Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
1999-09-13
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
4 pages, 2 figures; to appear in the proceedings of "The Hy-Redshift Universe: Galaxy Formation and Evolution at High Redshift
Scientific paper
We have obtained near-infrared (1.6 micron) images of 11 powerful 3CR radio galaxies at redshifts 0.8 < z < 1.8 using NICMOS on board HST. The high angular resolution permits a detailed study of galaxy morphology in these systems at rest-frame optical wavelengths, where starlight dominates over the extended, aligned UV continuum. The NICMOS morphologies are mostly symmetric and are consistent with dynamically relaxed, elliptical host galaxies dominated by a red, mature stellar population. The aligned structures are sometimes faintly visible, and nuclear point sources may be present in a few cases which manifest the ``unveiled'' AGN that is obscured from view at optical wavelengths. Our observations are consistent with the hypothesis that the host galaxies of z ~ 1-2 radio galaxies are similar to modern-day gE galaxies. Their sizes are typical of gE galaxies but smaller than present-day cD and brightest cluster galaxies, and their surface brightnesses are higher, as expected given simple luminosity evolution.
Breugel Wil van
Dey Arjun
Dickinson Marc
Djorgovski Stanislav G.
Eisenhardt Peter
No associations
LandOfFree
NICMOS Imaging of High-Redshift Radio Galaxies 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 NICMOS Imaging of High-Redshift Radio Galaxies, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and NICMOS Imaging of High-Redshift Radio Galaxies will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-464261