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The narrow K-z relation of powerful radio galaxies in the Hubble K diagram is often attributed to the stellar populations of massive elliptical galaxies. Extended over a large range of redshifts (0 4 implies that massive clouds were already formed at early epochs. We also find that the M_(bar,max) limit is similar to the critical mass M_crit of a self-gravitating cloud regulated by cooling (Rees & Ostriker, 1977; Silk, 1977). Moreover, the critical size r_crit = 75 Kpc is remarkably close to the typical diameter of Ly_alpha haloes surrounding distant radio galaxies. This confirms the validity of the method of baryonic mass determination based on the K-band luminosity. A puzzling question that remains to be answered is the short time-scale of mass-accumulation required to form such massive galaxies at z=4. We discuss the dispersion of the K-z relation and the link between the active nucleus and a large stellar mass., Comment: Accepted for publication (Astron. Astrophys. Journal), 11 pages, 8 Figures

We present a spectroscopic analysis of 21 galaxies with z=0.2-1.5 drawn from a 25 sq. arcmin ultra-deep 15 micron ISOCAM survey centered in the HDFS. VLT/ISAAC spectra are reported for 18 sources, aimed at detecting the redshifted Ha. Optical data come from VLT/FORS2 and NTT/EMMI. Ha line emission is detected in all the observed objects. Our analysis of emission lines, morphology, and SEDs shows evidence for AGN in only two of these sources. The Ha luminosities indicate star formation rates (SFR) between 0.5 and 20 Msun, without extinction corrections. We find good correlations between the mid-IR, the radio and Ha luminosities, confirming the mid-IR light as a good tracer of star formation (while SFR based on Ha flux show large scatter and offset, still to be understood). We have estimated the baryonic masses in stars by fitting the optical-IR SED, and found that the host galaxies of ISO sources are massive members of groups with SFR=10 to 300 Msun/yr. We have finally compared this ongoing SF activity with the already formed stellar masses to estimate the timescales t(SF) for the stellar build-up, which turn-out to be widely spread between 0.1 Gyrs to more than 10 Gyr. The faint ISOCAM galaxies appear to form a composite population, including moderately active but very massive spiral-like galaxies, and very luminous ongoing starbursts, in a continuous sequence. From the observed t(SF), assuming typical starburst timescales, we infer that, with few exceptions, only a fraction of the galactic stars can be formed in any single starburst, while several of such episodes during a protracted SF history are required for the whole galactic build-up., Comment: 25 pages + 4 jpg pages + 1 jpg figure. A&A accepted

We report preliminary results of our H-band survey of the Chandra Deep Field South (CDFS). The observations were made using SofI on the NTT, and cover 0.027 square degrees with a 50% completeness limit of H = 20.5, and 0.17 square degrees with a 50% completeness limit of H =19.8. We used SExtractor to extract sources from our fields. In total we have detected 4819 objects. Star-galaxy separation was performed using the SExtractor parameter ``stellarity index''. All objects with an index of 0.5 or lower were classified as galaxies. According to this criterion, 80 % of our detections are galaxies. We then compare our results with previous observations of the CDFS. Our astrometric solutions are in good agreement with the Las Campanas Infrared Survey (LCIRS), the COMBO-17 and the ESO-EIS surveys. The photometry of our catalog compares satisfactorily with the results of the LCIRS, as well as with the GOODS data. Galaxy number counts are presented and compared with the LCIRS results. The present data are intended to complement the recent and future multi-wavelenghth observations of the CDFS and will be used, in conjuction with additional multiband photometry, to find counterparts of the upcoming mid-infrared surveys with SIRTF., Comment: 7 figures, submitted to Astronomy and Astrophysics, catalogue available at http://www.mpe.mpg.de/~dmr/table1.dat

We have analyzed the ultraviolet and optical emission line ratios of a large sample of extragalactic radio sources (QSOs and radio galaxies), with the help of models combining AGN photoionization and shocks. The results strongly suggest that the two ionizing mechanisms frequently coexist. The model sequences obtained by varying the balance between shocks and AGN photoionization account for most emission line data in the 12 line ratio diagrams we have considered. In the frequently used diagrams involving [OIII]5007/Hbeta, [OI]6300/Halpha, [NII]6584/Halpha and [SII]6716,6731, the effect of varying the shock-photoionization balance mimics a variation of the ionization parameter (U) in traditional photoionization sequences. In most of the remaining diagrams, such as [OI]6300/[OIII]5007 vs.[OIII]4363/[OIII]5007, [OIII]5007/H vs. [OIII]4363/[OIII]5007 and CIII]1909/[CII]2326 vs. CIV1549/[CII]2326, the data can only be accounted for if both photoionization and shocks contribute to the line fluxes. The coexistence of shocks and AGN photoionization also provides an explanation for the most extreme objects in the NV1240/HeII1640 vs. NV1240/CIV1549 diagram without requiring largely super-solar metallicities. In addition, we show that there is a relationship between the [OII]3727/[OIII]5007 ratio and the radio size in radio galaxies. This strongly supports the hypothesis that the most compact (< 2kpc) and the largest (> 150 kpc) sources are dominated by photoionization, while intermediate-sized radio galaxies are dominated by shocks. We briefly discuss the possible origin of the relation between the shock-ionization balance and the radio size., Comment: 11 pages, 6 figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics

We analyze the stellar and nebular energy distributions of starbursts using our evolutionary synthesis model PEGASE coupled to the photoionization code CLOUDY. The originality of this study is to relate the evolution and the metallicity of the starburst to the past star formation history of the host galaxy.We compare our model predictions to an observed sample of ~750 starbursts. the most striking feature from line ratio fitting is the decreasing spread in ionization parameter U at high metallicity Z. The best fits of emission line ratios are obtained with a combination of a high- and a low-ionization components. No additional source of ionizing photons --shocks or hidden AGN -- is needed. Colors and equivalent widths are fitted in coherency with emission line ratios. An underlying population is needed, even for small-aperture observations. This evolved population not only reddens the continuum and dilutes the equivalent width of the emission lines, but also participates in the ionization process. Its main effect on line ratios is to maintain a high level of excitation when the burst stops. Models combining underlying populations typical of Hubble sequence galaxies and instantaneous starbursts with ages between 0 and 8 Myr agree satisfactorily with all the data., Comment: 14 pages, 10 figures

The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) hardware complement includes six gas bearing, pulse rebalanced rate integrating gyros, any three of which are sufficient to conduct the science mission. After the loss of three gyros between April 1997 and April 1999 due to a known corrosion mechanism, NASA decided to split the third HST servicing mission into SM3A, accelerated to October 1999, and SM3B, scheduled for November 2001. SM3A was developed as a quick turnaround 'Launch on Need' mission to replace all six gyros. Loss of a fourth gyro in November 1999 caused HST to enter Zero Gyro Sunpoint (ZGSP) safemode, which uses sun sensors and magnetometers for attitude determination and momentum bias to maintain attitude stability during orbit night. Several instances of large attitude excursions during orbit night were observed, but ZGSP performance was adequate to provide power-positive sun pointing and to support low gain antenna communications. Body rates in ZGSP were estimated to exceed the nominal 0.1 deg/sec rendezvous limit, so rendezvous operations were restructured to utilize coarse, limited life, Retrieval Mode Gyros (RMGs) under Hardware Sunpoint (HWSP) safemode. Contingency procedures were developed to conduct the rendezvous in ZGSP in the event of RMGA or HWSP computer failure. Space Shuttle Mission STS-103 launched on December 19, 1999 after a series of weather and Shuttle-related delays. After successful rendezvous and grapple under HWSP/RMGA, the crew changed out all six gyros. Following deploy and systems checkout, HST returned to full science operations.