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The incoming generation of the 30-40 meter-class telescopes will enable resolving the stellar kinematics of high redshift galaxies. In particular, the High Angular Resolution Monolithic Optical and Near-infrared Integral field spectrograph (HARMONI) for the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) could likely resolve the stellar kinematics of galaxies around cosmic noon with similar spatial and velocity resolutions to current studies for nearby and intermediate redshift galaxies. We have simulated HARMONI observations of type I AGNs at redshift 1.5, using the 20x20 mas2 spatial scale and LTAO working at 0’’.67 seeing. We used MUSE observations of a nearby galaxy to create the input targets for the HARMONI simulation pipeline (HSIM). In this work, we present the results of these simulations highlighting the capabilities of HARMONI to unveil the stellar morpho-kinematic properties of type I AGNs around cosmic noon, performing a de-blending of the AGN and host galaxy spectra., This work is part of the Participation of the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias in the development of the HARMONI instrument for the Extremely Large Telescope. See HARMONI at the IAC (https://www.iac.es/es/proyectos/harmoni)

International audience; HARMONI is the first light, adaptive optics assisted, integral field spectrograph for the European Southern Observatory’s Extremely Large Telescope (ELT). A work-horse instrument, it provides the ELT’s diffraction limited spectroscopic capability across the near-infrared wavelength range. HARMONI will exploit the ELT’s unique combination of exquisite spatial resolution and enormous collecting area, enabling transformational science. The design of the instrument is being finalized, and the plans for assembly, integration and testing are being detailed. We present an overview of the instrument’s capabilities from a user perspective, and provide a summary of the instrument’s design. We also include recent changes to the project, both technical and programmatic, that have resulted from red-flag actions. Finally, we outline some of the simulated HARMONI observations currently being analyzed.

Between September 19 and December 13, 2021 a strombolian volcanic eruption took place on the island of La Palma. The main edifice was appeared at an altitude of around 900 masl, reaching 1122 masl at the end of the process. The Roque de los Muchachos Observatory (ORM) is an outstanding international astronomical site, hosting some of the most important astrophysical facilities of the world. The Observatory is located 16 km away from the eruptive cone, in the summit of the island, at an altitude ranging between 2200 and 2400 masl. The atmospheric conditions at the Canary Islands conform an almost permanent thermal inversion layer below the level of the observatory that modulated the arrival of the volcanic plume. In this work we are going to briefly review the influence of different parameters associated to the eruption in the ORM routine operation. We will evaluate the impact of the seismic activity, volcanic ash falling, presence of SO2 and airborne particulate matter. The number of days with high remarkable values recorded of these parameters were few. Nevertheless, the actual impact on the different telescopes was heterogeneous, depending on the different risk evaluations, and recovery/response times. An impact report with a compilation of measurements and forecasts was released twice a day during the whole process to help facilities in the daily operational decision making. As a final conclusion, no damages were suffered in any of the installations. Although an important downtime was reported, astronomical observations continued in different degree during the whole episode.

Since proposed by Bevis et al. in 1992, GNSS Meteorology has become a very competitive field, mainly because it provides a relatively cheap, extensive network of stations, with global and 365d/24h coverage. Therefore, the method has been widely validated by comparison with other reference techniques. A majority of the comparisons show both dry or wet bias for the PWV obtained from GNSS, depending on the particular station, as a consequence of such an heterogeneous network working on a vast set of atmospheric scenarios. Thus, most of the effort has been focused on getting the best possible global information, guarantying homogeneity. Instead, the goal of a PWV monitor for Astronomy is not homogeneity, but getting the most out of a particular station. In this work we aimed a high precision and high accuracy real-time monitor supporting IR and μW astronomical observations. We have reviewed the technique and identified the external factors impacting in the final error, including local barometric pressure and temperature measurements, weighted mean temperature based on local vertical profiles, and an independent calibration through a detailed comparison with high vertical resolution radiosondes. We discuss the final error and accuracy achieved, the lower detection limit of the technique, and possible new improvements.

In 2010, it was published an analysis of the impact of geological activity on the main astronomical observatories worldwide (Eff-Darwich et al., 2010), among them, Roque de los Muchachos observatory (ORM), in the island of La Palma, Canary Islands (Spain). In this work, we compare the results on geological risk at ORM that were obtained in 2010 with the actual impact of Cumbre Vieja eruption. In this sense, we studied the effects of seismicity, ash fall, landslides and ground deformation at ORM. In general, we found a good agreement between the expected and actual impact of volcanic activity at the observatory; however, large differences were found in the distribution of ash fall, likely due to the improper characterization of the atmospheric inversion layer in the model of the dispersion of the volcanic plume. Eff-Darwich, A., García-Lorenzo, B., Rodríguez-Losada, J., de la Nuez, J., Hernández-Gutiérrez, L., Romero, C., Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, Volume 407, Issue 3, September 2010, Pages 1361–1375, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2966.2010.16925.x

We present a pilot study aimed to identify large-scale galaxy properties that could play a role in activating a quiescent nucleus. To do so, we compare the properties of two isolated nearby active galaxies and their non-active twins selected from the Calar Alto Legacy Integral Field Area (CALIFA) survey. This pilot sample includes two barred and two unbarred galaxies. We characterize the stellar and ionized gas kinematics and also their stellar content. We obtain simple kinematic models by fitting the full stellar and ionized gas velocity fields and just the approaching or receding sides. We find that the analysed active galaxies present lopsided discs and higher values of the global stellar angular momentum (λR) than their non-active twins. This could be indicating that the stellar discs of the AGN gained angular momentum from the inflowing gas that triggered the nuclear activity. The inflow of gas could have been produced by a twisted disc instability in the case of the unbarred AGN, and by the bar in the case of the barred AGN. In addition, we find that the central regions of the studied active galaxies show older stellar populations than their non-active twins. The next step is to statistically explore these galaxy properties in a larger sample of twin galaxies. © 2019 The Author(s) Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Royal Astronomical Society., This study uses data provided by the Calar Alto Legacy Integral Field Area (CALIFA) survey (http://califa.caha.es/).Based on observations collected at the Centro Astronomico Hispano Aleman (CAHA) at Calar Alto, operated jointly by the Max-Planck-Institut fur Astronomie and the Instituto de Astrofisica de Andalucia (CSIC). IMC acknowledges the support of the Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias via an Astrophysicist Resident fellowship. BGL acknowledges support from the Spanish Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad (MINECO) by the grant AYA2015-68217-P. CRA acknowledges the Ramon y Cajal Program of the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness through project RYC-2014-15779 and the Spanish Plan Nacional de Astronomia y Astrofisica under grant AYA2016-76682-C3-2-P. TRL acknowledges support via grantsAYA2014-56795-P and AYA2016-77237-C3-1-P from the Spanish Government. JFB acknowledges support from the Spanish Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad (MINECO) by the grant AYA2013-48226-C3-1P. SFS thanks the CONACyT programs CB-285080 and DGAPA IA101217 grants for their support. IMP and JM acknowledges support from the Spanish Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad(MINECO) by the grant AYA2016-76682-C3-1-P.

We present the first results of the Galaxy Activity, Torus and Outflow Survey (GATOS), a project aimed at understanding the properties of the dusty molecular tori and their connection to the host galaxy in nearby Seyfert galaxies. Our project expands the range of AGN luminosities and Eddington ratios covered by previous surveys of Seyferts conducted by ALMA and allows us to study the gas feeding and feedback cycle in a combined sample of 19 Seyferts. We used ALMA to obtain new images of the emission of molecular gas and dust using the CO(3-2) and HCO+(4-3) lines as well as their underlying continuum emission at 870 microns with high spatial resolutions (0.1'' ~ 7 - 13 pc) in the CND of 10 nearby (D < 28 Mpc) Seyfert galaxies. Our new ALMA observations detect 870 micron continuum and CO line emission from spatially resolved disks located around the AGN in all the sources. The bulk of the continuum flux can be accounted for by thermal emission from dust in the majority of the targets. For most of the sources the disks show a preponderant orientation perpendicular to the AGN wind axes, as expected for dusty molecular tori. The median diameters and molecular gas masses of the tori are ~ 42 pc, and ~ 6 x 10**5 Msun, respectively. We find a positive correlation between the line-of-sight gas column densities responsible for the absorption of X-rays and the molecular gas column densities derived from CO towards the AGN in our sources. The radial distributions of molecular gas in the CND of our combined sample show signs of nuclear-scale molecular gas deficits. We also detect molecular outflows in the sources that show the most extreme nuclear-scale gas deficits in our sample. These observations find for the first time supporting evidence that the imprint of AGN feedback is more extreme in higher luminosity and/or higher Eddington ratio Seyfert galaxies., 41 pages, new version revised and accepted by A&A on the 22nd of June 2021

We present a comparison of the spin parameter λR, measured in a region dominated by the galaxy disc, between 20 pairs of nearby (0.005 < z < 0.03) seemingly isolated twin galaxies differing in nuclear activity. We find that 80-82% of the active galaxies show higher values of λR than their corresponding non-active twin(s), indicating larger rotational support in the active galactic nuclei (AGN) discs. This result is driven by the 11 pairs of unbarred galaxies, for which 100% of the AGN show larger λR than their twins. These results can be explained by a more efficient angular momentum transfer from the inflowing gas to the disc baryonic matter in the case of the active galaxies. This gas inflow could have been induced by disc or bar instabilities, although we cannot rule out minor mergers if these are prevalent in our active galaxies. This result represents the first evidence of galaxy-scale differences between the dynamics of active and non-active isolated spiral galaxies of intermediate stellar masses (1010 < M∗ < 1011 M? ) in the Universe. © ESO 2020., This study uses data provided by the Calar Alto Legacy Integral Field Area (CALIFA) survey (http://califa.caha.es/).Based on observations collected at the Centro Astronomico Hispano Aleman (CAHA) at Calar Alto, operated jointly by the MPIA and the IAA-CSIC. IMC acknowledges the support of the IAC. BGL, CRA, TRL, PSB, IM and JM acknowledge support from the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (MCIU), the Agencia Estatal de Investigacion (AEI) and the Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (EU FEDER) under projects with references PID2019-107010GB-I00, PID2019-106027GB-C42, AYA2015-68217-P, AYA2016-76682-C3-2-P, AYA2017-89076-P, AYA2016-77237-C31-P, AYA2015-63810-P and AYA2016-76682-C3-1-P. CRA and TRL also acknowledge support from the MCIU under grants with reference RYC-2014-15779 and FJCI-2016-30342, respectively. IMC, BGL, CRA, TRL, IM and JM acknowledge financial support from the State Agency for Research of the Spanish MCIU through the "Center of Excellence Severo Ochoa" award to the Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias (SEV-2015-0548) and to the Instituto de Astrofisica de Andalucia (SEV-2017-0709). SFS thanks CONACYT CB-285080 and FC-2016-01-1916, and PAPIIT-IN100519 projects for their support.

arXiv:2009.12385v1 [astro-ph.GA], We study the multiphase feedback processes in the central ∼3 kpc of the barred Seyfert 2 galaxy NGC 5643. We used observations of the cold molecular gas (ALMA CO(2−1) transition) and ionized gas (MUSE IFU optical emission lines). We studied different regions along the outflow zone, which extends out to ∼2.3 kpc in the same direction (east-west) as the radio jet, as well as nuclear and circumnuclear regions in the host galaxy disk. The CO(2−1) line profiles of regions in the outflow and spiral arms show two or more different velocity components: one associated with the host galaxy rotation, and the others with out- or inflowing material. In the outflow region, the [O III]λ5007 Å emission lines have two or more components: the narrow component traces rotation of the gas in the disk, and the others are related to the ionized outflow. The deprojected outflowing velocities of the cold molecular gas (median Vcentral ∼ 189 km s−1) are generally lower than those of the outflowing ionized gas, which reach deprojected velocities of up to 750 km s−1 close to the active galactic nucleus (AGN), and their spatial profiles follow those of the ionized phase. This suggests that the outflowing molecular gas in the galaxy disk is being entrained by the AGN wind. We derive molecular and ionized outflow masses of ∼5.2 × 107 M⊙ (αCOGalactic) and 8.5 × 104 M⊙ and molecular and ionized outflow mass rates of ∼51 M⊙ yr−1 (αCOGalactic) and 0.14 M⊙ yr−1, respectively. This means that the molecular phase dominates the outflow mass and outflow mass rate, while the kinetic power and momentum of the outflow are similar in both phases. However, the wind momentum loads (Ṗout/ṖAGN) for the molecular and ionized outflow phases are ∼27−5 (αCOGalactic and αCOULIRGs) and < 1, which suggests that the molecular phase is not momentum conserving, but the ionized phase most certainly is. The molecular gas content (Meast ∼ 1.5 × 107 M⊙; αCOGalactic) of the eastern spiral arm is approximately 50−70% of the content of the western one. We interpret this as destruction or clearing of the molecular gas produced by the AGN wind impacting in the eastern side of the host galaxy (negative feedback process). The increase in molecular phase momentum implies that part of the kinetic energy from the AGN wind is transmitted to the molecular outflow. This suggests that in Seyfert-like AGN such as NGC 5643, the radiative or quasar and the kinetic or radio AGN feedback modes coexist and may shape the host galaxies even at kiloparsec scales through both positive and (mild) negative feedback., IGB, AAH and FJC acknowledge financial support through grant PN AYA2015-64346-C2-1-P (MINECO/FEDER), funded by the Agencia Estatal de Investigación, Unidad de Excelencia María de Maeztu. IGB and DR also acknowledge support from STFC through grant ST/S000488/1. DR acknowledges support from the University of Oxford John Fell Fund. AAH, SGB and MVM also acknowledge support through grant PGC2018-094671-BI00 (MCIU/AEI/FEDER,UE). AAH, MPS, MVM and AL work was done under project No. MDM-2017-0737 Unidad de Excelencia “María de Maeztu” - Centro de Astrobiología (INTA-CSIC). MPS acknowledges support from the Comunidad de Madrid, Spain, through Atracción de Talento Investigador Grant 2018- T1/TIC-11035 and PID2019-105423GA-I00 (MCIU/AEI/FEDER,UE). BG-L acknowledges support from the State Research Agency (AEI) of the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (MCIU) and the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) under grant with reference AYA2015- 68217-P. FJC and SM acknowledge financial support from the Spanish Ministry MCIU under project RTI2018-096686-B-C21 (MCIU/AEI/FEDER/UE), cofunded by FEDER funds and from the Agencia Estatal de Investigación, Unidad de Excelencia María de Maeztu, ref. MDM-2017-0765. CRA acknowledges support from the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (MCIU), the Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI) and the Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (EU FEDER) under project AYA2016-76682-C3-2-P and PID2019-106027GB-C42. CRA also acknowledges support from the MCIU under grant RYC-2014-15779. AL acknowledges the support from Comunidad de Madrid through the Atracción de Talento grant 2017-T1/TIC-5213. CR acknowledges support from the Fondecyt Iniciacion grant 11190831.

[Abridged] We present the apparent stellar angular momentum of 300 galaxies across the Hubble sequence, using integral-field spectroscopic data from the CALIFA survey. Adopting the same $\lambda_\mathrm{R}$ parameter previously used to distinguish between slow and fast rotating early-type (elliptical and lenticular) galaxies, we show that spiral galaxies as expected are almost all fast rotators. Given the extent of our data, we provide relations for $\lambda_\mathrm{R}$ measured in different apertures, including conversions to long-slit 1D apertures. Our sample displays a wide range of $\lambda_\mathrm{Re}$ values, consistent with previous IFS studies. The fastest rotators are dominated by relatively massive and highly star-forming Sb galaxies, which preferentially reside in the main star-forming sequence. These galaxies reach $\lambda_\mathrm{Re}$ values of $\sim$0.85, are the largest galaxies at a given mass, and display some of the strongest stellar population gradients. Compared to the population of S0 galaxies, our findings suggest that fading may not be the dominant mechanism transforming spirals into lenticulars. Interestingly, we find that $\lambda_\mathrm{Re}$ decreases for late-type Sc and Sd spiral galaxies, with values than in occasions puts them in the slow-rotator regime. While for some of them this can be explained by their irregular morphologies and/or face-on configurations, others are edge-on systems with no signs of significant dust obscuration. The latter are typically at the low-mass end, but this does not explain their location in the classical ($V/\sigma$,$\varepsilon$) and ($\lambda_\mathrm{Re}$,$\varepsilon$) diagrams. Our initial investigations, based on dynamical models, suggest that these are dynamically hot disks, probably influenced by the observed important fraction of dark matter within R$_\mathrm{e}$., Comment: 17 pages, 7 figures, A&A accepted

We present preliminary results on the potential of HARMONI, the first light integral field spectrograph for the ELT, to explore the evolution of central super massive black holes (SMBH)—host galaxy relation in the range from z~0.7 to z~2.5. We simulated HARMONI observations of QSO+host galaxy at different redshifts, assuming different morphologies for the host galaxy. As input, we combined MUSE observations of nearby galaxies and a theoretical QSO spectrum. These were dimmed and redshifted to the desired cosmic epoch. We scaled the total host galaxy luminosity to three different values, sampling three orders of magnitude. Likewise, we assumed two different luminosities for the central QSO. Simulations were performed for the 30×60 mas2 HARMONI spatial scale and LTAO working at 0.67 arcsec seeing. The selected wavelength range (i.e., 4,700–5,300 Å at rest-frame) was sampled at the lowest HARMONI spectral resolving power (i.e., R~3,200). This configuration included all the ingredients to estimate the host galaxy parameters and the SMBH mass, as well as for assessing the morphological type of the host galaxy. BG-L and AM-I acknowledge support from the State Research Agency (AEI) of the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (MCIU) and the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) under grant with reference AYA2105-68217-P. MP-S acknowledges support from the Comunidad de Madrid through Atraccion de Talento Investigador Grant 2018-T1/TIC-11035 and STFC through grant ST/N000919/1. MP-S and NT acknowledge support from STFC through grant ST/N002717/1; With funding from the Spanish government through the "María de Maeztu Unit of Excellence" accreditation (MDM-2017-0737). Peer review

We compare mid-IR and ALMA far-IR images of 12 nearby Seyferts selected from GATOS. The mid-IR unresolved emission contributes more than 60% of the nuclear emission in most galaxies. By contrast, the ALMA 870micron continuum emission is mostly resolved and typically along the torus equatorial direction (Paper I, Garcia-Burillo et al. 2021). The Eddington ratios and nuclear hydrogen column densities NH of half the sample are favorable to launching polar and/or equatorial dusty winds, according to simulations. Six show mid-IR extended emission in the polar direction as traced by the NLR and perpendicular to the ALMA emission. In a few, the nuclear NH might be too high to uplift large quantities of dusty material along the polar direction. Five galaxies have low NH and/or Eddington ratios and thus polar dusty winds are not likely. We generate new CAT3D-WIND disk-wind model images. At low wind-to-disk cloud ratios the far-IR model images have disk- and ring-like morphologies. The X-shape associated with dusty winds is seen better in the far-IR at intermediate-high inclinations for the extended-wind configurations. In most models, the mid-IR emission comes from the inner part of the disk/cone. Extended bi-conical and one-sided polar mid-IR emission is seen in extended-wind configurations and high wind-to-disk cloud ratios. When convolved to our resolution, the model images reproduce qualitative aspects of the observed morphologies. Low-intermediate wind-to-disk ratios are required to account for the large fractions of unresolved mid-IR emission. This work and Paper I provide observational support for the torus+wind scenario. The wind component is more relevant at high Eddington ratios and/or AGN luminosities, and polar dust emission is predicted at NH of up to $10^{24}$cm$^{-2}$. The torus/disk component, on the other hand, prevails at low luminosities and/or Eddington ratios. (Abridged), 27 pages, 27 figures. Accepted for publication in A&A

HARMONI is a visible and near-infrared (0.47 to 2.45 μm) integral field spectrograph, providing the ELT's core spectroscopic capability at first light. A pre-optics subsystem provides four selectable spatial pixel scales, in addition to other beam conditioning functions such as shutter and pupil masks. For the validation of the mechanisms in charge of these functions (fast shutter and the plane mask wheel) we have planned some prototypes to test the design solutions. The focal plane mask wheel sits in the input focus of the cryostat. It provides 16 user-selectable positions for masks (28x40 mm) used in observation. The key driver for this mechanism is the high repeatability (±2.5 μm) required, equivalent to ∼1mas in the input focal plane. The IAC has previously designed, manufactured, tested and put in operation cryogenic wheels with high repeatability; however, the challenge of obtaining a wheel with such repeatability requires testing new concepts of detent positioning systems. The shutter allows for exposures shorter than the minimum read time of the near-IR detectors and is needed for any CCD observations with the visible cameras. A dual shutter design is needed to achieve the necessary open/close times (

We have observed 12 interacting galaxy pairs using the Fabry-Perot interferometer GH αFaS (GalaxyHα Fabry-Perot system) on the 4.2-mWilliam Herschel Telescope at theObservatorio del Roque de los Muchachos, La Palma. We present here the Hα surface brightness, velocity and velocity dispersion maps for the 10 systems we have not previously observed using this technique, as well as the physical properties (sizes, Hα luminosities and velocity dispersion) of 1259 HII regions from the full sample. We also derive the physical properties of 1054 HII regions in a sample of 28 isolated galaxies observed with the same instrument in order to compare the two populations of HII regions. We find a population of the brightest HII regions for which the scaling relations, for example the relation between the Hα luminosity and the radius, are clearly distinct from the relations for the regions of lower luminosity. The regions in this bright population are more frequent in the interacting galaxies. We find that the turbulence, and also the star formation rate (SFR), are enhanced in the HII regions in the interacting galaxies. We have also extracted the Hα equivalent widths for the HII regions of both samples, and we have found that the distribution of HII region ages coincides for the two samples of galaxies. We suggest that the SFR enhancement is brought about by gas flows induced by the interactions, which give rise to gravitationally bound gas clouds which grow further by accretion from the flowing gas, producing conditions favourable to star formation. Key words: stars: formation -HII regions - galaxies: interactions - galaxies: ISM- galaxies: kinematics and dynamics.

Density waves in galaxy disks have been proposed over the years, in a variety of specific models, to explain spiral arm structure and its relation to the mass distribution, notably in barred galaxies. An important parameter in dynamical density wave theories is the corotation radius, the galactocentric distance at which the stars and gas rotate at the same speed as the quasi-static propagating density wave. Determining corotation, and the pattern speed of a bar have become relevant to tests of cosmologically based theories of galaxy evolution involving the dynamical braking of bars by interaction with dark matter haloes. Here comparing two methods, one of which measures the pattern speed and the other the radius of corotation, using two instruments (an integral field spectrometer and a Fabry-Perot interferometer) and using both the stellar and interstellar velocity fields, we have determined the bar corotation radius, and three further radii of corotation for the SAB(s)b galaxy NGC3433. The results of both methods, with both instruments, and with both disk components give excellent agreement. This strengthens our confidence in the value of the two methods, and offers good perspectives for quantitative tests of different theoretical models., Comment: Article accepted for publication in ApJ. It contains 7 figures and 2 tables

We have used Spitzer images of a sample of 68 barred spiral galaxies in the local universe to make systematic measurements of bar length and bar strength. We combine these with precise determinations of the corotation radii associated with the bars, taken from our previous study which used the phase change from radial inflow to radial outflow of gas at corotation, based on high resolution two-dimensional velocity fields in H{\alpha} taken with a Fabry-P\'erot spectrometer. After presenting the histograms of the derived bar parameters, we study their dependence on the galaxy morphological type and on the total stellar mass of the host galaxy, and then produce a set of parametric plots. These include the bar pattern speed versus bar length, the pattern speed normalized with the characteristic pattern speed of the outer disk versus the bar strength, and the normalized pattern speed versus R, the ratio of corotation radius to bar length. To provide guide-lines for our interpretation we used a recently published simulations, including disk and dark matter halo components. Our most striking conclusion is that bars with values of R < 1.4, previously considered dynamically fast rotators, can be among the slowest rotators both in absolute terms and when their pattern speeds are normalized. The simulations confirm that this is because as the bars are braked they can grow longer more quickly than the outward drift of the corotation radius. We conclude that dark matter halos have indeed slowed down the rotation of bars on Gyr timescales., Comment: 35 pages, 17 figures, 4 tables

The presence of double-peaked/multicomponent emission line profiles in spectra of galaxies is commonly done by visual inspection. However, the identification of complex emission line profiles by eye is unapproachable for large databases such as the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) or the integral field spectroscopy surveys of galaxies (e.g. CALIFA or MaNGA). We describe a quick method involving the cross-correlation technique for detecting the presence of complex (double-peaked or multiple components) profiles in the spectra of galaxies, deriving simultaneously a first estimation of the velocity dispersions and radial velocities of the dominant gaseous component. We illustrate the proposed procedure with the well-known complex [OIII]4959,5007 profiles of the central region of NGC1068., 8 pages, 4 figures, MNRAS accepted

HARMONI is an integral field spectrograph working at visible and near-infrared wavelengths. The instrument will be part of the first-light complement at the E-ELT. The IAC is in charge of several work packages and the design of two important components is ongoing: A 'Cryogenic Pupil Mask Rotator' based on a direct drive brushless motor, and a 'Cryogenic Fast Shutter' based on voice coil. One of the main goals of these developments is the use of COTS (Commercial-Off-The-Shelf) parts since their use will reduce costs and short the schedule. Nevertheless, the application of COTS parts in cryo-vacuum is often very difficult and represents a technological challenge.

We are presenting two years (2012 and 2013) of preliminary statistical results of calibrated PWV values from the GPS geodesic antennas (LPAL and IZAN) at Teide and Roque de los Muchachos Observatories (OT and ORM), Canary Islands. To calibrate the PWV from both GPS antennas we have selected a set of simultaneous high vertical resolution radio-sounding profiles from the closest operational balloon station, Guimar (GUI-WMO 60018; ≈15 km distant from OT and ≈150 km from ORM). The calibrations showed a correlation of 0.994 and 0.970 for OT and ORM, respectively, with rmse of 0.44 and 0.70 mm. The calibrated PWV series brought median values of 3.5 mm at OT and 4.0 mm at ORM. The difference is explained by the ~200 m of difference in height of the antennas (LPAL antenna is below the telescopes altitude). Twenty five percent of the time, PWV is less than 1.7 mm.

HH 223 is the optical counterpart of a larger scale H2 outflow, driven by the protostellar source VLA 2A, in L723. Its poorly collimated and rather chaotic morphology suggested the Integral Field Spectroscopy (IFS) as an appropriate option to map the emission for deriving the physical conditions and the kinematics. Here we present new results based on the IFS observations made with the INTEGRAL system at the WHT. The brightest knots of HH 223 (\sim16 arcsec, 0.02 pc at a distance of 300 pc) were mapped with a single pointing in the spectral range 6200-7700 A. We obtained the emission-line intensity maps for Halpha, [NII] 6584 A and [SII] 6716, 6731 A, and explored the distribution of the excitation and electron density from [NII]/Halpha, [SII]/Halpha, and [SII] 6716/6731 line-ratio maps. Maps of the radial velocity field were obtained. We analysed the 3D-kinematics by combining the knot radial velocities, derived from IFS data, with the knot proper motions derived from multi-epoch, narrow-band images. The intensity maps built from IFS data reproduced well the morphology found in the narrow-band images. We checked the results obtained from previous long-slit observations with those derived from IFS spectra extracted with a similar spatial sampling. At the positions intersected by the slit, the physical conditions and kinematics derived from IFS are compatible with those derived from long-slit data. In contrast, significant discrepancies were found when the results from long-slit data were compared with the ones derived from IFS spectra extracted at positions shifted a few arcsec from those intersected by the slit. This clearly revealed IFS observations as the best choice to get a reliable picture of the HH emission properties.

Garcia-Lorenzo et al. presented a complete study of atmospheric parameters relevant for adaptive optics in relation to wind speed at the Teide Observatory (Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain). The atmospheric parameters were derived by combining C2N profiles derived from generalized-SCIDAR observations and wind vertical profiles from radiosondes. Later, Avila & Cuevas pointed out that the generalized-SCIDAR data processing leads an overstimation of the actual turbulence strength, showing that the error introduced strongly depends on the observational setup of the generalized-SCIDAR observations. Avila & Cuevas provided the exact expression of the error that can be applied to correct the retrieved C2N profiles. Recently, Garcia-Lorenzo & Fuensalida calculated the error induced during data processing for all the observational configurations of the generalized-SCIDAR observations obtained at the Teide Observatory, showing that these errors are significant for some setups. Following the procedure in Avila & Cuevas, Garcia-Lorenzo & Fuensalida corrected the full data base of atmospheric turbulence profiles for Teide Observatory. Here we present the corrected atmospheric parameters and show the different relationships between atmospheric parameters and wind speed. We conclude that the results of Garcia-Lorenzo et al. were not drastically affected by the errors introduced in the C2N profiles in the generalized-SCIDAR data processing, and that the conclusions there are the same after the correction of the profiles and recalculation of the atmospheric parameters.

The characterization of the optical turbulence structure at an astronomical site requires a proper data base of the refractive-index structure constant, C 2 N (h). Our team has been obtaining generalized SCIntillation Detection and Ranging (SCIDAR) observations to monitor C 2 N (h) from 2002 November-2009 January at Teide Observatory (Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain). The Teide C 2 N (h) data base includes useful data from 153 nights of generalized SCIDAR measurements obtained at the 1.5-m Calos Sanchez Telescope. The overestimation of the turbulence strength as a consequence of generalized SCIDAR data processing has been analysed for all double stars and analysis-plane combinations used in our observations. If this overestimation of the turbulence is not taken into account, the median total seeing and isoplanatic angle derived from the turbulence profiles in the data base are 0.70 and 2.47 arcsec, respectively. We have recalibrated all the derived C 2 N (h), correcting for this overestimation. The statistical optical turbulence structure above Teide Observatory is derived by combining the 93 662 individual C 2 N (h) that constitute the data base at this site. More than 85 per cent of the total optical turbulence is concentrated in low-altitude layers (

An analysis of the impact of seismic and volcanic activity was carried out at selected astronomical sites, namely the observatories of El Teide (Tenerife, Canary Islands), Roque de los Muchachos (La Palma, Canary Islands), Mauna Kea (Hawaii) and Paranal (Chile) and the candidate site of Cerro Ventarrones (Chile). Hazard associated to volcanic activity is low or negligible at all sites, whereas seismic hazard is very high in Chile and Hawaii. The lowest geological hazard in both seismic and volcanic activity was found at Roque de los Muchachos observatory, in the island of La Palma.

HH 110 is a rather peculiar Herbig-Haro object in Orion that originates due to the deflection of another jet (HH 270) by a dense molecular clump, instead of being directly ejected from a young stellar object. Here we present new results on the kinematics and physical conditions of HH 110 based on Integral Field Spectroscopy. The 3D spectral data cover the whole outflow extent (~4.5 arcmin, ~0.6 pc at a distance of 460 pc) in the spectral range 6500-7000 \AA. We built emission-line intensity maps of H$\alpha$, [NII] and [SII] and of their radial velocity channels. Furthermore, we analysed the spatial distribution of the excitation and electron density from [NII]/H$\alpha$, [SII]/H$\alpha$, and [SII] 6716/6731 integrated line-ratio maps, as well as their behaviour as a function of velocity, from line-ratio channel maps. Our results fully reproduce the morphology and kinematics obtained from previous imaging and long-slit data. In addition, the IFS data revealed, for the first time, the complex spatial distribution of the physical conditions (excitation and density) in the whole jet, and their behaviour as a function of the kinematics. The results here derived give further support to the more recent model simulations that involve deflection of a pulsed jet propagating in an inhomogeneous ambient medium. The IFS data give richer information than that provided by current model simulations or laboratory jet experiments. Hence, they could provide valuable clues to constrain the space parameters in future theoretical works.

In this work we present the first results of a study of BAL QSOs (at low and high redshift), based on very deep Gemini GMOS integral field spectroscopy. In particular, the results obtained for the nearest BAL IR QSO Mrk 231 are presented. Very deep three-dimensional spectra and maps clearly show that the BAL systems I and II are extended (reaching 1.4-1.6" = 1.2-1.3 kpc, from the nucleus) and clearly elongated at the position angle close to the radio jet PA. Which suggest that the BAL systems I and II are both associated with the radio jet, and supporting the bipolar jet-wind model for some BALs. For the nuclear region of Mrk 231, the QSO and host-galaxy components were modelled, using a new technique of decoupling 3D spectra. From this study, the following main results were found: (i) in the pure host galaxy spectrum an extreme nuclear starburst component was clearly observed, mainly as a very strong increase in the flux, at the blue wavelengths; (ii) the BAL system I is observed in the spectrum of the host galaxy; (iii) in the clean/pure QSO emission spectrum, only broad lines were detected. 3D GMOS individual spectra (specially in the IR Ca II triplet) and maps confirm the presence of an extreme and young nuclear starburst (8 < age < 15 Myr), which was detected mainly in a ring or toroid with a radius r = 0.3" = 200 pc, around the very nucleus. The physical properties of the four expanding nuclear bubbles were analysed, using the GMOS 3D spectra and maps. These results suggest that an important part of the nuclear NLR is generated by the OF process and the associated low velocity ionizing shocks.

Generalized-Scintillation Detection and Ranging (g-SCIDAR) has proven to be the most reliable and efficient technique for obtaining the vertical structure of the atmospheric turbulence through optical means. However, undesirable turbulence inside the telescope enclosure (dome and mirror seeing) is intermixed with the results. Processes for rejecting this contribution have been used indirectly when the vertical wind profiles are obtained. With a view to introducing the routine use of g-SCIDAR technique in multiconjugate adaptive optics applications, we propose a simple method, based on evenness properties with Fourier analysis, for rejecting the dome and mirror seeing in C 2(h) profiles. The method is suitable for implementation in real time and could furthermore be extended to other applications of form recognition, whenever certain conditions of symmetry are satisfied.

We present results on integral-field optical spectroscopy of five luminous Blue Compact Dwarf galaxies. The data were obtained using the fiber system INTEGRAL attached at the William Herschel telescope. The galaxies Mrk 370, Mrk 35, Mrk 297, Mrk 314 and III Zw 102 were observed. The central 33"x29" regions of the galaxies were mapped with a spatial resolution of 2"/spaxel, except for Mrk 314, in which we observed the central 16"x12" region with a resolution of 0.9"/spaxel$. We use high-resolution optical images to isolate the star-forming knots in the objects; line ratios, electron densities and oxygen abundances in each of these regions are computed. We build continuum and emission-line intensity maps as well as maps of the most relevant line ratios: [OIII]5007\Hb, [NII]6584\Ha, and Ha\Hb, which allow us to obtain spatial information on the ionization structure and mechanisms. We also derive the gas velocity field from the Ha and [OIII]5007 emission lines. We find that all the five galaxies are in the high end of the metallicity range of Blue Compact Dwarf galaxies, with oxygen abundances varying from Z\sun~0.3 to Z\sun~1.5. The objects show HII-like ionization in the whole field of view, except the outer regions of IIIZw102 whose large [NII]6584/Ha values suggest the presence of shocks. The five galaxies display inhomogeneous extinction patterns, and three of them have high Ha/Hb ratios, indicative of a large dust content; all galaxies display complex, irregular velocity fields in their inner regions., Comment: 26 pages, 14 figures, 5 tables. Accepted for publication in the ApJ

We present new results on the nature of the Herbig‐Haro-like object 73 (HHL 73, also known as [G84b] 11) based on narrow-band CCD Hα and [S II] images of the HHL 73 field, and Integral Field Spectroscopy and radio continuum observations at 3.6 cm covering the emission of the HHL 73 object. The CCD images allow us to resolve the HHL 73comet-shaped morphology into two components and a collimated emission feature of ∼ 4-arcsec long, reminiscent of a microjet. The IFS spectra of HHL 73 showed emission lines characteristic of the spectra of Herbig‐Haro objects. The kinematics derived for HHL 73 are complex. The profiles of the [S II] λλ6717, 6731 ˚ A lines were well fitted with a model of three Gaussian velocit y components peaking at VLSR ≃ −100, −20 and +35 km s 1 . We found differences among the spatial distribution of the kinematic components that are c ompatible with the emission from a bipolar outflow with two blueshifted (low- and high-veloci ty) components. Extended radio continuum emission at 3.6 cm was detected showing a distribution in close agreement with the HHL 73 redshifted gas. From the results discussed here, we propose HHL 73 to be a true HH object. IRAS 21432+4719, offset 30 arcsec northeast from the HHL 73 apex, is the most plausible candidate to be driving HHL 73, although the evidence is not conclusive.

Trabajo presentado en SPIE Astronomical Telescopes, celebrado en San Diego (California), del 26 de junio al 1 de julio de 2016, HARMONI is the E-ELT's first light visible and near-infrared integral field spectrograph. It will provide four different spatial scales, ranging from coarse spaxels of 60 × 30 mas best suited for seeing limited observations, to 4 mas spaxels that Nyquist sample the diffraction limited point spread function of the E-ELT at near-infrared wavelengths. Each spaxel scale may be combined with eleven spectral settings, that provide a range of spectral resolving powers (R 3500, 7500 and 20000) and instantaneous wavelength coverage spanning the 0.5 - 2.4 ¿m wavelength range of the instrument. In autumn 2015, the HARMONI project started the Preliminary Design Phase, following signature of the contract to design, build, test and commission the instrument, signed between the European Southern Observatory and the UK Science and Technology Facilities Council. Crucially, the contract also includes the preliminary design of the HARMONI Laser Tomographic Adaptive Optics system. The instrument's technical specifications were finalized in the period leading up to contract signature. In this paper, we report on the first activity carried out during preliminary design, defining the baseline architecture for the system, and the trade-off studies leading up to the choice of baseline.

The characteristics of ionized and HI gas in the peculiar star/cluster complex in NGC 6946, obtained with the 6-m telescope (BTA) SAO RAS, the Gemini North telescope, and the Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope (WSRT), are presented. The complex is unusual as hosting a super star cluster, the most massive known in an apparently non-interacting giant galaxy. It contains a number of smaller clusters and is bordered by a sharp C-shaped rim. We found that the complex is additionally unusual in having peculiar gas kinematics. The velocity field of the ionized gas reveals a deep oval minimum, ~300 pc in size, centered 7" east of the supercluster. The Vr of the ionized gas in the dip center is 100 km/s lower than in its surroundings, and emission lines within the dip appear to be shock excited. This dip is near the center of an HI hole and a semi-ring of HII regions. The HI (and less certainly, HII) velocity fields reveal expansion, with the velocity reaching ~30 km/s at a distance about 300 pc from the center of expansion, which is near the deep minimum position. The super star cluster is at the western rim of the minimum. The sharp western rim of the whole complex is plausibly a manifestation of a regular dust arc along the complex edge. Different hypotheses about the complex and the Vr depression origins are discussed, including a HVC/dark mini-halo impact, a BCD galaxy merging, and a gas outflow due to release of energy from the supercluster stars., MN RAS, accepted

We present results from a detailed spectrophotometric analysis of the blue compact dwarf galaxy Mrk 35 (Haro 3), based on deep optical (B,V,R,I) and near-IR (J,H,K) imaging, Halpha narrow-band observations and long-slit spectroscopy. The optical emission of the galaxy is dominated by a central young starburst, with a bar-like shape, while an underlying component of stars, with elliptical isophotes and red colors, extends more than 4 kpc from the galaxy center. High resolution Halpha and color maps allow us to identify the star-forming regions, to spatially discriminate them from the older stars, and to recognize several dust patches. We derive colors and Halpha parameters for all the identified star-forming knots. Observables derived for each knot are corrected for the contribution of the underlying older stellar population, the contribution by emission lines, and from interstellar extinction, and compared with evolutionary synthesis models. We find that the contributions of these three factors are by no means negligible and that they significantly vary across the galaxy. Therefore, careful quantification and subtraction of emission lines, galaxy host contribution, and interstellar reddening at every galaxy position, are essential to derive the properties of the young stars in BCDs. We find that we can reproduce the colors of all the knots with an instantaneous burst of star formation and the Salpeter initial mass function with an upper mass limit of 100 M_solar. In all cases the knots are just a few Myr old. The underlying population of stars has colors consistent with being several Gyr old., 21 pages, 13 figures. Accepted for publication in ApJ, tentatively scheduled for the ApJ November 1, 2007 v669n1 issue

We have observed 3 pairs of interacting galaxies (the Antennae, Arp 236, and NGC 1614) using the Fabry-Perot interferometer GHαFaS (Galaxy Hα Fabry-Perot system) on the 4.2m William Herschel Telescope (WHT) at the Observatorio del Roque de los Muchachos, La Palma. We have extracted the physical properties (sizes, Hα luminosity and velocity dispersion) of Hii regions. We have combined also these observations with ALMA archival observations of these interacting galaxies, finding that there is a set of brighter and denser star forming regions. We have been able to compare these properties with those of two SMGs at redshift ~ 2.

Astronomy and Astrophysics 576 (2015): A102 reproduced with permission from Astronomy & Astrophysics, © ESO, Context. The bar pattern speed (Ωb) is defined as the rotational frequency of the bar, and it determines the bar dynamics. Several methods have been proposed for measuring Ωb. The non-parametric method proposed by Tremaine & Weinberg (1984, ApJ, 282, L5; TW) and based on stellar kinematics is the most accurate. This method has been applied so far to 17 galaxies, most of them SB0 and SBa types. Aims. We have applied the TW method to a new sample of 15 strong and bright barred galaxies, spanning a wide range of morphological types from SB0 to SBbc. Combining our analysis with previous studies, we investigate 32 barred galaxies with their pattern speed measured by the TW method. The resulting total sample of barred galaxies allows us to study the dependence of Ωb on galaxy properties, such as the Hubble type. Methods. We measured Ωb using the TW method on the stellar velocity maps provided by the integral-field spectroscopy data from the CALIFA survey. Integral-field data solve the problems that long-slit data present when applying the TW method, resulting in the determination of more accurate Ωb. In addition, we have also derived the ratio R of the corotation radius to the bar length of the galaxies. According to this parameter, bars can be classified as fast (R < 1.4) and slow (R > 1.4). Results. For all the galaxies, R is compatible within the errors with fast bars. We cannot rule out (at 95% level) the fast bar solution for any galaxy. We have not observed any significant trend between R and the galaxy morphological type. Conclusions. Our results indicate that independent of the Hubble type, bars have been formed and then evolve as fast rotators. This observational result will constrain the scenarios of formation and evolution of bars proposed by numerical simulations, J.A.L.A. have been partly funded by the Spanish Ministry for Science, project AYA2013-43188-P. J.M.A. acknowledges support from the European Research Council Starting Grant (SEDmorph; P.I. V. Wild). R. A. Marino is funded by the Spanish program of International Campus of Excellence Moncloa (CEI). I.M. acknowledges the financial support from the Spanish grant AYA2010-15169 and from the Junta de Andalucia through TIC-114 and the Excellence Project P08-TIC-03531. R.G.D. and E.P. have been partly funded by Spanish grant AYA2010-1581. J.I.P. acknowledges financial support from MINECO AYA2010-21887-C04-01 grant and from Junta de Andalucía Excellence Project PEX2011-FQM7058. S.F.S. acknowledges support from CONACyT grant 180125. This study makes uses of the data provided by the Calar Alto Legacy Integral Field Area (CALIFA) survey (http://www.califa.caha.es). Based on observations collected at the Centro Astronómico Hispano Alemán (CAHA) at Calar Alto, operated jointly by the Max-PlanckInstitut fur Astronomie and the Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía (CSIC). CALIFA is the first legacy survey being performed at Calar Alto.The CALIFA collaboration would like to thank the IAA-CSIC and MPIA-MPG as major partners of the observatory, and CAHA itself, for the unique access to telescope time and support in manpower and infrastructures. The CALIFA collaboration thanks also the CAHA staff for the dedication to this project. R.G.D., E.P., R.G.B., and C.C.F. wants to thanks finalcial support from AYA2010-15081. J.F.-B. acknowledgessupport from grant AYA2013-48226-C3-1-P from MINECO

We present a new method for the detection and characterization of expansion in galaxy discs based on H{\alpha} Fabry-Perot spectroscopy, taking advantage of the high spatial and velocity resolution of our instrument (GH{\alpha}FaS). The method analyses multi-peaked emission line profiles to find expansion along the line of sight on a point-by-point basis. At this stage we have centred our attention on the large scale structures of expanding gas associated with HII regions which show a characteristic pattern of expansion velocities, of order 100 km/s, as a result of both bubble shape and projection effects. We show an example of the expansion map obtained with our method from a superbubble detected in the Antennae galaxies. We use the information obtained from the method to measure the relevant physical parameters of the superbubbles, including their ages which can be used to date young star clusters., Comment: 10 pages, 5 figures

We have developed a new technique to decouple the spectra of the host and the nucleus of type I AGNs using integral field spectroscopy (IFS) data. The technique is a simple extension of methods widely tested in 2D imaging. We present here the results from applying the technique to data taken with INTEGRAL at the 4.2 m WHT telescope on the Seyfert 1 radio-galaxy 3C 120. We obtained, for the first time, a clean spectra of the host galaxy, without contamination from the nuclear source. (© 2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

We have developed a new technique to decouple the spectra of the host and the nucleus of type I AGNs using integral field spectroscopy data. The technique is a simple extension of methods widely tested in 2D imaging. We present here the results from applying the technique to data taken with INTEGRAL at the 4.2 m William Herschel Telescope on the Seyfert 1 radio-galaxy 3C 120. We obtained, for the first time, a clean spectrum of the host galaxy, without contamination from the nuclear source.

Studies of globular cluster systems play a critical role in our understanding of galaxy formation. Imaging with the Hubble Space Telescope has revealed that young star clusters are formed copiously in galaxy mergers, strengthening theories in which giant elliptical galaxies are formed by the merger of spirals [e.g. Whitmore, B.C., Schweizer, F., Leitherer, C., Borne, K., Robert, C., 1993. Astronomical Journal. 106, 1354; Miller, B.W., Whitmore, B.C., Schweizer, F., Fall, S.M., 1997. Astronomical Journal. 114, 2381; Zepf, S.E., Ashman, K.M., English, J., Freeman, K.C., Sharples, R.M., 1999. Astronomical Journal. 118, 752; Ashman, K.M., Zepf, S.E., 1992. Astrophysical Journal. 384, 50]. However, the formation and evolution of globular cluster systems is still not well understood. Ages and metallicities of the clusters are uncertain either because of degeneracy in the broad-band colors or due to variable reddening. Also, the luminosity function of the young clusters, which depends critically on the metallicities and ages of the clusters, appears to be single power-laws while the luminosity function of old clusters has a well-defined break. Either there is significant dynamical evolution of the cluster systems or metallicity affects the mass function of forming clusters. Spectroscopy of these clusters are needed to improve the metallicity and age measurements and to study the kinematics of young cluster systems. Therefore, we have obtained GMOS IFU data of 4 clusters in NGC1275. We will present preliminary results like metallicities, ages, and velocities of the star clusters from IFU spectroscopy.

A study of outflow (OF) and BAL systems in Mrk 231 (and in similar IR QSOs) is presented. This study is based mainly on 1D and 2D spectroscopy (obtained at La Palma/WHT, HST, IUE, ESO/NTT, KPNO, APO and CASLEO observatories) plus HST images. For Mrk 231 we report evidence that the extreme nuclear OF process has at least 3 main components, which are probably associated with: (i) the radio jet, at pc scale, and (ii(the extreme starburst at pc and kpc scale. This OF has generate 4 or more concentric expanding bubbles and the BAL systems. The variability of the short lived BAL-III system was studied. Finally, the IR colour diagram and the UV BAL system of IR+OF+FeII QSOs are analysed. We propose that the phase of young QSO is associated with:accretion of large amount of gas (by the SMBH)+extreme starburst+extreme composite OFs/BALs.

We present integral field spectroscopy of NGC 5033, a low luminosity Seyfert galaxy. The observations were made with INTEGRAL, a fiber based system operating at the WHT. The intensity map of the H$\beta$ emission line represents a spiral or ring-like pattern of HII regions. On the contrary, the [OIII] intensity map morphology is markedly anisotropic. The strong morphological differences imply that the [OIII] emitters represent highly ionized gas illuminated by the central source. The [OIII] map morphology is compatible with a biconical structure of ionization induced by strong extinction in the galaxy disc that also obscures half of the spheroidal stellar bulge. We identify the spectrum corresponding to the Seyfert 1 nucleus from the presence of H$\beta$ broad emission lines. This spectrum is located in a region where strong extinction is expected but exhibits the bluest spectral energy distribution. The Seyfert 1 nucleus seems to be offcenter with respect to the stellar rotation center. This result has been also found in other Seyfert galaxies and interpreted in terms of a past merger. The offcentering could indicate the presence of nonsymmetric departures in the gravitational potential which could be fueling the active nucleus. The kinematics of the [OIII] emitters show important deviations at a kpc scale with respect to the stellar velocity field and show features related to the asymmetrical morphology of the high ionization region., Comment: 9 pages, accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysics. Figures 1 and 7 are attached as .gif files

IFS combined with HST WFPC imaging were used to characterize the central regions of the Seyfert 1 radio galaxy 3C 120. We carried out the analysis of the data, deriving intensity maps of different emission lines and the continua at different wavelengths from the observed spectra. Applying a 2D modeling to the HST images we decoupled the nucleus and the host galaxy, and analyzed the host morphology. The host is a highly distorted bulge dominated galaxy, rich in substructures. We developed a new technique to model the IFS data extending the 2D modeling. Using this technique we separated the Seyfert nucleus and the host galaxy spectra, and derived a residual data cube with spectral and spatial information of the different structures in 3C 120. Three continuum-dominated structures (named A, B, and C) and other three extended emission line regions (EELRs, named E1, E2 and E3) are found in 3C 120 which does not follow the general behavior of a bulge dominated galaxy. We also found shells in the central kpc that may be remnants of a past merging event in this galaxy. The origin of E1 is most probably due to the interaction of the radio-jet of 3C 120 with the intergalactic medium. Structures A, B, and the shell at the southeast of the nucleus seem to correspond to a larger morphological clumpy structure that may be a tidal tail, consequence of the past merging event. We found a bright EELR (E2) in the innermost part of this tidal tail, nearby the nucleus, which shows a high ionization level. The kinematics of the E2 region and its connection to the tidal tail suggest that the tail has channeled gas from the outer regions to the center., Comment: 55 pages, 18 figures and 5 tables Accepted by APJ

We report the first results of a study of a sample of 20 galaxy mergers/interacting systems, using the VIMOS and PMAS integral field spectrographs. For each object, we extracted the integrated spectrum of the central regions and analyzed the ionization state using classical diagnostic diagrams (Veilleux & Osterbrock 1987). There is evidence of AGN ionization in 4 of the objects, i.e. 20% of the sample, a considerably higher fraction than found in previous studies ~4%, 4 pages, 2 figures, accepted for publishing in A&A Letters

A study of morphology, kinematics and ionization structure of the IR merger NGC 5514, is presented. This study is based mainly on Integral 2D spectroscopy obtained on 4.2 m William Herschel Telescope (La Palma, Spain) and data from CASLEO (Argentina). Clear evidence of two extra-nuclear starbursts with young outflows and LINER activity are reported. One of these outflow generate a supergiant bubble, where the emission lines and kinematics maps show 4 extended ejections. These results suggest that the bubble is in the rupture phase.

We present integral field spectroscopy (IFS) of the central region of 3C 120. We have modeled the nuclear and host galaxy 3D spectra using techniques normally applied to imaging, decoupling both components, and obtained a residual datacube. Using this residual datacube, we detected the extended emission line region associated with the radio jet. We obtained, for the first time, a clean spectrum of this region and found compelling evidences of a jet-cloud interaction. The jet compresses and splits the gas cloud which is ionized by the AGN and/or by the strong local UV photon field generated by a shock process. We cannot confirm the detection of an extended emission line region associated with the counter-jet reported by Axon (1989)., Comment: 13 pages, 3 figures, accepted for publishing in ApJ

High-altitude wind has been recently proposed as an important parameter to be taken into account for astronomical site selection. We present here comprehensive and reliable stastistics for wind speeds at the 200 mbar (v 200 hereafter) pressure level (approximately 12 km above the Canary Islands) based on long-term climate diagnostics archive and balloon data. The results presented in this paper demonstrate the remarkably good behaviour of the high-altitude wind above the Canarian archipelago, with low mean values of v 200 (22.12 m s -1 above the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory, hereafter ORM) and provide independent confirmatin of theo potential of the ORM and the Teide Observatory (OT) for adaptive optics. A comparison of v 200 values from a climatological data base and in situ measurements with radiosondes launched from Santa Cruz de Tenerife reveals an excellent level of agreement, which lends support to the claim that climate diagnostic measurements provide a useful tool for astronomical site assessment, although a rigorous control of data quality, analysis and cross comparison needs to be performed before the method becomes extensively used. Moreover, the correlation the results for La Palma and Tenerife confirms the homogeneity of the Canarian sky at the tropopause level. The analysis of frequency and variability of v 200 led us to propose a seasonal periodicity of v 200 .