scholarly journals The Metallicity Evolution of Galaxies through the Cosmic Epochs

2010 ◽  
Vol 6 (S277) ◽  
pp. 170-173
Author(s):  
R. Maiolino
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Galaxy Evolution ◽  
Optical Observations ◽  
Fundamental Relation ◽  
Evolution Of Galaxies ◽  
Spatially Resolved ◽  
Near Ir ◽  
Distant Galaxies ◽  
Central Regions ◽  
Low Metallicity

AbstractWe have found that local galaxies follow a very tight relation between gas metallicity, stellar mass and SFR, suggesting that their evolution is characterized by a long standing equilibrium between gas inflows, outflows and star formation. Surprisingly, even distant galaxies, out to z < 2.5, follow the same relation, suggesting that the same dominant mechanism of galaxy evolution is in place at any epoch, out to z < 2.5. However, by using deep near-IR spectroscopy (probing optical nebular lines at high-z), we find that galaxies at z > 3 deviate from such fundamental relation, by being significantly more metal poor. Spatially resolved metallicity maps of z > 3 disk galaxies reveal that they are characterized by central regions with low metallicity associated with the peak of star formation, indicating that the latter is due to massive inflow of pristine gas that both boosts star formation and dilutes the gas metallicity. Overall these results suggest that the metallicity evolution of galaxies at z > 3 is due to an excess of gas inflow at such early epochs, as expected by some recent models. Finally, we investigate the metallicity of merging systems, both locally and at high-z. By exploiting recent Herschel data, we have found that in these systems the dust content directly measured through the FIR-submm data is much higher than inferred from the metallicity measured through the optical nebular lines. The latter result suggests that, in these heavily obscured systems, optical observations only probe the outer, less enriched regions and are not representative of the bulk of the metal content.

scholarly journals A Reference Sample: ISM of the Most Isolated Galaxies

2004 ◽  
Vol 217 ◽  
pp. 220-221
Author(s):  
L. Verdes-Montenegro ◽  
J. Sulentic ◽  
D. Espada ◽  
S. Leon ◽  
U. Lisenfeld ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Interstellar Medium ◽  
Galaxy Evolution ◽  
Reference Sample ◽  
Control Sample ◽  
Evolution Of Galaxies ◽  
Isolated Galaxies ◽  
Internal Evolution

We are constructing the first complete unbiased control sample of the most isolated galaxies of the northern sky to serve as a template in the study of star formation and galaxy evolution in denser environments. Our goal is to compare and quantify the properties of different phases of the interstellar medium in this sample, as well as the level of star formation, both relevant parameters in the internal evolution of galaxies and strongly conditioned by the environment. To achieve this goal we are building a multiwavelength database for this sample to compare and quantify the properties of different phases of the ISM.

scholarly journals Low Metallicity Galaxies at z ~ 0.7: Keys to the Origins of Metallicity Scaling Laws

2008 ◽  
Vol 4 (S255) ◽  
pp. 397-401
Author(s):  
David J. Rosario ◽  
Carlos Hoyos ◽  
David Koo ◽  
Andrew Phillips
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Emission Line ◽  
Galaxy Evolution ◽  
Scaling Laws ◽  
Temperature Sensitive ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
Low Metallicity ◽  
Emission Line Galaxies ◽  
Halo Masses ◽  
Stellar Masses

AbstractWe present a study of remarkably luminous and unique dwarf galaxies at redshifts of 0.5 < z < 0.7, selected from the DEEP2 Galaxy Redshift survey by the presence of the temperature sensitive [OIII]λ4363 emission line. Measurements of this important auroral line, as well as other strong oxygen lines, allow us to estimate the integrated oxygen abundances of these galaxies accurately without being subject to the degeneracy inherent in the standard R23 system used by most studies. [O/H] estimates range between 1/5–1/10 of the solar value. Not surprisingly, these systems are exceedingly rare and hence represent a population that is not typically present in local surveys such as SDSS, or smaller volume deep surveys such as GOODS.Our low-metallicity galaxies exhibit many unprecedented characteristics. With B-band luminosities close to L*, thse dwarfs lie significantly away from the luminosity-metallicity relationships of both local and intermediate redshift star-forming galaxies. Using stellar masses determined from optical and NIR photometry, we show that they also deviate strongly from corresponding mass-metallicity relationships. Their specific star formation rates are high, implying a significant burst of recent star formation. A campaign of high resolution spectroscopic follow-up shows that our galaxies have dynamical properties similar to local HII and compact emission line galaxies, but mass-to-light ratios that are much higher than average star-forming dwarfs.The low metallicities, high specific star formation rates, and small halo masses of our galaxies mark them as lower redshift analogs of Lyman-Break galaxies, which, at z ~ 2 are evolving onto the metallicity sequence that we observe in the galaxy population of today. In this sense, these systems offer fundamental insights into the physical processes and regulatory mechanisms that drive galaxy evolution in that epoch of major star formation and stellar mass assembly.

scholarly journals The Kinematics of Extended Hα Emission in Blue Compact Galaxies

2006 ◽  
Vol 2 (S235) ◽  
pp. 321-321 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Marquart ◽  
G. Östlin ◽  
N. Bergvall ◽  
P. Masegosa ◽  
P. Amram ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Transient Phenomenon ◽  
Common Features ◽  
Spatially Resolved ◽  
Hα Emission ◽  
Low Metallicity ◽  
Compact Galaxies ◽  
Gas Cloud ◽  
Intense Star Formation ◽  
Ongoing Phase

AbstractBlue Compact Galaxies (BCGs) have received interest mainly because they comprise the best available test-beds for studies of low-metallicity star formation (SF) and allow the study of relatively unevolved systems at low redshift. Their ongoing phase of intense star formation is a transient phenomenon and the best candidates for its trigger are interactions and mergers. Studies of the kinematics are important for the understanding of this process.We present spatially resolved kinematics from the Hα line in five BCGs that show an extended region of ionised emission around the central starburst. We find this region to have near-spherical isophotes at large radii and to be dynamically decoupled from a central disturbance. A scenario where the strong triggered star formation in the center ionises the surrounding gas cloud, still following its original motions, can qualitatively explain these common features. The poster, including the figures, can be found at http://kern-2pt/thomasmarquart.net/pspdf/prague-marquart.pdf.

scholarly journals Widespread star formation inside galactic outflows

2019 ◽  
Vol 485 (3) ◽  
pp. 3409-3429 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Gallagher ◽  
R Maiolino ◽  
F Belfiore ◽  
N Drory ◽  
R Riffel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Galaxy Evolution ◽  
Scaling Relations ◽  
Molecular Gas ◽  
Distant Galaxies ◽  
Major Mode ◽  
Galactic Outflows ◽  
The Universe ◽  
Integral Field

Abstract Several models have predicted that stars could form inside galactic outflows and that this would be a new major mode of galaxy evolution. Observations of galactic outflows have revealed that they host large amounts of dense and clumpy molecular gas, which provide conditions suitable for star formation. We have investigated the properties of the outflows in a large sample of galaxies by exploiting the integral field spectroscopic data of the large MaNGA-SDSS4 galaxy survey. We find evidence for prominent star formation occurring inside at least 30 per cent of the galactic outflows in our sample, whilst signs of star formation are seen in up to half of the outflows. We also show that even if star formation is prominent inside many other galactic outflows, this may have not been revealed as the diagnostics are easily dominated by the presence of even faint active galactic nucleus and shocks. If very massive outflows typical of distant galaxies and quasars follow the same scaling relations observed locally, then the star formation inside high-z outflows can be up to several 100 $\rm M_{\odot }~yr^{-1}$ and could contribute substantially to the early formation of the spheroidal component of galaxies. Star formation in outflows can also potentially contribute to establishing the scaling relations between black holes and their host spheroids. Moreover, supernovae exploding on large orbits can chemically enrich in situ and heat the circumgalactic and intergalactic medium. Finally, young stars ejected on large orbits may also contribute to the reionization of the Universe.

scholarly journals Testing Evolutionary Models of Dwarf Irregular Galaxies through Gas and Stellar Metallicity Determinations in HII Galaxies

2012 ◽  
Vol 8 (S292) ◽  
pp. 254-254
Author(s):  
Pieter Westera ◽  
François Cuisinier ◽  
Didier Curty ◽  
Roland Buser
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Galaxy Evolution ◽  
Line Strength ◽  
Star Formation History ◽  
High Mass ◽  
Evolutionary Models ◽  
Homogeneous Sample ◽  
Irregular Galaxies ◽  
Low Metallicity ◽  
Dwarf Irregular Galaxies

AbstractDwarf irregular galaxies are usually low-metallicity objects, and show ongoing or very recent star formation, giving rise to their irregular appearance. Especially HII galaxies, a sub-category of dwarf irregulars showing unusually high star formation activity, are believed to be among the least evolved galaxies in existence today. Therefore, they are very interesting objects for studies of early galaxy evolution and of metallicity enrichment mechanisms.Several groups have developed theoretical evolutionary models of galaxies of this type, describing different possible formation and evolutionary scenarii, and varying factors such as gas infall and outflow, as well as the star formation history, and making predictions about their chemical evolution. One way to evaluate these models is by determining the metallicities of the different components of these galaxies, their gas and stars.We examine a sample of HII galaxies from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, which possibly contains the largest homogeneous sample of HII galaxy spectra to date. Using very restrictive selection criteria, which guarantee a sample of high quality spectra and avoid “contamination” by spectra of objects of other nature, we defined a sample of ∼ 700 HII galaxies spectra.Through emission line strength calibrations and a detailed stellar population synthesis, we determined the metallicities of both the gas and the stellar content of these galaxies.For HII galaxies up to stellar masses of 5 × 109M⊙, we find enrichment mechanisms not to vary with galactic mass, being the same for low- and high-mass galaxies on average. They do seem to present a greater variety at the high-mass end, though, indicating a more complex assembly history. Our results favour galaxy evolutionary models featuring constantly infalling low-metallicity clouds that retain part of the galactic winds. Above 5 × 109M⊙ stellar mass, the retention of high metallicity gas by the galaxies' gravitational potential dominates.I would like to thank the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do São Paulo (FAPESP) for financial support.

scholarly journals Quasar Metal Abundances & Host Galaxy Evolution

2009 ◽  
Vol 5 (S265) ◽  
pp. 171-178
Author(s):  
Fred Hamann ◽  
Leah E. Simon
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Galaxy Evolution ◽  
High Redshift ◽  
Big Bang ◽  
Host Galaxy ◽  
Host Galaxies ◽  
Massive Galaxies ◽  
Central Regions ◽  
Metal Abundances ◽  
The Big Bang

AbstractHigh-redshift quasars provide a unique glimpse into the early evolution of massive galaxies. The physical processes that trigger major bursts of star formation in quasar host galaxies (mergers and interactions) probably also funnel gas into the central regions to grow the super-massive black holes (SMBHs) and ignite the luminous quasar phenomenon. The globally dense environments where this occurs were probably also among the first to collapse and manufacture stars in significant numbers after the big bang. Measurements of the elemental abundances near quasars place important constraints on the nature, timing and extent of this star formation. A variety of studies using independent emission and absorption line diagnostics have shown that quasar environments have gas-phase metallicities that are typically a few times solar at all observed redshifts. These results are consistent with galaxy evolution scenarios in which large amounts of star formation (e.g., in the central regions) precede the visibly bright quasar phase. An observed trend for higher metallicities in more luminmous quasars (powered by more massive SMBHs) is probably tied to the well-known mass–metallicity relation among ordinary galaxies. This correlation and the absence of a trend with redshift indicate that mass is a more important parameter in the evolution than the time elapsed since the big bang.

scholarly journals Evolutionary Studies of Galaxies at Intermediate Redshifts

1990 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 271
Author(s):  
WJ Couch
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Spectroscopic Studies ◽  
Density Field ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Triggering Mechanism ◽  
Evolution Of Galaxies ◽  
Distant Galaxies ◽  
Evolutionary Studies ◽  
Intermediate Redshifts

Photometric and spectroscopic studies of cluster and field galaxies out to redshifts of -0�5 have provided clear evidence for strong evolution over recent epochs. The development of this picture is reviewed by contrasting and comparing the investigations of distant galaxies in rich clusters and the low density field. A common link is found in that the evolution of galaxies in both environments is related to short-lived bursts of star formation. The triggering mechanism for these bursts is discussed with special attention being paid to the role of galaxy merging

scholarly journals Properties of star forming regions in the Magellanic Clouds

2008 ◽  
Vol 4 (S256) ◽  
pp. 215-226
Author(s):  
Mónica Rubio
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Galaxy Evolution ◽  
Molecular Clouds ◽  
Massive Star ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Magellanic Clouds ◽  
Molecular Gas ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
Star Forming Regions ◽  
Low Metallicity

AbstractUnderstanding the process of star formation in low metallicity systems is one of the key studies in the early stages of galaxy evolution. The Magellanic Clouds, being the nearest examples of low metallicity systems, allow us to study in detail their star forming regions. As a consequence of their proximity we can resolve the molecular clouds and the regions of star formation individually. Therefore we can increase our knowledge of the interaction of young luminous stars with their environment. We will present results of multiwavelenghts studies of LMC and SMC massive star forming regions, which includes properties of the cold molecular gas, the embedded young population associated with molecular clouds, and the interaction of newly born stars with the surrounding interstellar medium, based on ASTE and APEX submillimeter observations complemented high sensitivity NIR groud based observations and Spitzer results.

scholarly journals Multi-Color Surface Photometry of Nearby Galaxies

1998 ◽  
Vol 179 ◽  
pp. 285-286
Author(s):  
T. Ichikawa ◽  
N. Itoh ◽  
K. Yanagisawa
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Galaxy Evolution ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Infrared Imaging ◽  
Spiral Galaxies ◽  
Stellar Structure ◽  
Star Formation History ◽  
Optical Observations ◽  
Wide Field ◽  
Formation History

Near-infrared (NIR) emission in galaxies is mainly radiated by old population low temperature stars, which construct the basic stellar structure and keep the trails of past galaxy evolution. On the other hand, optical observations show recent star formation activity, especially in spiral galaxies. Therefore multi-color observations from optical to near-infrared wavelengths are very important to understand the past and recent star-formation history. Nearby large galaxies are well studied not only in optical but also in mid- and far-infrared by IRAS, CO and HI radio observations. However, the study in the near-infrared is still limited because large format arrays are not common. Here we show a wide-field, near-infrared imaging of nearby elliptical and spiral galaxies and discuss their star-formation history.

scholarly journals Spatially Resolved Stellar Spectroscopy of the Ultra-diffuse Galaxy Dragonfly 44. III. Evidence for an Unexpected Star Formation History under Conventional Galaxy Evolution Processes

2022 ◽  
Vol 924 (1) ◽  
pp. 32
Author(s):  
Alexa Villaume ◽  
Aaron J. Romanowsky ◽  
Jean Brodie ◽  
Pieter van Dokkum ◽  
Charlie Conroy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Galaxy Evolution ◽  
Globular Clusters ◽  
Stellar Population ◽  
Dwarf Galaxies ◽  
Star Formation History ◽  
Population Parameters ◽  
Spatially Resolved ◽  
Formation History ◽  
Field Unit

Abstract We use the Keck Cosmic Web Imager integral field unit spectrograph to (1) measure the global stellar population parameters for the ultra-diffuse galaxy (UDG) Dragonfly 44 (DF44) to much higher precision than previously possible for any UDG and (2) for the first time measure spatially resolved stellar population parameters of a UDG. We find that DF44 falls below the mass–metallicity relation established by canonical dwarf galaxies both in and beyond the Local Group. We measure a flat radial age gradient ( m logage = + 0.01 − 0.08 + 0.08 log Gyr kpc−1) and a flat to positive metallicity gradient ( m [ Fe / H ] = + 0.09 − 0.12 + 0.11 dex kpc−1), which are inconsistent with the gradients measured in similarly pressure-supported dwarf galaxies. We also measure a negative [Mg/Fe] gradient ( m [ Mg / Fe ] = − 0.20 − 0.18 + 0.18 ) dex kpc−1 such that the central 1.5 kpc of DF44 has stellar population parameters comparable to metal-poor globular clusters. Overall, DF44 does not have internal properties similar to other dwarf galaxies and is inconsistent with it having been puffed up through a prolonged, bursty star formation history, as suggested by some simulations. Rather, the evidence indicates that DF44 experienced an intense epoch of “inside-out” star formation and then quenched early and catastrophically, such that star formation was cut off more quickly than in canonical dwarf galaxies.

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