We present a set of new analytic solutions aimed at self-consistently describing the spatially averaged time evolution of the gas, stellar, metal, and dust content in an individual star-forming ...galaxy hosted within a dark halo of a given mass and formation redshift. Then, as an application, we show that our solutions, when coupled to specific prescriptions for parameter setting (inspired by in situ galaxy-black hole coevolution scenarios) and merger rates (based on numerical simulations), can be exploited to reproduce the main statistical relationships followed by early-type galaxies and their high-redshift star-forming progenitors. Our analytic solutions allow one to easily disentangle the diverse role of the main physical processes regulating galaxy formation, quickly explore the related parameter space, and make transparent predictions on spatially averaged quantities. As such, our analytic solutions may provide a basis for improving the (subgrid) physical recipes presently implemented in theoretical approaches and numerical simulations and can offer a benchmark for interpreting and forecasting current and future broadband observations of high-redshift star-forming galaxies.
Abstract
We present ALMA observations at 107.291 GHz (band 3) and 214.532 GHz (band 6) of GMASS 0953, a star-forming galaxy at z = 2.226 hosting an obscured active galactic nucleus (AGN) that has ...been proposed as a progenitor of compact quiescent galaxies (QGs). We measure for the first time the size of the dust and molecular gas emission of GMASS 0953 that we find to be extremely compact (∼1 kpc). This result, coupled with a very high interstellar medium (ISM) density (n ∼ 105.5 cm−3), a low gas mass fraction (∼0.2), and a short gas depletion time-scale (∼150 Myr), implies that GMASS 0953 is experiencing an episode of intense star formation in its central region that will rapidly exhaust its gas reservoirs, likely aided by AGN-induced feedback, confirming its fate as a compact QG. Kinematic analysis of the CO(6–5) line shows evidence of rapidly rotating gas (Vrot = 320$^{+92}_{-53}$ km s−1), as observed also in a handful of similar sources at the same redshift. On-going quenching mechanisms could either destroy the rotation or leave it intact leading the galaxy to evolve into a rotating QG.
Here, we describe the Compact Array Broad-band Backend (CABB) and present first results obtained with the upgraded Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA). The 16-fold increase in observing ...bandwidth, from 2 × 128 to 2 × 2048 MHz, high-bit sampling and the addition of 16 zoom windows (each divided into further 2048 channels) provide major improvements for all ATCA observations. The benefits of the new system are: (1) hugely increased radio continuum and polarization sensitivity as well as image fidelity; (2) substantially improved capability to search for and map emission and absorption lines over large velocity ranges; (3) simultaneous multi-line and continuum observations; (4) increased sensitivity, survey speed and dynamic range due to high-bit sampling and (5) high-velocity resolution, while maintaining full polarization output. The new CABB system encourages all observers to make use of both spectral line and continuum data to achieve their full potential.
Given the dramatic increase of the ATCA capabilities in all bands (ranging from 1.1 to 105 GHz) CABB enables scientific projects that were not feasible before the upgrade, such as simultaneous observations of multiple spectral lines, on-the-fly mapping, fast follow-up of radio transients (e.g. the radio afterglow of new supernovae) and maser observation at high-velocity resolution and full polarization. The first science results presented here include wide-band spectra, high dynamic-range images and polarization measurements, highlighting the increased capability and discovery potential of the ATCA.
We aim to provide a holistic view on the typical size and kinematic evolution of massive early-type galaxies (ETGs) that encompasses their high-z star-forming progenitors, their high-z quiescent ...counterparts, and their configurations in the local Universe. Our investigation covers the main processes playing a relevant role in the cosmic evolution of ETGs. Specifically, their early fast evolution comprises biased collapse of the low angular momentum gaseous baryons located in the inner regions of the host dark matter halo; cooling, fragmentation, and infall of the gas down to the radius set by the centrifugal barrier; further rapid compaction via clump/gas migration toward the galaxy center, where strong heavily dust-enshrouded star formation takes place and most of the stellar mass is accumulated; and ejection of substantial gas amount from the inner regions by feedback processes, which causes a dramatic puffing-up of the stellar component. In the late slow evolution, passive aging of stellar populations and mass additions by dry merger events occur. We describe these processes relying on prescriptions inspired by basic physical arguments and by numerical simulations to derive new analytical estimates of the relevant sizes, timescales, and kinematic properties for individual galaxies along their evolution. Then we obtain quantitative results as a function of galaxy mass and redshift, and compare them to recent observational constraints on half-light size Re, on the ratio v/ between rotation velocity and velocity dispersion (for gas and stars) and on the specific angular momentum j of the stellar component; we find good consistency with the available multiband data in average values and dispersion, both for local ETGs and for their z ∼ 1-2 star-forming and quiescent progenitors. The outcomes of our analysis can provide hints to gauge sub-grid recipes implemented in simulations, to tune numerical experiments focused on specific processes, and to plan future multiband, high-resolution observations on high-redshift star-forming and quiescent galaxies with next-generation facilities.
Abstract
We present a detailed analysis of the X-ray and molecular gas emission in the nearby galaxy NGC 34, to constrain the properties of molecular gas, and assess whether, and to what extent, the ...radiation produced by the accretion on to the central black hole affects the CO line emission. We analyse the CO spectral line energy distribution (SLED) as resulting mainly from Herschel and ALMA data, along with X-ray data from NuSTAR and XMM–Newton. The X-ray data analysis suggests the presence of a heavily obscured active galactic nucleus (AGN) with an intrinsic luminosity of L1–100 keV ≃ 4.0 × 1042 erg s−1. ALMA high-resolution data (θ ≃ 0.2 arcsec) allow us to scan the nuclear region down to a spatial scale of ≈100 pc for the CO(6–5) transition. We model the observed SLED using photodissociation region (PDR), X-ray-dominated region (XDR), and shock models, finding that a combination of a PDR and an XDR provides the best fit to the observations. The PDR component, characterized by gas density log(n/cm−3) = 2.5 and temperature T = 30 K, reproduces the low-J CO line luminosities. The XDR is instead characterized by a denser and warmer gas (log(n/cm−3) = 4.5, T = 65 K), and is necessary to fit the high-J transitions. The addition of a third component to account for the presence of shocks has been also tested but does not improve the fit of the CO SLED. We conclude that the AGN contribution is significant in heating the molecular gas in NGC 34.
We combine the latest data sets obtained with different surveys to study the frequency dependence of polarized emission coming from extragalactic radio sources (ERS). We consider data over a very ...wide frequency range starting from 1.4 GHz up to 217 GHz. This range is particularly interesting since it overlaps the frequencies of the current and forthcoming cosmic microwave background (CMB) experiments. Current data suggest that at high radio frequencies ( ≥ 20 GHz) the fractional polarization of ERS does not depend on the total flux density. Conversely, recent data sets indicate a moderate increase of polarization fraction as a function of frequency, physically motivated by the fact that Faraday depolarization is expected to be less relevant at high radio frequencies. We compute ERS number counts using updated models based on recent data, and we forecast the contribution of unresolved ERS in CMB polarization spectra. Given the expected sensitivities and the observational patch sizes of forthcoming CMB experiments, about ∼200 (up to ∼2000) polarized ERS are expected to be detected. Finally, we assess that polarized ERS can contaminate the cosmological B-mode polarization if the tensor-to-scalar ratio is <0.05 and they have to be robustly controlled to de-lens CMB B-modes at the arcminute angular scales.
Context.
Obscured active galactic nuclei (AGN) represent a significant fraction of the entire AGN population, especially at high redshift (∼70% at
z
= 3 − 5). They are often characterized by the ...presence of large gas and dust reservoirs that are thought to sustain and possibly obscure vigorous star formation processes that make these objects shine at FIR and submillimeter wavelengths. Studying the physical properties of obscured AGN and their host galaxies is crucial to shedding light on the early stages of a massive system lifetime.
Aims.
We aim to investigate the contribution of the interstellar medium (ISM) to the obscuration of quasars in a sample of distant highly star forming galaxies and to unveil their morphological and kinematics properties.
Methods.
We exploit Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array Cycle 4 observations of the continuum (∼2.1 mm) and high-
J
CO emission of a sample of six X-ray selected, FIR detected galaxies hosting an obscured AGN at
z
spec
> 2.5 in the 7 Ms
Chandra
Deep Field-South. We measured the masses and sizes of the dust and molecular gas by fitting the images, visibilities, and spectra, and we derived the gas density and column density on the basis of a uniform sphere geometry. Finally, we compared the measured column densities with those derived from the
Chandra
X-ray spectra.
Results.
We detected both the continuum and line emission for three sources for which we measured both the flux density and size. For the undetected sources, we derived an upper limit on the flux density from the root mean square of the images. We found that the detected galaxies are rich in gas and dust (molecular gas mass in the range < 0.5–2.7 × 10
10
M
⊙
for
α
CO
= 0.8 and up to ∼2 × 10
11
M
⊙
for
α
CO
= 6.5, and dust mass < 0.9–4.9 × 10
8
M
⊙
) and generally compact (gas major axis 2.1–3.0 kpc, dust major axis 1.4–2.7 kpc). The column densities associated with the ISM are on the order of 10
23 − 24
cm
−2
, which is comparable with those derived from the X-ray spectra. For the detected sources we also derived dynamical masses in the range 0.8–3.7 × 10
10
M
⊙
.
Conclusions.
We conclude that the ISM of high redshift galaxies can substantially contribute to nuclear obscuration up to the Compton-thick (> 10
24
cm
−2
) regime. In addition, we found that all the detected sources show a velocity gradient reminding one rotating system, even though two of them show peculiar features in their morphology that can be associated with a chaotic, possibly merging, structure.
Based on ALMA Band 3 observations of the CO(2→1) line transition, we report the discovery of three new gas-rich (
M
H
2
∼ 1.5 − 4.8 × 10
10
M
⊙
) galaxies in an overdense region at
z
= 1.7 that ...already contains eight spectroscopically confirmed members. This leads to a total of 11 confirmed overdensity members within a projected distance of ∼1.15 Mpc and in a redshift range of Δ
z
= 0.012. Under simple assumptions, we estimate that the system has a total mass of ≥3 − 6 × 10
13
M
⊙
, and show that it will likely evolve into a ≳10
14
M
⊙
cluster at
z
= 0. The overdensity includes a powerful Compton-thick Fanaroff-Riley type II (FRII) radio galaxy, around which we discovered a large molecular gas reservoir (
M
H
2
∼ 2 × 10
11
M
⊙
). We fit the FRII resolved CO emission with a 2D Gaussian model with a major (minor) axis of ∼27 (∼17) kpc, which is a factor of ∼3 larger than the optical rest-frame emission. Under the assumption of a simple edge-on disk morphology, we find that the galaxy interstellar medium produces a column density toward the nucleus of ∼5.5 × 10
23
cm
−2
. A dense interstellar medium like this may then contribute significantly to the total nuclear obscuration measured in the X-rays (
N
H, X
∼ 1.5 × 10
24
cm
−2
) in addition to a small, paresec-scale absorber around the central engine. The velocity map of this source unveils a rotational motion of the gas that is perpendicular to the radio jets. All ALMA sources have a dust-reddened counterpart in deep
Hubble
Space Telescope images (bands
i
,
z
,
H
), while we do not detect any molecular gas reservoir around the known UV-bright, star-forming members discovered by MUSE. This highlights the capability of ALMA of tracing gas-rich members of the overdensity. For the MUSE sources, we derive 3
σ
upper limits to the molecular gas mass of
M
H
2
≤ 2.8 − 4.8 × 10
10
M
⊙
. We derive star formation rates in the range ∼5 − 100
M
⊙
yr
−1
for the three new ALMA sources. The FRII is located at the center of the projected spatial distribution of the structure members, and its velocity offset from the peak of the redshift distribution is well within the velocity dispersion of the structure. All this, coupled with the large amount of gas around the FRII, its stellar mass of ∼3 × 10
11
M
⊙
, star formation rate of ∼200 − 600
M
⊙
yr
−1
, and powerful radio-to-X-ray emission, suggests that this source is the likely progenitor of the future brightest cluster galaxy.
ABSTRACT
We present a panchromatic study of 11 (sub-)millimetre selected DSFGs with spectroscopically confirmed redshift (1.5 < zspec < 3) in the GOODS-S field, with the aim of constraining their ...astrophysical properties (e.g. age, stellar mass, dust, and gas content) and characterizing their role in the context of galaxy evolution. The multiwavelength coverage of GOODS-S, from X-rays to radio band, allow us to model galaxy SED by using cigale z with a novel approach, based on a physical motivated modelling of stellar light attenuation by dust. Median stellar mass (≃ 6.5 × 1010 M⊙) and SFR (≃ 241 M⊙ yr−1) are consistent with galaxy main sequence at z ∼ 2. The galaxies are experiencing an intense and dusty burst of star formation (medianLIR ≃ 2 × 1012L⊙), with a median age of 750 Myr. The high median content of interstellar dust (Mdust ≃ 5 × 108 M⊙) suggests a rapid enrichment of the ISM (on time-scales ∼108 yr). We derived galaxy total and molecular gas content from CO spectroscopy and/or Rayleigh–Jeans dust continuum (1010 ≲Mgas/M⊙ ≲ 1011), depleted over a typical time-scale τdepl ∼ 200 Myr. X-ray and radio luminosities (LX = 1042–1044 erg s−1,L$_{1.5\, {\rm GHz}}=10^{30}\!-\!10^{31}$ erg s−1,L$_{6\, {\rm GHz}}=10^{29}\!-\!10^{30}$ erg s−1) suggest that most of the galaxies hosts an accreting radio-silent/quiet SMBH. This evidence, along with their compact multiwavelength sizes (median rALMA ∼ rVLA = 1.8 kpc, rHST = 2.3 kpc) measured from high-resolution imaging (θres ≲ 1 arcsec), indicates these objects as the high-z star-forming counterparts of massive quiescent galaxies, as predicted e.g. by the in situ scenario. Four objects show some signatures of a forthcoming/ongoing AGN feedback, which is thought to trigger the morphological transition from star-forming discs to ETGs.
CO excitation in the Seyfert galaxy NGC 7130 Pozzi, F; Vallini, L; Vignali, C ...
Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society,
09/2017, Letnik:
470, Številka:
1
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
Abstract
We present a coherent multiband modelling of the carbon monoxide (CO) spectral energy distribution of the local Seyfert galaxy NGC 7130 to assess the impact of the active galactic nucleus ...(AGN) activity on the molecular gas. We take advantage of all the available data from X-ray to the submillimetre, including ALMA data. The high-resolution (∼0.2 arcsec) ALMA CO(6–5) data constrain the spatial extension of the CO emission down to an ∼70 pc scale. From the analysis of the archival Chandra and NuSTAR data, we infer the presence of a buried, Compton-thick AGN of moderate luminosity, L
2–10 keV ∼ 1.6 × 1043 erg s−1. We explore photodissociation and X-ray-dominated-region (PDR and XDR) models to reproduce the CO emission. We find that PDRs can reproduce the CO lines up to J ∼ 6; however, the higher rotational ladder requires the presence of a separate source of excitation. We consider X-ray heating by the AGNs as a source of excitation, and find that it can reproduce the observed CO spectral energy distribution. By adopting a composite PDR+XDR model, we derive molecular cloud properties. Our study clearly indicates the capabilities offered by the current generation of instruments to shed light on the properties of nearby galaxies by adopting state-of-the-art physical modelling.
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