119422208
WINGS: a WIde-field Nearby Galaxy-cluster Survey. I. Optical imaging
This is the first paper of a series that will present data and scientific results from the WINGS project, a wide-field, multiwavelength imaging and spectroscopic survey of galaxies in 77 nearby clusters. The sample was extracted from the ROSAT catalogs of X-Ray emitting clusters, with constraints on the redshift (0.04 < z < 0.07) and distance from the galactic plane (|b |≥ 20 deg). The global goal of the WINGS project is the systematic study of the local cosmic variance of the cluster population and of the properties of cluster galaxies as a function of cluster properties and local environment. This data collection will allow the definition of a local, “zero-point” reference against which to gauge the cosmic evolution when compared to more distant clusters. The core of the project consists of wide-field optical imaging of the selected clusters in the B and V bands. We have also completed a multifiber, medium-resolution spectroscopic survey for 51 of the clusters in the master sample. The imaging and spectroscopy data were collected using, respectively, the WFC@INT and WYFFOS@WHT in the northern hemisphere, and the WFI@MPG and 2dF@AAT in the southern hemisphere. In addition, a NIR (J, K )s urvey of∼50 clusters and an Hα + U survey of some 10 clusters are presently ongoing with the WFCAM@UKIRT and WFC@INT, respectively, while a very-wide-field optical survey has also been programmed with OmegaCam@VST. In this paper we briefly outline the global objectives and the main characteristics of the WINGS project. Moreover, the observing strategy and the data reduction of the optical imaging survey (WINGS-OPT) are presented. We have achieved a photometric accuracy of ∼0.025 mag, reaching completeness toV ∼ 23.5. Field size and resolution (FWHM) span the absolute intervals (1.6–2.7) Mpc and (0.7–1.7) kpc, respectively, depending on the redshift and on the seeing. This allows the planned studies to obtain a valuable description of the local properties of clusters and galaxies in clusters.
11244261
Rotation curves and metallicity gradients from HII regions in spiral galaxies
In this paper we study long slit spectra in the region of H emission line of a sample of 111 spiral galaxies with recognizable and well defined spiral morphology and with a well determined environmental status, ranging from isolation to non-disruptive interaction with satellites or companions. The form and properties of the rotation curves are considered as a function of the isolation degree, morphological type and luminosity. The line ratios are used to estimate the metallicity of all the detected HII regions, thus producing a composite metallicity profile for dierent types of spirals. We have found that isolated galaxies tend to be of later types and lower luminosity than the interacting galaxies. The outer parts of the rotation curves of isolated galaxies tend to be flatter than in interacting galaxies, but they show similar relations between global parameters. The scatter of the Tully-Fisher relation defined by isolated galaxies is significantly lower than that of interacting galaxies. The (NII)/H ratios, used as a metallicity indicator, show a clear trend between Z and morphological type, t, with earlier spirals showing higher ratios; this trend is tighter when instead of t the gradient of the inner rotation curve, G, is used; no trend is found with the change in interaction status. The Z-gradient of the disks depends on the type, being almost flat for early spirals, and increasing for later types. The (NII)/H ratios measured for disk HII regions of interacting galaxies are higher than for normal/isolated objects, even if all the galaxy families present similar distributions of H Equivalent Width.
18425047
The peculiar galaxy IC 1182: An ongoing merger?
Broad and narrow band images and long slit spectroscopy of IC1182 are presented. The broad band images reveal a distorted morphology with a large, heavily obscured disk-like structure and several knots in the central region. Galactic material, some of it in the form of two tails, is detected well beyond the main body of the galaxy. The second, fainter tail and several knots are reported here for the first time. The narrow band images show that the galaxy is a powerful emitter. The emission in the main lines extends all over the galaxy, with plumes and arc-like structures seen in H$\alpha$ at large distances from the center. The uncorrected H$\alpha$ flux corresponds to 3.51$\times10^{41}$ erg s$^{-1}$, 3 times that of Arp 220. The internal extinction deduced from the Balmer decrement is high all along the slit, with E$_{B-V}\approx$ 1. There are no clear signs of nuclear activity and the observed line ratios can be explained in terms of stellar photoionization. The metallicity of the gas in the two brightest central knots is low, 0.1 Z$_{\odot}$ and 0.06 Z$_{\odot}$ respectively. In the main body of the galaxy, besides the reported knots, the distribution of the ionized gas resembles that of an inclined disk about 12 kpc in size. The rotation pattern is complex and corresponds to two identifiable disk galaxies with observed rotation amplitudes of 200 \kms and 100 \kms respectively. The data presented here indicate that IC 1182 is a high luminosity starburst system, involving two systems in the process of merging, with two tidal tails emerging from the central region of the galaxy.
14891588
The visible environment of galaxies with counterrotation
In this paper we present a statistical study of the environments of 49 galaxies in which there is gas- or stellar-counterrotation. The number of possible companions in the field (to apparent magnitude 22), their size and concentration were considered. All the statistical parameters were analysed by means of Kolgomorov-Smirnov tests, using a control sample of 43 galaxies without counterrotation. From our data, no significant differences between the counter-rotating and control samples appear. This is different to Seyfert or radio-loud galaxies which lie in environments with a higher density of companions. On the contrary, if a weak tendency exists, for galaxies with gas counterrotation only, it is discovered in regions of space where the large scale density of galaxies is smaller. Our results tend to disprove the hypothesis that counterrotation and polar rings derive from a recent interaction with a small satellite or a galaxy of similar size. To a first approximation, they seem to follow the idea that all galaxies are born through a merger process of smaller objects occurring very early in their life, or that they derive from a continuous, non-traumatic infall of gas that formed stars later. Whatever the special machinery is which produces counterrotation or polar rings instead of a co-planar, co-rotating distribution of gas and stars, it seems not to be connected to the present galaxy density of their environments.
16975153
The bright galaxy population of five medium redshift clusters II. Quantitative galaxy morphology
Aims. Following the study presented in our previous paper, based on the Nordic Optical Telescope (NOT) sample, which consists of five clusters of galaxies within the redshift range 0.18 ≤ z ≤ 0.25 imaged in the central 0.5–2 Mpc in very good seeing conditions, we have studied the quantitative morphology of their bright galaxy population Methods. We analyzed the surface brightness profiles of the galaxy population in those clusters, after performing simulations in order to check the reliability of the fits. We also derived a quantitative morphological classification. Results. The structural parameters derived from these analyses are presented. We obtained that the structural parameters of E/S0 galaxies are similar to those shown by galaxies in low redshift clusters. However, the disc scales are different. In particular, the scales of the discs of galaxies in medium redshift clusters are statistically different than those located in similar galaxies in the Coma cluster. However, the scales of the discs of galaxies in medium redshift clusters are similar to nearby field galaxies. Conclusions. Our results suggest that the evolution of the disc component of galaxies in clusters is faster than in field ones. Mechanisms like galaxy harassment showing timescales of ∼1 Gyr could be responsible for this disc scale evolution. This indicates that spiral galaxies in clusters have undergone a strong evolution in the last 2.5 Gyr or that Coma is in some way anomalous.
1840
Cluster formation in the LMC
In this work we present preliminary results concerning the properties of about 50 clusters and associations located in a densely populated region at the Southern edge of the supershell LMC~4. The ages of the clusters and associations are derived. The cluster formation rate peaks at about 10-20 Myr ago corresponding to the age of the formation of LMC~4. Objects younger than 10 Myr are located close to CO clouds, indicating a possible trigger of the recent star formation by the interaction of the supershell with the interstellar medium. 
Isophotal analysis has been done for 50% of the clusters. A large number of objects present isophotal distortions commonly interpreted as sign of interaction. Cluster multiplets are coeval within 20 Myr, suggesting a common origin. This indicates that clusters possibly form in large groups. Our findings are in agreement with the unified view of multi-scale star formation, where a size-duration correlation is expected.
120364457
Results from the E835 scintillating fiber detector
A cylindrical scintillating-fiber tracker for the measurement of the polar coordinate θ has been built for experiment E835 at Fermilab. This detector combines the high granularity, flexibility and fast response of the scintillating fibers with the high quantum efficiency of the Visible-Light Photon Counters (VLPC). Complete results about the tracker performance are given: tracking and timing resolution, photoelectron yield per mip, detection efficiency, single–double-track discrimination.
120165306
A measurement of the pion charge radius
Abstract We report a measurement of the negative pion electromagnetic form factor in the range of space-like four-momentum transfer 0.014 q 2 c ) 2 . The measurement was made by the NA7 collaboration at the CERN SPS, by observing the interaction of 300 GeV pions with the electrons of a liquid hydrogen target. The form factor is fitted by a pole form with a pion radius of 〈r 2 〈 1 2 = 0.657 ± 0.012 fm.
122241433
A Measurement of the Space - Like Pion Electromagnetic Form-Factor
Abstract The pion form factor has been measured in the space-like q 2 region 0.014 to 0.26 (GeV/ c ) 2 by scattering 300 GeV pions from the electrons of a liquid hydrogen target. A detailed description is given of the apparatus, data analysis and corrections to the data. The mean square charge radius extracted from the data is model-dependent. We find that a form which includes a realistic description of the form factor phase gives a similar results to the naive pole form, and conclude 〈r 2 π 〉 = 0.438±0.008 fm 2 .
119676532
Development of a cylindrical scintillating fiber tracker for experiment E835 at FNAL
Abstract A tracking detector made of scintillating fibers wound on a cylinder is being developed at FNAL, for the experiment E835 (study of the spectroscopy of charmonium formed in p p annihilations, at the Fermilab Antiproton Accumulator). The tracker will be used for the measurement of the polar angle, i.e. of the longitudinal coordinate. The small amount of light from the fibers will be detected by solid state devices (Visible Light Photon Counters) with very high QE, currently being developed and tested by the D0 Fiber Tracking Group at FNAL. This paper reports the performance of a prototype fiber tracker, as measured at FNAL. We present results on light yield/mip, attenuation, efficiency, homogeneity of response and cross-talk. The data are then compared with Monte Carlo predictions. We measured an average number of 14 photoelectrons per mip and a very low noise level. An efficiency greater than 99% is foreseen for the future double layered tracker.
125331327
The Fermilab anti-p accumulator ring for the charmonium experiment