution and host galaxy photometric redshift. The rates we find for the core collapse supernovae are 1.25 (+2.27 +0.85 −0.97 −0.78) - with statistical and systematic errors, respectively - at z = 0.39 and 6.90 (+5.24 +3.04 −3.25 −2.14) at z = 0.73. For the Ia supernovae the rates are 2.02 (+1.57 +0.53−0.96 −0.57) at z = 0.39 and 1.03 (+0.92 +0.31−0.54 −0.36) at z = 0.80. All of these rate estimates have been corrected for host galaxy extinction. Using Monte Carlo simulations we make a thorough study of the systematic effects from assumptions made when calculating the rates and find that the most important errors comes from misclassification, the assumed mix of faint and bright supernova types and uncertainties in redshift. We compare our rates to other observations, to the star formation history for core collapse rates and to different models of the delay time distribution for Ia rates. Overall, our measurements agree quite well with these other rates when using redshift-dependent corrections for extinction. We do not find any evidence of a missing fraction of core collapse supernovae., Author count:10

We estimate the fraction of core-collapse supernovae (CCSNe) that remain undetected by optical SN searches due to obscuration by large amounts of dust in their host galaxies. This effect is especially important in luminous and ultraluminous infrared galaxies, which are locally rare but dominate the star formation at redshifts of z similar to 1-2. We perform a detailed investigation of the SN activity in the nearby luminous infrared galaxy Arp 299 and estimate that up to 83% of the SNe in Arp 299 and in similar galaxies in the local universe are missed by observations at optical wavelengths. For rest-frame optical surveys we find the fraction of SNe missed due to high dust extinction to increase from the average local value of similar to 19% to similar to 38% at z similar to 1.2 and then remain roughly constant up to z similar to 2. It is therefore crucial to take into account the effects of obscuration by dust when determining SN rates at high redshift and when predicting the number of CCSNe detectable by future high-z surveys such as LSST, JWST, and Euclid. For a sample of nearby CCSNe (distances 6-15 Mpc) detected during the last 12 yr, we find a lower limit for the local CCSN rate of 1.5(-0.3)(+0.4) x 10(-4) yr(-1) Mpc(-3), consistent with that expected from the star formation rate. Even closer, at distances less than similar to 6 Mpc, we find a significant increase in the CCSN rate, indicating a local overdensity of star formation caused by a small number of galaxies that have each hosted multiple SNe., AuthorCount:10

Context. Lyman-alpha emission is commonly used as star formation tracer in cosmological studies. Nevertheless, resonant scattering strongly affects the resulting luminosity, leading to variable and unpredictable escape fractions in different objects. Aims. To understand how the Ly alpha escape fraction depends on the properties of the star-forming regions, we need high spatial resolution multiwavelength studies of nearby Ly alpha emitters, like Haro 2. Methods. We study the Ly alpha emission of Haro 2 in connection with the properties of the young stellar population, the characteristics of the interstellar medium, the distribution and intensity of the Balmer emission lines and the properties of the X-ray emission. We have used HST-STIS spectral images along the major and minor axes of Haro 2 to characterize the Ly alpha emission, as well as FOC UV, WFPC-2 optical and NICMOS near infrared broadband-filter images to analyze the properties of the stellar population. WFPC-2 Ha image and ground-based spectroscopy allow us to study the Balmer emission lines. Finally, Chandra/ACIS X-ray images provide resolved distribution of the X-ray emission at various energy bands. The observational data are analyzed by comparison with the predictions from evolutionary synthesis models to constrain the properties of the star formation episode. Results. The UV, H alpha and far infrared luminosities of the Haro 2 nuclear starburst are well reproduced assuming a young stellar population with ages similar to 3.5-5.0 Myr, affected by differential intestellar extinctions. A significant fraction of the stars are completely obscured in the UV, being identifiable only indirectly by their contribution to the ionization of the gas and to the far infrared emission. The diffuse soft X-ray emission extending over the whole source is attributed to gas heated by the mechanical energy released by the starburst. A compact hard X-ray emission (likely an UltraLuminous X-ray source) has been identified in, AuthorCount:8

We present two samples of 1173 starbursts and 145 postburst in the redshift range0.01 < z < 0.083, selected from Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release 7. We charac-terize both samples using 2D Sersic profiles and measure their asymmetry. The Sersicindex, n, and the effective radii show that starburst galaxies are more concentratedthan the postburst sample, with median n 1.85 for starbursts and 2.85 for post-bursts. There is a large fraction of disky (n < 2) postbursts, a fraction larger thanreported by previous studies. Part of the excess comes from low luminosity (Mr > −19)objects, vastly dominated by discs. We estimate the mass from the velocity dispersionof the H emission line, both for the starbursts and those postbursts with residualemission, finding that Lr / Mb, with b = 1.35 for starbursts and b = 1.5 for post-bursts. The typical values of the mass-to-light ratio range between 0 and 10. This,now, is surprising for starburst galaxies, for which mass-to-light ratios 1 have beenpreviously found.

We present analysis of Fabry-Perot interferometric observations for a sample of 11starburst galaxies with redshift z . 0.03 selected from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey.We have targeted the H 6562.78 emission line at spatial sampling of 0.002−0.004 andat spectral resolution of R 16000, and studying two-dimensional velocity, velocitydispersion, line emission and continuum maps deliver new insights into the nature ofstarburst and postburst galaxies. The velocity fields are fitted to an exponential discmodel, providing scale lengths and masses, to be compared with the photometric scalelength and the mass estimated from the velocity dispersions. From the line emissionthe star formation rates are also calculated and compared with values in the literature.We have found that between 55% and 64% of our sample show large scale dominatingrotation, while 27% show local rotation typically restricted to the central part of eachsystem. The morphology and line profiles in the centre of eight objects are consistentwith a recent merger, while another two seem to be involved in a accretion processwhich has not disrupted their kin

We present supernova rate measurements at redshift 0.1–1.5 from the Stockholm VIMOS Supernova Survey (SVISS). The sample contains 16 supernovae in total. The discovered supernovae have been classified into core collapse or thermonuclear (Ia) types based on their light curves, colour evolution and host galaxy photometric redshift. The rates we find for the core collapse supernovae are 1.25 (+2.27 +0.85 −0.97 −0.78) - with statistical and systematic errors, respectively - at z = 0.39 and 6.90 (+5.24 +3.04 −3.25 −2.14) at z = 0.73. For the Ia supernovae the rates are 2.02 (+1.57 +0.53−0.96 −0.57) at z = 0.39 and 1.03 (+0.92 +0.31−0.54 −0.36) at z = 0.80. All of these rate estimates have been corrected for host galaxy extinction. Using Monte Carlo simulations we make a thorough study of the systematic effects from assumptions made when calculating the rates and find that the most important errors comes from misclassification, the assumed mix of faint and bright supernova types and uncertainties in redshift. We compare our rates to other observations, to the star formation history for core collapse rates and to different models of the delay time distribution for Ia rates. Overall, our measurements agree quite well with these other rates when using redshift-dependent corrections for extinction. We do not find any evidence of a missing fraction of core collapse supernovae., Author count:10

We present supernova rate measurements at redshift 0.1–1.5 from the Stockholm VIMOS Supernova Survey (SVISS). The sample contains 16 supernovae in total. The discovered supernovae have been classified into core collapse or thermonuclear (Ia) types based on their light curves, colour evolution and host galaxy photometric redshift. The rates we find for the core collapse supernovae are 1.25 (+2.27 +0.85 −0.97 −0.78) - with statistical and systematic errors, respectively - at z = 0.39 and 6.90 (+5.24 +3.04 −3.25 −2.14) at z = 0.73. For the Ia supernovae the rates are 2.02 (+1.57 +0.53−0.96 −0.57) at z = 0.39 and 1.03 (+0.92 +0.31−0.54 −0.36) at z = 0.80. All of these rate estimates have been corrected for host galaxy extinction. Using Monte Carlo simulations we make a thorough study of the systematic effects from assumptions made when calculating the rates and find that the most important errors comes from misclassification, the assumed mix of faint and bright supernova types and uncertainties in redshift. We compare our rates to other observations, to the star formation history for core collapse rates and to different models of the delay time distribution for Ia rates. Overall, our measurements agree quite well with these other rates when using redshift-dependent corrections for extinction. We do not find any evidence of a missing fraction of core collapse supernovae., Author count:10

We present supernova rate measurements at redshift 0.1–1.5 from the Stockholm VIMOS Supernova Survey (SVISS). The sample contains 16 supernovae in total. The discovered supernovae have been classified into core collapse or thermonuclear (Ia) types based on their light curves, colour evolution and host galaxy photometric redshift. The rates we find for the core collapse supernovae are 1.25 (+2.27 +0.85 −0.97 −0.78) - with statistical and systematic errors, respectively - at z = 0.39 and 6.90 (+5.24 +3.04 −3.25 −2.14) at z = 0.73. For the Ia supernovae the rates are 2.02 (+1.57 +0.53−0.96 −0.57) at z = 0.39 and 1.03 (+0.92 +0.31−0.54 −0.36) at z = 0.80. All of these rate estimates have been corrected for host galaxy extinction. Using Monte Carlo simulations we make a thorough study of the systematic effects from assumptions made when calculating the rates and find that the most important errors comes from misclassification, the assumed mix of faint and bright supernova types and uncertainties in redshift. We compare our rates to other observations, to the star formation history for core collapse rates and to different models of the delay time distribution for Ia rates. Overall, our measurements agree quite well with these other rates when using redshift-dependent corrections for extinction. We do not find any evidence of a missing fraction of core collapse supernovae., Author count:10

When a massive star explodes as a supernova, substantial amounts of radioactive elements-primarily (56)Ni, (57)Ni and (44)Ti-are produced(1). After the initial flash of light from shock heating, the fading light emitted by the supernova is due to the decay of these elements(2). However, after decades, the energy powering a supernova remnant comes from the shock interaction between the ejecta and the surrounding medium(3). The transition to this phase has hitherto not been observed: supernovae occur too infrequently in the Milky Way to provide a young example, and extragalactic supernovae are generally too faint and too small. Here we report observations that show this transition in the supernova SN 1987A in the Large Magellanic Cloud. From 1994 to 2001, the ejecta faded owing to radioactive decay of (44)Ti as predicted. Then the flux started to increase, more than doubling by the end of 2009. We show that this increase is the result of heat deposited by X-rays produced as the ejecta interacts with the surrounding material. In time, the X-rays will penetrate farther into the ejecta, enabling us to analyse the structure and chemistry of the vanished star., authorCount :28

Supernova surveys can be used to study a variety of subjects such as: (i) cosmology through type Ia supernovae (SNe), (ii) star-formation rates through core-collapse SNe, and (iii) supernova properties and their connection to host galaxy characteristics. The Stockholm VIMOS Supernova Survey (SVISS) is a multi-band imaging survey aiming to detect supernovae at redshift similar to 0.5 and derive thermonuclear and core-collapse supernova rates at high redshift. In this paper we present the supernovae discovered in the survey along with light curves and a photometric classification into thermonuclear and core-collapse types. To detect the supernovae in the VLT/VIMOS multi-epoch images, we used difference imaging and a combination of automatic and manual source detection to minimise the number of spurious detections. Photometry for the found variable sources was obtained and careful simulations were made to estimate correct errors. The light curves were typed using a Bayesian probability method and Monte Carlo simulations were used to study misclassification. We detected 16 supernovae, nine of which had a core-collapse origin and seven had a thermonuclear origin. The estimated misclassification errors are quite small, in the order of 5%, but vary with both redshift and type. The mean redshift of the supernovae is 0.58. Additionally, we found a variable source with a very extended light curve that could possibly be a pair instability supernova., authorCount :9

We have investigated the starburst properties of the luminous blue compact galaxy ESO 185-IG13. The galaxy has been imaged with the high resolution cameras onboard to the Hubble Space Telescope. From the UV to the IR, the data reveal a system shaped by hundreds of young star clusters, and fine structures, like a tidal stream and a shell. The presence of numerous clusters and the perturbed morphology indicate that the galaxy has been involved in a recent merger event. Using previous simulations of shell formation in galaxy mergers we constrain potential progenitors of ESO 185-IG13. The analysis of the star cluster population is used to investigate the properties of the present starburst and to date the final merger event, which has produced hundreds of clusters younger than 100 Myr. We have found a peak of cluster formation only 3.5 Myr old. A large fraction of these clusters will not survive after 10-20 Myr, due to the "infant mortality" caused by gas expulsion. However, this sample of clusters represents an unique chance to investigate the youngest phases of cluster evolution. As already observed in the analog blue compact galaxy Haro 11, a fraction of young clusters are affected by a flux excess at wavelengths longer than 8000 \AA. Ages, masses, and extinctions of clusters with this NIR excess are estimated from UV and optical data. We discuss similarities and differences of the observed NIR excess in ESO 185-IG13 clusters with other cases in the literature. The cluster ages and masses are used to distinguish among the potential causes of the excess. We observe, as in Haro 11, that the use of the IR and the (commonly used) I band data results in overestimates of age and mass in clusters affected by the NIR excess. This has important implications for a number of related studies of star clusters.

We present the analysis of the large population of star clusters in the blue compact galaxy (BCG) Mrk 930. The study has been conducted by means of a photometric analysis of multiband data obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). We have reconstructed the spectral energy distributions of the star clusters and estimated the age, mass and extinction for a representative sample. Similar to previous studies of star clusters in BCGs, we observe a very young cluster population with 70 per cent of the systems formed less than 10 Myr ago. In Mrk 930, the peak in the star cluster age distribution at 4 Myr is corroborated by the presence of Wolf-Rayet spectral features, and by the observed optical and infrared (IR) line ratios [OIII]/H beta and [Ne III]/[Ne II]. The recovered extinction in these very young clusters shows large variations, with a decrease at older ages. It is likely that our analysis is limited to the optically brightest objects (i.e. systems only partially embedded in their natal cocoons; the deeply embedded clusters being undetected). We map the extinction across the galaxy using low-resolution spectra and the H alpha-to-H beta ratio, as obtained from ground-based narrow band imaging. These results are compared with the extinction distribution recovered from the clusters. We find that the mean optical extinction derived in the starburst regions is close to the averaged value observed in the clusters [more than 80 per cent of the systems have E(B - V) <= 0.2mag], but locally, do not trace the more extinguished clusters. Previous HST studies of BCGs have revealed a population of young and extremely red super star clusters. We detect a considerable fraction of clusters affected by a red excess also in Mrk 930. The nature of the red excess, which turns up at near-IR wavelengths (I band and longwards), remains unknown. We compare the cluster formation history and the star formation history, the latter derived from the fit of spectral population synthesi, authorCount :7

The Ly alpha emission line has been proven to be a powerful tool for studying evolving galaxies at the highest redshift. However, in order to use Ly alpha as a physical probe of galaxies, it becomes vital to know the Ly alpha escape fraction (f(esc)(Ly alpha)). Unfortunately, due to the resonant nature of Ly alpha, f(esc)(Ly alpha) may vary unpredictably and requires empirical measurement. Here, we compile Ly alpha luminosity functions (LFs) between redshifts z = 0 and 8 and, combined with Ha and ultraviolet data, assess how f(esc)(Ly alpha) evolves with redshift. We find a strong upward evolution in f(esc)(Ly alpha) over the range z = 0.3-6, which is well fit by the power law f(esc)(Ly alpha) proportional to (1 + z)(xi) with xi = (2.57(-0.12)(+0.19)). This predicts that f(esc)(Ly alpha) should reach unity at z = 11.1. By comparing f(esc)(Ly alpha) and E(B-V) in individual galaxies we derive an empirical relationship between f(esc)(Ly alpha) and E(B-V), which includes resonance scattering and can explain the redshift evolution of f(esc)(Ly alpha) between z = 0 and 6 purely as a function of the evolution in the dust content of galaxies. Beyond z approximate to 6.5, f(esc)(Ly alpha) drops more substantially, an effect attributed to either ionizing photon leakage, or an increase in the neutral gas fraction of the intergalactic medium. While distinguishing between these two scenarios may be extremely challenging, by framing the problem this way we remove the uncertainty of the halo mass from Ly alpha-based tests of reionization. We finally derive a new method by which to estimate the dust content of galaxies, based purely upon the observed Ly alpha and UV LFs. These data are characterized by an exponential with an e-folding scale of z(EBV) approximate to 3.4., authorCount :6

We study the multi-wavelength properties of a set of 171 Ly alpha emitting candidates at redshift z = 2.25 found in the COSMOS field, with the aim of understanding the underlying stellar populations in the galaxies. We especially seek to understand what the dust contents, ages and stellar masses of the galaxies are, and how they relate to similar properties of Ly alpha emitters at other redshifts. The candidates here are shown to have different properties from those of Ly alpha emitters found at higher redshift, by fitting the spectral energy distributions (SEDs) using a Monte-Carlo Markov-Chain technique and including nebular emission in the spectra. The stellar masses, and possibly the dust contents, are higher, with stellar masses in the range log M(*) = 8.5-11.0 M(circle dot) and A(v) = 0.0-2.5 mag. Young population ages are well constrained, but the ages of older populations are typically unconstrained. In 15% of the galaxies only a single, young population of stars is observed. We show that the Ly alpha fluxes of the best fit galaxies are correlated with their dust properties, with higher dust extinction in Ly alpha faint galaxies. Testing for whether results derived from a light-weighted stack of objects correlate to those found when fitting individual objects we see that stellar masses are robust to stacking, but ages and especially dust extinctions are derived incorrectly from stacks. We conclude that the stellar properties of Ly alpha emitters at z = 2.25 are different from those at higher redshift and that they are diverse. Ly alpha selection appears to be tracing systematically different galaxies at different redshifts., authorCount :7

The numerous and massive young star clusters in blue compact galaxies (BCGs) are used to investigate the properties of their hosts. We test whether BCGs follow claimed relations between cluster populations and their hosts, such as the fraction of the total luminosity contributed by the clusters as function of the mean star formation rate (SFR) density, the V-band luminosity of the brightest youngest cluster as related to the mean host SFR and the cluster formation efficiency (i.e. the fraction of star formation happening in star clusters) versus the density of the SFR. We find that BCGs follow the trends, supporting a scenario where cluster formation and environmental properties of the host are correlated. They occupy, in all the diagrams, the regions of higher SFRs, as expected by the extreme nature of the starbursts operating in these systems. We find that the star clusters contribute almost to the 20 per cent of the UV luminosity of the hosts. We suggest that the BCG starburst environment has most likely favoured the compression and collapse of the giant molecular clouds, enhancing the local star formation efficiency, so that massive clusters have been formed. The estimated cluster formation efficiency supports this scenario. BCGs have a cluster formation efficiency comparable to luminous IR galaxies and spiral starburst nuclei (the averaged value is similar to 35 per cent) which is much higher than the 8-10 per cent reported for quiescent spirals and dwarf star-forming galaxies., 3

The Lyman-alpha (Ly alpha) emission line is the primary observational signature of star-forming galaxies at the highest redshifts(1), and has enabled the compilation of large samples of galaxies with which to study cosmic evolution(2-5). The resonant nature of the line, however, means that Ly alpha photons scatter in the neutral interstellar medium of their host galaxies, and their sensitivity to absorption by interstellar dust may therefore be greatly enhanced. This implies that the Ly alpha luminosity may be significantly reduced, or even completely suppressed. Hitherto, no unbiased empirical test of the escaping fraction (f(esc)) of Ly alpha photons has been performed at high redshifts. Here we report that the average f(esc) from star-forming galaxies at redshift z=2.2 is just 5 per cent by performing a blind narrowband survey in Ly alpha and H alpha. This implies that numerous conclusions based on Ly alpha-selected samples will require upwards revision by an order of magnitude and we provide a benchmark for this revision. We demonstrate that almost 90 per cent of star-forming galaxies emit insufficient Ly alpha to be detected by standard selection criteria(2-5). Both samples show an anti-correlation of f(esc) with dust content, and we show that Ly alpha- and H alpha-selection recovers populations that differ substantially in dust content and f(esc)., authorCount :10

We present the integrated H alpha emission line profile for 157 H ii regions in the central 3.4 x 3.4 arcmin2 of the galaxy M83 (NGC 5236). Using the Fabry-Perot interferometer GH alpha FaS, on the 4.2-m William Herschel Telescope on La Palma, we show the importance of a good characterization of the instrumental response function for the study of line profile shapes. The luminosity-velocity dispersion relation is also studied, and in the log(L)-log(Sigma) plane we do not find a linear relation, but an upper envelope with equation log(L-H alpha) = 0.9 log(Sigma) + 38.1. For the adopted distance of 4.5 Mpc, the upper envelope appears at the luminosity L = 1038.5 erg s-1, in full agreement with previous studies of other galaxies, reinforcing the idea of using H ii regions as standard candles., authorCount :11

Supernova surveys can be used to study a variety of subjects, such as: (i) cosmology using type Ia supernovae, (ii) star formationrates using core-collapse SNe, (iii) supernova properties and their connection to host galaxy characteristics. The Stockholm VIMOSSupernova Survey (SVISS) is a multi-band imaging survey aiming to detect supernovae at redshift ∼0.5 and derive thermonuclearand core-collapse supernova rates at high redshift. In this paper we present the supernovae discovered in the survey along with lightcurves and a photometric classification into thermonuclear and core-collapse types. To detect the supernovae in the VLT/VIMOSmulti-epoch images we used difference imaging and a combination of automatic and manual source detection to minimise the numberof spurious detections. Photometry for the found variable sources was obtained and careful simulations done to estimate correct errors.The light curves were typed using a Bayesian probability method and Monte Carlo simulations were used to study misclassification.We detected 16 supernovae, eight of which had a core-collapse origin and eight that had a thermonuclear origin. The estimatedmisclassification errors are quite small, on the order of 5%, but vary with both redshift and type. The mean redshift of the supernovaeis 0.64. Additionally, we found a variable source with a very extended light curve that could possibly be a pair instability supernova.

Supernova surveys can be used to study a variety of subjects, such as: (i) cosmology using type Ia supernovae, (ii) star formationrates using core-collapse SNe, (iii) supernova properties and their connection to host galaxy characteristics. The Stockholm VIMOSSupernova Survey (SVISS) is a multi-band imaging survey aiming to detect supernovae at redshift ∼0.5 and derive thermonuclearand core-collapse supernova rates at high redshift. In this paper we present the supernovae discovered in the survey along with lightcurves and a photometric classification into thermonuclear and core-collapse types. To detect the supernovae in the VLT/VIMOSmulti-epoch images we used difference imaging and a combination of automatic and manual source detection to minimise the numberof spurious detections. Photometry for the found variable sources was obtained and careful simulations done to estimate correct errors.The light curves were typed using a Bayesian probability method and Monte Carlo simulations were used to study misclassification.We detected 16 supernovae, eight of which had a core-collapse origin and eight that had a thermonuclear origin. The estimatedmisclassification errors are quite small, on the order of 5%, but vary with both redshift and type. The mean redshift of the supernovaeis 0.64. Additionally, we found a variable source with a very extended light curve that could possibly be a pair instability supernova.

Supernova surveys can be used to study a variety of subjects, such as: (i) cosmology using type Ia supernovae, (ii) star formationrates using core-collapse SNe, (iii) supernova properties and their connection to host galaxy characteristics. The Stockholm VIMOSSupernova Survey (SVISS) is a multi-band imaging survey aiming to detect supernovae at redshift ∼0.5 and derive thermonuclearand core-collapse supernova rates at high redshift. In this paper we present the supernovae discovered in the survey along with lightcurves and a photometric classification into thermonuclear and core-collapse types. To detect the supernovae in the VLT/VIMOSmulti-epoch images we used difference imaging and a combination of automatic and manual source detection to minimise the numberof spurious detections. Photometry for the found variable sources was obtained and careful simulations done to estimate correct errors.The light curves were typed using a Bayesian probability method and Monte Carlo simulations were used to study misclassification.We detected 16 supernovae, eight of which had a core-collapse origin and eight that had a thermonuclear origin. The estimatedmisclassification errors are quite small, on the order of 5%, but vary with both redshift and type. The mean redshift of the supernovaeis 0.64. Additionally, we found a variable source with a very extended light curve that could possibly be a pair instability supernova.

Context. The Stockholm VIMOS Supernova Survey (SVISS) is an optical broad-band photometry survey, aimed at the search fordistant (redshifts z~0.7) supernovae, which are detected by means of monthly imaging in R and I bands with the VIMOS instrumenton the ESO VLT. The distances of the supernovae are estimated using photometric redshifts facilitated by additional U, B and V imaging also with VIMOS. In this paper we present the deep stacked imaging data in all these bands and a catalogue of galaxiesextending to very faint magnitudes. Aims. We discuss the various steps followed to create a galaxy catalog, including the reduction and stacking of the data, astrometricand photometric calibration and source detections.We derived completeness, corrected number counts and color selected Lyman breakgalaxies. Raw number counts are also calculated. Finally, making use of a template fitting code, photometric redshifts are derived. Methods. UBVRI deep imaging of a 4x56 sq. arcmin field within the ELAIS-S1 field is presented in this paper. The data reduction has been done with a dedicated MIDAS pipeline. The final images have been weighted by their seeing, which was found to optimise depth and spatial resolution. Source detection and phortometry was done using SExtractor. The photometric accuracy was tested by comparing the colors of the sources to stellar libraries and redshifted galaxy templates. A mixture of synthetic point-like andextended sources are simulated in order to estimate completeness. Derived number counts have been compared to the results ofsimilar surveys. Lyman break galaxy candidates were selected using color criteria: UBR, BRI, BVI and VRI, and their numbers computed and compared to other surveys.We have obtained photometric redshifts by spectral energy distribution template fitting. The photometric redshifts were calibrated using a sample of galaxies in the HDF-S with available spectroscopic redshifts that have also been observed with the same filter set as use

Context. The Stockholm VIMOS Supernova Survey (SVISS) is an optical broad-band photometry survey, aimed at the search fordistant (z0.7) supernovae (SNe), which are detected by means of monthly imaging in R and I bands with the VIMOS instrument onthe ESO VLT. The distances to the SNe are estimated using photometric redshifts facilitated by additional U, B and V imaging alsowith VIMOS. Aims. We investigate the properties of host galaxies for two SN types, thermonuclear and core collapse, by comparing both samples.We summarize the steps necessary to produce a SN catalogue (from detection, to photometry and typing) and explain the processfollowed to identify the host galaxies and determine their properties. Methods. Using a spectral energy distribution (SED) fitting 2 minimization code we compute spectral energy distribution, age, starformation rate (SFR), absolute magnitudes for the host galaxies of the SN sample. Such galaxies are chosen based on their photometricredshift (GOODZ) and SED (modified version of Hyperz). From comparisons of the different photometric parameters’ distributionsbetween CC and TN SN host galaxies, we derived different trends. Results. We find that CC SNe tend to be more centrally concentrated than TN SNe, with the former being present in late-type/starforminggalaxies and the latter in all galaxy types. CC SNe seem to favor brighter galaxies than TN SNe. KS tests on the stellarmass-extinction distribution show that TN and CC are drawn from the normal galaxy population, and on the SFR-extinction indicatesthat TN SN host galaxies are culled from it as well, but CC SN host galaxies are not derived from it.

Supernova surveys can be used to study a variety of subjects, such as: (i) cosmology using type Ia supernovae, (ii) star formationrates using core-collapse SNe, (iii) supernova properties and their connection to host galaxy characteristics. The Stockholm VIMOSSupernova Survey (SVISS) is a multi-band imaging survey aiming to detect supernovae at redshift ∼0.5 and derive thermonuclearand core-collapse supernova rates at high redshift. In this paper we present the supernovae discovered in the survey along with lightcurves and a photometric classification into thermonuclear and core-collapse types. To detect the supernovae in the VLT/VIMOSmulti-epoch images we used difference imaging and a combination of automatic and manual source detection to minimise the numberof spurious detections. Photometry for the found variable sources was obtained and careful simulations done to estimate correct errors.The light curves were typed using a Bayesian probability method and Monte Carlo simulations were used to study misclassification.We detected 16 supernovae, eight of which had a core-collapse origin and eight that had a thermonuclear origin. The estimatedmisclassification errors are quite small, on the order of 5%, but vary with both redshift and type. The mean redshift of the supernovaeis 0.64. Additionally, we found a variable source with a very extended light curve that could possibly be a pair instability supernova.

Supernova surveys can be used to study a variety of subjects, such as: (i) cosmology using type Ia supernovae, (ii) star formationrates using core-collapse SNe, (iii) supernova properties and their connection to host galaxy characteristics. The Stockholm VIMOSSupernova Survey (SVISS) is a multi-band imaging survey aiming to detect supernovae at redshift ∼0.5 and derive thermonuclearand core-collapse supernova rates at high redshift. In this paper we present the supernovae discovered in the survey along with lightcurves and a photometric classification into thermonuclear and core-collapse types. To detect the supernovae in the VLT/VIMOSmulti-epoch images we used difference imaging and a combination of automatic and manual source detection to minimise the numberof spurious detections. Photometry for the found variable sources was obtained and careful simulations done to estimate correct errors.The light curves were typed using a Bayesian probability method and Monte Carlo simulations were used to study misclassification.We detected 16 supernovae, eight of which had a core-collapse origin and eight that had a thermonuclear origin. The estimatedmisclassification errors are quite small, on the order of 5%, but vary with both redshift and type. The mean redshift of the supernovaeis 0.64. Additionally, we found a variable source with a very extended light curve that could possibly be a pair instability supernova.

Supernova surveys can be used to study a variety of subjects, such as: (i) cosmology using type Ia supernovae, (ii) star formationrates using core-collapse SNe, (iii) supernova properties and their connection to host galaxy characteristics. The Stockholm VIMOSSupernova Survey (SVISS) is a multi-band imaging survey aiming to detect supernovae at redshift ∼0.5 and derive thermonuclearand core-collapse supernova rates at high redshift. In this paper we present the supernovae discovered in the survey along with lightcurves and a photometric classification into thermonuclear and core-collapse types. To detect the supernovae in the VLT/VIMOSmulti-epoch images we used difference imaging and a combination of automatic and manual source detection to minimise the numberof spurious detections. Photometry for the found variable sources was obtained and careful simulations done to estimate correct errors.The light curves were typed using a Bayesian probability method and Monte Carlo simulations were used to study misclassification.We detected 16 supernovae, eight of which had a core-collapse origin and eight that had a thermonuclear origin. The estimatedmisclassification errors are quite small, on the order of 5%, but vary with both redshift and type. The mean redshift of the supernovaeis 0.64. Additionally, we found a variable source with a very extended light curve that could possibly be a pair instability supernova.