Context.
Cosmic-ray propagation is strongly dependent on the large-scale configuration of the Galactic magnetic field. In particular, the Galactic center region provides highly interesting cosmic-ray ...data from gamma-ray maps and it is clear that a large fraction of the cosmic rays detected at Earth originate in this region of the Galaxy. Yet because of confusion from line-of-sight integration, the magnetic field structure in the Galactic center is not well known and no large-scale magnetic field model exists at present.
Aims.
In this paper, we develop a magnetic field model, derived from observational data on the diffuse gas, nonthermal radio filaments, and molecular clouds.
Methods.
We derive an analytical description of the magnetic field structure in the central molecular zone by combining observational data with the theoretical modeling of the basic properties of magnetic fields.
Results.
We provide a first description of the large-scale magnetic field in the Galactic center region. We present first test simulations of cosmic-ray propagation and the impact of the magnetic field structure on the cosmic-ray distribution in the three dimensions.
Conclusions.
Our magnetic field model is able to describe the main features of polarization maps; it is particularly important to note that they are significantly better than standard global Galactic magnetic field models. It can also be used to model cosmic-ray propagation in the Galactic center region more accurately.
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In this first paper of a series on the structure of boxy and peanut-shaped (B/PS) bulges, Kn-band observations of a sample of 30 edge-on spiral galaxies are described and discussed. Kn-band ...observations best trace the dominant luminous galactic mass and are minimally affected by dust. Images, unsharp-masked images, as well as major-axis and vertically summed surface brightness profiles are presented and discussed. Galaxies with a B/PS bulge tend to have a more complex morphology than galaxies with other bulge types, more often showing centred or off-centred X structures, secondary maxima along the major-axis and spiral-like structures. While probably not uniquely related to bars, those features are observed in three-dimensional N-body simulations of barred discs and may trace the main bar orbit families. The surface brightness profiles of galaxies with a B/PS bulge are also more complex, typically containing three or more clearly separated regions, including a shallow or flat intermediate region (Freeman Type II profiles). The breaks in the profiles offer evidence for bar-driven transfer of angular momentum and radial redistribution of material. The profiles further suggest a rapid variation of the scaleheight of the disc material, contrary to conventional wisdom but again as expected from the vertical resonances and instabilities present in barred discs. Interestingly, the steep inner region of the surface brightness profiles is often shorter than the isophotally thick part of the galaxies, itself always shorter than the flat intermediate region of the profiles. The steep inner region is also much more prominent along the major-axis than in the vertically summed profiles. Similarly to other recent work but contrary to the standard 'bulge + disc' model (where the bulge is both thick and steep), we thus propose that galaxies with a B/PS bulge are composed of a thin concentrated disc (a disc-like bulge) contained within a partially thick bar (the B/PS bulge), itself contained within a thin outer disc. The inner disc likely formed secularly through bar-driven processes and is responsible for the steep inner region of the surface brightness profiles, traditionally associated with a classic bulge, while the bar is responsible for the flat intermediate region of the surface brightness profiles and the thick complex morphological structures observed. Those components are strongly coupled dynamically and are formed mostly of the same (disc) material, shaped by the weak but relentless action of the bar resonances. Any competing formation scenario for galaxies with a B/PS bulge, which represent at least 45 per cent of the local disc galaxy population, must explain equally well and self-consistently the above morphological and photometric properties, the complex gas and stellar kinematics observed, and the correlations between them.
Abstract
We study the galactic wind in the edge-on spiral galaxy UGC 10043 with the combination of the CALIFA integral field spectroscopy data, scanning Fabry–Perot interferometry (FPI) and multiband ...photometry. We detect ionized gas in the extraplanar regions reaching a relatively high distance, up to ∼4 kpc above the galactic disc. The ionized gas line ratios (N ii/Hα, S ii/Hα and O i/Hα) present an enhancement along the semiminor axis, in contrast with the values found at the disc, where they are compatible with ionization due to H ii-regions. These differences, together with the biconic symmetry of the extra-planar ionized structure, make UGC 10043 a clear candidate for a galaxy with gas outflows ionizated by shocks. From the comparison of shock models with the observed line ratios, and the kinematics observed from the FPI data, we constrain the physical properties of the observed outflow. The data are compatible with a velocity increase of the gas along the extraplanar distances up to <400 km s−1 and the pre-shock density decreasing in the same direction. We also observe a discrepancy in the SFR estimated based on Hα (0.36 M⊙ yr−1) and that estimated with the cigale code, the latter being five times larger. Nevertheless, this SFR is still not enough to drive the observed galactic wind if we do not take into account the filling factor. We stress that the combination of the three techniques of observation with the models is a powerful tool to explore galactic winds in the Local Universe.
Simulations of galaxy growth need to invoke strong negative feedback from active galactic nuclei (AGNs) to suppress the formation of stars and thus prevent the over-production of very massive ...systems. While some observations provide evidence for such negative feedback, other studies find either no feedback or even positive feedback, with increased star formation associated with higher AGN luminosities. Here we report an analysis of several hundred AGNs and their host galaxies in the Chandra Deep Field South using X-ray and radio data for sample selection. Combined with archival far-infrared data as a reliable tracer of star formation activity in the AGN host galaxies, we find that AGNs with pronounced radio jets exhibit a much higher star formation rate (SFR) than the purely X-ray-selected ones, even at the same X-ray luminosities. This difference implies that positive AGN feedback plays an important role, too, and therefore has to be accounted for in all future simulation work. We interpret this to indicate that the enhanced SFR of radio-selected AGNs arises because of jet-induced star formation, as is suggested by the different jet powers among our AGN samples, while the suppressed SFR of X-ray selected AGN is caused by heating and photo-dissociation of molecular gas by the hot AGN accretion disk.
Context.
Cosmic rays and magnetic fields are key ingredients in galaxy evolution, regulating both stellar feedback and star formation. Their properties can be studied with low-frequency radio ...continuum observations that are free from thermal contamination.
Aims.
We define a sample of 76 nearby (< 30 Mpc) galaxies with rich ancillary data in the radio continuum and infrared from the CHANG-ES and KINGFISH surveys, which will be observed with the LOFAR Two-metre Sky Survey (LoTSS) at 144 MHz.
Methods.
We present maps for 45 of them as part of the LoTSS data release 2 (LoTSS-DR2), where we measure integrated flux densities and study integrated and spatially resolved radio spectral indices. We investigate the radio–star formation rate (SFR) relation using SFRs derived from total infrared and H
α
+ 24-μm emission.
Results.
The radio–SFR relation at 144 MHz is clearly super-linear with
L
144 MHz
∝ SFR
1.4−1.5
. The mean integrated radio spectral index between 144 and ≈1400 MHz is ⟨
α
⟩= − 0.56 ± 0.14, in agreement with the injection spectral index for cosmic ray electrons (CREs). However, the radio spectral index maps show variation of spectral indices with flatter spectra associated with star-forming regions and steeper spectra in galaxy outskirts and, in particular, in extra-planar regions. We found that galaxies with high SFRs have steeper radio spectra; we find similar correlations with galaxy size, mass, and rotation speed.
Conclusions.
Galaxies that are larger and more massive are better electron calorimeters, meaning that the CRE lose a higher fraction of their energy within the galaxies. This explains the super-linear radio–SFR relation, with more massive, star-forming galaxies being radio bright. We propose a semi-calorimetric radio–SFR relation that employs the galaxy mass as a proxy for the calorimetric efficiency.
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This study presents first results from an X-ray mini-survey carried out with XMM-Newton to investigate the diffuse Hot Ionized Medium in the halos of nine nearby star-forming edge-on spiral galaxies. ...Diffuse gaseous X-ray halos are detected in eight of our targets, covering a wide range of star formation rates from quiescent to starburst cases. For four edge-on spiral galaxies, namely NGC 3044, NGC 3221, NGC 4634, and NGC 5775, we present the first published high resolution/sensitivity detections of extended soft X-ray halos. EPIC X-ray contour maps overlaid onto Ha imaging data reveals that in all cases the presence of X-ray halos is correlated with extraplanar Diffuse Ionized Gas. Moreover, these halos are also associated with non-thermal cosmic ray halos, as evidenced by radio continuum observations. Supplemental UV-data obtained with the OM-telescope at 210 nm show Diffuse Ionized Gas to be well associated with UV emission originating in the underlying disk. Beside NGC 891, NGC 4634 is the second non-starburst galaxy with a diffuse soft X-ray halo ("z" , 4 kpc). In case of NGC 3877, for which we also present the first high resolution X-ray imaging data, no halo emission is detectable. EPIC pn spectra (0.3-12 keV) of the diffuse X-ray emission are extracted at different offset positions from the disk, giving evidence to a significant decrease of gas temperatures, electron densities, and gas masses with increasing distance to the plane. A comparison between dynamical and radiative cooling time scales implies that the outflow in all targets is likely to be sustained. We find very strong indications that spatially correlated multi-phase gaseous halos are created by star forming activity in the disk plane. In a forthcoming paper, we will present multi-frequency luminosity relations and evaluate key parameters which might trigger the formation of multi-phase galaxy halos.
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Aims.
We analyze a MUSE optical integral field spectrum of the star-forming edge-on galaxy IC 1553 in order to study its extraplanar diffuse ionized gas (eDIG) and the processes shaping its disk-halo ...interface.
Methods.
We extracted the optical emission line properties from the integral field spectrum and generated the commonly used emission line diagnostic diagrams in order to analyze the ionization conditions and the distribution of the eDIG. Furthermore, we performed gravitational potential fitting to investigate the kinematics of a suspected galactic outflow.
Results.
We find that the eDIG scale height has a maximum value of approximately 1.0 kpc and decreases roughly linearly with the radial distance from the galactic center in projection. The ionization state of the eDIG is not consistent with a pure photoionization scenario and instead requires a significant contribution from shock ionization. This, in addition to the gas kinematics, strongly suggests the presence of a galactic scale outflow, the origin of which lies at least 1.4 kpc away from the galactic center. The inferred shock velocity in the eDIG of approximately 225 km s
−1
is comparable to the escape velocity estimated from our potential modelling. The asymmetric distribution of currently star-forming clusters produces a range of different ionization conditions in the eDIG. As a result, the vertical emission line profiles vary quantitatively and qualitatively along the major axis of the galaxy. This analysis illustrates that it is crucial in studies of the eDIG to use observations that take the spatial and kinematical distributions into account, such as those done with integral field units, to form an accurate picture of the relevant physical properties.
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Context.
To understand galaxy evolution, it is essential to measure star formation rates (SFRs) across cosmic time.
Aims.
The use of radio continuum emission as an extinction-free tracer of star ...formation necessitates a good understanding of the influence of cosmic-ray electron (CRE) transport. Our aim in this work is to improve this understanding.
Methods.
We analysed the spatially resolved radio continuum-star formation rate (radio-SFR) relation in 15 nearby galaxies using data from the LOw Frequency ARray (LOFAR) and the Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope (WSRT) at 144 and 1365 MHz, respectively. The hybrid SFR maps are based on observations with
Spitzer
at 24 μm and with GALEX at 156 nm. Our pixel-by-pixel analysis at 1.2 kpc resolution reveals the usual sublinear radio-SFR relation for local measurements. This can be linearised with a smoothing experiment, convolving the hybrid SFR map with a Gaussian kernel that provides us with the CRE transport length.
Results.
CRE transport can be described as energy-independent isotropic diffusion. If we consider only young CREs as identified with the radio spectral index, we find a linear relation showing the influence of cosmic-ray transport. We then define the CRE calorimetric efficiency as the ratio of radio-to-hybrid SFR surface density and show that it is a function of the radio spectral index. If we correct the radio-SFR relation for the CRE calorimetric efficiency parametrised by the radio spectral index, it becomes nearly linear with a slope of 1.01 ± 0.02, independent of frequency.
Conclusions.
The corrected radio-SFR relation is universal and it holds for both global and local measurements.
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Context.
The details of cosmic-ray transport have a strong impact on galaxy evolution. The peak of the cosmic-ray energy distribution is observable in the radio continuum using the electrons as ...proxy.
Aims.
We aim to measure the distance that the cosmic-ray electrons (CREs) are transported during their lifetime in the nearby galaxy M 51 across one order of magnitude in cosmic-ray energy (approximately 1–10 GeV). To this end, we use new ultra-low frequency observations from the LOw Frequency ARay (LOFAR) at 54 MHz and ancillary data between 144 and 8350 MHz.
Methods.
As the CREs originate from supernova remnants, the radio maps are smoothed in comparison to the distribution of the star formation. By convolving the map of the star formation rate (SFR) surface density with a Gaussian kernel, we can linearise the radio–SFR relation. The best-fitting convolution kernel is then our estimate of the CRE transport length.
Results.
We find that the CRE transport length increases at low frequencies, as expected since the CRE have longer lifetimes. The CRE transport length is
l
CRE
= √4
Dt
syn
, where
D
is the isotropic diffusion coefficient and
t
syn
is the CRE lifetime as given by synchrotron and inverse Compton losses. We find that the data can be well fitted by diffusion, where
D
= (2.14 ± 0.13)×10
28
cm
2
s
−1
. With
D
∝
E
0.001 ± 0.185
, the diffusion coefficient is independent of the CRE energy
E
in the range considered.
Conclusions.
Our results suggest that the transport of GeV-cosmic ray electrons in the star-forming discs of galaxies is governed by energy-independent diffusion.
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