We present quantitative morphology measurements of a sample of optically selected group galaxies at 0.3 < z < 0.55 using the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) and the GIM2D surface brightness fitting software package. The group sample is derived from the Canadian Network for Observational Cosmology Field Galaxy Redshift Survey (CNOC2) and follow-up Magellan spectroscopy. We compare these measurements to a similarly selected group sample from the Millennium Galaxy Catalogue (MGC) at 0.05 < z < 0.12. We find that, at both epochs, the group and field fractional bulge luminosity (B/T) distributions differ significantly, with the dominant difference being a deficit of disc-dominated (B/T < 0.2) galaxies in the group samples. At fixed luminosity, z = 0.4 groups have similar to 5.5 +/- 2 per cent fewer disc-dominated galaxies than the field, while by z = 0.1 this difference has increased to similar to 19 +/- 6 per cent. Despite the morphological evolution we see no evidence that the group environment is actively perturbing or otherwise affecting the entire existing disc population. At both redshifts, the discs of group galaxies have similar scaling relations and show similar median asymmetries as the discs of field galaxies. We do find evidence that the fraction of highly asymmetric, bulge-dominated galaxies is 6 +/- 3 per cent higher in groups than in the field, suggesting there may be enhanced merging in group environments. We replicate our group samples at z = 0.4 and 0 using the semi-analytic galaxy catalogues of Bower et al. This model accurately reproduces the B/T distributions of the group and field at z = 0.1. However, the model does not reproduce our finding that the deficit of discs in groups has increased significantly since z = 0.4.

Using deep Chandra and optical spectroscopic observations, we investigate an intriguing young massive group, RX J1648.7+6109, at z = 0.376, and we combine these observations with previous measurements to fit the scaling relations of intermediate-redshift groups and poor clusters. RX J1648 appears to be in an early stage of formation; while it follows X-ray scaling relations, its X-ray emission is highly elongated, and it lacks a central, dominant BCG. Instead, RX J1648 contains a central string of seven bright galaxies, which have a smaller velocity dispersion, are on average brighter, and have less star formation [lower EW([O II]) and EW(H delta)] than other group galaxies. The four to five brightest galaxies in this string should sink to the center and merge through dynamical friction by z = 0, forming a BCG consistent with a system of RX J1648's mass even if 5%-50% of the light is lost to an intracluster light component. The L-X-T-X relation for intermediate-redshift groups/poor clusters is very similar to the low-redshift cluster relation and consistent with the low-redshift group relation. In contrast, the L-X-sigma(nu) and sigma(nu)-T-X relations reveal that intermediate-redshift groups/poor clusters have significantly lower velocity dispersions for their X-ray properties compared to low-redshift systems; however, the intermediate-redshift relations are currently limited to a small range in luminosity.

Using deep Chandra and optical spectroscopic observations, we investigate an intriguing young massive group, RX J1648.7+6109, at z = 0.376, and we combine these observations with previous measurements to fit the scaling relations of intermediate-redshift groups and poor clusters. RX J1648 appears to be in an early stage of formation; while it follows X-ray scaling relations, its X-ray emission is highly elongated, and it lacks a central, dominant BCG. Instead, RX J1648 contains a central string of seven bright galaxies, which have a smaller velocity dispersion, are on average brighter, and have less star formation [lower EW([O II]) and EW(H delta)] than other group galaxies. The four to five brightest galaxies in this string should sink to the center and merge through dynamical friction by z = 0, forming a BCG consistent with a system of RX J1648's mass even if 5%-50% of the light is lost to an intracluster light component. The L-X-T-X relation for intermediate-redshift groups/poor clusters is very similar to the low-redshift cluster relation and consistent with the low-redshift group relation. In contrast, the L-X-sigma(nu) and sigma(nu)-T-X relations reveal that intermediate-redshift groups/poor clusters have significantly lower velocity dispersions for their X-ray properties compared to low-redshift systems; however, the intermediate-redshift relations are currently limited to a small range in luminosity.

Using deep Chandra and optical spectroscopic observations, we investigate an intriguing young massive group, RX J1648.7+6109, at z = 0.376, and we combine these observations with previous measurements to fit the scaling relations of intermediate-redshift groups and poor clusters. RX J1648 appears to be in an early stage of formation; while it follows X-ray scaling relations, its X-ray emission is highly elongated, and it lacks a central, dominant BCG. Instead, RX J1648 contains a central string of seven bright galaxies, which have a smaller velocity dispersion, are on average brighter, and have less star formation [lower EW([O II]) and EW(H delta)] than other group galaxies. The four to five brightest galaxies in this string should sink to the center and merge through dynamical friction by z = 0, forming a BCG consistent with a system of RX J1648's mass even if 5%-50% of the light is lost to an intracluster light component. The L-X-T-X relation for intermediate-redshift groups/poor clusters is very similar to the low-redshift cluster relation and consistent with the low-redshift group relation. In contrast, the L-X-sigma(nu) and sigma(nu)-T-X relations reveal that intermediate-redshift groups/poor clusters have significantly lower velocity dispersions for their X-ray properties compared to low-redshift systems; however, the intermediate-redshift relations are currently limited to a small range in luminosity.

Using deep Chandra and optical spectroscopic observations, we investigate an intriguing young massive group, RX J1648.7+6109, at z = 0.376, and we combine these observations with previous measurements to fit the scaling relations of intermediate-redshift groups and poor clusters. RX J1648 appears to be in an early stage of formation; while it follows X-ray scaling relations, its X-ray emission is highly elongated, and it lacks a central, dominant BCG. Instead, RX J1648 contains a central string of seven bright galaxies, which have a smaller velocity dispersion, are on average brighter, and have less star formation [lower EW([O II]) and EW(H delta)] than other group galaxies. The four to five brightest galaxies in this string should sink to the center and merge through dynamical friction by z = 0, forming a BCG consistent with a system of RX J1648's mass even if 5%-50% of the light is lost to an intracluster light component. The L-X-T-X relation for intermediate-redshift groups/poor clusters is very similar to the low-redshift cluster relation and consistent with the low-redshift group relation. In contrast, the L-X-sigma(nu) and sigma(nu)-T-X relations reveal that intermediate-redshift groups/poor clusters have significantly lower velocity dispersions for their X-ray properties compared to low-redshift systems; however, the intermediate-redshift relations are currently limited to a small range in luminosity.

The detection and characterization of the afterglow emission and host galaxies of short-hard gamma-ray bursts (SHBs) is one of the most exciting recent astronomical discoveries. In particular, indications that SHB progenitors belong to old stellar populations, in contrast to the long-soft GRBs, provide a strong clue about the physical nature of these systems. Definitive conclusions are currently limited by the small number of SHBs with known hosts available for study. Here, we present our investigation of SHBs previously localized by the interplanetary network (IPN). We show that the brightest galaxy within the error box of SHB 000607, at z = 0.1405, is the probable host galaxy of this event, expanding the sample of SHBs with known hosts and distances. We find a spatial association of the bright SHB 790613 and the cataloged position of the rich galaxy cluster Abell 1892. However, we are unable to verify the reality of this cluster via spectroscopy or multicolor imaging, and we conclude that this association may well be spurious. In addition, we rule out the existence of galaxy overdensities (down to approximate to 21 mag, i.e., approximate to 0.1 L-* at z-0.2) near the locations of two other SHBs and set a lower limit on their probable redshift. We combine our SHB sample with a complete sample of events discovered by the Swift and HETE-2 missions and investigate the properties of the extended sample. We show that the progenitors of SHBs appear to be older than those of Type Ia SNe, on average, suggesting a typical lifetime of several Gyr. The low typical redshift of SHBs leads to a significant increase in the local SHB rate and bodes well for the detection of gravitational radiation from these events, should they result from compact binary mergers, with forthcoming facilities.

The detection and characterization of the afterglow emission and host galaxies of short-hard gamma-ray bursts (SHBs) is one of the most exciting recent astronomical discoveries. In particular, indications that SHB progenitors belong to old stellar populations, in contrast to the long-soft GRBs, provide a strong clue about the physical nature of these systems. Definitive conclusions are currently limited by the small number of SHBs with known hosts available for study. Here, we present our investigation of SHBs previously localized by the interplanetary network (IPN). We show that the brightest galaxy within the error box of SHB 000607, at z = 0.1405, is the probable host galaxy of this event, expanding the sample of SHBs with known hosts and distances. We find a spatial association of the bright SHB 790613 and the cataloged position of the rich galaxy cluster Abell 1892. However, we are unable to verify the reality of this cluster via spectroscopy or multicolor imaging, and we conclude that this association may well be spurious. In addition, we rule out the existence of galaxy overdensities (down to approximate to 21 mag, i.e., approximate to 0.1 L-* at z-0.2) near the locations of two other SHBs and set a lower limit on their probable redshift. We combine our SHB sample with a complete sample of events discovered by the Swift and HETE-2 missions and investigate the properties of the extended sample. We show that the progenitors of SHBs appear to be older than those of Type Ia SNe, on average, suggesting a typical lifetime of several Gyr. The low typical redshift of SHBs leads to a significant increase in the local SHB rate and bodes well for the detection of gravitational radiation from these events, should they result from compact binary mergers, with forthcoming facilities.

The detection and characterization of the afterglow emission and host galaxies of short-hard gamma-ray bursts (SHBs) is one of the most exciting recent astronomical discoveries. In particular, indications that SHB progenitors belong to old stellar populations, in contrast to the long-soft GRBs, provide a strong clue about the physical nature of these systems. Definitive conclusions are currently limited by the small number of SHBs with known hosts available for study. Here, we present our investigation of SHBs previously localized by the interplanetary network (IPN). We show that the brightest galaxy within the error box of SHB 000607, at z = 0.1405, is the probable host galaxy of this event, expanding the sample of SHBs with known hosts and distances. We find a spatial association of the bright SHB 790613 and the cataloged position of the rich galaxy cluster Abell 1892. However, we are unable to verify the reality of this cluster via spectroscopy or multicolor imaging, and we conclude that this association may well be spurious. In addition, we rule out the existence of galaxy overdensities (down to approximate to 21 mag, i.e., approximate to 0.1 L-* at z-0.2) near the locations of two other SHBs and set a lower limit on their probable redshift. We combine our SHB sample with a complete sample of events discovered by the Swift and HETE-2 missions and investigate the properties of the extended sample. We show that the progenitors of SHBs appear to be older than those of Type Ia SNe, on average, suggesting a typical lifetime of several Gyr. The low typical redshift of SHBs leads to a significant increase in the local SHB rate and bodes well for the detection of gravitational radiation from these events, should they result from compact binary mergers, with forthcoming facilities.

The detection and characterization of the afterglow emission and host galaxies of short-hard gamma-ray bursts (SHBs) is one of the most exciting recent astronomical discoveries. In particular, indications that SHB progenitors belong to old stellar populations, in contrast to the long-soft GRBs, provide a strong clue about the physical nature of these systems. Definitive conclusions are currently limited by the small number of SHBs with known hosts available for study. Here, we present our investigation of SHBs previously localized by the interplanetary network (IPN). We show that the brightest galaxy within the error box of SHB 000607, at z = 0.1405, is the probable host galaxy of this event, expanding the sample of SHBs with known hosts and distances. We find a spatial association of the bright SHB 790613 and the cataloged position of the rich galaxy cluster Abell 1892. However, we are unable to verify the reality of this cluster via spectroscopy or multicolor imaging, and we conclude that this association may well be spurious. In addition, we rule out the existence of galaxy overdensities (down to approximate to 21 mag, i.e., approximate to 0.1 L-* at z-0.2) near the locations of two other SHBs and set a lower limit on their probable redshift. We combine our SHB sample with a complete sample of events discovered by the Swift and HETE-2 missions and investigate the properties of the extended sample. We show that the progenitors of SHBs appear to be older than those of Type Ia SNe, on average, suggesting a typical lifetime of several Gyr. The low typical redshift of SHBs leads to a significant increase in the local SHB rate and bodes well for the detection of gravitational radiation from these events, should they result from compact binary mergers, with forthcoming facilities.

The low-redshift universe (z similar to 0.5) is not a dull place. Processes leading to the suppression of star formation and morphological transformation are prevalent: this is particularly evident in the dramatic upturn in the fraction of S0-type galaxies in clusters. However, until now, the process and environment of formation remained unidentified. We present a morphological analysis of galaxies in the optically-selected (spectroscopic friends-of-friends) group and field environments at z similar to 0.4. Groups contain a much higher fraction of S0s at fixed luminosity than the lower density field, with >99.999% confidence. Indeed, the S0 fraction in groups is at least as high as in z similar to 0.4 clusters and X-ray-selected groups, which have more luminous intragroup medium (IGM). An excess of S0s at >= 0.3h(75)(-1) Mpc from the group center with respect to the inner regions, existing with 97% confidence at fixed luminosity, tells us that formation is not restricted to, and possibly even avoids, the group cores. Interactions with a bright X-ray-emitting IGM cannot be important for the formation of the majority of S0s in the universe. In contrast to S0s, the fraction of elliptical galaxies in groups at fixed luminosity is similar to the field, while the brightest ellipticals are strongly enhanced toward the group centers (greater than 99.999% confidence within >= 0.3h(75)(-1) Mpc). Interestingly, while spirals are altogether less common in groups than in the field, there is also an excess of faint, Sc+ type spirals within >= 0.3h(75)(-1) Mpc of the group centers (99.953% confidence). We conclude that the group and subgroup environments must be dominant for the formation of S0 galaxies, and that minor mergers, galaxy harassment, and tidal interactions are the most likely responsible mechanisms. This has implications not only for the inferred preprocessing of cluster galaxies, but also for the global morphological and star formation budget of galaxies: as hierarchical clustering progresses, more galaxies will be subject to these transformations as they enter the group environment.