Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2001-10-16
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
AASTEX-Latex, 25 pages, 4 postscript figures, 9 jpg figures. Accepted by the Astrophysical Journal. Full-size postscript image
Scientific paper
10.1086/338129
We present HST/WFPC2 observations of a well-defined sample of 40 X-ray sources with X-ray fluxes above the detection threshold of the full 1 Msec Chandra Deep Field South (CDFS). The sensitivity and spatial resolution of our HST observations are sufficient to detect the optical counterparts of 37 of the X-ray sources, yielding information on their morphologies and environments. In this paper we extend the results obtained in our previous study on the 300 ks CDFS X-ray data (Schreier et al. 2001, Paper I). Specifically, we show that the optical counterparts to the X-ray sources are divided into two distinct populations: 1) an optically faint group with relatively blue colors, similar to the faint blue field galaxy population, and 2) an optically brighter group, including resolved galaxies with average colors significantly redder than the corresponding bright field galaxy population. The brighter objects comprise a wide range of types, including early and late type galaxies, starbursts, and AGN. By contrast, we show that the faint blue X-ray population are most consistent with being predominantly Type 2 AGN of low to moderate luminosity, located at higher redshifts (z ~ 1 - 2). This conclusion is supported by luminosity function models of the various classes of objects. Hence, the combination of deep X-ray data with the high spatial resolution of HST are for the first time allowing us to probe the faint end of the AGN luminosity function at cosmologically interesting redshifts.
Bergeron Jacqueline
Giacconi Ricardo
Gilli Roberto
Grogin Norman Andrew
Hasinger Guenter
No associations
LandOfFree
HST Imaging in the Chandra Deep Field South: II. WFPC2 Observations of an X-Ray Flux-Limited Sample from the 1 Msec Chandra Catalog does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with HST Imaging in the Chandra Deep Field South: II. WFPC2 Observations of an X-Ray Flux-Limited Sample from the 1 Msec Chandra Catalog, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and HST Imaging in the Chandra Deep Field South: II. WFPC2 Observations of an X-Ray Flux-Limited Sample from the 1 Msec Chandra Catalog will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-347187