NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2007A-0487
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2007A-0487 |
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PI: Donovan Domingue, Georgia College & State University, donovan.domingue@gcsu.edu
Address: Chemistry and Physics, CBX 82, Milledgeville, GA 31061, US
CoI: C. Kevin Xu, IPAC/ Caltech
CoI: Yi-Wen Cheng, IPAC/Caltech
Title: Local Benchmarks for the Evolution of Interacting Galaxies -- Redshift and EW Measurements
Abstract: We propose to obtain GoldCam spectra and redshifts for a sample of close major-merger pairs of galaxies selected from the joint 2MASS/SDSS- DR5 database. This is to provide a highly accurate and unbiased local benchmark for studies on evolution of interacting galaxies. The parent sample containing 129 pairs is \bf complete, consisting of all pairs (in 5800 deg^2) with the primary brighter than K=12.5, projected separations of <=20 kpc and stellar mass ratios <=2.5 (``major- mergers'). The proposed sample (39 pairs, 78 galaxies) include pairs in the parent sample which have only one measured redshift for the components. By obtaining these spectra we will attain 100% redshift coverage of our selected pairs and be able to eliminate any non-physical pairs from our unbiased ``major-merger" catalog and K-band luminosity function. The K-band luminosity function and the differential pair fraction for these pairs provide the local benchmark for the density evolution of interacting galaxies.
National Optical Astronomy Observatory, 950 North Cherry Avenue, P.O. Box 26732, Tucson, Arizona 85726, Phone: (520) 318-8000, Fax: (520) 318-8360
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2007A-0487 |
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