scholarly journals X-ray properties of He ii λ 1640 emitting galaxies in VANDELS

2020 ◽  
Vol 496 (3) ◽  
pp. 3796-3807
Author(s):  
A Saxena ◽  
L Pentericci ◽  
D Schaerer ◽  
R Schneider ◽  
R Amorin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Formation Rate ◽  
Galactic Nuclei ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
Set Constraints ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Low Metallicity ◽  
Matched Samples ◽  
X Ray Binaries

ABSTRACT We explore X-ray emission from a sample of 18 He ii λ1640 emitting star-forming galaxies at z ∼ 2.3–3.6 from the VANDELS survey in the Chandra Deep Field South, to set constraints on the role of X-ray sources in powering the He ii emission. We find that 4 He ii emitters have tentative detections with S/N ∼ 2 and have X-ray luminosities, LX = 1.5−4.9 × 1041 erg s−1. The stacked luminosity of all 18 He ii emitters is 2.6 × 1041 erg s−1, and that of a subset of 13 narrow He ii emitters (FHWM(He ii) < 1000 km s−1) is 3.1 × 1041 erg s−1. We also measure stacked LX for non-He ii emitters through bootstrapping of matched samples, and find LX = 2.5 × 1041 erg s−1, which is not significantly different from LX measured for He ii emitters. The LX per star formation rate for He ii emitters (log (LX/SFR) ∼ 40.0) and non-emitters (log (LX/SFR) ∼ 39.9) are also comparable and in line with the redshift evolution and metallicity dependence predicted by models. Due to the non-significant difference between the X-ray emission from galaxies with and without He ii, we conclude that X-ray binaries or weak or obscured active galactic nuclei are unlikely to be the dominant producers of He ii ionizing photons in VANDELS star-forming galaxies at z ∼ 3. Given the comparable physical properties of both He ii emitters and non-emitters reported previously, alternative He ii ionizing mechanisms such as localized low-metallicity stellar populations, Pop-III stars, etc. may need to be explored.

scholarly journals X-ray binaries as the origin of nebular He II emission in low-metallicity star-forming galaxies

2019 ◽  
Vol 622 ◽  
pp. L10 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Schaerer ◽  
T. Fragos ◽  
Y. I. Izotov
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Empirical Data ◽  
Star Formation Rate ◽  
Formation Rate ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
High Mass ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
Low Metallicity ◽  
X Ray Binaries

The origin of nebular He II emission, which is frequently observed in low-metallicity (O/H) star-forming galaxies, remains largely an unsolved question. Using the observed anticorrelation of the integrated X-ray luminosity per unit of star formation rate (LX/SFR) of an X-ray binary population with metallicity and other empirical data from the well-studied galaxy I Zw 18, we show that the observed He II λ4686 intensity and its trend with metallicity is naturally reproduced if the bulk of He+ ionizing photons are emitted by the X-ray sources. We also show that a combination of X-ray binary population models with normal single and/or binary stellar models reproduces the observed I(4686)/I(Hβ) intensities and its dependency on metallicity and age. We conclude that both empirical data and theoretical models suggest that high-mass X-ray binaries are the main source of nebular He II emission in low-metallicity star-forming galaxies.

scholarly journals X-rays from Green Pea analogues

2017 ◽  
Vol 470 (1) ◽  
pp. 606-611 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Brorby ◽  
P. Kaaret
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Active Galactic Nuclei ◽  
Formation Rate ◽  
Galactic Nuclei ◽  
High Mass ◽  
X Rays ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
Green Pea ◽  
X Ray Binaries

Abstract X-ray observations of two metal-deficient luminous compact galaxies (LCG; SHOC 486 and SDSS J084220.94+115000.2) with properties similar to the so-called Green Pea galaxies were obtained using the Chandra X-ray Observatory. Green Pea galaxies are relatively small, compact (a few kpc across) galaxies that get their green colour from strong [O iii] λ5007 Å emission, an indicator of intense, recent star formation. These two galaxies were predicted to have the highest observed count rates, using the X-ray luminosity–star formation rate (LX–SFR) relation for X-ray binaries, from a statistically complete sample drawn from optical criteria. We determine the X-ray luminosity relative to SFR and metallicity for these two galaxies. Neither exhibits any evidence of active galactic nuclei, and we suspect that the X-ray emission originates from unresolved populations of high-mass X-ray binaries. We discuss the LX–SFR–metallicity plane for star-forming galaxies and show that the two LCGs are consistent with the prediction of this relation. This is the first detection of Green Pea analogues in X-rays.

scholarly journals High-mass X-ray binaries in nearby metal-poor galaxies: on the contribution to nebular He ii emission

2020 ◽  
Vol 494 (1) ◽  
pp. 941-957 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Senchyna ◽  
Daniel P Stark ◽  
Jordan Mirocha ◽  
Amy E Reines ◽  
Stéphane Charlot ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Formation Rate ◽  
Stellar Atmospheres ◽  
High Mass ◽  
Spectral Energy ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
High Ionization ◽  
Binary Evolution ◽  
Joint Contribution ◽  
X Ray Binaries

ABSTRACT Despite significant progress both observationally and theoretically, the origin of high-ionization nebular He ii emission in galaxies dominated by stellar photoionization remains unclear. Accretion-powered radiation from high-mass X-ray binaries (HMXBs) is still one of the leading proposed explanations for the missing He+-ionizing photons, but this scenario has yet to be conclusively tested. In this paper, we present nebular line predictions from a grid of photoionization models with input spectral energy distributions containing the joint contribution of both stellar atmospheres and a multicolour disc model for HMXBs. This grid demonstrates that HMXBs are inefficient producers of the photons necessary to power He ii, and can only boost this line substantially in galaxies with HMXB populations large enough to power X-ray luminosities of 1042 erg s−1 per unit star formation rate (SFR). To test this, we assemble a sample of 11 low-redshift star-forming galaxies with high-quality constraints on both X-ray emission from Chandra and He ii emission from deep optical spectra, including new observations with the MMT. These data reveal that the HMXB populations of these nearby systems are insufficient to account for the observed He ii strengths, with typical X-ray luminosities or upper limits thereon of only 1040–1041 erg s−1 per SFR. This indicates that HMXBs are not the dominant source of He+ ionization in these metal-poor star-forming galaxies. We suggest that the solution may instead reside in revisions to stellar wind predictions, softer X-ray sources, or very hot products of binary evolution at low metallicity.

scholarly journals Effects of metallicity on high-mass X-ray binary formation

2019 ◽  
Vol 491 (3) ◽  
pp. 3606-3612 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Ponnada ◽  
M Brorby ◽  
P Kaaret
Keyword(s):  
Luminosity Function ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Formation Rate ◽  
High Mass ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Binary Formation ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Solar Metallicity ◽  
Low Metallicity ◽  
X Ray Binaries

ABSTRACT The heating of the intergalactic medium in the early, metal-poor Universe may have been partly due to radiation from high-mass X-ray binaries (HMXBs). Previous investigations on the effect of metallicity have used galaxies of different types. To isolate the effects of metallicity on the production of HMXBs, we study a sample consisting only of 46 blue compact dwarf galaxies covering metallicity in the range 12+log(O/H) of 7.15–8.66. To test the hypothesis of metallicity dependence in the X-ray luminosity function (XLF), we fix the XLF form to that found for near-solar metallicity galaxies and use a Bayesian method to constrain the XLF normalization as a function of star formation rate for three different metallicity ranges in our sample. We find an increase by a factor of 4.45 ± 2.04 in the XLF normalization between the metallicity ranges 7.1–7.7 and 8.2–8.66 at a statistical significance of 99.79 per cent. Our results suggest that HMXB production is enhanced at low metallicity, and consequently that HMXBs may have contributed significantly to the reheating of the early Universe.

scholarly journals A ULX in NGC 4559: A “Mini-Cartwheel” Scenario?

2004 ◽  
Vol 194 ◽  
pp. 57-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Soria ◽  
M. S. Cropper ◽  
M. W. Pakull
Keyword(s):  
Galactic Disk ◽  
Large Diameter ◽  
Galaxy Interactions ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
Satellite Galaxy ◽  
Low Metallicity ◽  
High Velocity Clouds ◽  
The Impact ◽  
X Ray Binaries

AbstractWe have studied the peculiar environment around a ULX in NGC 4559 (with Lx ≈ 2 x 1040 erg s–1 and MBH ≳ 50M⊙). The X-ray source is located near the rim of a young (age < 30 Myr), large (diameter ≈ 700 pc) ring-like star forming complex possibly triggered by the impact of a dwarf satellite galaxy through the gas-rich outer disk of NGC 4559. We speculate that galaxy interactions (including the infall of high-velocity clouds and satellites on a galactic disk) and low-metallicity environments offer favourable conditions for the formation of compact remnants more massive than “standard” X-ray binaries, and accreting from a massive Roche-lobe filling companion.

scholarly journals The role of galaxy mass on AGN emission: a view from the VANDELS survey

2020 ◽  
Vol 493 (3) ◽  
pp. 3838-3853 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Magliocchetti ◽  
L Pentericci ◽  
M Cirasuolo ◽  
G Zamorani ◽  
R Amorin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Formation Rate ◽  
Galactic Nuclei ◽  
Host Galaxy ◽  
Radio Luminosity ◽  
Ancillary Data ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Massive Galaxies ◽  
Fundamental Quantity ◽  
Stellar Masses

ABSTRACT We present a comparative analysis of the properties of active galactic nuclei (AGNs) emitting at radio and X-ray wavelengths. The study is performed on 907 X-ray AGNs and 100 radio AGNs selected on the CDFS and UDS fields and makes use of new and ancillary data available to the VANDELS collaboration. Our results indicate that the mass of the host galaxy is a fundamental quantity that determines the level of AGN activity at the various wavelengths. Indeed, large stellar masses are found to be connected with AGN radio emission, as virtually all radio-active AGNs reside within galaxies of M* &gt; 1010 M⊙. Large stellar masses also seem to favour AGN activity in the X-ray, even though X-ray AGNs present a mass distribution that is more spread out and with a non-negligible tail at M* ≲ 109 M⊙. Stellar mass alone is also observed to play a fundamental role in simultaneous radio and X-ray emission: the percentage of AGNs active at both wavelengths increases from around 1 per cent of all X-ray AGNs residing within hosts of M* &lt; 1011 M⊙ to ∼13 per cent in more massive galaxies. In the case of radio-selected AGNs, such a percentage moves from ∼15 per cent to ∼45 per cent (but up to ∼80 per cent in the deepest fields). Neither cosmic epoch, nor radio luminosity, X-ray luminosity, Eddington ratio or star formation rate of the hosts are found to be connected to an enhanced probability for joint radio + X-ray emission of AGN origin. Furthermore, only a loose relation is observed between X-ray and radio luminosity in those AGNs that are simultaneously active at both frequencies.

scholarly journals Different generations of HMXBs: clues about their formation efficiency from Magellanic Clouds studies

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (S346) ◽  
pp. 316-321
Author(s):  
Vallia Antoniou ◽  
Andreas Zezas ◽  
Jeremy J. Drake ◽  
Carles Badenes ◽  
Frank Haberl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Mass ◽  
Nearby Star ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Ob Stars ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
Number Ratio ◽  
Low Metallicity ◽  
Star Binary ◽  
Formation Efficiency ◽  
X Ray Binaries

AbstractNearby star-forming galaxies offer a unique environment to study the populations of young (<100 Myr) accreting binaries. These systems are tracers of past populations of massive stars that heavily affect their immediate environment and parent galaxies. Using a Chandra X-ray Visionary program, we investigate the young neutron-star binary population in the low metallicity of the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) by reaching quiescent X-ray luminosity levels (~few times 1032 erg/s). We present the first measurement of the formation efficiency of high-mass X-ray binaries (HMXBs) as a function of the age of their parent stellar populations by using 3 indicators: the number ratio of HMXBs to OB stars, to the SFR, and to the stellar mass produced during the specific star-formation burst they are associated with. In all cases, we find that the HMXB formation efficiency increases as a function of time up to ~40–60 Myr, and then gradually decreases.

scholarly journals Host galaxy properties and environment of obscured and unobscured X-ray selected active galactic nuclei in the COSMOS survey

2020 ◽  
Vol 494 (1) ◽  
pp. 1189-1202 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Bornancini ◽  
D García Lambas
Keyword(s):  
Active Galactic Nuclei ◽  
Formation Rate ◽  
Control Sample ◽  
Galactic Nuclei ◽  
Local Environment ◽  
Spectroscopic Properties ◽  
Stellar Mass ◽  
Host Galaxy ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Star Forming

ABSTRACT We analyse different photometric and spectroscopic properties of active galactic nuclei (AGNs) and quasars (QSOs) selected by their mid-IR power-law and X-ray emission from the COSMOS survey. We use a set of star-forming galaxies as a control sample to compare with the results. We have considered samples of obscured (HR &gt; −0.2) and unobscured (HR &lt; −0.2) sources including AGNs with LX &lt; 1044 erg s−1, as well as QSOs (LX &gt; 1044 erg s−1) with 1.4 ≤ z ≤ 2.5. We also study the typical environment of these samples, by assessing neighbouring galaxy number density and neighbour properties such as colour, stellar mass, and star formation rate. We find that the UV/optical and mid-infrared colour distribution of the different AGN types differ significantly. Also, we obtain most of AGNs and QSOs to be more compact when compared to the sample of SF galaxies. In general we find that the stellar mass distribution of the different AGN sample are similar, obtaining only a difference of $\Delta \overline{\mathrm{log}M}=0.3$ dex (M⊙) between unobscured and obscured QSOs. Obscured and unobscured AGNs and QSOs reside in different local environment at small (rp &lt; 100 kpc) scales. Our results support previous findings where AGN type correlates with environment. These differences and those found in AGN host properties cast out the simplest unified model in which obscuration is purely an orientation effect.

scholarly journals An IFU View of the Active Galactic Nuclei in MaNGA Galaxy Pairs

2021 ◽  
Vol 923 (1) ◽  
pp. 6
Author(s):  
Gaoxiang Jin ◽  
Y. Sophia Dai ◽  
Hsi-An Pan ◽  
Lihwai Lin ◽  
Cheng Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Active Galactic Nuclei ◽  
Formation Rate ◽  
Galactic Nuclei ◽  
Central Star ◽  
Mass Star ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
Isolated Galaxies ◽  
Radial Profiles ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract The role of active galactic nuclei (AGNs) during galaxy interactions and how they influence the star formation in the system are still under debate. We use a sample of 1156 galaxies in galaxy pairs or mergers (hereafter “pairs”) from the MaNGA survey. This pair sample is selected by the velocity offset, projected separation, and morphology, and is further classified into four cases along the merger sequence based on morphological signatures. We then identify a total of 61 (5.5%) AGNs in pairs based on the emission-line diagnostics. No evolution of the AGN fraction is found, either along the merger sequence or compared to isolated galaxies (5.0%). We observe a higher fraction of passive galaxies in galaxy pairs, especially in the pre-merging cases, and associate the higher fraction to their environmental dependence. The isolated AGN and AGNs in pairs show similar distributions in their global stellar mass, star-formation rate (SFR), and central [O iii] surface brightness. AGNs in pairs show radial profiles of increasing specific SFR and declining Dn4000 from center to outskirts, and no significant difference from the isolated AGNs. This is clearly different from star-forming galaxies (SFGs) in our pair sample, which show enhanced central star formation, as reported before. AGNs in pairs have lower Balmer decrements at outer regions, possibly indicating less dust attenuation. Our findings suggest that AGNs are likely follow an inside-out quenching and the merger impact on the star formation in AGNs is less prominent than in SFGs.

scholarly journals Connecting the metallicity dependence and redshift evolution of high-mass X-ray binaries

2020 ◽  
Vol 495 (1) ◽  
pp. 771-783 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca M Fornasini ◽  
Francesca Civano ◽  
Hyewon Suh
Keyword(s):  
Direct Evidence ◽  
Star Formation Rate ◽  
Formation Rate ◽  
High Mass ◽  
Population Synthesis ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
Best Fitting ◽  
Robust Measurements ◽  
X Ray Binaries

ABSTRACT The integrated X-ray luminosity (LX) of high-mass X-ray binaries (HMXBs) in a galaxy is correlated with its star formation rate (SFR), and the normalization of this correlation increases with redshift. Population synthesis models suggest that the redshift evolution of LX/SFR is driven by the metallicity (Z) dependence of HMXBs, and the first direct evidence of this connection was recently presented using galaxies at z ∼ 2. To confirm this result with more robust measurements and better constrain the LX–SFR–Z relation, we have studied the Z dependence of LX/SFR at lower redshifts. Using samples of star-forming galaxies at z = 0.1–0.9 with optical spectra from the hCOSMOS and zCOSMOS surveys, we stacked Chandra data from the COSMOS Legacy survey to measure the average LX/SFR as a function of Z in three redshift ranges: z = 0.1–0.25, 0.25–0.4, and 0.5–0.9. We find no significant variation of the LX–SFR–Z relation with redshift. Our results provide further evidence that the Z dependence of HMXBs is responsible for the redshift evolution of LX/SFR. Combining all available z &gt; 0 measurements together, we derive a best-fitting LX–SFR–Z relation and assess how different population synthesis models describe the data. These results provide the strongest constraints to date on the LX–SFR–Z relation in the range of 8.0 &lt; 12 + log(O/H) &lt; 9.0.

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