Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2004-02-06
Astrophys.J. 607 (2004) 721-738
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
Accepted for publication in ApJ. 19 pages with 10 figures formatted with emulateapj. Version with B/W only figures available a
Scientific paper
10.1086/383487
The cosmological star formation rate in the combined Chandra Deep Fields North and South is derived from our X-Ray Luminosity Function for Galaxies in these Deep Fields. Mild evolution is seen up to redshift order unity with SFR ~ (1 + z)^{2.7}. This is the first directly observed normal star-forming galaxy X-ray luminosity function (XLF) at cosmologically interesting redshifts (z>0). This provides the most direct measure yet of the X-ray derived cosmic star-formation history of the Universe. We make use of Bayesian statistical methods to classify the galaxies and the two types of AGN, finding the most useful discriminators to be the X-ray luminosity, X-ray hardness ratio, and X-ray to optical flux ratio. There is some residual AGN contamination in the sample at the bright end of the luminosity function. Incompleteness slightly flattens the XLF at the faint end of the luminosity function. The XLF has a lognormal distribution and agrees well with the radio and infrared luminosity functions. However, the XLF does not agree with the Schechter luminosity function for the H-alpha LF indicating that additional and different physical processes may be involved in the establishment of the lognormal form of the XLF. The agreement of our star formation history points with the other star formation determinations in different wavebands (IR, Radio, H-alpha) gives an interesting constraint on the IMF, and X-rays may be measuring directly the binary star formation history of the Universe. X-ray studies will continue to be useful for probing the star formation history of the universe by avoiding problems of obscuration. Star formation may therefore be measured in more detail by deep surveys with future x-ray missions.
Bergeron Jacqueline
Comastri Andrea
Giacconi Riccardo
Gilli Roberto
Glazebrook Karl
No associations
LandOfFree
The X-Ray Derived Cosmological Star Formation History and the Galaxy X-Ray Luminosity Functions in the Chandra Deep Fields North and South 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 The X-Ray Derived Cosmological Star Formation History and the Galaxy X-Ray Luminosity Functions in the Chandra Deep Fields North and South, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The X-Ray Derived Cosmological Star Formation History and the Galaxy X-Ray Luminosity Functions in the Chandra Deep Fields North and South will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-656864