Grâce à une analyse statistique de l’équation de la Mesure des Interféromètres Radio, un schéma de pondération adaptatif est dérivé,basé sur la qualité de calibration des données d’un instrument interférométrique. Ce schéma est utilisé sur une observation d’un champ extragalactique, l’ExtendedGroth Strip, observation qui contient une source radio-vive (3C295) dans son champ de vue. Cette source est résolue avec LOFAR-VLBI ; un modèle de source est créé afin de calibrer les stations LOFAR internationales. Cela permettra d’imager le champ a une résolution comparable à celle du Hubble Space Telescope, dont des données sont disponibles pour ce champ extragalactique. / By performing a statistical analysis ofthe Radio Interferometer’s MeasurementEquation, we derive adaptivequality-based weighting schemes.These are deployed on an observationof the Extended Groth Strip,which includes a bright 3C sourcein the field of view. This source,which is resolved for LOFAR-VLBI,is modeled and used as a calibratorsource for the Extended Groth Strip.This will allow the field to be imagedwith a resolution matching the HubbleSpace Telescope’s, of which dataare available for this field.

La formation et l'évolution des galaxies reste à ce jour un des mystères de l'Univers observable. Dans le but d'améliorer notre connaissance dans ce domaine, la recherche a utilisé les différentes campagnes d'observation pour caractériser les relations d'échelle des propriétés physiques dans le but de mieux contraindre et comprendre les populations de galaxies aux différentes étapes de leur vie au cours de l'histoire de l'Univers. Depuis les dernières décennies, les études tentent d'étendre ces relations d'échelles dans l'espace des paramètres. C'est dans ce mouvement là que s'inscrit ce projet de thèse. La photométrie des galaxies à haut redshift contient la signature des propriétés physiques comme la masse stellaire, le taux de formation stellaire et l'extinction. Dans cette étude, j’ai réalisé une analyse SED des galaxies amplifiées à z>3 en utilisant les images profondes de Hubble, Bande-K et IRAC des Fontier Fields. Nous avons réalisé la décontamination de ces images en ajustant automatiquement les galaxies avec GALFIT, en utilisant un script Python développé qui prend en compte les niveaux de contamination relatif de toutes les galaxies du champ. Nous avons ensuite ajusté les SEDs décontaminées en utilisant des synthèses de populations stellaires.J’ai appliqué cette méthode pour obtenir les SFR, les SM et les tailles d'un échantillon de 63 galaxies à z>3 détectées dans les champs de A2744 et MACS0416, spectroscopiquement confirmées par MUSE. L'amplification très forte de ces amas nous a permis de collecter un échantillon robuste de galaxies de faibles masses/faibles luminosité, permettant de contraindre les relations d'échelles dans des zones encore in-explorées / Galaxy formation and evolution is one of the most challenging mysteries in the observable Universe. In order to improve our knowledge in this field, the research make use of different observation programs to characterize scaling relations of physical properties, to better constrain and understand galaxy population at different stages of their lives throughout the history of the Universe. Since the past decades, studies are trying to extend those scaling relations in the parameter space. It is in this movement that this thesis project fits. The Spectral Energy Distribution(SED) of high redshift galaxies contains the signature of physical properties such as stellar mass, SFR and extinction. In this work, we perform a SED analysis of magnified galaxies at z>3 using deep Hubble, VLT and Spitzer/IRAC images of the Frontier Fields galaxy clusters. Due to the size of the Kband PSF and specially IRAC PSF and the high density of bright cluster members, it is crucial to deblend Kband and IRAC images to get a reliable SED. We do this by automatically fitting the contaminating galaxies with GALFIT, using a custom Python script which accounts for the relative levels of contamination from each cluster member. We model the decontaminated SED using stellar population models. We apply this method to derive SFR, masses and sizes of a sample of 63 galaxies at z>3 detected in the A2744 and MACS0416 fields, spectroscopically confirmed with MUSE. The very strong amplification of these clusters allow us to collect a robust sample of low-mass galaxies (108 M?), probing the low-luminosity part of scaling relations between stellar mass & size and stellar mass & stellar formation rate

In this thesis we investigate the large-scale distribution of Ly alpha forest absorption, the effect of ionizing radiation from QSOs on their surrounding intergalactic medium and the primordial abundance of deuterium. We develop a new technique for detecting structure on Mpc scales in the Ly alpha forest. This technique does not rely on identifying individual absorption lines but is rather based on the statistics of the transmitted flux. We demonstrate that the new method is significantly more sensitive to the presence of large-scale structure in the Ly alpha forest than a two-point correlation function analysis. We apply this method to 2 A resolution spectra of ten QSOs which cover the redshift range 2.2 < z < 3.4. The QSOs form a closely spaced group on the sky and are concentrated within a 1-deg^2 field. We find evidence for large-scale structure in the distribution of Ly alpha forest absorption at the > 99 per cent confidence level. Along the line of sight we find overdense Ly alpha absorption on scales of up to 1200 km s^-1. There is also strong evidence for correlated absorption across line of sight pairs separated by < 3 h^-1 Mpc. For larger separations the cross-correlation signal becomes progressively less significant. Using the same technique and dataset we confirm the existence of the proximity effect. We derive a value for the mean intensity of the extragalactic background radiation at the Lyman limit of J = (3.6^+3.5_-1.3) x 10^-22 ergs s^-1 cm^-2 Hz^-1 sr^-1. This value assumes that QSO redshifts measured from high ionization lines differ from the true systemic redshifts by Delta v = 800 km s^-1. Allowing for known QSO variability we find evidence at a level of 2.1 sigma that the significance of the proximity effect is correlated with QSO Lyman limit luminosity. From the complete sample we find no evidence for the existence of a foreground proximity effect, implying either that J > 20 x 10^-22 ergs s^-1 cm^-2 Hz^-1 sr^-1 or that QSOs emit at least a factor of 1.4 less ionizing radiation in the plane of the sky than along the line of sight to Earth. We do, however, find one counter-example where a foreground QSO apparently depletes the absorbing gas in four surrounding lines of sight. We discuss the feasibility of pre-selecting absorption systems from low resolution data for a measurement of the primordial deuterium abundance. We present a new, low resolution spectroscopic survey of 101 high redshift QSOs aimed at identifying candidate D/H systems. We further present an echelle spectrum of a Lyman limit system at z = 2.917. We find that this system is most likely heavily contaminated and does not yield an interesting limit on D/H.

Populärwissenschaftlicher Abstract: <br /> <br /> Bislang gibt es in der beobachtenden optischen Astronomie zwei verschiedene Herangehensweisen: Einerseits werden Objekte durch Kameras abbildend erfaßt, andererseits werden durch die wellenlängenabhängige Zerlegung ihres Lichtes Spektren gewonnen. Das Integral - Field - Verfahren ist eine relativ neue Technik, welche die genannten Beobachtungsmethoden vereint. Das Objektbild im Teleskopfokus wird in räumlich zerlegt und jedes Ortselement einem gemeinsamen Spektrografen zugeführt. Hierdurch wird das Objekt nicht nur zweidimensional räumlich erfaßt, sondern zusätzlich die spektrale Kompenente als dritte Dimension erhalten, weswegen das Verfahren auch als 3D-Methode bezeichnet wird. Anschaulich kann man sich das Datenresultat als eine Abbildung vorstellen, in der jeder einzelne Bildpunkt nicht mehr nur einen Intensitätswert enthält, sondern gleich ein ganzes Spektrum. Diese Technik ermöglicht es, ausgedehnte Objekte im Unterschied zu gängigen Spaltspektrografen komplett zu erfassen. Die besondere Stärke der Methode ist die Möglichkeit, die Hintergrundkontamination der unmittelbaren Umgebung des Objektes zu erfassen und in der Auswertung zu berücksichtigen. Durch diese Fähigkeit erscheint die 3D-Methode prädestiniert für den durch moderne Großteleskope erschlossenen Bereich der extragalaktischen Stellarastronomie. Die detaillierte Untersuchung aufgelöster stellare Populationen in nahegelegenen Galaxien ist erst seit kurzer Zeit dank der Fortschritte mit modernen Grossteleskopen und fortschrittlicher Instrumentierung möglich geworden. Wegen der Bedeutung für die Entstehung und Evolution von Galaxien werden diese Arbeiten zukünftig weiter an Bedeutung gewinnen.<br /> <br /> In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurde die Integral-Field-Spektroskopie an zwei planetarischen Nebeln in der nächstgelegenen großen Spiralgalaxie M31 (NGC 224) getestet, deren Helligkeiten und Koordinaten aus einer Durchmusterung vorlagen. Hierzu wurden Beobachtungen mit dem MPFS-Instrument am russischen 6m - Teleskop in Selentschuk/Kaukasus sowie mit INTEGRAL/WYFFOS am englischen William-Herschel-Teleskop auf La Palma gewonnen. Ein überraschendes Ergebnis war, daß eins der beiden Objekte falsch klassifiziert wurde. Sowohl die meßbare räumliche Ausdehnung des Objektes als auch das spektrale Erscheinungsbild schlossen die Identität mit einem planetarischen Nebel aus. Mit hoher Wahrscheinlichkeit handelt es sich um einen Supernovaüberrest, zumal im Rahmen der Fehler an gleicher Stelle eine vom Röntgensatelliten ROSAT detektierte Röntgenquelle liegt.<br /> <br /> Die in diesem Projekt verwendeten Integral-Field-Instrumente wiesen zwei verschiedene Bauweisen auf, die sich miteinander vergleichen ließen. Ein Hauptkritikpunkt der verwendeten Instrumente war ihre geringe Lichtausbeute. Die gesammelten Erfahrung fanden Eingang in das Konzept des derzeit in Potsdam in der Fertigung befindlichen 3D-Instruments PMAS (Potsdamer Multi - Apertur - Spektrophotometer), welcher zunächst für das 3.5m-Teleskop des Calar - Alto - Observatoriums in Südspanien vorgesehen ist. Um die Effizienz dieses Instrumentes zu verbessern, wurde in dieser Arbeit die Kopplung der zum Bildrasterung verwendeten Optik zu den Lichtleitfasern im Labor untersucht. Die Untersuchungen zur Maximierung von Lichtausbeute und Stabilität zeigen, daß sich die Effizienz durch Auswahl einer geeigneten Koppelmethode um etwa 20 Prozent steigern lässt. / Popular scientific abstract: <br /> <br /> Currently there are two different approaches in the observational optical astronomy: On the first hand objects are imaged with cameras, on the other hand spectra are produced. The integral-field-technique is a relatively new way to combine both branches. The object image in the telecopes focus is sampled spatially and each spatial bin assigned to a spectrograph. Hence the object is not only sampled spatially but the spectral component is achieved as a third dimension, so the name 3D-Method. The result is like an image but each point consists of a whole spectrum. The use of this technique is to sample objects completely in contrast to standard slit spectroscopy. The strength of this method is to deal with high background light contamination. So the 3D method looks convincing for the new branch of extragalactic stellar astronomy with modern large telescopes. The detailled investigation of spatially resolved extragalactic populations in nearby galaxies is a rather new topic demanding newest telescopes and instrumentation. These investigations are very important in future to understand the origin and evolution of galaxies.<br /> <br /> In this thesis the Integral-Field-Spectroscopy was tested for two planetary nebulae in the Andromeda galaxy M31. Observations have been made using the MPFS on the Russian 6m telescope and the INTEGRAL/WYFFOS setup on the 4.2m WHT on La Palma. A surprising result was that one of the two objects was wrongly identified as a planetary nebula. The spatial extension and spectral details excluded this object class. With high probability this object is a supernova remnant.<br /> <br /> The integral-field-instruments used in this thesis had different technical layouts, which were to compare to each other. The main critics is the poor efficiency of both devices. The experience made was utilized to optimize the concept of the recently developed 3D-instrument PMAS (Potsdam Multi- Aperture Spectrophotometer). PMAS will be used for the 3.5 m telescope at the Calar Alto observatory. To improve efficiency, the coupling of the optical fibers used to sample the object and guide the light into the spectrograph was optimized in the laboratory. This investigations showed that an increase of the coupling efficiency by about 20 percent is possible by using immersion coupling between fibers and lenses.

The main focus of this thesis is the investigation of an interesting new population of massive passively evolving galaxies found at high redshifts. We use a sample of these galaxies at redshifts 1<z<2 drawn from the Gemini Deep Deep Survey sample and measure their structural parameters based on the Hubble Space Telescope imaging in the rest frame visible and ultraviolet wavelength range. Our analysis shows that a fraction of these systems are very compact, with effective radii of R_e<1 kpc, even when observed in rest frame visible light. The average size of these objects is 2-5 times smaller than the typical size of an early-type galaxy of similar mass found locally. We combine the results from our morphological analysis with data from published spectroscopic samples of quiescent systems with known structural parameters. Analysis of these data for galaxies over the redshift range 0<z<2.5 shows that passively evolving galaxies are continuously and gradually growing in size. We also find smooth evolution of the stellar mass density within the central kiloparsec of these systems. The stellar mass density grows by a factor of 3 from z=0 to z~2.5. None of the models proposed to drive the structural evolution of early-type objects can explain all the observed aspects of this process. Because these massive compact galaxies have such small angular sizes, future studies of these systems will benefit from adaptive optics. In order to compile a large statistical sample of these objects suitable for adaptive optics follow-up, we first need to find a large number of targets with nearby bright natural guide stars. As a first step in this process, we describe the properties of a set of one square degree regions of the sky we have located that have a rare combination of high stellar surface density and low levels of extinction. We demonstrate that the adaptive optics-related properties of these fields are in some cases orders of magnitude better than those of existing deep fields.

The main focus of this thesis is the investigation of an interesting new population of massive passively evolving galaxies found at high redshifts. We use a sample of these galaxies at redshifts 1<z<2 drawn from the Gemini Deep Deep Survey sample and measure their structural parameters based on the Hubble Space Telescope imaging in the rest frame visible and ultraviolet wavelength range. Our analysis shows that a fraction of these systems are very compact, with effective radii of R_e<1 kpc, even when observed in rest frame visible light. The average size of these objects is 2-5 times smaller than the typical size of an early-type galaxy of similar mass found locally. We combine the results from our morphological analysis with data from published spectroscopic samples of quiescent systems with known structural parameters. Analysis of these data for galaxies over the redshift range 0<z<2.5 shows that passively evolving galaxies are continuously and gradually growing in size. We also find smooth evolution of the stellar mass density within the central kiloparsec of these systems. The stellar mass density grows by a factor of 3 from z=0 to z~2.5. None of the models proposed to drive the structural evolution of early-type objects can explain all the observed aspects of this process. Because these massive compact galaxies have such small angular sizes, future studies of these systems will benefit from adaptive optics. In order to compile a large statistical sample of these objects suitable for adaptive optics follow-up, we first need to find a large number of targets with nearby bright natural guide stars. As a first step in this process, we describe the properties of a set of one square degree regions of the sky we have located that have a rare combination of high stellar surface density and low levels of extinction. We demonstrate that the adaptive optics-related properties of these fields are in some cases orders of magnitude better than those of existing deep fields.

In this dissertation, I present my work on the behaviour of different features of radio-loud active galaxies to investigate how energy is transferred from their jets to the environment. To this end, I have studied the knots in the jet in Centaurus A, the radio and X-ray emission from the lobes of the FRII radio galaxies 3C 353 and Pictor A, and the gas properties of a sample of galaxy groups some of which host radio-loud AGN. Using new and archival multi-frequency radio and X-ray data for Centaurus A obtained over almost 20 years with the Very Large Array and with Chandra, I have measured the X-ray and radio spectral indices, flux density variations, polarisation variations and proper motions of the jet knots. I used these measurements to constrain the likely knot formation mechanisms and particle acceleration processes within this jet and compared my results with the variations detected in the properties of the knots in M87. I found that none of the knots are a result of impulsive particle acceleration and that those knots that are detected in both X-ray and radio are likely due to collisions between the jet and an obstacle, while the radio only knots, the majority of which are moving, are likely due to compressions of the fluid flow. Using six frequencies of new and archival radio data and new XMM-Newton observations of 3C 353, I show that inverse-Compton emission is detected in the lobes of this source. By combining this X-ray emission with the radio synchrotron emission, I have constrained the electron population and the magnetic field energy density in the lobes of this radio galaxy. I have argued that the variations in the X-ray/radio ratio in the brighter lobe requires a changing magnetic field strength. I have extended this work using a statistical analysis of the X-ray and radio emission to show that the observed small-scale variation in surface brightness cannot be reproduced by simple combinations of the electron energy distribution and the magnetic field strength. I therefore suggest that the changes in surface brightness that give rise to the filamentary structures seen in the lobes are probably due to strong spatial variations of the magnetic field strength. Finally, I present a study of galaxy groups observed with XMM-Newton in which I measure temperature and surface brightness profiles to examine whether radio-source heating makes radioloud groups hotter and more luminous than radio-quiet groups. I compare my measurements with previous luminosity-temperature relationships and conclude that there is a significant difference in the gas properties of radio-loud and radio-quiet groups.

Using a combination of optical and near-infrared photometry, we have studied both the resolved and integrated stellar populations for a sample of Virgo cluster galaxies spanning the full range of galaxian parameters. The derived stellar population properties are compared against galaxy structural and environmental measures to gauge the importance of these factors in establishing galaxy star formation histories and chemical evolution. Although galaxy colours do not uniquely probe a galaxy's star formation history, meaningful results may be obtained if considered in a relative sense. We find that colour profiles reflect variations in both stellar age and metallicity within galaxies. We also uncover systematic variations in colour gradients, and thus age/metallicity gradients, along the Hubble sequence, such that age and metallicity gradients become increasingly negative toward later Hubble types. However, only weak correlations exist between galaxies' stellar populations and their structure and environment. The correlations we find suggest that the star formation histories of gas-rich galaxies are strongly influenced by gas removal within the cluster, while their chemical evolution is due to a combination of stellar mass-dependent enrichment and outflow retention. The assembly of gas-poor giant galaxies is consistent with a hierarchical scenario wherein gas-rich mergers dominate by number. Gas-poor dwarfs differ from the giants, however, appearing as the product of environmentally-driven evolution. Spiral galaxies bridge the dwarf-giant gap, whereby merging and gas-stripping signatures are imprinted in their stars. Early-type spirals seem to have fallen into the cluster sooner than the later types, thereby ceasing star formation in their disks at earlier epochs. The bulges of both types, however, appear to have grown via merging. The nature of this merging (minor versus major) remains unknown. Irregular galaxies exhibit signs of a recent gravitational encounter that has redistributed both their stars and gas, the latter of which caused recent star formation. / Thesis (Master, Physics, Engineering Physics and Astronomy) -- Queen's University, 2009-08-25 14:12:46.48

In the current era of “precision cosmology”, measuring the expansion rate of the Universe (Hubble constant, or H0) more accurately and precisely helps to better constrain the properties of dark energy. Cepheid-based distances are a critical step in the Extragalactic Distance Scale and have been recently used to measure H0 with a total uncertainty of only 3.4%. I will present my work on Cepheid variables in three different galaxies as part of this effort. NGC 4258 is a galaxy with a very precise and accurate distance (3% uncertainty) based on radio interferometric observations of water masers orbiting its central massive black hole. Therefore, it can be used to obtain a robust absolute calibration of the Cepheid Period-Luminosity relation. I analyzed observations of NGC 4258 obtained at Gemini North over four years and increased the number of long-period Cepheids (P>45 days) known in this galaxy. NGC 5584 was the host of type Ia SN 2007af. I applied a difference imaging technique to Hubble Space Telescope (HST) observations of this galaxy and discovered several hundred Cepheids. I compared my results with previous work based on traditional PSF photometry. The distance estimates of the two samples matched within the errors of the measurements, and so the difference imaging technique was a success. Additionally, I validated the first “white-light” variability search with the HST F350LP filter for discovering Cepheids. NGC 4921 is located in the heart of the Coma cluster at a distance of about 100 Mpc. I conducted a search for Cepheid variables using HST, extending the reach of Hubble by a factor of 3 relative to previous Cepheid work. Since Coma is in the Hubble flow, this approach eliminates the need for a secondary distance indicator and enables a direct determination of H0 based exclusively on a Cepheid distance. I present preliminary results from this challenging project.

Luminous Blue compact galaxies (BCGs) are metal-poor actively star-forming systems, characterised by bright ultraviolet and blue luminosities. Hubble Space Telescope high-resolution data have revealed that the luminous star-forming knots in these galaxies are composed of hundreds of young massive star clusters. In this work we present a systematic study of the star cluster populations in BCGs with important implications for the formation history of their host systems. The studied galaxies show recently increased star formation rates and a high fraction of massive clusters, probably as a result of minor/major merger events. The age distributions have a peak of cluster formation at only 3 - 4 Myr, unveiling a unique sample of clusters still partially embedded. A considerable fraction of clusters (30 - 50 %), mainly younger than 10 Myr, shows an observed flux excess between 0.8 and 2.2 μm. This so-called near-infrared (NIR) excess is impossible to reproduce even with the most recent spectral synthesis models (that include a self-consistent treatment of the photoionized gas). The origin of the NIR excess, which still remains unexplained, challenges our understanding of the cluster formation process under extreme conditions. The results achieved in this work have produced important insights into the cluster formation process in BCGs. We suggest that the BCG environment has most likely favoured the compression and collapse of giant molecular clouds into compact massive star clusters. The cluster formation efficiency (i.e., the fraction of star formation happening in star clusters) in BCGs is higher than the reported 8 - 10 %, for quiescent spirals and local star-forming galaxies. Luminous BCGs have a cluster formation efficiency comparable to luminous infrared galaxies and spiral starburst nuclei (the averaged value is  about 30 %), suggesting an important role of the merger event in the cluster formation. / At the time of the doctoral defense, the following papers were unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 4: Accepted. Paper 5: Manuscript. Paper 6: Manuscript.