Recently, it has been recognised that very large spectroscopic surveys (several million spectra) are required to advance our understanding of Dark Energy (via baryonic wiggles) and the detailed history of our Local Group of galaxies (via Galactic Archeology or near-field cosmology). In this paper I make a preliminary exploration of how this might be done by putting a wide field, optical, prime-focus fibre-fed spectroscopic facility on one of the VLT's UTs.
We present the first results on the VLT/FORS-1 spectroscopic survey of amplified sources and multiple images in the lensing cluster AC114. Background sources were selected in the cluster core, close to the critical lines, using photometric redshifts combined with lensing inversion criteria. Spectroscopic results are given, together with a brief summary of the properties of some of these high-z galaxies.
We present initial results from our ongoing campaign of spectroscopic identifications of Lyman--break galaxies (LBGs) at z ~ 4, 5 and 6 with FORS2 at the ESO VLT. The sample of LBGs is selected from the HST/ACS images in the GOODS southern field (CDF--S), and here we discuss the spectroscopic properties of 103 LBGs that we have cofirmed in the redshift interval 3.5 < z < 6.3, of which 34 at z>5 and 27 between 5.5 and 6.3. As for LBGs at lower redshifts, we find that LBGs with LyA in emission are characterized by weaker intestellar absorption lines and bluer UV continua than galaxies whose LyA …
The VLT Survey Telescope (VST) is a 2.6m aperture, wide field, UV to I facility, to be installed at the European Southern Observatory (ESO) on the Cerro Paranal Chile. VST was primarily intended to complement the observing capabilities of VLT with wide-angle imaging for detecting and pre-characterising sources for further observations with the VLT.
We present the motivation, aims and preliminary result from the Swift/VLT legacy survey on gamma-ray burst host galaxies. This survey will produce a homogeneous and well-understood host sample covering more than 95% of the lookback time to the Big Bang, and allow us to characterize their fundamental properties.
The VIMOS VLT Deep Survey is a unique I-selected spectroscopic sample to study galaxies all the way from z=5 to z=0. We recapitulate the first results about the evolution of the galaxy populations as a function of type, morphology, environment and luminosity.
The imaging data assembled by the recently completed ESO Imaging Survey (EIS) are reviewed and their scientific value briefly assessed. Among the various applications, the imaging data has been used to build a large sample of candidate distant clusters of galaxies in the Southern Hemisphere to be used for follow-up observations with the VLT as well as other space and ground-based facilities. Preliminary results from ongoing work to confirm these candidates are reported and the future prospects discussed.
We present high spectral resolution echelle observations of the Balmer line variations during the 2003.5 ``spectroscopic event'' of eta Carinae. Spectra have been recorded of both eta Carinae and the Homunculus at the FOS4 position in its SE lobe. This spot shows a reflected stellar spectrum which is less contaminated by nebular emission lines than ground-based observations of the central object itself. Our observations show that the spectroscopic event is much less pronounced at this position than when seen directly on eta Car using HST/STIS. Assuming that the reflected spectrum is indeed lat…
We report on low-resolution multi-object spectroscopy of 65 objects from I(AB) ~= 20 to I(AB) ~= 25 in the HDF-S obtained with the VLT Focal Reducer/low dispersion Spectrograph (FORS2). 18 objects belong to the HDF-S proper, i.e. the WFPC2 deep area. 15 high-redshift galaxies with 2.0 < z < 3.5 (10 in the HDF-S proper) have been identified. The spectroscopic redshifts are in good agreement with the photometric ones derived from a chi^{2} minimization technique comparing the observed spectral energy distribution with synthetic libraries and with a new neural network (NN) approach. The dispersio…
Data from the wide-angle, moderately deep ESO Imaging Survey have been used to produce target lists for the first year of the VLT. About 250 candidate clusters of galaxies have been identified from the I-band images covering $\sim$ 17 square degrees. In addition, using the multicolor data available over an area of 1.3 square degrees over 300 potentially interesting point-sources have been selected. The color-selected targets include low-mass stars/brown dwarfs, white-dwarfs and quasars. Images, object catalogs and derived target lists are available from the world-wide web (http://www.eso.org/e…
The Combined EIS-NVSS Survey Of Radio Sources (CENSORS) has been produced with the primary goal of investigating the cosmological evolution of the radio luminosity function. This 1.4GHz sample, complete to the 7.2 mJy level, contains 150 radio sources. Host galaxies are almost entirely identified in optical and near-IR bands and the sample is now approaching 70% spectroscopic completeness. We show preliminary results demonstrating how CENSORS will improve upon previous work and how it is applicable to other projects.
We report the discovery of a galaxy at a redshift z = 6.17 identified from deep narrow band imaging and spectroscopic follow-up in one of the CFHT-VIRMOS deep survey fields at 0226-04. In addition to the existing deep BVRI images of this field, we obtained a very deep narrow band image at 920 nm with the aim of detecting Lyalpha emission at redshift ~ 6.5. Spectroscopic follow-up of some of the candidates selected on the basis of their excess flux in the NB920 filter was performed at the VLT-UT4 with the FORS2 instrument. For one object a strong and asymmetric emission line associated with a s…
We report VLT/NACO imaging observations of the stars GSC 08047-00232 and HIP 6856, probable members of the large Tucana-Horologium association. During our previous ADONIS/SHARPII deep imaging survey, a substellar candidate companion was discovered around each star. Based on VLT/NACO astrometric measurements, we find that GSC 08047-00232 and the faint candidate companion near to it share the same proper motion with a significance of 3.1sigma. On the contrary, the candidate companion to HIP 6856 is probably a background object with a significance of 4.3sigma. We also detect a new fainter and clo…
Aims. We present the full data set of the spectroscopic campaign of the ESO/GOODS program in the GOODS-South field, obtained with the FORS2 spectrograph at the ESO/VLT. Method. Objects were selected as candidates for VLT/FORS2 observations primarily based on the expectation that the detection and measurement of their spectral features would benefit from the high throughput and spectral resolution of FORS2. The reliability of the redshift estimates is assessed using the redshift-magnitude and color-redshift diagrams, and comparing the results with public data. Results. Including the third part …
A high quality, medium-resolution K-band spectrum has been obtained of the ultracompact HII region G29.96-0.02 with the Very Large Telescope (VLT). The slit was positioned along the symmetry axis of the cometary shaped nebula. Besides the spectrum of the embedded ionizing O star, the long-slit observation revealed the rich emission-line spectrum produced by the ionized nebula with sub-arcsec spatial resolution. The nebular spectrum includes Br$γ$, several helium emission lines and a molecular hydrogen line. A detailed analysis is presented of the variation in strength, velocity and width of th…
We present two-dimensional spectroscopy of the extremely metal-deficient blue compact dwarf (BCD) galaxy SBS 0335-052E aiming to studyphysical conditions, element abundances and kinematical properties of the ionised gas in this galaxy. Observations were obtained in the spectral range 3620-9400A with the imaging spectrograph GIRAFFE installed on the UT2 of the Very Large Telescope (VLT). These observations are the first ones carried out so far with GIRAFFE in the ARGUS mode which allows to obtain simultaneously 308 spectra covering a 11.4"x7.3" region. We produced images of SBS 0335-052E in the…
The VLT-FLAMES Survey of Massive Stars was an ESO Large Programme to understand rotational mixing and stellar mass-loss in different metallicity environments, in order to better constrain massive star evolution. We gathered high-quality spectra of over 800 stars in the Galaxy and in the Magellanic Clouds. A sample of this size is unprecedented, enabled by the first high-resolution, wide-field, multi-object spectrograph on an 8-m telescope. We developed spectral analysis techniques that, in combination with non-LTE, line-blanketed model atmospheres, were used to quantitatively characterise ever…
We present results from an extensive spectroscopic survey in the 3-5 micron wavelength region of low-mass young stellar objects using VLT-ISAAC. Medium resolution spectra (R ~ 1000-10000) of young embedded stars in the mid-infrared allow for detailed studies of ro-vibrational lines from molecular gas, interstellar ices and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs). By taking advantage of this wide range of molecular tracers available within a few spectral settings, the survey has helped to constrain the chemical evolution of cold molecular material in low-mass star forming regions as well as the…
We present the results of an extensive spectroscopic survey of RX J0152.7-1357, one of the most massive distant clusters of galaxies known. Multi-object spectroscopy, carried out with FORS1 and FORS2 on the ESO Very Large Telescope (VLT), has allowed us to measure more than 200 redshifts in the cluster field and to confirm 102 galaxies as cluster members. The mean redshift of the cluster is $z=0.837 \pm 0.001$ and we estimate the velocity dispersion of the overall cluster galaxy distribution to be $\sim 1600 \mathrm{km \ s^{-1}}$. The distribution of cluster members is clearly irregular, with …
The aim of the VIRMOS VLT Deep Survey (VVDS) is to study of the evolution of galaxies, large scale structures and AGNs from a sample of more than 150,000 galaxies with measured redshifts in the range 0<z<5+. The VVDS will rely on the VIMOS and NIRMOS wide field multi-object spectrographs, which the VIRMOS consortium is delivering to ESO. Together, they offer unprecedented multiplex capability in the wavelength range 0.37-1.8microns, allowing for large surveys to be carried out. The VVDS has several main aspects: (1) a deep multi-color imaging survey over 18deg^2 of more than one million galaxi…
We have investigated the dependence of galaxy clustering on their stellar mass at z~1, using the data from the VIMOS-VLT Deep Survey (VVDS). We have measured the projected two-point correlation function of galaxies, wp(rp) for a set of stellar mass selected samples at an effective redshift <z>=0.85. We have control and quantify all effects on galaxy clustering due to the incompleteness of our low mass samples. We find that more massive galaxies are more clustered. When compared to similar results at z~0.1 in the SDSS, we observed no evolution of the projected correlation function for massive g…
We present VLT FORS1 and FORS2 spectra of 39 candidate high-redshift supernovae that were discovered as part of a cosmological study using Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) over a wide range of redshifts. From the spectra alone, 20 candidates are spectrally classified as SNe Ia with redshifts ranging from z=0.212 to z=1.181. Of the remaining 19 candidates, 1 might be a Type II supernova and 11 exhibit broad supernova-like spectral features and/or have supernova-like light curves. The candidates were discovered in 8 separate ground-based searches. In those searches in which SNe Ia at z ~ 0.5 were tar…
We demonstrate that low resolution CaII triplet (CaT) spectroscopic estimates of the overall metallicity ([Fe/H]) of individual Red Giant Branch (RGB) stars in two nearby dwarf spheroidal galaxies (dSphs) agree to +-0.1-0.2 dex with detailed high resolution spectroscopic determinations for the same stars over the range -2.5 < [Fe/H] < -0.5. For this study we used a sample of 129 stars observed in low and high resolution mode with VLT/FLAMES in the Sculptor and Fornax dSphs. We also present the data reduction steps we used in our low resolution analysis and show that the typical accuracy of our…
We present a large multi-epoch high resolution spectroscopic investigation for the search of binary candidates in the Galactic Globular Cluster (GGC) M4. The aim of our work is the identification of the binary candidates, and the determination of the binary fraction and of the binary radial distribution. We present a large multi-epoch high resolution spectroscopic investigation for the search of binary candidates in the Galactic Globular Cluster (GGC) M4. The aim of our work is the identification of the binary candidates, and the determination of the binary fraction and of the binary radial di…
We discuss the preliminary results of a survey of young (<300 Myr), close (<50 pc) stars with the Simultaneous Differential Extrasolar Planet Imager (SDI) implemented at the VLT and the MMT. SDI uses a double Wollaston prism and a quad filter to take 4 identical images simultaneously at 3 wavelengths surrounding the 1.62 um methane bandhead found in the spectrum of cool brown dwarfs and gas giants. By performing a difference of images in these filters, speckle noise from the primary can be significantly attenuated, resulting in photon noise limited data. In our survey data, we achieved H band …
The 4.62$μ$m (2164.5 cm$^{-1}$) `XCN' band has been detected in the $M$-band spectra of 34 deeply embedded young stellar objects (YSO's), observed with high signal-to-noise and high spectral resolution with the VLT-ISAAC spectrometer, providing the first opportunity to study the solid OCN$^-$ abundance toward a large number of low-mass YSO's. It is shown unequivocally that at least two components, centred at 2165.7 cm$^{-1}$ (FWHM = 26 cm$^{-1}$) and 2175.4 cm$^{-1}$ (FWHM = 15 cm$^{-1}$), underlie the XCN band. Only the 2165.7-component can be ascribed to OCN$^-$, embedded in a strongly hydro…
VIMOS (VIsible Multi-Object Spectrograph) is a multi-object imaging spectrograph installed at the VLT (Very large Telescope) at the ESO (European Southern Observatory) Paranal Observatory, especially suited for survey work. VIMOS is characterized by its very high multiplexing factor: it is possible to take up to 800 spectra with 10 arcsec long slits in a single exposure. To fully exploit its multiplexing potential, we designed and implemented a dedicated software tool: the VIMOS Mask Preparation Software (VMMPS), which allows the astronomer to select the objects to be spectroscopically observe…
We have used the Vimos VLT Deep Survey in combination with other spectroscopic, photometric and X-ray surveys from literature to detect several galaxy structures in the Chandra Deep Field South (CDFS). Both a friend-of-friend based algorithm applied to the spectroscopic redshift catalog and an adaptative kernel galaxy density and colour maps correlated with photometric redshift estimates have been used. We mainly detect a chain-like structure at z=0.66 and two massive groups at z=0.735 and 1.098 showing signs of ongoing collapse. We also detect two galaxy walls at z=0.66 and at z=0.735 (extrem…
General results from a 3-5 micron spectroscopic survey of nearby low-mass young stellar objects are presented. L and M-band spectra have been obtained of \~50 low mass embedded young stars using the ISAAC spectrometer mounted on UT1-Antu at Paranal Observatory. For the first time, a consistent census of the CO, H2O ices and the minor ice species CH3OH and OCN- and warm CO gas present around young stars is obtained, using large number statistics and resolving powers of up to R=10000. The molecular structure of circumstellar CO ices, the depletion of gaseous CO onto grains in protoplanetary disk…
We have investigated the dependence of galaxy clustering on their intrinsic luminosities at z ~ 1, using the data from the First Epoch VIMOS-VLT Deep Survey (VVDS). We have measured the projected two-point correlation function of galaxies, w_p(r_p), for a set of volume-limited samples at an effective redshift <z>=0.9 and median absolute magnitude -19.6< M_B < -21.3. We find that the clustering strength is rising around M_B^*, apparently with a sharper turn than observed at low redshifts. The slope of the correlation function is observed to steepen significantly from γ=1.6^{+0.1}_{-0.1} to γ=2.…
We have reconstructed the three-dimensional density fluctuation maps to z ~ 1.5 using the distribution of galaxies observed in the VVDS-Deep survey. We use this overdensity field to measure the evolution of the probability distribution function and its lower-order moments over the redshift interval 0.7<z<1.5. We apply a self-consistent reconstruction scheme which includes a complete non-linear description of galaxy biasing and which has been throughly tested on realistic mock samples. We find that the variance and skewness of the galaxy distribution evolve over this redshift interval in a way …
An analysis of ages, metallicities, and [alpha/Fe] ratios of globular cluster systems in early-type galaxies is presented, based on Lick index measurements summarized in Puzia et al. (2004, Paper I of this series). In the light of calibration and measurement uncertainties, age-metallicity degeneracy, and the relative dynamic range of Lick indices, as well as systematics introduced by abundance ratio variations (in particular variations of [alpha/Fe] ratios), we find that the most reliable age indicator for our dataset is a combination of the Lick Balmer-line indices HgammaA, Hbeta, and HdeltaA…
The morphological and spectroscopic properties of the giant (>60 kpc) Ly-alpha nebulae associated with three radio galaxies at z~2.5 (MRC 1558-003, MRC 2025-218 and MRC 0140-257) have been investigated using integral field spectroscopic data obtained with VIMOS on VLT. The morphologies are varied. The nebula of one source has a centrally peaked, rounded appearance. In the other two objects, it consists of two spatial components. The three nebulae are aligned with the radio axis within <30 deg. The total Ly-alpha luminosities are in the range (0.3-3.4) x 1e44 erg s-1. The Ly-alpha spectral prof…
{This paper presents the VIMOS VLT Deep Survey around the Chandra Deep Field South (CDFS). We have measured 1599 new redshifts with VIMOS on the European Observatory Very Large Telescope - UT3, in an area 21x21.6 arcmin^2, including 784 redshifts in the Hubble Space Telescope - Advanced Camera for Surveys GOODS area. 30% of all objects with I_AB=24 have been observed independently of magnitude, indicating that the sample is purely magnitude limited. We have reached an unprecedented completeness level of 88% in terms of the ratio of secure measurements vs. observed objects, while 95% of all obj…
We present a homogeneous photometric and spectroscopic analysis of 18 stars along the evolutionary sequence of the metal-poor globular cluster NGC 6397 ([Fe/H] = -2), from the main-sequence turnoff point to red giants below the bump. The spectroscopic stellar parameters, in particular stellar-parameter differences between groups of stars, are in good agreement with broad-band and Stroemgren photometry calibrated on the infrared-flux method. The spectroscopic abundance analysis reveals, for the first time, systematic trends of iron abundance with evolutionary stage. Iron is found to be 31% less…
Medium resolution (lambda/Delta lambda = 5000-10000) VLT-ISAAC M-band spectra are presented of 39 young stellar objects in nearby low-mass star forming clouds showing the 4.67 micron stretching vibration mode of solid CO. By taking advantage of the unprecedentedly large sample, high S/N ratio and high spectral resolution, similarities in the ice profiles from source to source are identified. It is found that excellent fits to all the spectra can be obtained using a phenomenological decomposition of the CO stretching vibration profile at 4.67 micron into 3 components. All observed interstellar …
Observations of hot stars belonging to the young cluster SMC-NGC330 and its surrounding region were obtained with the VLT-GIRAFFE facilities in MEDUSA mode. We investigated the B and Be star properties and proportions in this environment of low metallicity. We also searched for rapid variability in Be stars using photometric databases. With spectroscopic measurements we characterized the emission and properties of Be stars. By cross-correlation with photometric databases such as MACHO and OGLE, we searched for binaries in our sample of hot stars, as well as for short-term variability in Be sta…
The variability and rotation of ultra cool dwarfs (UCDs) provide important information on their atmospheres and evolution. As part of an ongoing program to investigate this, projected rotation speeds, vsini, are presented for 16 field UCDs (M9V-L7.5V). This doubles the number of L dwarfs for which vsini has been measured. All targets are found to have vsini between 10 and 40 km/s, confirming that L dwarfs are rapid rotators. From the random distribution of the rotation axes, i, one-sided confidence intervals are placed on the rotation periods of individual object. These are compared with publi…
We present results of the photometric campaign for planetary and low-luminosity object transits conducted by the OGLE survey in 2005 season (Campaign #5). About twenty most promising candidates discovered in these data were subsequently verified spectroscopically with the VLT/FLAMES spectrograph. One of the candidates, OGLE-TR-211, reveals clear changes of radial velocity with small amplitude of 82 m/sec, varying in phase with photometric transit ephemeris. Thus, we confirm the planetary nature of the OGLE-TR-211 system. Follow-up precise photometry of OGLE-TR-211 with VLT/FORS together with r…
We present the results of a survey of 45 young (<250 Myr), close (<50 pc) stars with the Simultaneous Differential Imager (SDI) implemented at the VLT and the MMT for the direct detection of extrasolar planets. As part of the survey, we observed 54 objects total, of which 45 were close, young stars, 2 were somewhat more distant (<150 pc), very young (<10 Myr) stars, 3 were stars with known radial velocity planets, and 4 were older, very nearby (<20 pc) solar analogues. Our SDI devices use a double Wollaston prism and a quad filter to take images simultaneously at 3 wavelengths surrounding the …
We present Lick line-index measurements of extragalactic globular clusters in seven early-type galaxies (NGC 1380, 2434, 3115, 3379, 3585, 5846, and 7192) with different morphological types (E-S0) located in field and group/cluster environments. High-quality spectra were taken with the FORS2 instrument at ESO's Very Large Telescope. About 50% of our data allow an age resolution dt/t ~ 0.3 and a metallicity resolution ~0.25-0.4 dex, depending on the absolute metallicity. Globular cluster candidates are selected from deep B, V, R, I, K FORS2/ISAAC photometry with 80-100% success rate inside one …
We present the results of a VLT and HST imaging survey aimed at the identification of 4.5<z<6 galaxies. In the VLT data, a set of broad and intermediate band filters has been used to select 13 high--$z$ candidates in a Z(AB)<25 catalog, over an area of about 30 arcmin2. Discrimination against lower redshift interlopers (mainly early--type galaxies at high redshift and cool Galactic stars) has been done combining morphological and spectral classification. This sample has been combined with a deeper I<27.2 sample obtained from the Hubble Deep Field campaigns. The VLT final sample consists of 13 …
The VIMOS VLT Deep Survey (VVDS) is underway to study the evolution of galaxies, large scale structures and AGNs, from the measurement of more than 100000 spectra of faint objects. We present here the results from the first epoch observations of more than 20000 spectra. The main challenge of the program, the redshift measurements, is described, in particular entering the ``redshift desert'' in the range $1.5<z<3$ for which only very weak features are observed in the observed wavelength range. The redshift distribution of a magnitude limited sample brighter than $I_{AB}=24$ is presented for the…
The VST (VLT Survey Telescope) is a 2.6 m class Alt-Az telescope to be installed on Cerro Paranal in the Atacama desert, Northern Chile, in the European Southern Observatory (ESO) site. The VST is a wide-field imaging facility planned to supply databases for the ESO Very Large Telescope (VLT) science and carry out stand-alone observations in the UV to I spectral range. So far no telescope has been dedicated entirely to surveys; the VST will be the first survey telescope to start the operation, as a powerful survey facility for the VLT observatory. This paper will focus on the axes motion contr…
AIMS. We present a new Ks-band survey that represents a significant extension to the previous wide-field Ks-band imaging survey within the 0226-04 field of the VIMOS-VLT deep survey (VVDS). The new data add ~ 458 arcmin^2 to the previous imaging program, thus allowing us to cover a total contiguous area of ~ 600 arcmin^2 within this field. METHODS. Sources are identified both directly on the final K-band mosaic image and on the corresponding, deep chi^2-g'r'i' image from the CFHT Legacy Survey in order to reduce contamination while ensuring us the compilation of a truly K-selected catalogue do…
This paper presents the ``First Epoch'' sample from the VIMOS VLT Deep Survey (VVDS). The VVDS goals, observations, data reduction with VIPGI, and redshift measurement with KBRED are discussed. Data have been obtained with the VIsible Multi Object Spectrograph (VIMOS) on the ESO-VLT UT3, allowing to observe ~600 slits simultaneously at R~230. A total of 11564 objects have been observed in the VVDS-02h and VVDS-CDFS Deep fields over a total area of 0.61deg^2, selected solely on the basis of apparent magnitude 17.5 <=I_{AB} <=24. The VVDS covers the redshift range 0 < z <= 5. It is successfully …
We discuss the evolution of clustering of galaxies in the Universe from the present epoch back to z ~ 2, using the first-epoch data from the VIMOS-VLT Deep Survey (VVDS). We present the evolution of the projected two-point correlation function of galaxies for the global galaxy population, as well as its dependence on galaxy intrinsic luminosities and spectral types. While we do not find strong variations of the correlation function parameters with redshift for the global galaxy population, the clustering of objects with different intrinsic luminosities evolved significantly during last 8-10 bi…
The VVDS-Wide survey has been designed with the general aim of tracing the large-scale distribution of galaxies at z~1 on comoving scales reaching ~100Mpc/h, while providing a good control of cosmic variance over areas as large as a few square degrees. This is achieved by measuring redshifts with VIMOS at the ESO VLT to a limiting magnitude I_AB=22.5, targeting four independent fields with size up to 4 sq.deg. each. The whole survey covers 8.6 sq.deg., here we present the general properties of the current redshift sample. This includes 32734 spectra in the four regions (19977 galaxies, 304 typ…
This paper describes a systematic search for high-order multiplicity among wide visual Pre-Main Sequence (PMS) binaries. We conducted an Adaptive Optics survey of a sample of 58 PMS wide binaries from various star-forming regions, which include 52 T Tauri systems with mostly K- and M-type primaries, with the NIR instrument NACO at the VLT. Of these 52 systems, 7 are found to be triple (2 new) and 7 quadruple (1 new). The new close companions are most likely physically bound based on their probability of chance projection and, for some of them, on their position on a color-color diagram. The co…
We investigate the dependence of galaxy clustering on the galaxy intrinsic luminosity at high redshift, using the data from the First Epoch VIMOS-VLT Deep Survey (VVDS). The size (6530 galaxies) and depth (I_{AB}<24) of the survey allows us to measure the projected two-point correlation function of galaxies, w_p(r_p) for a set of volume-limited samples up to an effective redshift <z>=0.9 and median absolute magnitude -19.6< M_B < -21.3. Fitting w_p(r_p) with a single power-law model for the real-space correlation function xi(r)=(r/r_0)^{-gamma}, we measure the relationship of the correlation l…
We examine the implications for the distribution of extrasolar planets based on the null results from two of the largest direct imaging surveys published to date. Combining the measured contrast curves from 22 of the stars observed with the VLT NACO adaptive optics system by Masciadri et al. (2005), and 48 of the stars observed with the VLT NACO SDI and MMT SDI devices by Biller et al. (2007) (for a total of 60 unique stars; the median star for our survey is a 30 Myr K2 star at 25 pc), we consider what distributions of planet masses and semi-major axes can be ruled out by these data, based on …
We introduce a new survey of massive stars in the Galaxy and the Magellanic Clouds using the Fibre Large Array Multi-Element Spectrograph (FLAMES) instrument at the Very Large Telescope (VLT). Here we present observations of 269 Galactic stars with the FLAMES-Giraffe Spectrograph (R ~ 25,000), in fields centered on the open clusters NGC 3293, NGC 4755 and NGC 6611. These data are supplemented by a further 50 targets observed with the Fibre-Fed Extended Range Optical Spectrograph (FEROS, R = 48,000). Following a description of our scientific motivations and target selection criteria, the data r…
We present photometric redshifts for an uniquely large and deep sample of 522286 objects with i'_{AB}<25 in the Canada-France Legacy Survey ``Deep Survey'' fields, which cover a total effective area of 3.2 deg^2. We use 3241 spectroscopic redshifts with 0<z<5 from the VIMOS VLT Deep Survey as a calibration to derive these photometric redshifts. We devise a robust calibration method which removes systematic trends in the photometric redshifts and significantly reduces the fraction of catastrophic errors. We use our unique spectroscopic sample to present a detailed assessment of the robustness o…
We present the first results of the VIsible Multiobject Spectrograph (VIMOS) ESO/GOODS program of spectroscopy of faint galaxies in the Chandra Deep Field South (CDF-S). The program complements the FORS2 ESO/GOODS campaign. 3312 spectra have been obtained in service mode with VIMOS at the ESO/VLT UT3. The VIMOS LR-Blue and MR grisms have been used to cover different redshift ranges. Galaxies at 1.8 < z < 3.5 have been observed in the GOODS VIMOS-LR-Blue campaign. Galaxies at z < 1 and Lyman Break Galaxies at z > 3.5 have been observed in the VIMOS MR survey. Here we report results for the firs…
From the VIMOS VLT Deep Survey we use a sample of 6447 galaxies with I_{AB} < 24 to identify 251 pairs of galaxies, each member with a secure spectroscopic redshift, which are close in both projected separation and in velocity. We find that at z ~ 0.9, 10.9 +/- 3.2 % of galaxies with M_B(z) < -18-Qz are in pairs with separations dr < 20 kpc/h, dv < 500 km/s, and with dM_B < 1.5, significantly larger than 3.76 +/- 1.71 % at z ~ 0.5; we find that the pair fraction evolves as (1+z)^m with m = 2.49 +/- 0.56. For brighter galaxies with M_B(z=0) < -18.77, the pair fraction is higher and its evolutio…
We present the ESO Distant Cluster Survey (EDisCS) a survey of 20 fields containing distant galaxy clusters with redshifts ranging from 0.4 to almost 1.0. Candidate clusters were chosen from among the brightest objects identified in the Las Campanas Distant Cluster Survey, half with estimated redshift z_est~0.5 and half with z_est~0.8. They were confirmed by identifying red sequences in moderately deep two colour data from VLT/FORS2. For confirmed candidates we have assembled deep three-band optical photometry using VLT/FORS2, deep near-infrared photometry in one or two bands using NTT/SOFI, d…
We present the first results of the ESO/GOODS program of spectroscopy of faint galaxies in the Chandra Deep Field South (CDF-S). 399 spectra of 303 unique targets have been obtained in service mode with the FORS2 spectrograph at the ESO/VLT, providing 234 redshift determinations (the median of the redshift distribution is at 1.04). The typical redshift uncertainty is estimated to be sig(z) ~ 0.001. Galaxies have been color selected in a way that the resulting redshift distribution typically spans from z=0.5 to 2. The reduced spectra and the derived redshifts are released to the community throu…
Recent weak emission-line long-slit surveys and modelling studies of PNe have convincingly argued in favour of the existence of an unknown component in the planetary nebula plasma consisting of cold, hydrogen-deficient gas, as an explanation for the long-standing recombination-line versus forbidden-line temperature and abundance discrepancy problems. Here we describe the rationale and initial results from a detailed spectroscopic study of three Galactic PNe undertaken with the VLT FLAMES integral-field unit spectrograph, which advances our knowledge about the small-scale physical properties, c…
The combined use of the ESO Very Large Telescope (VLT) UT1 Science Verification (SV) images and of the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Hubble Deep Field South observations allows us to strengthen the identification as a candidate elliptical galaxy of the Extremely Red Object HDFS 223251-603910 previously identified by us on the basis of NICMOS and Cerro Tololo Interamerican Observatory imaging. The photometry presented here includes VLT data in U, B, V, R, I, a STIS unfiltered image, NICMOS J, H, and K band data, thus combining the 16.5 hours of VLT SV exposures with 101 hours of HST observing. T…
We have obtained spectroscopic observations from 3600 Angstrom to 9200 Angstrom with FORS at the Very Large Telescope for approximately 70 H II regions located in the spiral galaxies NGC 1232, NGC 1365, NGC 2903, NGC 2997 and NGC 5236. These data are part of a project aiming at measuring the chemical abundances and characterizing the massive stellar content of metal-rich extragalactic H II regions. In this paper we describe our dataset, and present emission line fluxes for the whole sample. In 32 H II regions we measure at least one of the following auroral lines: [S II]4072, [N II]5755, [S II…
We present results of a radial velocity (RV) survey for planets and brown dwarf (BD) companions to very young BDs and (very) low-mass stars (VLMSs) in ChaI. High-resolution echelle spectra of ChaHa1-8 and 12 (M6-M8), and B34, CHXR74, Sz23 (M2.5-M5) were taken with UVES / VLT between 2000 and 2004. The achieved precision (40 to 670 m/s) is sufficient to detect Jupiter mass planets around the targets. This first RV survey of very young BDs probes multiplicity which is a key parameter for formation in an as yet unexplored domain, in terms of age, mass, and orbital separation. We find that the sub…
