Ultra Steep Spectrum Sources Research Articles

Exploring diffuse radio emission in galaxy clusters and groups with uGMRT and SKA

Diffuse radio emission has been detected in a considerable number of galaxy clusters and groups, revealing the presence of pervasive cosmic magnetic fields, and of relativistic particles in the large scale structure of the Universe. Since the radio emission in galaxy systems is faint and its spectrum is steep, its observations are largely limited by the instrument sensitivity and frequency of observation, leading to a dearth of information, more so for lower-mass systems. The recent commissioning or upgrade of several large radio telescope arrays, particularly at the low frequency bands (<GHz) is, therefore, a significant step forward. The unprecedented sensitivity of these new instruments, aided by the development of advanced calibration and imaging techniques, have helped in achieving unparalleled image quality and revolutionised the study of cluster-scale radio emission. At the same time, the development of state-of-the-art numerical simulations and the availability of supercomputing facilities have paved the way for high-resolution numerical modelling of radio emission, and the structure of the cosmic magnetic fields, associated with large-scale structures in the Universe, leading to predictions matching the capabilities of observational facilities. In view of these rapidly-evolving developments in modeling and observations, in this review, we summarise the role of new telescope arrays and the development of advanced imaging techniques and discuss the range of detections of various kinds of cluster radio sources, both in dedicated surveys as well as in numerous individual studies. We pay specific attention to the kinds of diffuse radio structures that have been able to reveal the underlying physics in recent observations. In particular, we discuss observations of large-scale sections of the cosmic web in the form of supercluster filaments, and studies of emission in low-mass systems, such as poor clusters and groups of galaxies, and of ultra-steep spectrum sources, the last two being notably aided by low-frequency observations and high sensitivity of the instruments being developed. We also discuss and review the current theoretical understanding of various diffuse radio sources in clusters and the associated magnetic field and polarisation in view of the current observations and simulations. As the statistics of detections improve along with our theoretical understanding, we update the source classification schemes based on the intrinsic properties of these sources. We conclude by summarising the role of the upgraded GMRT (uGMRT) and our expectations from the upcoming Square Kilometre Array (SKA) observatories.

Deciphering the ultra-steep-spectrum diffuse radio sources discovered in the cool-core cluster Abell 980

Clusters of galaxies are excellent laboratories for studying recurring nuclear activity in galactic nuclei since their hot gaseous medium can vastly prolong the detectability of their radio lobes via better confinement. We report here a multi-band study of the sparsely studied galaxy cluster Abell 980, based on our analysis of Chandra X-ray data and GMRT (150 and 325 MHz) and EVLA (1.5 GHz) radio archival data, revealing an unusually rich phenomenology. It is shown to be a quasi-relaxed cluster with a cool core (T ∼ 4.2 keV) surrounded by a hot and extensive intracluster medium (ICM) at T ∼ 6.8 keV. The radio emission shows a rich diversity, having (i) two large diffuse sources of ultra-steep spectrum (USS) extending to opposite extremities of the ICM, each associated with an X-ray brightness discontinuity (cold front); (ii) a bright radio-double of size ∼55 kpc coinciding with the central BCG; and (iii) a diffuse radio source, likely a mini-halo of size ∼110 kpc around the BCG which possesses a huge ellipsoidal stellar halo of extent ∼80 kpc. The association of cold fronts with two highly aged (∼260 Myr) USS sources in a cool-core cluster makes it a very rare system. These USS sources are probably radio lobes from a previous episode of jet activity in the BCG, driven buoyantly towards the outskirts of the X-ray halo, thereby creating the cold fronts. A deeper radio image of this cluster may provide a rare opportunity to verify the recently proposed alternative model which explains radio mini-haloes as the aggregate radio emission from Type Ia supernova remnant occurring in the giant stellar halo extended across the cluster core.

Searching for High-z Radio Galaxies with the MGCLS

We present the results from a search for high-redshift radio galaxy (HzRG) candidates using 1.28 GHz data in the Abell 2751 field drawn from the MeerKAT Galaxy Cluster Legacy Survey (MGCLS). We used the HzRG criteria that a radio source is undetected in all-sky optical and infrared catalogues and that it has a very steep radio spectrum. We used the likelihood ratio method for cross-matching the radio catalogue against multi-wavelength galaxy catalogues from the Dark Energy Camera Legacy Survey (DECaLS) and the All-sky Wide Infrared Survey Explorer (AllWISE). For those radio sources with no multi-wavelength counterpart, we further implemented a radio spectral index criterium of α&lt;−1, using in-band spectral index measurements from the wide-band MeerKAT data. Using a 5σ signal-to-noise cut on the radio flux densities, we found a total of 274 HzRG candidates: 179 ultra-steep spectrum sources and 95 potential candidates, which could not be ruled out as they had no spectral information available. The spectral index assignments in this work were complete above a flux density of 0.3 mJy, which is at least an order of magnitude lower than existing studies in this frequency range or when extrapolating from lower frequency limits. Our faintest HzRG candidates with and without an in-band spectral index measurement had a 1.28 GHz flux density of 57 ± 8 μJy and 68 ± 13 μJy, respectively. Although our study is not complete down to these flux densities, our results indicate that the sensitivity and bandwidth of the MGCLS data make them a powerful radio resource to search for HzRG candidates in the Southern sky, with 20 of the MGCLS pointings having similar image quality as the Abell 2751 field and full coverage in both DECaLS and AllWISE. Data at additional radio frequencies will be needed for the faintest source populations, which could be provided in the near future by the MeerKAT UHF band (580–1015 MHz) at a similar resolution (∼8–10″).

The complete local volume groups sample – III. Characteristics of group central radio galaxies in the Local Universe

ABSTRACT Using new 610 and 235 MHz observations from the giant metrewave radio telescope (GMRT) in combination with archival GMRT and very large array (VLA) survey data, we present the radio properties of the dominant early-type galaxies in the low-richness subsample of the complete local-volume groups sample (CLoGS; 27 galaxy groups) and provide results for the radio properties of the full CLoGS sample for the first time. We find a high radio detection rate in the dominant galaxies of the low-richness subsample of 82 per cent (22/27); for the full CLoGS sample the detection rate is 87 per cent (46/53). The group-dominant galaxies exhibit a wide range of radio power, 1020–1025 W Hz−1 in the 235 and 610 MHz bands, with the majority (53 per cent) presenting point-like radio emission, 19 per cent hosting currently active radio jets, 6 per cent having remnant jets, 9 per cent being diffuse, and 13 per cent having no detected radio emission. The mean spectral index of the detected radio sources in the 235−610 MHz frequency range is found to be $\alpha _{235}^{610}\sim$0.68, and $\alpha _{235}^{1400}\sim$0.59 in the 235−1400 MHz one. In agreement with earlier studies, we find that the fraction of ultrasteep spectrum sources (α &amp;gt; 1.3) is ∼4 per cent, mostly dependent on the detection limit at 235 MHz. The majority of point-like systems are found to reside in dynamically young groups, whereas jet systems show no preference between spiral-rich and spiral-poor group environments. The mechanical power of the jet sources in the low-richness sample groups is estimated to be ∼1042–1044 erg s−1 with their black hole masses ranging between 2 × 108 and 5 × 109 M⊙. We confirm previous findings that while radio jet sources tend to be associated with more massive black holes, black hole mass is not the decisive factor in determining jet activity or power.

Ultra-steep spectrum emission in the merging galaxy cluster Abell 1914

A number of radio observations have revealed the presence of large synchrotron-emitting sources associated with the intra-cluster medium. There is strong observational evidence that the emitting particles have been (re-)accelerated by shocks and turbulence generated during merger events. The particles that are accelerated are thought to have higher initial energies than those in the thermal pool but the origin of such mildly relativistic particles remains uncertain and needs to be further investigated. The galaxy cluster Abell 1914 is a massive galaxy cluster in which X-ray observations show clear evidence of merging activity. We carried out radio observations of this cluster with the LOw Frequency ARay (LOFAR) at 150 MHz and the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) at 610 MHz. We also analysed Very Large Array (VLA) 1.4 GHz data, archival GMRT 325 MHz data, CFHT weak lensing data and Chandra observations. Our analysis shows that the ultra-steep spectrum source (4C38.39; α ≲ −2), previously thought to be part of a radio halo, is a distinct source with properties that are consistent with revived fossil plasma sources. Finally, we detect some diffuse emission to the west of the source 4C38.39 that could belong to a radio halo.

The Lockman Hole project: LOFAR observations and spectral index properties of low-frequency radio sources

The Lockman Hole is a well-studied extragalactic field with extensive multi-band ancillary data covering a wide range in frequency, essential for characterising the physical and evolutionary properties of the various source populations detected in deep radio fields (mainly star-forming galaxies and AGNs). In this paper we present new 150-MHz observations carried out with the LOw Frequency ARray (LOFAR), allowing us to explore a new spectral window for the faint radio source population. This 150-MHz image covers an area of 34.7 square degrees with a resolution of 18.6$\times$14.7 arcsec and reaches an rms of 160 $\mu$Jy beam$^{-1}$ at the centre of the field. As expected for a low-frequency selected sample, the vast majority of sources exhibit steep spectra, with a median spectral index of $\alpha_{150}^{1400}=-0.78\pm0.015$. The median spectral index becomes slightly flatter (increasing from $\alpha_{150}^{1400}=-0.84$ to $\alpha_{150}^{1400}=-0.75$) with decreasing flux density down to $S_{150} \sim$10 mJy before flattening out and remaining constant below this flux level. For a bright subset of the 150-MHz selected sample we can trace the spectral properties down to lower frequencies using 60-MHz LOFAR observations, finding tentative evidence for sources to become flatter in spectrum between 60 and 150 MHz. Using the deep, multi-frequency data available in the Lockman Hole, we identify a sample of 100 Ultra-steep spectrum (USS) sources and 13 peaked spectrum sources. We estimate that up to 21 percent of these could have $z>4$ and are candidate high-$z$ radio galaxies, but further follow-up observations are required to confirm the physical nature of these objects.

BROADBAND SPECTRAL MODELING OF THE EXTREME GIGAHERTZ-PEAKED SPECTRUM RADIO SOURCE PKS B0008-421

We present broadband observations and spectral modeling of PKS B0008-421, and identify it as an extreme gigahertz-peaked spectrum (GPS) source. PKS B0008-421 is characterized by the steepest known spectral slope below the turnover, close to the theoretical limit of synchrotron self-absorption, and the smallest known spectral width of any GPS source. Spectral coverage of the source spans from 0.118 to 22 GHz, which includes data from the Murchison Widefield Array and the wide bandpass receivers on the Australia Telescope Compact Array. We have implemented a Bayesian inference model fitting routine to fit the data with various absorption models. We find that without the inclusion of a high-frequency exponential break the absorption models can not accurately fit the data, with significant deviations above and below the peak in the radio spectrum. The addition of a high-frequency break provides acceptable spectral fits for the inhomogeneous free-free absorption and double-component synchrotron self-absorption models, with the inhomogeneous free-free absorption model statistically favored. The requirement of a high-frequency spectral break implies that the source has ceased injecting fresh particles. Additional support for the inhomogeneous free-free absorption model as being responsible for the turnover in the spectrum is given by the consistency between the physical parameters derived from the model fit and the implications of the exponential spectral break, such as the necessity of the source being surrounded by a dense ambient medium to maintain the peak frequency near the gigahertz region. The discovery of PKS B0008-421 suggests that the next generation of low radio frequency surveys could reveal a large population of GPS sources that have ceased activity, and that a portion of the ultra-steep spectrum source population could be composed of these GPS sources in a relic phase.

LOFAR LOW-BAND ANTENNA OBSERVATIONS OF THE 3C 295 AND BOÖTES FIELDS: SOURCE COUNTS AND ULTRA-STEEP SPECTRUM SOURCES

We present LOFAR Low Band observations of the Bootes and 3C295 fields. Our images made at 34, 46, and 62 MHz reach noise levels of 12, 8, and 5 mJy beam$^{-1}$, making them the deepest images ever obtained in this frequency range. In total, we detect between 300 and 400 sources in each of these images, covering an area of 17 to 52 deg$^{2}$. From the observations we derive Euclidean-normalized differential source counts. The 62 MHz source counts agree with previous GMRT 153 MHz and VLA 74 MHz differential source counts, scaling with a spectral index of $-0.7$. We find that a spectral index scaling of $-0.5$ is required to match up the LOFAR 34 MHz source counts. This result is also in agreement with source counts from the 38 MHz 8C survey, indicating that the average spectral index of radio sources flattens towards lower frequencies. We also find evidence for spectral flattening using the individual flux measurements of sources between 34 and 1400 MHz and by calculating the spectral index averaged over the source population. To select ultra-steep spectrum ($\alpha < -1.1$) radio sources, that could be associated with massive high redshift radio galaxies, we compute spectral indices between 62 MHz, 153 MHz and 1.4 GHz for sources in the Bo\"otes field. We cross-correlate these radio sources with optical and infrared catalogues and fit the spectral energy distribution to obtain photometric redshifts. We find that most of these ultra-steep spectrum sources are located in the $ 0.7 \lesssim z \lesssim 2.5$ range.

Multiwavelength characterization of faint ultra steep spectrum radio sources: A search for high-redshift radio galaxies

Ultra Steep Spectrum (USS) radio sources are one of the efficient tracers of powerful High-z Radio Galaxies (HzRGs). In contrast to searches for powerful HzRGs from radio surveys of moderate depths, fainter USS samples derived from deeper radio surveys can be useful in finding HzRGs at even higher redshifts and in unveiling a population of obscured weaker radio-loud AGN at moderate redshifts. Using our 325 MHz GMRT observations (5-sigma ~ 800 microJy) and 1.4 GHz VLA observations (5-sigma ~ 80 - 100 microJy) available in two subfields (viz., VLA-VIMOS VLT Deep Survey (VLA-VVDS) and Subaru X-ray Deep Field (SXDF)) of the XMM-LSS field, we derive a large sample of 160 faint USS radio sources and characterize their nature. The optical, IR counterparts of our USS sample sources are searched using existing deep surveys, at respective wavelengths. We attempt to unveil the nature of our faint USS sources using diagnostic techniques based on mid-IR colors, flux ratios of radio to mid-IR, and radio luminosities. Redshift estimates are available for 86/116 (~ 74%) USS sources in the VLA-VVDS field and for 39/44 (~ 87%) USS sources in the SXDF fields with median values (z_median) ~ 1.18 and ~ 1.57, which are higher than that for non-USS radio sources (z_median non-USS ~ 0.99 and ~ 0.96), in the two subfields, respectively. The flux ratio of radio to mid-IR (S_1.4 GHz/S_3.6 micron) versus redshift diagnostic plot suggests that more than half of our USS sample sources distributed over z ~ 0.5 to 3.8 are likely to be hosted in obscured environments. A significant fraction (~ 26% in the VLA-VVDS and ~ 13% in the SXDF) of our USS sources without redshift estimates mostly remain unidentified in the existing optical, IR surveys, and exhibit high radio to mid-IR flux ratio limits similar to HzRGs, and thus, can be considered as potential HzRG candidates.

Infrared-faint radio sources: a new population of high-redshift radio galaxies

We present a sample of 1317 Infrared-Faint Radio Sources (IFRSs) that, for the first time, are reliably detected in the infrared, generated by cross-correlating the Wide-Field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) all-sky survey with major radio surveys. Our IFRSs are brighter in both radio and infrared than the first generation IFRSs that were undetected in the infrared by the Spitzer Space Telescope. We present the first spectroscopic redshifts of IFRSs, and find that all but one of the IFRSs with spectroscopy has z > 2. We also report the first X-ray counterparts of IFRSs, and present an analysis of radio spectra and polarization, and show that they include Gigahertz-Peaked Spectrum, Compact Steep Spectrum, and Ultra-Steep Spectrum sources. These results, together with their WISE infrared colours and radio morphologies, imply that our sample of IFRSs represents a population of radio-loud Active Galactic Nuclei at z > 2. We conclude that our sample consists of lower-redshift counterparts of the extreme first generation IFRSs, suggesting that the fainter IFRSs are at even higher redshift.

Probing the nature of compact ultrasteep spectrum radio sources with the e-EVN and e-MERLIN

Abstract We present first results from electronic Multi-Element Remotely Linked Interferometer Network and electronic European VLBI Network observations of a small sample of ultrasteep spectrum radio sources, defined as those sources with a spectral index α &amp;lt; −1.4 between 74 and 325 MHz, which are unresolved on arcsecond scales. Such sources are currently poorly understood and a number of theories as to their origin have been proposed in the literature. The new observations described here have resulted in the first detection of two of these sources at milliarcsecond scales and show that a significant fraction of ultrasteep spectrum sources may have compact structures which can only be studied at the high resolution available with very long baseline interferometry (VLBI).

First LOFAR observations at very low frequencies of cluster-scale non-thermal emission: the case of Abell 2256

Abell 2256 is one of the best known examples of a galaxy cluster hosting large-scale diffuse radio emission that is unrelated to individual galaxies. It contains both a giant radio halo and a relic, as well as a number of head-tail sources and smaller diffuse steep-spectrum radio sources. The origin of radio halos and relics is still being debated, but over the last years it has become clear that the presence of these radio sources is closely related to galaxy cluster merger events. Here we present the results from the first LOFAR Low band antenna (LBA) observations of Abell 2256 between 18 and 67 MHz. To our knowledge, the image presented in this paper at 63 MHz is the deepest ever obtained at frequencies below 100 MHz in general. Both the radio halo and the giant relic are detected in the image at 63 MHz, and the diffuse radio emission remains visible at frequencies as low as 20 MHz. The observations confirm the presence of a previously claimed ultra-steep spectrum source to the west of the cluster center with a spectral index of -2.3 \pm 0.4 between 63 and 153 MHz. The steep spectrum suggests that this source is an old part of a head-tail radio source in the cluster. For the radio relic we find an integrated spectral index of -0.81 \pm 0.03, after removing the flux contribution from the other sources. This is relatively flat which could indicate that the efficiency of particle acceleration at the shock substantially changed in the last \sim 0.1 Gyr due to an increase of the shock Mach number. In an alternative scenario, particles are re-accelerated by some mechanism in the downstream region of the shock, resulting in the relatively flat integrated radio spectrum. In the radio halo region we find indications of low-frequency spectral steepening which may suggest that relativistic particles are accelerated in a rather inhomogeneous turbulent region.

ULTRA STEEP SPECTRUM RADIO SOURCES IN THE LOCKMAN HOLE:SERVSIDENTIFICATIONS AND REDSHIFT DISTRIBUTION AT THE FAINTEST RADIO FLUXES

Ultra Steep Spectrum (USS) radio sources have been successfully used to select powerful radio sources at high redshifts (z>~2). Typically restricted to large-sky surveys and relatively bright radio flux densities, it has gradually become possible to extend the USS search to sub-mJy levels, thanks to the recent appearance of sensitive low-frequency radio facilities. Here a first detailed analysis of the nature of the faintest USS sources is presented. By using Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope and Very Large Array radio observations of the Lockman Hole at 610 MHz and 1.4 GHz, a sample of 58 USS sources, with 610 MHz integrated fluxes above 100 microJy, is assembled. Deep infrared data at 3.6 and 4.5 micron from the Spitzer Extragalactic Representative Volume Survey (SERVS) is used to reliably identify counterparts for 48 (83%) of these sources, showing an average total magnitude of [3.6](AB)=19.8 mag. Spectroscopic redshifts for 14 USS sources, together with photometric redshift estimates, improved by the use of the deep SERVS data, for a further 19 objects, show redshifts ranging from z=0.1 to z=2.8, peaking at z~0.6 and tailing off at high redshifts. The remaining 25 USS sources, with no redshift estimate, include the faintest [3.6] magnitudes, with 10 sources undetected at 3.6 and 4.5 micron (typically [3.6]>22-23 mag, from local measurements), which suggests the likely existence of higher redshifts among the sub-mJy USS population. The comparison with the Square Kilometre Array Design Studies Simulated Skies models indicate that Fanaroff-Riley type I radio sources and radio-quiet Active Galactic Nuclei may constitute the bulk of the faintest USS population, and raises the possibility that the high efficiency of the USS technique for the selection of high redshift sources remains even at the sub-mJy level.

Deep Westerbork observations of Abell 2256 at 350 MHz

Deep polarimetric Westerbork observations of the galaxy cluster Abell 2256 are presented, covering a frequency range of 325-377 MHz. The central halo source has a diameter of the order of 1.2 Mpc (18'), which is somewhat larger than at 1.4 GHz. With alpha=-1.61+/-0.04, the halo spectrum between 1.4 GHz and 22.25 MHz is less steep than previously thought. The centre of the ultra steep spectrum source in the eastern part of the cluster exhibits a spectral break near 400 MHz. It is estimated to be at least 51 million years old, but possibly older than 125 million years. A final measurement requires observations in the 10-150 MHz range. It remains uncertain whether the source is a radio tail of Fabricant galaxy 122, situated in the northeastern tip of the source. Faraday rotation measure synthesis revealed no polarized flux at all in the cluster. The polarization fraction of the brightest parts of the relic area is less than 1%. The RM-synthesis nevertheless revealed 9 polarized sources in the field enabling an accurate measurement of the Galactic Faraday rotation (-33+/-2 rad m^{-2} in front of the relic). Based on its depolarization on longer wavelengths, the line-of-sight magnetic field in relic filament G is estimated to be between 0.02 and 2 uG. A value of 0.2 uG appears most reasonable given the currently available data.

The radio properties of optically obscured Spitzer sources

Abstract This paper analyses the radio properties of a subsample of optically obscured (R≥ 25.5) galaxies observed at 24 μm by the Spitzer Space Telescope within the First Look Survey. Ninety-six F24 μm≥ 0.35 mJy objects out of 510 are found to have a radio counterpart at 1.4 GHz, 610 MHz or at both frequencies, respectively, down to ∼40 and ∼200 μJy. IRAC photometry sets the majority of them in the redshift interval z≃[1–3] and allows for a broad distinction between active galactic nucleus (AGN) dominated galaxies (∼47 per cent of the radio-identified sample) and systems powered by intense star formation (∼13 per cent), the remaining objects being impossible to classify. The percentage of radio identifications is a strong function of 24-μm flux: almost all sources brighter than F24 μm∼ 2 mJy are endowed with a radio flux at both 1.4 GHz and 610 MHz, while this fraction drastically decreases by lowering the 24-μm flux level. The radio number counts at both radio frequencies suggest that the physical process(es) responsible for radio activity in these objects have a common origin regardless of whether the source shows mid-infrared emission compatible with being an obscured AGN or a star-forming galaxy. We also find that both candidate AGN and star-forming systems follow (although with a large scatter) the relationship between 1.4-GHz and 24-μm fluxes reported by Appleton et al. which identifies sources undergoing intense star formation activity. However, a more scattered relation is observed between 24-μm and 610-MHz fluxes. On the other hand, the inferred radio spectral indices α indicate that a large fraction of objects in our sample (∼60 per cent of all galaxies with estimated α) may belong to the population of ultrasteep spectrum sources, typically ‘frustrated’ radio-loud AGN. We interpret our findings as a strong indication for concurrent AGN and star-forming activity, whereby the 1.4-GHz flux is of thermal origin, while that at 610 GHz mainly stems from the nuclear source.

Spatial clustering of Ultra Steep Spectrum sources and galaxies

We present measurements of the clustering properties of galaxies in the field of redshift range 0.5 ≤ z ≤ 1.5 Ultra Steep Spectrum radio sources selected from the Sydney University Molonglo Sky Survey and the National Radio Astronomy Observatories Very Large Array Sky Survey. Galaxies in these USS fields were identified in deep near-infrared observations, complete down to K s = 20, using the IRIS2 instrument at the Anglo-Australian Telescope. We used the redshift distribution of K s < 20 galaxies taken from Cimatti et al. (2002) to constrain the correlation length r 0 . We find a strong correlation signal of galaxies with K s < 20 around our USS sample. A comoving correlation length r 0 = 14.0 ± 2.8 h -1 Mpc and y = 1.98 ± 0.15 are derived in a flat cosmological model universe. We compare our findings with those obtained in a cosmological N-body simulation populated with GALFORM semi-analytic galaxies. We find that clusters of galaxies with masses in the range M = 10 13.4-14.2 2 h -1 M ⊙ have a cluster-galaxy cross-correlation amplitude comparable to those found between the USS hosts and galaxies. These results suggest that distant radio galaxies are excellent tracers of galaxy overdensities and pinpoint the progenitors of present day rich clusters of galaxies.

The VLA Low‐frequency Sky Survey

AbstractWe present an overview of the ongoing VLA Low‐frequency Sky Survey (VLSS, formerly known as 4MASS). The VLSS will map an area of 9.1 sr covering the entire sky above a declination of –30 degrees (or 75% of the full sky), at a frequency of 74 MHz (4 meter wavelength) with an unprecedented combination of sensitivity and resolution at this low frequency. The observational challenges at this wavelength include radio frequency interference (RFI), ionospheric phase distortions and a large field of view filled with sources. These challenges have been surmounted by a variety of new algorithms. The principle data products from the survey will be a set of publicly available images along with a source catalog of approximately 80 000 objects. Thus we will create an online virtual observatory at this previously unexplored frequency which will complement other major surveys at higher frequencies such as the NVSS. The most efficient way currently know to search for high redshift radio galaxies is to select ultra steep spectrum sources from low frequency surveys. The VLSS represents an excellent opportunity to pursue this method with its unique combination of large sky coverage and very low frequency, which may be especially useful for finding objects at z &gt; 5. The observations are now roughly 50% complete, and we expect to complete most of the rest by late 2005. Current data products and more information are available on our website (URL http://lwa.nrl.navy.mil/VLSS). Basic research in radio astronomy at the Naval Research Laboratory is supported by the office of Naval Research. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH &amp; Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Clustering and Light Profiles of Galaxies in the Environment of 20 Ultra-Steep-Spectrum Radio Sources

We have analyzed galaxy properties in the neighborhood of 20 ultra–steep-spectrum (USS) radio sources taken from the Westerbork in the Southern Hemisphere (WISH) catalog of De Breuck and coworkers. Galaxies in these USS fields were identified in deep observations that were carried out in the K' band using the OSIRIS imager at the CTIO 4 m telescope. We find a statistically significant signal of clustering around our sample of USS sources. The angular extension of the detected USS source–galaxy clustering is θc ~ 20'', corresponding to a spatial scale of ~120 h-1 kpc, assuming the sources are at z ~ 1 in an Ωm = 0.3, ΩΛ = 0.7 model universe. These results are in agreement with those obtained by Best for radio galaxy–galaxy correlation, and Best and coworkers for radio-loud AGN–galaxy correlation. We have also analyzed the light distribution of the galaxies by fitting Sersic's law profiles. Our results show no significant dependence of the galaxy shape parameters on the projected distance to the USS source.

On the Spectral Index-Flux Density Relation for Large Samples of Radio Sources

We present new statistical results on the spectral index–flux density relation for large samples of radio sources using archival data of the most sensitive surveys, such as 6C, Miyun, WENSS, B3, NVSS, GB87. Instrumental selection effects and the completeness of the catalogs are discussed. Based on the spectral indices calculated for about 200 000 sources from the WENSS (327 MHz) and NVSS (1.4 GHz) catalogs, we obtained (1) The median spectral index increases from αmed ∼ −0.9 to αmed ∼ −0.8 (Sv ∝ vα), while S327 flux densities decrease from 0.1 Jy down to 25 mJy. The median spectral indices nearly show no variation within the error bars when the flux density is larger than 0.1 Jy. (2) A dependence of the fraction of ultra-steep spectrum sources (USS, −1.5 ⩽ α < −1.0), steep spectrum sources (SSS, −1.0 ⩽ α < −0.5) and flat spectrum sources (FSS, −0.5 ⩽ α ⩽ 0.0) is partly responsible for the spectral flattening. Another contribution to the spectral flattening comes from the variation of αmed of steep spectrum sources (α < −0.5) themselves which increases with decreasing flux densities. (3) The spectral flattening for faint sources (down to S327 ∼ 20 mJy) with steep spectra (α < −0.5) suggests that is correlated with luminosity rather than redshift according to the Condon' model. (4) A strong spectral selection effect occurs when spectral indices are calculated from samples with a large frequency separation.

Radio identification and continuum spectra of decameter-wavelength sources

The paper describes a method for the radio identification of decameter-wavelength sources based on their continuum spectra and analysis of their coordinates in relatively large error boxes surrounding a specified position on the sky. The distribution of continuum spectra and identifications in other wavelength ranges are analyzed for the resulting radio catalog. Using identifications with the FIRST and NVSS surveys, the statistics of the spectral index-size and spectral index-flux density distributions for steep-spectrum sources have been studied, and a catalog of ultrasteep-spectrum (α<−1.2) decameter-wavelength sources has been compiled.