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  • The Detection of a Massive ...
    Józsa, G. I. G.; Jarrett, T. H.; Cluver, M. E.; Wong, O. I.; Havenga, O.; Yao, H. F. M.; Marchetti, L.; Taylor, E. N.; Kamphuis, P.; Maccagni, F. M.; Ramaila, A. J. T.; Serra, P.; Smirnov, O. M.; White, S. V.; Kilborn, V.; Holwerda, B. W.; Hopkins, A. M.; Brough, S.; Pimbblet, K. A.; Driver, S. P.; Kuijken, K.

    Astrophysical journal/˜The œAstrophysical journal, 02/2022, Letnik: 926, Številka: 2
    Journal Article

    Abstract We report on the detection of a large, extended H i cloud complex in the Galaxy and Mass Survey G23 field, located at a redshift of z ∼ 0.03, observed as part of the MeerKAT Habitat of Galaxies Survey campaign (a pilot survey to explore the mosaicing capabilities of the MeerKAT telescope). The cloud complex, with a total mass of 10 10.0 M ⊙ , lies in proximity to a large galaxy group with M dyn ∼ 10 13.5 M ⊙ . We identify seven H ɪ peak concentrations, interconnected as a tenuous chain structure, extending ∼400 kpc from east to west, with the largest (central) concentration containing 10 9.7 M ⊙ in H ɪ gas distributed across 50 kpc. The main source is not detected in ultraviolet, optical, or infrared imaging. The implied gas mass-to-light ratio ( M H I / L r ) is extreme (>1000) even in comparison to other dark clouds . The complex has very little kinematic structure (110 km s −1 ), making it difficult to identify cloud rotation. Assuming pressure support, the total mass of the central concentration is > 10 10.2 M ⊙ , while a lower limit to the dynamical mass in the case of full rotational support is 10 10.4 M ⊙ . If the central concentration is a stable structure, it has to contain some amount of unseen matter, but potentially less than is observed for a typical galaxy. It is, however, not clear whether the structure has any gravitationally stable concentrations. We report a faint UV-optical-infrared source in proximity to one of the smaller concentrations in the gas complex, leading to a possible stellar association. The system nature and origins is enigmatic, potentially being the result of an interaction with or within the galaxy group it appears to be associated with.