The role of AGN in galaxy star formation: A case study of a radio galaxy at z = 2.6

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (S356) ◽  
pp. 224-224
Author(s):  
Allison Man
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Radio Galaxy ◽  
Star Formation History ◽  
Molecular Gas ◽  
Ob Stars ◽  
Massive Galaxies ◽  
Radio Jets ◽  
Formation History

AbstractRadio galaxies are ideal sites to scrutinize AGN feedback physics, as they are massive galaxies with jets that interact with the surrounding ISM. I will present a detailed analysis of the recent star formation history and conditions of a starbursting, massive radio galaxy at z = 2.6, PKS 0529-549. In the 8.5-hour VLT/X-Shooter spectrum, we detect unambiguous signatures of stellar photospheric absorption lines originating from OB-stars. Comparison with model spectra shows that more than one burst took place in its recent past: the most recent one at 4 − 7 Myr, and another aged ⩾20 Myr. ALMA observations of the [CI] atomic carbon emission line indicates that it has a low molecular gas fraction (∼13%) and short depletion time (∼40 Myr). Most intriguing is the modest velocity dispersion (⩽50 km/s) of these photospheric lines and the ALMA [CI] cold gas. We attribute its efficient star formation to compressive gas motions, induced by radio jets and/or interaction. Star formation works in concert with the AGN to remove any residual molecular gas and eventually leads to quenching.

scholarly journals Quenching by gas compression and consumption

2019 ◽  
Vol 624 ◽  
pp. A81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allison W. S. Man ◽  
Matthew D. Lehnert ◽  
Joël D. R. Vernet ◽  
Carlos De Breuck ◽  
Theresa Falkendal
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Formation Rate ◽  
Relative Strength ◽  
Star Formation History ◽  
Molecular Gas ◽  
Host Galaxies ◽  
Massive Galaxies ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
Gas Compression ◽  
Formation History

The objective of this work is to study how active galactic nuclei (AGN) influence star formation in host galaxies. We present a detailed investigation of the star-formation history and conditions of a z = 2.57 massive radio galaxy based on VLT/X-shooter and ALMA observations. The deep rest-frame ultraviolet spectrum contains photospheric absorption lines and wind features indicating the presence of OB-type stars. The most significantly detected photospheric features are used to characterize the recent star formation: neither instantaneous nor continuous star-formation history is consistent with the relative strength of the Si IIλ1485 and S Vλ1502 absorption. Rather, at least two bursts of star formation took place in the recent past, at 6+1-2 Myr and ≳20 Myr ago, respectively. We deduce a molecular H2 gas mass of (3.9 ± 1.0) × 1010 M⊙ based on ALMA observations of the [C I] 3P2−3P1 emission. The molecular gas mass is only 13% of its stellar mass. Combined with its high star-formation rate of (1020-170+190 M⊙ yr-1, this implies a high star-formation efficiency of (26 ± 8) Gyr−1 and a short depletion time of (38 ± 12) Myr. We attribute the efficient star formation to compressive gas motions in order to explain the modest velocity dispersions (⩽55 km s−1) of the photospheric lines and of the star-forming gas traced by [C I]. Because of the likely very young age of the radio source, our findings suggest that vigorous star formation consumes much of the gas and works in concert with the AGN to remove any residual molecular gas, and eventually quenching star formation in massive galaxies.

scholarly journals The Role of Quasars in Galaxy Formation

2009 ◽  
Vol 5 (S267) ◽  
pp. 17-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Elbaz
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Galaxy Formation ◽  
Positive Feedback ◽  
Local Environment ◽  
Active Role ◽  
Molecular Gas ◽  
Massive Galaxies ◽  
Radio Jets ◽  
The Galaxy

AbstractWe discuss evidence that quasars, and more generally radio jets, may have played an active role in the formation stage of galaxies by inducing star formation, i.e., through positive feedback. This mechanism first proposed in the 1970s has been considered as anecdotal until now, contrary to the opposite effect that is generally put forward, i.e., the quenching of star formation in massive galaxies to explain the galaxy bimodality, downsizing, and the universal black hole mass over bulge stellar mass ratio. This suggestion is based on the recent discovery of an ultra-luminous infrared galaxy, i.e., an extreme starburst, that appears to be triggered by a radio jet from the QSO HE 0450-2958 at z = 0.2863, together with the finding in several systems of a positional offset between molecular gas and quasars, which may be explained by the positive feedback effect of radio jets on their local environment.

scholarly journals ROLE OF GALAXY MERGERS IN COSMIC STAR FORMATION HISTORY

2009 ◽  
Vol 697 (2) ◽  
pp. 1764-1783 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yong Shi ◽  
George Rieke ◽  
Jennifer Lotz ◽  
Pablo G. Perez-Gonzalez
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Star Formation History ◽  
Galaxy Mergers ◽  
Formation History

scholarly journals Star-Forming Galaxies at Cosmic Noon

2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 661-725 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natascha M. Förster Schreiber ◽  
Stijn Wuyts
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Galaxy Evolution ◽  
Star Formation History ◽  
Massive Galaxies ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
Dense Cores ◽  
Gravitational Instabilities ◽  
James Webb Space Telescope ◽  
Formation History ◽  
Large Telescopes

Ever deeper and wider look-back surveys have led to a fairly robust outline of the cosmic star-formation history, which culminated around [Formula: see text]; this period is often nicknamed “cosmic noon.” Our knowledge about star-forming galaxies at these epochs has dramatically advanced from increasingly complete population censuses and detailed views of individual galaxies. We highlight some of the key observational insights that influenced our current understanding of galaxy evolution in the equilibrium growth picture: ▪  Scaling relations between galaxy properties are fairly well established among massive galaxies at least out to [Formula: see text], pointing to regulating mechanisms already acting on galaxy growth. ▪  Resolved views reveal that gravitational instabilities and efficient secular processes within the gas- and baryon-rich galaxies at [Formula: see text] play an important role in the early buildup of galactic structure. ▪  Ever more sensitive observations of kinematics at [Formula: see text] are probing the baryon and dark matter budget on galactic scales and the links between star-forming galaxies and their likely descendants. ▪  Toward higher masses, massive bulges, dense cores, and powerful AGNs and AGN-driven outflows are more prevalent and likely play a role in quenching star formation. We outline emerging questions and exciting prospects for the next decade with upcoming instrumentation, including the James Webb Space Telescope and the next generation of extremely large telescopes.

scholarly journals Galaxy And Mass Assembly (GAMA): a forensic SED reconstruction of the cosmic star formation history and metallicity evolution by galaxy type

2020 ◽  
Vol 498 (4) ◽  
pp. 5581-5603
Author(s):  
Sabine Bellstedt ◽  
Aaron S G Robotham ◽  
Simon P Driver ◽  
Jessica E Thorne ◽  
Luke J M Davies ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Gas Phase ◽  
Mass Density ◽  
Spectral Energy Distribution ◽  
Stellar Mass ◽  
Star Formation History ◽  
Spectral Energy ◽  
Massive Galaxies ◽  
Formation History ◽  
The Universe

ABSTRACT We apply the spectral energy distribution (SED) fitting code ProSpect to multiwavelength imaging for ∼7000 galaxies from the GAMA survey at z < 0.06, in order to extract their star formation histories. We combine a parametric description of the star formation history with a closed-box evolution of metallicity where the present-day gas-phase metallicity of the galaxy is a free parameter. We show with this approach that we are able to recover the observationally determined cosmic star formation history (CSFH), an indication that stars are being formed in the correct epoch of the Universe, on average, for the manner in which we are conducting SED fitting. We also show the contribution to the CSFH of galaxies of different present-day visual morphologies and stellar masses. Our analysis suggests that half of the mass in present-day elliptical galaxies was in place 11 Gyr ago. In other morphological types, the stellar mass formed later, up to 6 Gyr ago for present-day irregular galaxies. Similarly, the most massive galaxies in our sample were shown to have formed half their stellar mass by 11 Gyr ago, whereas the least massive galaxies reached this stage as late as 4 Gyr ago (the well-known effect of ‘galaxy downsizing’). Finally, our metallicity approach allows us to follow the average evolution in gas-phase metallicity for populations of galaxies and extract the evolution of the cosmic metal mass density in stars and in gas, producing results in broad agreement with independent, higher redshift observations of metal densities in the Universe.

scholarly journals The Cosmic Baryon and Metal Cycles

2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 363-406 ◽  
Author(s):  
Céline Péroux ◽  
J. Christopher Howk
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Mass Density ◽  
Formation Rate ◽  
Cosmic Time ◽  
Dust Content ◽  
Star Formation History ◽  
Molecular Gas ◽  
Neutral Gas ◽  
Formation History ◽  
The Universe

Characterizing the relationship between stars, gas, and metals in galaxies is a critical component of understanding the cosmic baryon cycle. We compile contemporary censuses of the baryons in collapsed structures and their chemical makeup and dust content. We show the following: ▪  The [Formula: see text] mass density of the Universe is well determined to redshifts [Formula: see text] and shows minor evolution with time. New observations of molecular hydrogen reveal its evolution mirrors that of the global star-formation rate density, implying a universal cosmic molecular gas depletion timescale. The low-redshift decline of the star-formation history is thus driven by the lack of molecular gas supply due to a drop in net accretion rate related to the decreased growth of dark matter halos. ▪  The metal mass density in cold gas ([Formula: see text] K) contains virtually all the metals produced by stars for [Formula: see text]. At lower redshifts, the contributors to the total amount of metals are more diverse; at [Formula: see text], most of the observed metals are bound in stars. Overall, there is little evidence for a “missing metals problem” in modern censuses. ▪  We characterize the dust content of neutral gas over cosmic time, finding the dust-to-gas and dust-to-metals ratios fall with decreasing metallicity. We calculate the cosmological dust mass density in the neutral gas up to [Formula: see text]. There is good agreement between multiple tracers of the dust content of the Universe.

scholarly journals Winds of metal-poor OB stars: Updates from HST-COS UV spectroscopy

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (S307) ◽  
pp. 41-46
Author(s):  
M. García ◽  
A. Herrero ◽  
F. Najarro ◽  
D. J. Lennon ◽  
M. A. Urbaneja
Keyword(s):  
Massive Stars ◽  
Uv Spectroscopy ◽  
Star Formation History ◽  
First Stars ◽  
Abundance Pattern ◽  
Ob Stars ◽  
Formation History ◽  
History Of ◽  
Strong Winds

AbstractIn the race to break the SMC frontier and reach metallicity conditions closer to the First Stars the information from UV spectroscopy is usually overlooked. New HST-COS observations of OB stars in the metal-poor galaxy IC1613, with oxygen content ~1/10 solar, have proved the important role of UV spectroscopy to characterize blue massive stars and their winds. The terminal velocities (υ∞) and abundances derived from the dataset have shed new light on the problem of metal-poor massive stars with strong winds. Furthermore, our results question the υ∞-υesc and υ∞-Z scaling relations whose use in optical-only studies may introduce large uncertainties in the derived mass loss rates and wind-momenta. Finally, our results indicate that the detailed abundance pattern of each star may have a non-negligible impact on its wind properties, and scaling these as a function of one single metallicity parameter is probably too coarse an approximation. Considering, for instance, that the [α/Fe] ratio evolves with the star formation history of each galaxy, we may be in need of updating all our wind recipes.

scholarly journals Modelling Stellar Populations at High Redshift

2010 ◽  
Vol 6 (S277) ◽  
pp. 158-165
Author(s):  
Claudia Maraston
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
High Redshift ◽  
Stellar Populations ◽  
Star Formation History ◽  
Population Modelling ◽  
Massive Galaxies ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
Formation History ◽  
Derived Properties ◽  
Stellar Masses

AbstractStellar populations carry information about the formation of galaxies and their evolution up to the present epoch. A wealth of observational data are available nowadays, which are analysed with stellar population models in order to obtain key properties such as ages, star formation histories, stellar masses. Differences in the models and/or in the assumptions regarding the star formation history affect the derived properties as much as differences in the data. I shall review the interpretation of high-redshift galaxy data from a model perspective. While data quality dominates galaxy analysis at the highest possible redshifts (z > 5), population modelling effects play the major part at lower redshifts. In particular, I discuss the cases of both star-forming galaxies at the peak of the cosmic star formation history as well as passive galaxies at redshift below 1 that are often used as cosmological probes. Remarks on the bridge between low and high-z massive galaxies conclude the contribution.

scholarly journals HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPEGRISM SPECTROSCOPY OF EXTREME STARBURSTS ACROSS COSMIC TIME: THE ROLE OF DWARF GALAXIES IN THE STAR FORMATION HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSE

2014 ◽  
Vol 789 (2) ◽  
pp. 96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hakim Atek ◽  
Jean-Paul Kneib ◽  
Camilla Pacifici ◽  
Matthew Malkan ◽  
Stephane Charlot ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Dwarf Galaxies ◽  
Cosmic Time ◽  
Star Formation History ◽  
Formation History ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Universe

scholarly journals Molecular Gas in Galaxies at all Redshifts

2010 ◽  
Vol 6 (S277) ◽  
pp. 47-54
Author(s):  
Françoise Combes
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Galaxy Evolution ◽  
Star Formation History ◽  
Gas Content ◽  
Continuum Emission ◽  
Massive Galaxies ◽  
Normal Galaxies ◽  
Galaxy Type ◽  
Formation History ◽  
Formation Efficiency

AbstractI review some recent results about the molecular content of galaxies, obtained essentially from the CO lines, but also dense tracers, or the dust continuum emission. New results have been obtained on molecular cloud physics, and their efficiency to form stars, shedding light on the Kennicutt-Schmidt law as a function of surface density and galaxy type. Large progress has been made on galaxy at moderate and high redshifts, allowing to interprete the star formation history and star formation efficiency as a function of gas content, or galaxy evolution. In massive galaxies, the gas fraction was higher in the past, and galaxy disks were more unstable and more turbulent. ALMA observations will allow the study of more normal galaxies at high z with higher spatial resolution and sensitivity.

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