Infrared star-count models and their application to the Subaru Deep Field

Citation
T. Nakajima et al., Infrared star-count models and their application to the Subaru Deep Field, ASTRONOM J, 120(5), 2000, pp. 2488-2495
Citations number
31
Categorie Soggetti
Space Sciences
Journal title
ASTRONOMICAL JOURNAL
ISSN journal
00046256 → ACNP
Volume
120
Issue
5
Year of publication
2000
Pages
2488 - 2495
Database
ISI
SICI code
0004-6256(200011)120:5<2488:ISMATA>2.0.ZU;2-N
Abstract
We construct infrared star-count models of the Galaxy, applicable at faint magnitudes, based on the models and luminosity functions (LFs) obtained at V. Two types of models are derived. First, we derive infrared versions of t he disk and halo models by Gould et al., who obtained the local LFs and fun ctional forms of the models based on Hubble Space Telescope (HST) star coun ts. Second, we construct a double exponential disk model based on the LF of nearby stars by Reid & Gizis and a halo model based on the nearby-subdwarf LF of Dahn et al. In addition to the dwarfs and subdwarfs included in the original models, we also take into account L dwarfs, T dwarfs, and white dw arfs of both disk and halo. As a test case for the models, we analyze the i nfrared imaging data at J and K' obtained during the Subaru Deep Field surv ey to study stellar objects. Out of about 350 objects, 14 stellar objects a re selected in a 2' x 2' field based on a morphological criterion applied t o the J-band image. Both the completeness and the contamination associated with the selection criterion are evaluated by simulations. The J-band image is 57% complete at J = 24, and the number of contaminants is estimated to be negligible. The prediction of the HST-based models agrees with the obser ved count at -0.8 sigma, and that of the nearby-star LF-based models also a grees with the observations at +1.0 sigma. The observed count is between th e predictions of the two types of models, which have contradictory local LF s. With our limited statistics, the observational data do not favor a parti cular type of model. The infrared star-count models we have obtained predic t that the Next Generation Space Telescope will see primarily T dwarfs, M s ubdwarfs, and old halo white dwarfs at faint magnitudes.