Absolute B-band Magnitude Research Articles

Type Ia supernovae SN 2013bz, PSN J0910 + 5003, and ASASSN-16ex: similar to 09dc-like?

ABSTRACT We present optical photometric and spectroscopic studies of three supernovae (SNe): SN 2013bz, PSN J0910 + 5003, and ASASSN-16ex (SN 2016ccj). UV–optical photometric data of ASASSN-16ex obtained with the Swift Ultraviolet/Optical Telescope (UVOT) are also analysed. These objects were initially classified as 09dc-like type Ia SNe. The decline-rate parameters (Δm15(B)true) are derived as 0.92 ± 0.04 (SN 2013bz), 0.70 ± 0.05 (PSN J0910 + 5003), and 0.73 ± 0.03 (ASASSN-16ex). The estimated B-band absolute magnitudes at maximum, −19.61 ± 0.20 mag for SN 2013bz, −19.44 ± 0.20 mag for PSN J0910 + 5003, and −19.78 ± 0.20 mag for ASASSN-16ex, indicate that all three objects are relatively bright. The peak bolometric luminosities for these objects are derived as $\log L_\text{bol}^\text{max} =$ 43.38 ± 0.07, 43.26 ± 0.07, and 43.40 ± 0.06 erg s−1, respectively. The spectral and velocity evolution of SN 2013bz is similar to that of a normal SN Ia, hence it appears to be a luminous, normal type Ia supernova. On the other hand, the light curves of PSN J0910 + 5003 and ASASSN-16ex are broad and exhibit properties similar to 09dc-like SNe Ia. Their spectroscopic evolution shows similarity with 09dc-like SNe: strong C ii lines are seen in the pre-maximum spectra of these two events. Their photospheric velocity evolution is similar to SN 2006gz. Further, in the UV bands, ASASSN-16ex is very blue, like other 09dc-like SNe Ia.

Study of central light distribution in nearby early-type galaxies hosting nuclear star clusters

ABSTRACT We present analysis of 63 nearby (<44 Mpc) early-type galaxies hosting nuclear star clusters using the recently discovered parameter central intensity ratio (CIRI) determined from near-infrared (3.6 $\mu$m) observations with the Infrared Array Camera of Spitzer Space Telescope. The CIRI, when combined with filters involving age and B − K colour of host galaxies, helps identify two distinct classes of galaxies hosting nuclear star clusters. This is independently verified using Gaussian mixture model. CIR shows a positive trend with faint, low-mass, and blue galaxies in the sample, while the opposite is true for bright, high-mass, and red galaxies, albeit with large scatter. The variation of CIRI with central velocity dispersion, absolute B-band magnitude, dynamical mass, and stellar mass of host galaxies suggests that the mass of nuclear star clusters increases with that of host galaxies, for faint, low-mass, young, and blue galaxies in the sample. In bright, high-mass, old, and red galaxies, on the other hand, the evolution of nuclear star clusters appears complex, with no apparent trends. The analysis also reveals that redder galaxies (B − K > 3.76) are more likely to be dominated by the central black hole than the nuclear star clusters, while for bluer galaxies (B − K < 3.76) in the sample the situation is quite opposite.

Nature of the galaxies on top of quasars producing Mg ii absorption

ABSTRACT Quasar–galaxy pairs at small separations are important probes of gas flows in the disc–halo interface in galaxies. We study host galaxies of 198 Mg ii absorbers at 0.39 ≤ zabs ≤ 1.05 that show detectable nebular emission lines in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) spectra. We report measurements of impact parameter (5.9 ≤ D [kpc] ≤ 16.9) and absolute B-band magnitude (−18.7 ≤ MB ≤ −22.3 mag) of host galaxies of 74 of these absorbers using multiband images from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) Legacy Imaging Survey, more than doubling the number of known host galaxies with D ≤ 17 kpc. This has allowed us to quantify the relationship between Mg ii rest equivalent width (W2796) and D, with best-fitting parameters of W2796 (D = 0) = 3.44 ± 0.20 Å and an exponential scale length of 21.6$^{+2.41}_{-1.97}\, \mathrm{ kpc}$. We find a significant anticorrelation between MB and D, and MB and W2796, consistent with the brighter galaxies producing stronger Mg ii absorption. We use stacked images to detect average emissions from galaxies in the full sample. Using these images and stacked spectra, we derive the mean stellar mass (9.4 ≤ log(M*/M⊙) ≤ 9.8), star formation rate (2.3 ≤ SFR [M⊙ yr−1] ≤ 4.5), age (2.5–4 Gyr), metallicity (12 + log(O/H) ∼ 8.3), and ionization parameter (log q [cm s−1] ∼ 7.7) for these galaxies. The average M* found is less than that of Mg ii absorbers studied in the literature. The average SFR and metallicity inferred are consistent with that expected in the main sequence and the known stellar mass–metallicity relation, respectively. High spatial resolution follow-up spectroscopic and imaging observations of this sample are imperative for probing gas flows close to the star-forming regions of high-z galaxies.

Probing the Low-Mass End of the Black Hole Mass Function via a Study of Faint Local Spiral Galaxies

We present an analysis of the pitch angle distribution function (PADF) for nearby galaxies and its resulting black hole mass function (BHMF) via the well-known relationship between pitch angle and black hole mass. Our sample consists of a subset of 74 spiral galaxies from the Carnegie-Irvine Galaxy Survey with absolute B-band magnitude MB>−19.12 mag and luminosity distance DL≤25.4 Mpc, which is an extension of a complementary set of 140 more luminous (MB≤−19.12 mag) late-type galaxies. We find the PADFs of the two samples are, somewhat surprisingly, not strongly dissimilar; a result that may hold important implications for spiral formation theories. Our data show a distinct bimodal population manifest in the pitch angles of the Sa–Sc types and separately the Scd–Sm types, with Sa–Sc types having tighter spiral arms on average. Importantly, we uncover a distinct bifurcation of the BHMF, such that the Sa–Sc galaxies typically host so-called “supermassive” black holes (M•≳106M⊙), whereas Scd–Sm galaxies accordingly harbor black holes that are “less-than-supermassive” (M•≲106M⊙). It is amongst this latter population of galaxies where we expect fruitful bounties of elusive intermediate-mass black holes (IMBHs), through which a better understanding will help form more precise benchmarks for future generations of gravitational wave detectors.

The Hi Mass Function of Star-forming Galaxies at z ∼ 0.35

The neutral atomic hydrogen (Hi) mass function (HiMF) describes the distribution of the Hi content of galaxies at any epoch; its evolution provides an important probe of models of galaxy formation and evolution. Here, we report Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope Hi 21 cm spectroscopy of blue star-forming galaxies at z ≈ 0.20–0.42 in the Extended Groth Strip, which has allowed us to determine the scaling relation between the average Hi mass (M Hi ) and the absolute B-band magnitude (M B ) of such galaxies at z ≈ 0.35, by stacking the Hi 21 cm emission signals of galaxy subsamples in different M B ranges. We combine this M Hi − M B scaling relation (with a scatter assumed to be equal to that in the local universe) with the known B-band luminosity function of star-forming galaxies at these redshifts to determine the HiMF at z ≈ 0.35. We show that the use of the correct scatter in the M Hi − M B scaling relation is critical for an accurate estimate of the HiMF. We find that the HiMF has evolved significantly from z ≈ 0.35 to z ≈ 0, i.e., over the last 4 Gyr, especially at the high-mass end. High-mass galaxies, with M Hi ≳ 1010 M ⊙, are a factor of ≈3.4 less prevalent at z ≈ 0.35 than at z ≈ 0. Conversely, there are more low-mass galaxies, with M Hi ≈ 109 M ⊙, at z ≈ 0.35 than in the local universe. While our results may be affected by cosmic variance, we find that massive star-forming galaxies have acquired a significant amount of Hi through merger events or accretion from the circumgalactic medium over the past 4 Gyr.

A cosmological underdensity does not solve the Hubble tension

A potential solution to the Hubble tension is the hypothesis that the Milky Way is located near the center of a matter underdensity. We model this scenario through the Lemaître-Tolman-Bondi formalism with the inclusion of a cosmological constant (ΛLTB) and consider a generalized Gaussian parametrization for the matter density profile. We constrain the underdensity and the background cosmology with a combination of data sets: the Pantheon Sample of type Ia supernovae (both the full catalogue and a redshift-binned version of it), a collection of baryon acoustic oscillations data points and the distance priors extracted from the latest Planck data release. The analysis with the binned supernovae suggests a preference for a -13 % density drop with a size of approximately 300 Mpc, interestingly matching the prediction for the so-called KBC void already identified on the basis of independent analyses using galaxy distributions. The constraints obtained with the full Pantheon Sample are instead compatible with a homogeneous cosmology and we interpret this radically different result as a cautionary tale about the potential bias introduced by employing a binned supernova data set. We quantify the level of improvement on the Hubble tension by analyzing the constraints on the B-band absolute magnitude of the supernovae, which provides the calibration for the local measurements of H 0. Since no significant difference is observed with respect to an analogous fit performed with a standard ΛCDM cosmology, we conclude that the potential presence of a local underdensity does not resolve the tension and does not significantly degrade current supernova constraints on H 0.

Investigating the Nature of the Luminous Ambiguous Nuclear Transient ASASSN-17jz

We present observations of the extremely luminous but ambiguous nuclear transient (ANT) ASASSN-17jz, spanning roughly 1200 days of the object’s evolution. ASASSN-17jz was discovered by the All-Sky Automated Survey for Supernovae (ASAS-SN) in the galaxy SDSS J171955.84+414049.4 on UT 2017 July 27 at a redshift of z = 0.1641. The transient peaked at an absolute B-band magnitude of M B,peak = −22.81, corresponding to a bolometric luminosity of L bol,peak = 8.3 × 1044 erg s−1, and exhibited late-time ultraviolet emission that was still ongoing in our latest observations. Integrating the full light curve gives a total emitted energy of E tot = (1.36 ±0.08) × 1052 erg, with (0.80 ± 0.02) × 1052 erg of this emitted within 200 days of peak light. This late-time ultraviolet emission is accompanied by increasing X-ray emission that becomes softer as it brightens. ASASSN-17jz exhibited a large number of spectral emission lines most commonly seen in active galactic nuclei (AGNs) with little evidence of evolution. It also showed transient Balmer features, which became fainter and broader over time, and are still being detected >1000 days after peak brightness. We consider various physical scenarios for the origin of the transient, including supernovae (SNe), tidal disruption events, AGN outbursts, and ANTs. We find that the most likely explanation is that ASASSN-17jz was a SN IIn occurring in or near the disk of an existing AGN, and that the late-time emission is caused by the AGN transitioning to a more active state.

SN 2015bq: A Luminous Type Ia Supernova with Early Flux Excess

Abstract We present optical and ultraviolet (UV) observations of a luminous type Ia supernova (SN Ia) SN 2015bq characterized by early flux excess. This SN reaches a B-band absolute magnitude at M B = −19.68 ± 0.41 mag and a peak bolometric luminosity at L = (1.75 ± 0.37) × 1043 erg s−1, with a relatively small post-maximum decline rate [Δm 15(B) = 0.82 ± 0.05 mag]. The flux excess observed in the light curves of SN 2015bq a few days after the explosion, especially seen in the UV bands, might be due to the radioactive decay of 56Ni mixed into the surface. The radiation from the decay of the surface 56Ni heats the outer layer of this SN. It produces blue U − B color followed by monotonically reddening in the early phase, dominated iron-group lines, and weak intermediate-mass element absorption features in the early spectra. The scenario of enhanced 56Ni in the surface is consistent with a large amount of 56Ni ( M 56 Ni = 0.97 ± 0.20 M ☉) synthesized during the explosion. The properties of SN 2015bq are found to locate between SN 1991T and SN 1999aa, suggesting the latter two subclasses of SNe Ia may have a common origin.

Carnegie Supernova Project: The First Homogeneous Sample of Super-Chandrasekhar-mass/2003fg-like Type Ia Supernovae

Abstract We present a multiwavelength photometric and spectroscopic analysis of 13 super-Chandrasekhar-mass/2003fg-like Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia). Nine of these objects were observed by the Carnegie Supernova Project. The 2003fg-like SNe have slowly declining light curves (Δm 15(B) < 1.3 mag), and peak absolute B-band magnitudes of −19 < M B < −21 mag. Many of the 2003fg-like SNe are located in the same part of the luminosity–width relation as normal SNe Ia. In the optical B and V bands, the 2003fg-like SNe look like normal SNe Ia, but at redder wavelengths they diverge. Unlike other luminous SNe Ia, the 2003fg-like SNe generally have only one i-band maximum, which peaks after the epoch of the B-band maximum, while their near-IR (NIR) light-curve rise times can be ≳40 days longer than those of normal SNe Ia. They are also at least 1 mag brighter in the NIR bands than normal SNe Ia, peaking above M H = −19 mag, and generally have negative Hubble residuals, which may be the cause of some systematics in dark-energy experiments. Spectroscopically, the 2003fg-like SNe exhibit peculiarities such as unburnt carbon well past maximum light, a large spread (8000–12,000 km s−1) in Si ii λ6355 velocities at maximum light with no rapid early velocity decline, and no clear H-band break at +10 days. We find that SNe with a larger pseudo-equivalent width of C ii at maximum light have lower Si ii λ6355 velocities and more slowly declining light curves. There are also multiple factors that contribute to the peak luminosity of 2003fg-like SNe. The explosion of a C–O degenerate core inside a carbon-rich envelope is consistent with these observations. Such a configuration may come from the core-degenerate scenario.

A complete census of circumgalactic Mg ii at redshift z ≲ 0.5

ABSTRACT This paper presents a survey of Mg ii absorbing gas in the vicinity of 380 random galaxies, using 156 background quasi-stellar objects (QSOs) as absorption-line probes. The sample comprises 211 isolated (73 quiescent and 138 star-forming galaxies) and 43 non-isolated galaxies with sensitive constraints for both Mg ii absorption and H α emission. The projected distances span a range from d = 9 to 497 kpc, redshifts of the galaxies range from z = 0.10 to 0.48, and rest-frame absolute B-band magnitudes range from MB = −16.7 to −22.8. Our analysis shows that the rest-frame equivalent width of Mg ii, Wr(2796), depends on halo radius (Rh), B-band luminosity(LB), and stellar mass (Mstar) of the host galaxies, and declines steeply with increasing d for isolated, star-forming galaxies. At the same time, Wr(2796) exhibits no clear trend for either isolated, quiescent galaxies or non-isolated galaxies. In addition, the covering fraction of Mg ii absorbing gas 〈κ〉 is high with 〈κ〉 ≳ 60 per cent at <40 kpc for isolated galaxies and declines rapidly to 〈κ〉 ≈ 0 at d ≳ 100 kpc. Within the gaseous radius, the incidence of Mg ii gas depends sensitively on both Mstar and the specific star formation rate inferred from H α. Different from what is known for massive quiescent haloes, the observed velocity dispersion of Mg ii absorbing gas around star-forming galaxies is consistent with expectations from virial motion, which constrains individual clump mass to $m_{\rm cl} \gtrsim 10^5 \, \rm M_\odot$ and cool gas accretion rate of $\sim 0.7\!-\!2 \, \mathrm{ M}_\odot \, \rm yr^{-1}$. Finally, we find no strong azimuthal dependence of Mg ii absorption for either star-forming or quiescent galaxies. Our results demonstrate that multiple parameters affect the properties of gaseous haloes around galaxies and highlight the need of a homogeneous, absorption-blind sample for establishing a holistic description of chemically enriched gas in the circumgalactic space.

Study of central intensity ratio of early-type galaxies from low-density environment

ABSTRACT We present correlations involving central intensity ratio (CIR) of 52 early-type galaxies, including 24 ellipticals and 28 lenticulars, selected from low-density environment in the nearby (<30 Mpc) universe. CIR is found to be negatively and significantly correlated with the mass of the central supermassive black hole, central velocity dispersion, absolute B-band magnitude, stellar bulge mass, and central Mg2 index of the host galaxy. The study proposes the use of CIR as a simple, fast, and efficient photometric tool for exploring the co-evolution scenario existing in galaxies.

Carnegie Supernova Project: Classification of Type Ia Supernovae

Abstract We use the spectroscopy and homogeneous photometry of 97 Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) obtained by the Carnegie Supernova Project as well as a subset of 36 SNe Ia presented by Zheng et al. to examine maximum-light correlations in a four-dimensional (4D) parameter space: B-band absolute magnitude, M B , Si ii λ6355 velocity, , and Si ii pseudo-equivalent widths pEW(Si ii λ6355) and pEW(Si ii λ5972). It is shown using Gaussian mixture models (GMMs) that the original four groups in the Branch diagram are well-defined and robust in this parameterization. We find three continuous groups that describe the behavior of our sample in [M B , ] space. Extending the GMM into the full 4D space yields a grouping system that only slightly alters group definitions in the [M B , ] projection, showing that most of the clustering information in [M B , ] is already contained in the 2D GMM groupings. However, the full 4D space does divide group membership for faster objects between core-normal and broad-line objects in the Branch diagram. A significant correlation between M B and pseudo-equivalent width (Si ii λ5972) is found, which implies that Branch group membership can be well-constrained by spectroscopic quantities alone. In general, we find that higher-dimensional GMMs reduce the uncertainty of group membership for objects between the originally defined Branch groups. We also find that the broad-line Branch group becomes nearly distinct with the inclusion of , indicating that this subclass of SNe Ia may be somehow different from the other groups.

MCG+07-20-052: Interacting Dwarf Pair in a Group Environment

Abstract We present an observational study of the interacting pair of dwarf galaxies, MCG+07-20-052, in the vicinity of Milky Way mass spiral galaxy NGC 2998. MCG+07-20-052 is located at a sky-projected distance of 105 kpc from NGC 2998 and the two have a relative line-of-sight velocity of 60 km s−1. We observed tidal tail-like extensions on both members (D1 and D2) of the interacting pair MCG+07-20-052. The interacting dwarf galaxies, D1 and D2, have B-band absolute magnitudes of −17.17 and −17.14 mag, respectively, and D2 is significantly bluer than D1. We obtained H i 21 cm line data of the NGC 2998 system using the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope to get a more detailed view of the neutral hydrogen (H i) emission in the interacting dwarf galaxies and in the galaxy members of the NGC 2998 group. Evidence of a merger between the dwarf galaxies in the MCG+07-20-052 is also present in the H i kinematics and morphology where we find that H i is mostly concentrated around D2, which also shows a higher level of star-forming activity and a bluer g–r color index compared to D1. In addition, we detect extended tenuous H i emission around another member galaxy, NGC 3006, located close to the MCG+07-20-052 pair at a sky-projected distance of 41 kpc. We compare here our results from the MCG+07-20-052 pair NGC 2998 system with other known Large Magellanic Cloud/Small Magellanic Cloud/Milky Way-type systems and discuss the possible origin of the dwarf–dwarf interaction.

Color gradients of the galaxies at 0.5 < z < 1 II. Clustering properties

We investigate the dependence of clustering on luminosity, stellar mass and color gradient for galaxies at 0.5 < z < 1, using a sample of ∼6300 galaxies from the final data release of the VIMOS Public Extragalactic Redshift Survey (VIPERS-PDR2). We estimate both the auto-correlation function for galaxy samples selected by B-band absolute magnitude and stellar mass, and the cross-correlation function of galaxy samples selected by color gradient with respect to the full galaxy sample. The auto-correlation function amplitudes at fixed scale are found to positively correlate with both galaxy luminosity and stellar mass, and the effect holds for all the scales probed (0.2 h−1 Mpc < rp < 20 h−1 Mpc), in good agreement with previous measurements based on an earlier data release of VIPERS. When the stellar mass is limited to a narrow range, we find the clustering power to be essentially independent of galaxy color gradient, and this conclusion is true for all the masses and all the scales considered here. In a parallel paper, we find that the half-light radius is the only galaxy property other than stellar mass that is related to color gradient. Considering the previous finding that clustering depends weakly on galaxy structure at given mass, the non-dependence of clustering on color gradient found here reinforces our conclusion that the color gradient and structural parameters of a galaxy are intrinsically related to each other.

KUG 0200-096: Dwarf Antennae Hosting a Tidal Dwarf Galaxy

Abstract We study a gas-rich merging dwarf system KUG 0200-096. Deep optical imaging reveals an optically faint tail with a length of 20 kpc, giving a visual impression of tidal antenna similar to NGC 4038/39. The interacting dwarf galaxies have B-band absolute magnitudes of −18.06 and −16.63 mag. We identify a young stellar clump with a stellar mass of 2 × 107 M ⊙ at the tip of the antenna, possibly a tidal dwarf galaxy (TDG). The putative TDG candidate is quite blue with a g − r color index of −0.07 mag, whereas the interacting dwarf galaxies have g − r color indices 0.29 and 0.19 mag. The TDG is currently forming stars at the rate of 0.02 M ⊙ yr−1. We obtained H i 21 cm line data of KUG 0200-096 using the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope to get a more detailed view of neutral hydrogen (H i) emission in interacting dwarf galaxies and its TDG. Evidence of a merger between the dwarf galaxy pair is also present in H i kinematics and morphology where we find the H i contents of the interacting pair is disturbed, forming an extended tail toward the TDG. The H i velocity field shows a strong gradient along the H i tidal tail extension. We present a comparative study between the Antennae galaxy, NGC 4038/39, and KUG 0200-096 in both optical and H i gas properties and discuss the possible origin of the KUG 0200-096 TDG.

The Carnegie Supernova Project I

Stripped-envelope (SE) supernovae (SNe) include H-poor (Type IIb), H-free (Type Ib), and He-free (Type Ic) events thought to be associated with the deaths of massive stars. The exact nature of their progenitors is a matter of debate with several lines of evidence pointing towards intermediate mass (Minit&lt; 20 M⊙) stars in binary systems, while in other cases they may be linked to single massive Wolf-Rayet stars. Here we present the analysis of the light curves of 34 SE SNe published by the Carnegie Supernova Project (CSP-I) that are unparalleled in terms of photometric accuracy and wavelength range. Light-curve parameters are estimated through the fits of an analytical function and trends are searched for among the resulting fit parameters. Detailed inspection of the dataset suggests a tentative correlation between the peak absolute B-band magnitude and Δm15(B), while the post maximum light curves reveals a correlation between the late-time linear slope and Δm15. Making use of the full set of optical and near-IR photometry, combined with robust host-galaxy extinction corrections, comprehensive bolometric light curves are constructed and compared to both analytic and hydrodynamical models. This analysis finds consistent results among the two different modeling techniques and from the hydrodynamical models we obtained ejecta masses of 1.1–6.2M⊙, 56Ni masses of 0.03–0.35M⊙, and explosion energies (excluding two SNe Ic-BL) of 0.25–3.0 × 1051 erg. Our analysis indicates that adopting κ = 0.07 cm2 g-1 as the mean opacity serves to be a suitable assumption when comparing Arnett-model results to those obtained from hydrodynamical calculations. We also find that adopting He i and O i line velocities to infer the expansion velocity in He-rich and He-poor SNe, respectively, provides ejecta masses relatively similar to those obtained by using the Fe ii line velocities, although the use of Fe ii as a diagnostic does imply higher explosion energies. The inferred range of ejecta masses are compatible with intermediate mass (MZAMS ≤ 20M⊙) progenitor stars in binary systems for the majority of SE SNe. Furthermore, our hydrodynamical modeling of the bolometric light curves suggests a significant fraction of the sample may have experienced significant mixing of 56Ni, particularly in the case of SNe Ic.

Highly reddened Type Ia supernova SN 2004ab: another case of anomalous extinction

Abstract We present optical photometric and spectroscopic data for supernova SN 2004ab, a highly reddened normal Type Ia supernova. The total reddening is estimated as E(B − V) = 1.70 ± 0.05 mag. The intrinsic decline-rate parameter Δm15(B)true is 1.27 ± 0.05, and the B-band absolute magnitude at maximum $M_{B}^{{\rm max}}$ is −19.31 ± 0.25 mag. The host galaxy NGC 5054 is found to exhibit anomalous extinction with a very low value of RV = 1.41 ± 0.06 in the direction of SN 2004ab. The peak bolometric luminosity is derived as $\log L_{\rm bol}^{\rm max}$ = 43.10 ± 0.07 erg s−1. The photospheric velocity measured from the absorption minimum of the Si ii λ6355 line shows a velocity gradient of $\dot{v}$ = 90 km s−1 d−1, indicating that SN 2004ab is a member of the high velocity gradient (HVG) subgroup. The ratio of the strengths of the Si ii λ5972 and λ6355 absorption lines, $\cal R$(Si ii), is estimated as 0.37, while their pseudo-equivalent widths suggest that SN 2004ab belongs to the broad line (BL) type subgroup.

Is there a concordance value forH0?

We test the theoretical predictions of several cosmological models against different observables to compare the indirect estimates of the current expansion rate of the Universe determined from model fitting with the direct measurements based on Cepheids data published recently. We perform a statistical analysis of type Ia supernova (SN Ia), Hubble parameter, and baryon acoustic oscillation data. A joint analysis of these datasets allows us to better constrain cosmological parameters, but also to break the degeneracy that appears in the distance modulus definition between $H_0$ and the absolute B-band magnitude of SN Ia, $M_0$. From the theoretical side, we considered spatially flat and curvature-free $\Lambda$CDM, $w$CDM, and inhomogeneous Lema\^{i}tre-Tolman-Bondi (LTB) models. To analyse SN Ia we took into account the distributions of SN Ia intrinsic parameters. For the $\Lambda$CDM model we find that $\Omega_m=0.35\pm0.02$, $H_0=(67.8\pm1.0)\,$km$\,$s$^{-1}/$Mpc, while the corrected SN absolute magnitude has a normal distribution ${\cal N}(19.13,0.11)$. The $w$CDM model provides the same value for $\Omega_m$, while $H_0=(66.5\pm1.8)\,$km$\,$s$^{-1}/$Mpc and $w=-0.93\pm0.07$. When an inhomogeneous LTB model is considered, the combined fit provides $H_0=(64.2\pm1.9)\,$km$\,$s$^{-1}/$Mpc. Both the Akaike information criterion and the Bayes factor analysis cannot clearly distinguish between $\Lambda$CDM and $w$CDM cosmologies, while they clearly disfavour the LTB model. For the $\Lambda$CDM, our joint analysis of the SN Ia, the Hubble parameter, and the baryon acoustic oscillation datasets provides $H_0$ values that are consistent with CMB-only Planck measurements, but they differ by $2.5\sigma$ from the value based on Cepheids data.

THE LOCAL BLACK HOLE MASS FUNCTION DERIVED FROM THE MBH–P AND THE MBH–n RELATIONS

ABSTRACT We present a determination of the supermassive black hole (SMBH) mass function for early- and late-type galaxies in the nearby universe (z &lt; 0.0057), established from a volume-limited sample consisting of a statistically complete collection of the brightest spiral galaxies in the southern hemisphere. The sample is defined by limiting luminosity (redshift-independent) distance, D L = 25.4 Mpc, and a limiting absolute B-band magnitude, . These limits define a sample of 140 spiral, 30 elliptical (E), and 38 lenticular (S0) galaxies. We established the Sérsic index distribution for early-type (E/S0) galaxies in our sample. Davis et al. established the pitch angle distribution for their sample, which is identical to our late-type (spiral) galaxy sample. We then used the pitch angle and the Sérsic index distributions in order to estimate the SMBH mass function for our volume-limited sample. The observational simplicity of our approach relies on the empirical relation between the mass of the central SMBH and the Sérsic index for an early-type galaxy or the logarithmic spiral-arm pitch angle for a spiral galaxy. Our SMBH mass function agrees well at the high-mass end with previous values in the literature. At the low-mass end, although inconsistencies exist in previous works that still need to be resolved, our work is more in line with expectations based on modeling of black hole evolution.

UGC 7639: A Dwarf Galaxy in the Canes Venatici I Cloud

We want to get insight into the formation mechanism and the evolution of UGC 7639, a dwarf galaxy in the Canes Venatici I Cloud (CVnIC). We used archival multiwavelength data to constrain its global properties. Ultraviolet images show that UGC 7639 inner regions are composed mostly by young stellar populations. In addition, we used smoothed particle hydrodynamics simulations with chemophotometric implementation to account for its formation and evolution. UGC 7639 is an example of blue dwarf galaxy whose global properties are well matched by our multiwavelength approach, that is, a suitable approach to highlight the evolution also of these galaxies as a class. We found that the global properties of UGC 7639, namely, its total absolute B-band magnitude, its whole spectral energy distribution, and morphology, are well matched by an encounter with a system four times more massive than our target. Moreover, the current star formation rate of the simulated dwarf, ≈0.03 M⊙ yr−1, is in good agreement with our UV-based estimate. We derived a galaxy age of 8.6 Gyr. Following our simulation, the ongoing star formation will extinguish within 1.6 Gyr, thus leaving a red dwarf galaxy.