ABSTRACT
We present an adapted version of the code HII-CHI-mistry-UV to derive chemical abundances from emission lines in the ultraviolet, for use in narrow line regions (NLR) of active galactic ...nuclei (AGN). We evaluate different ultraviolet emission line ratios and how different assumptions about the models, including the presence of dust grains, the shape of the incident spectral energy distribution, or the thickness of the gas envelope around the central source, may affect the final estimates as a function of the set of emission lines used. We compare our results with other published recipes for deriving abundances using the same emission lines and show that deriving the carbon-to-oxygen abundance ratio using C iii λ 1909 Å and O iii λ 1665 Å emission lines is a robust indicator of the metal content in AGN that is nearly independent of the model assumptions, similar to the case of star-forming regions. Moreover, we show that a prior determination of C/O allows for a much more precise determination of the total oxygen abundance using carbon UV lines, as opposed to assuming an arbitrary relationship between O/H and C/O, which can lead to non-negligible discrepancies.
In this work, we used a grid of photoionization models combined with stellar population synthesis models to derive reliable ionization correction factors (ICFs) for the sulphur in star-forming ...regions. These models cover a large range of nebular parameters and yielding ionic abundances in consonance with those derived through optical and infrared observational data of star-forming regions. From our theoretical ICFs, we suggested an α value of 3.27 ± 0.01 in the classical Stasińska formulae. We compared the total sulphur abundance in the gas phase of a large sample of objects by using our theoretical ICF and other approaches. In average, the differences between the determinations via the use of the different ICFs considered are similar to the uncertainties in the S/H estimations. Nevertheless, we noted that for some objects it could reach up to about 0.3 dex for the low-metallicity regime. Despite of the large scatter of the points, we found a trend of S/O ratio to decrease with the metallicity, independently of the ICF used to compute the sulphur total abundance.
This study offers an in-depth analysis of the kinematic behavior of ionized gas in IZw18, a galaxy notable for its extremely low metallicity and close proximity, utilizing data from MEGARA/GTC. We ...explored the structure and dynamics of the galaxy through H α line profiles, applying single and double Gaussian component fittings to create detailed maps of the luminosity, velocity, and velocity dispersion in the main body (MB) and halo regions. Additionally, we retrieved integrated spectra from various galactic regions to achieve a higher signal-to-noise ratio. In the MB, a rotational pattern is evident, yet a secondary, more complex kinematic pattern emerges from the double-component fitting, which is further enriched by the identification of a very broad component. Distinguished by a full width at half maximum of nearly 2000 km s −1 and a wide spatial extension, this component suggests a high-energy outflow and points toward large-scale, nonlocalized sources of high kinetic energy. Additionally, the observed significant velocity differences between the narrow and very broad components imply that these gases may occupy distinct spatial regions. This is potentially explained by high-density gas near the origin of the kinematic input, acting as a “wall” that reflects back the momentum of the gas. Regarding the halos, while the NE halo exhibits a tranquil state with low velocity dispersions, the SW halo presents higher velocities and more complex kinematics, indicative of diverse dynamic interactions. The identification of the very broad component across the MB and the high kinematic complexity in all regions of the galaxy points toward a scenario of widespread and subtle turbulent motion. This nuanced understanding of the kinematic behavior in IZw18, including the interplay of different gas components and the influence of internal structures, enhances our comprehension of the dynamics in blue compact dwarf galaxies. It may provide critical insights into early galaxy formation and the intricate kinematics characteristic of such environments.
ABSTRACT
Integral field spectroscopy is well known for providing detailed insight of extended sources thanks to the possibility of handling space resolved spectroscopic information. Simple and ...straightforward analysis such as single line fitting yields interesting results, although it might miss a more complete picture in many cases. Violent star-forming regions, such as starburst galaxies, display very complex emission line profiles due to multiple kinematic components superposed in the line of sight. We perform a spatially resolved kinematical study of a single Green Pea (GP) galaxy, SDSS J083843.63+385350.5, using a new method for analysing integral field unit observations of emission line spectra. The method considers the presence of multiple components in the emission line profiles and makes use of a statistical indicator to determine the meaningful number of components to fit the observed profiles. We are able to identify three distinct kinematic features throughout the field and discuss their link with a rotating component, a strong outflow, and a turbulent mixing layer. We also derive an updated star formation rate for SDSS J0838 and discuss the link between the observed signatures of a large-scale outflow and of the Lyman continuum leakage detected in GP galaxies.
Aims.
We explore the so-called softness diagram – whose main function is to provide the hardness of the ionizing radiation in star-forming regions – in order to check whether hot and old low-mass ...evolved stars (HOLMES) are significant contributors to the ionization within star-forming regions, as suggested by previous MaNGA data analyses.
Methods.
We used the code HC
M
-T
EFF
to derive both the ionization parameter and the equivalent effective temperature (
T
*
), adopting models of massive stars and planetary nebulae (PNe), and exploring different sets of emission lines in the softness diagram to figure out the main causes of the observed differences in the softness parameter in the MaNGA and CHAOS star-forming region samples.
Results.
We find that the fraction of regions with a resulting
T
*
> 60 kK, which are supposedly ionised by sources harder than massive stars, is considerably larger in the MaNGA (66%) than in the CHAOS (20%) sample when the S
II
λλ
6716,6731 Å emission lines are used in the softness diagram. However, the respective fractions of regions in this regime for both samples are considerably reduced (20% in MaNGA and 10% in CHAOS) when the N
II
emission line at
λ
6584 Å is used instead. This may indicate that diffuse ionised gas (DIG) contamination in the lower resolution MaNGA data is responsible for artificially increasing the measured
T
*
as opposed to there being a predominant role of HOLMES in the H
II
regions.
Context.
In this work we study the stellar mass–metallicity relation (MZR) of an extended sample of star-forming galaxies in the local Universe and its possible dependence on the star formation rate ...(SFR).
Aims.
We selected a sample of approximately 195 000 Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) star-forming galaxies up to
z
= 0.22 with the aim of analysing the behaviour of the MZR with respect to SFR whilst taking into account the age of their stellar populations.
Methods.
For the first time, with this sample, we obtained aperture corrected oxygen and nitrogen-to-oxygen abundances (O/H and N/O, respectively) and SFR using the empirical prescriptions from the Calar Alto Legacy Integral Field Area (CALIFA) survey. To perform this study we also make use of the stellar mass of the galaxies and the parameter
D
n
(4000) as a proxy for the age of the stellar population.
Results.
We derive a robust MZR locus, which is found to be fully consistent with the ‘anchoring’ points of a selected set of well-studied nearby galaxies for which the chemical abundance has been derived using the direct method. We observe a complex relation between MZR and SFR across the whole range of galaxy mass and metallicity, where the slope changes seen in the O/H–SFR plane present a pattern that seems to be tuned to the stellar age of the galaxies, and therefore stellar age has to be taken into account in the stellar mass–metallicity–SFR relation.
Conclusions.
In order to provide an answer to the question of whether or not the MZR depends on the SFR, it is essential to take into account the age of the stellar populations of galaxies. A strong dependence of the MZR on SFR is observed mainly for star-forming galaxies with strong SFR values and low
D
n
(4000). The youngest galaxies of our SDSS sample show the highest SFR measured for their stellar mass.
Context. The study of the integrated properties of star-forming galaxies is central to understand their formation and evolution. Some of these properties are extensive and therefore their analysis ...require totally covering and spatially resolved observations. Among these properties, metallicity can be defined in spiral discs by means of integral field spectroscopy (IFS) of individual H ii regions. The simultaneous analysis of the abundances of primary elements, as oxygen, and secondary, as nitrogen, also provides clues about the star formation history and the processes that shape the build-up of spiral discs. Aims. Our main aim is to analyse simultaneously O/H and N/O abundance ratios in H ii regions in different radial positions of the discs in a large sample of spiral galaxies to obtain the slopes and the characteristic abundance ratios that can be related to their integrated properties. Methods. We analysed the optical spectra of individual selected H ii regions extracted from a sample of 350 spiral galaxies of the CALIFA survey. We calculated total O/H abundances and, for the first time, N/O ratios using the semi-empirical routine Hii-Chi-mistry, which, according to Pérez-Montero (2014, MNRAS, 441, 2663), is consistent with the direct method and reduces the uncertainty in the O/H derivation using N ii lines owing to the dispersion in the O/H-N/O relation. Then we performed linear fittings to the abundances as a function of the de-projected galactocentric distances. Results. The analysis of the radial distribution both for O/H and N/O in the non-interacting galaxies reveals that both average slopes are negative, but a non-negligible fraction of objects have a flat or even a positive gradient (at least 10% for O/H and 4% for N/O). The slopes normalised to the effective radius appear to have a slight dependence on the total stellar mass and the morphological type, as late low-mass objects tend to have flatter slopes. No clear relation is found, however, to explain the presence of inverted gradients in this sample, and there is no dependence between the average slopes and the presence of a bar. The relation between the resulting O/H and N/O linear fittings at the effective radius is much tighter (correlation coefficient ρs = 0.80) than between O/H and N/O slopes (ρs = 0.39) or for O/H and N/O in the individual H ii regions (ρs = 0.37). These O/H and N/O values at the effective radius also correlate very tightly (less than 0.03 dex of dispersion) with total luminosity and stellar mass. The relation with other integrated properties, such as star formation rate, colour, or morphology, can be understood only in light of the found relation with mass.
Context. Bar-induced gas inflows towards galaxy centres are recognised as a key agent for the secular evolution of galaxies. One immediate consequence of this inflow is the accumulation of gas in the ...centre of galaxies where it can form stars and alter the chemical and physical properties. Aims. Our aim is to study whether the properties of the ionised gas in the central parts of barred galaxies are altered by the presence of a bar and whether the change in central properties is related to bar and/or parent galaxy properties. Methods. We use a sample of nearby face-on disc galaxies with available SDSS spectra, morphological decomposition, and information on the stellar population of their bulges, to measure the internal Balmer extinction from the Hα to Hβ line ratio, star formation rate, and relevant line ratios to diagnose chemical abundances and gas density. Results. The distributions of all the parameters analysed (internal Balmer extinction at Hβ (c(Hβ)), star formation rate per unit area, electron density, N iiλ6583/Hα emission-line ratio, ionisation parameter, and nitrogen-to-oxygen (N/O) abundance ratio) are different for barred and unbarred galaxies, except for the R23 metallicity tracer and the oxygen abundance obtained from photoionisation models. The median values of the distributions of these parameters point towards (marginally) larger dust content, star formation rate per unit area, electron density, and ionisation parameter in the centres of barred galaxies than in their unbarred counterparts. The most remarkable difference between barred and unbarred galaxies appears in the N iiλ6583/Hα line ratio that is, on average, ~25% higher in barred galaxies, due to an increased N/O abundance ratio in the centres of these galaxies compared to the unbarred ones. We analyse these differences as a function of galaxy morphological type (as traced by bulge-to-disc light ratios and bulge mass), total stellar mass, and bulge Sérsic index. We observe an enhancement of the differences between central gas properties in barred and unbarred galaxies in later-type galaxies or galaxies with less massive bulges. However, the bar seems to have a lower impact on the central gas properties for galaxies with bulges above ~1010 M⊙ or total mass M⋆ ≳ 1010.8 M⊙. Conclusions. We find observational evidence that the presence of a galactic bar affects the properties of the ionised gas in the central parts of disc galaxies (radii ≲0.6–2.1 kpc). The most striking effect is an enhancement in the N/O abundance ratio. This can be interpreted qualitatively in terms of our current knowledge of bar formation and evolution, and of chemical evolution models, as being the result of a different star formation history in the centres of barred galaxies caused by the gas inflow induced by the bar. Our results lend support to the scenario in which less massive and more massive bulges have different origins or evolutionary processes, with the gaseous phase of the former currently having a closer relation to the bars.
ABSTRACT Extremely metal-poor (XMP) galaxies are defined to have a gas-phase metallicity smaller than a tenth of the solar value ( ). They are uncommon, chemically and possibly dynamically primitive, ...with physical conditions characteristic of earlier phases of the universe. We search for new XMPs in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) in a work that complements Paper I. This time, high electron temperature objects are selected; metals are a main coolant of the gas, so metal-poor objects contain high-temperature gas. Using the algorithm k-means, we classify 788,677 spectra to select 1281 galaxies that have particularly intense O iiiλ4363 with respect to O iiiλ5007, which is a proxy for high electron temperature. The metallicity of these candidates was computed using a hybrid technique consistent with the direct method, rendering 196 XMPs. A less restrictive noise constraint provides a larger set with 332 candidates. Both lists are provided in electronic format. The selected XMP sample has a mean stellar mass around , with the dust mass for typical star-forming regions. In agreement with previous findings, XMPs show a tendency to be tadpole-like or cometary. Their underlying stellar continuum corresponds to a fairly young stellar population ( ), although young and aged stellar populations coexist at the low-metallicity starbursts. About 10% of the XMPs show large N/O. Based on their location in constrained cosmological numerical simulations, XMPs have a strong tendency to appear in voids and to avoid galaxy clusters. The puzzling 2%-solar low-metallicity threshold exhibited by XMPs remains.
ABSTRACT The extremely metal-poor (XMP) galaxies analyzed in a previous paper have large star-forming regions with a metallicity lower than the rest of the galaxy. Such a chemical inhomogeneity ...reveals the external origin of the metal-poor gas fueling star formation, possibly indicating accretion from the cosmic web. This paper studies the kinematic properties of the ionized gas in these galaxies. Most XMPs have a rotation velocity around a few tens of km s−1. The star-forming regions appear to move coherently. The velocity is constant within each region, and the velocity dispersion sometimes increases within the star-forming clump toward the galaxy midpoint, suggesting inspiral motion toward the galaxy center. Other regions present a local maximum in velocity dispersion at their center, suggesting a moderate global expansion. The H line wings show a number of faint emission features with amplitudes around a few per cent of the main H component, and wavelength shifts between 100 and 400 km s−1. The components are often paired, so that red and blue emission features with similar amplitudes and shifts appear simultaneously. Assuming the faint emission to be produced by expanding shell-like structures, the inferred mass loading factor (mass loss rate divided by star formation rate) exceeds 10. Since the expansion velocity far exceeds the rotational and turbulent velocities, the gas may eventually escape from the galaxy disk. The observed motions involve energies consistent with the kinetic energy released by individual core-collapse supernovae. Alternative explanations for the faint emission have been considered and discarded.
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