scholarly journals Tidal disruption events in the first billion years of a galaxy

2020 ◽  
Vol 500 (3) ◽  
pp. 3944-3956
Author(s):  
Hugo Pfister ◽  
Jane Lixin Dai ◽  
Marta Volonteri ◽  
Katie Auchettl ◽  
Maxime Trebitsch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Milky Way ◽  
Natural Process ◽  
Galaxy Mergers ◽  
Tidal Disruption ◽  
Massive Black Holes ◽  
Self Consistent ◽  
The Galaxy ◽  
Order Of Magnitude ◽  
The Universe ◽  
Viable Mechanism

ABSTRACT Accretion of stars on massive black holes (MBHs) can feed MBHs and generate tidal disruption events (TDEs). We introduce a new physically motivated model to self-consistently treat TDEs in cosmological simulations, and apply it to the assembly of a galaxy with final mass $3\times 10^{10}\, \mathrm{M}_{\odot }$ at z = 6. This galaxy exhibits a TDE rate of $\sim 10^{-5}\, \mathrm{yr}^{-1}$, consistent with local observations but already in place when the Universe was one billion year old. A fraction of the disrupted stars participate in the growth of MBHs, dominating it until the MBH reaches mass $\sim 5 \times 10^5 \, \mathrm{M}_{\odot }$, but their contribution then becomes negligible compared to gas. TDEs could be a viable mechanism to grow light MBH seeds, but fewer TDEs are expected when the MBH becomes sufficiently massive to reach the luminosity of, and be detected as, an active galactic nucleus. Galaxy mergers bring multiple MBHs in the galaxy, resulting in an enhancement of the global TDE rate in the galaxy by ∼1 order of magnitude during $100\, \mathrm{Myr}$ around mergers. This enhancement is not on the central MBH, but caused by the presence of MBHs in the infalling galaxies. This is the first self-consistent study of TDEs in a cosmological environment and highlights that accretion of stars and TDEs are a natural process occurring in a Milky Way-mass galaxy at early cosmic times.

The Long View of Planetary Systems

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karel Schrijver
Keyword(s):  
Solar System ◽  
Milky Way ◽  
Planetary Systems ◽  
Giant Planets ◽  
Milky Way Galaxy ◽  
Population Statistics ◽  
The Past ◽  
General Terms ◽  
The Galaxy ◽  
The Universe

How many planetary systems formed before our’s did, and how many will form after? How old is the average exoplanet in the Galaxy? When did the earliest planets start forming? How different are the ages of terrestrial and giant planets? And, ultimately, what will the fate be of our Solar System, of the Milky Way Galaxy, and of the Universe around us? We cannot know the fate of individual exoplanets with great certainty, but based on population statistics this chapter sketches the past, present, and future of exoworlds and of our Earth in general terms.

scholarly journals To TDE or not to TDE: the luminous transient ASASSN-18jd with TDE-like and AGN-like qualities

2020 ◽  
Vol 494 (2) ◽  
pp. 2538-2560 ◽  
Author(s):  
J M M Neustadt ◽  
T W-S Holoien ◽  
C S Kochanek ◽  
K Auchettl ◽  
J S Brown ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Active Galactic Nuclei ◽  
Spectral Energy Distribution ◽  
Galactic Nuclei ◽  
Spectral Energy ◽  
Tidal Disruption ◽  
Optical Telescope ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Radiated Energy ◽  
The Galaxy ◽  
Order Of Magnitude

ABSTRACT We present the discovery of ASASSN-18jd (AT 2018bcb), a luminous optical/ultraviolet(UV)/X-ray transient located in the nucleus of the galaxy 2MASX J22434289–1659083 at z = 0.1192. Over the year after discovery, Swift UltraViolet and Optical Telescope (UVOT) photometry shows the UV spectral energy distribution of the transient to be well modelled by a slowly shrinking blackbody with temperature $T \sim 2.5 \times 10^{4} \, {\rm K}$, a maximum observed luminosity of $L_{\rm max} = 4.5^{+0.6}_{-0.3}\times 10^{44} \, {\rm erg \,s}^{-1}$, and a radiated energy of $E = 9.6^{+1.1}_{-0.6} \times 10^{51} \, {\rm erg}$. X-ray data from Swift X-Ray Telescope (XRT) and XMM–Newton show a transient, variable X-ray flux with blackbody and power-law components that fade by nearly an order of magnitude over the following year. Optical spectra show strong, roughly constant broad Balmer emission and transient features attributable to He ii, N iii–v, O iii, and coronal Fe. While ASASSN-18jd shares similarities with tidal disruption events (TDEs), it is also similar to the newly discovered nuclear transients seen in quiescent galaxies and faint active galactic nuclei (AGNs).

scholarly journals Artificial versus biological intelligence in the Cosmos: clues from a stochastic analysis of the Drake equation

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 353-359
Author(s):  
Alex De Visscher
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Stochastic Analysis ◽  
Milky Way ◽  
Statistical Investigation ◽  
Observable Universe ◽  
Individual Result ◽  
The Galaxy ◽  
The Universe ◽  
Prevalent Form

AbstractThe Drake equation has been used many times to estimate the number of observable civilizations in the galaxy. However, the uncertainty of the outcome is so great that any individual result is of limited use, as predictions can range from a handful of observable civilizations in the observable universe to tens of millions per Milky Way-sized galaxy. A statistical investigation shows that the Drake equation, despite its uncertainties, delivers robust predictions of the likelihood that the prevalent form of intelligence in the universe is artificial rather than biological. The likelihood of artificial intelligence far exceeds the likelihood of biological intelligence in all cases investigated. This conclusion is contingent upon a limited number of plausible assumptions. The significance of this outcome for the Fermi paradox is discussed.

scholarly journals Self-consistent redshift estimation using correlation functions without a spectroscopic reference sample

2019 ◽  
Vol 485 (3) ◽  
pp. 3642-3660 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ben Hoyle ◽  
Markus Michael Rau
Keyword(s):  
Dark Matter ◽  
Correlation Functions ◽  
Reference Sample ◽  
Data Driven ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
Redshift Distribution ◽  
Self Consistent ◽  
The Galaxy ◽  
Consistent Manner ◽  
Order Of Magnitude

ABSTRACT We present a new method to estimate redshift distributions and galaxy-dark matter bias parameters using correlation functions in a fully data driven and self-consistent manner. Unlike other machine learning, template, or correlation redshift methods, this approach does not require a reference sample with known redshifts. By measuring the projected cross- and auto-correlations of different galaxy sub-samples, e.g. as chosen by simple cells in colour–magnitude space, we are able to estimate the galaxy-dark matter bias model parameters, and the shape of the redshift distributions of each sub-sample. This method fully marginalizes over a flexible parametrization of the redshift distribution and galaxy-dark matter bias parameters of sub-samples of galaxies, and thus provides a general Bayesian framework to incorporate redshift uncertainty into the cosmological analysis in a data-driven, consistent, and reproducible manner. This result is improved by an order of magnitude by including cross-correlations with the cosmic microwave background and with galaxy–galaxy lensing. We showcase how this method could be applied to real galaxies. By using idealized data vectors, in which all galaxy-dark matter model parameters and redshift distributions are known, this method is demonstrated to recover unbiased estimates on important quantities, such as the offset Δz between the mean of the true and estimated redshift distribution and the 68 per cent, 95 per cent, and 99.5 per cent widths of the redshift distribution to an accuracy required by current and future surveys.

Is There a Fifth-Force? Using Galaxy Mergers to Constrain Dark-Matter Self-Interactions

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maggie McLean
Keyword(s):  
Dark Matter ◽  
Numerical Simulations ◽  
Fundamental Problem ◽  
Interacting Galaxies ◽  
Galaxy Mergers ◽  
Tidal Disruption ◽  
Fifth Force ◽  
Tidal Forces ◽  
Visible Matter ◽  
The Universe

Over ninety percent of the matter in the universe is believed to be “dark matter,” a mysterious form of matter the nature of which is still unknown. Since it cannot be detected directly, dark matter can only be inferred from its effect on visible matter. This leaves a significant gap in our knowledge. Without the ability to measure the influence of dark matter on other dark matter, we could miss a possible fifth fundamental force which mediates dark matter self-interactions. We propose a means of constraining the existence of a “fifth-force” by observing galaxies that are in the process of merging. Using numerical simulations, we examine the effect of including a hypothetical fifth-force on the tidal disruption of visible matter during galaxy mergers. We find distinct differences in the formation and appearance of tidal features produced during these interactions, providing an observable constraint on the strength of any “fifth-force.” The sheer volume of interacting galaxies that can be observed makes tidal forces a valuable tool in studying a fundamental problem that would otherwise pose a great challenge for physicists.

scholarly journals A kinematic confirmation of the hidden Vela supercluster

2019 ◽  
Vol 490 (1) ◽  
pp. L57-L61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hélène M Courtois ◽  
Renée C Kraan-Korteweg ◽  
Alexandra Dupuy ◽  
Romain Graziani ◽  
Noam I Libeskind
Keyword(s):  
Excellent Agreement ◽  
Mass Concentration ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Milky Way ◽  
Large Scale Structure ◽  
Peculiar Velocity ◽  
The Galaxy ◽  
Zone Of Avoidance ◽  
First Time ◽  
The Universe

ABSTRACT The Universe region obscured by the Milky Way is very large and only future blind large H i redshift, and targeted peculiar surveys on the outer borders will determine how much mass is hidden there. Meanwhile, we apply for the first time two independent techniques to the galaxy peculiar velocity catalogue CosmicFlows−3 in order to explore for the kinematic signature of a specific large-scale structure hidden behind this zone: the Vela supercluster at cz ∼18 000 km s−1. Using the gravitational velocity and density contrast fields, we find excellent agreement when comparing our results to the Vela object as traced in redshift space. The article provides the first kinematic evidence of a major mass concentration (knot of the Cosmic Web) located in the direction behind Vela constellation, pin pointing that the Zone of Avoidance should be surveyed in detail in the future.

scholarly journals Surveys for Metal-Poor Stars in the Galaxy: A New Window on the Low-Abundance Universe

1998 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-61
Author(s):  
T.C. Beers
Keyword(s):  
Milky Way ◽  
High Signal ◽  
Signal To Noise ◽  
Milky Way Galaxy ◽  
The Galaxy ◽  
History Of ◽  
Chemical History ◽  
Low Metallicity ◽  
New Generation ◽  
The Universe

Measurement of the abundances of the light and heavy elements in stars of the Milky Way galaxy is the cornerstone for the study of numerous aspects of chemical evolution in galaxies and the Universe. We stand poised to enter an era of rapid understanding, as new-generation telescopes with apertures in the 8m-10m class enable astronomers to obtain high-resolution, high-signal-to-noise near-UV, optical, and IR spectra of the stars which have locked up the chemical history of our Galaxy in their outer atmospheres. It is thus appropriate to review present surveys for the low-metallicity stars of our Galaxy, as the stars we uncover today will be studied so intensively in the coming decades.

scholarly journals A secularly evolved model for the Milky Way bar and bulge

2012 ◽  
Vol 10 (H16) ◽  
pp. 351-351 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inma Martinez-Valpuesta ◽  
Ortwin Gerhard
Keyword(s):  
Milky Way ◽  
Momentum Transport ◽  
Disk Galaxies ◽  
Kinematic Data ◽  
Angular Momentum Transport ◽  
Secular Evolution ◽  
Upper Limit ◽  
Self Consistent ◽  
The Galaxy ◽  
Pattern Speed

AbstractBars are strong drivers of secular evolution in disk galaxies. Bars themselves can evolve secularly through angular momentum transport, producing different boxy/peanut and X-shaped bulges. Our Milky Way is an example of a barred galaxy with a boxy bulge. We present a self-consistent N-body simulation of a barred galaxy which matches remarkably well the structure of the inner Milky Way deduced from star counts. In particular, features taken as signatures of a second “long bar“ can be explained by the interaction between the bar and the spiral arms of the galaxy (Martinez-Valpuesta & Gerhard 2011). Furthermore the structural change in the bulge inside l = 4° measured recently from VVV data can be explained by the high-density near-axisymmetric part of the inner boxy bulge (Gerhard & Martinez-Valpuesta 2012). We also compare this model with kinematic data from recent spectroscopic surveys. We use a modified version of the NMAGIC code (de Lorenzi et al. 2007) to study the properties of the Milky Way bar, obtaining an upper limit for the pattern speed of ~ 42 km/sec/kpc. See Fig. 1 for a comparison of one of our best models with BRAVA data (Kunder et al. 2012).

scholarly journals Enhancement of the tidal disruption event rate in galaxies with a nuclear star cluster: from dwarfs to ellipticals

2020 ◽  
Vol 497 (2) ◽  
pp. 2276-2285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hugo Pfister ◽  
Marta Volonteri ◽  
Jane Lixin Dai ◽  
Monica Colpi
Keyword(s):  
Black Holes ◽  
Milky Way ◽  
Event Rate ◽  
Star Cluster ◽  
Scaling Relations ◽  
Tidal Disruption ◽  
Massive Black Holes ◽  
First Time ◽  
Stellar Density ◽  
Disruption Event

ABSTRACT We compute the tidal disruption event (TDE) rate around local massive black holes (MBHs) with masses as low as $2.5\times 10^4\, \mathrm{M}_{\odot }$, thus probing the dwarf regime for the first time. We select a sample of 37 galaxies for which we have the surface stellar density profile, a dynamical estimate of the mass of the MBH, and 6 of which, including our Milky Way, have a resolved nuclear star cluster (NSC). For the Milky Way, we find a total TDE rate of ${\sim}10^{-4}\, \mathrm{yr}^{-1}$ when taking the NSC in account, and ${\sim}10^{-7} \, \mathrm{yr}^{-1}$ otherwise. TDEs are mainly sourced from the NSC for light (${\lt}3\times 10^{10}\, \mathrm{M}_{\odot }$) galaxies, with a rate of few $10^{-5}\, \mathrm{yr}^{-1}$, and an enhancement of up to two orders of magnitude compared to non-nucleated galaxies. We create a mock population of galaxies using different sets of scaling relations to explore trends with galaxy mass, taking into account the nucleated fraction of galaxies. Overall, we find a rate of few $10^{-5}\, \mathrm{yr}^{-1}$ which drops when galaxies are more massive than $10^{11}\, \mathrm{M}_{\odot }$ and contain MBHs swallowing stars whole and resulting in no observable TDE.

scholarly journals Massive Black Holes in Merging Galaxies

2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (A29B) ◽  
pp. 285-291 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Volonteri ◽  
Tamara Bogdanović ◽  
Massimo Dotti ◽  
Monica Colpi
Keyword(s):  
Black Holes ◽  
High Redshift ◽  
Dynamical Evolution ◽  
Galaxy Mergers ◽  
Early Type ◽  
Merging Galaxies ◽  
Massive Black Holes ◽  
Massive Galaxies ◽  
The Galaxy ◽  
Dynamical Treatment

AbstractThe dynamics of massive black holes (BHs) in galaxy mergers is a rich field of research that has seen much progress in recent years. In this contribution we briefly review the processes describing the journey of BHs during mergers, from the cosmic context all the way to when BHs coalesce. If two galaxies each hosting a central BH merge, the BHs would be dragged towards the center of the newly formed galaxy. If/when the holes get sufficiently close, they coalesce via the emission of gravitational waves. How often two BHs are involved in galaxy mergers depends crucially on how many galaxies host BHs and on the galaxy merger history. It is therefore necessary to start with full cosmological models including BH physics and a careful dynamical treatment. After galaxies have merged, however, the BHs still have a long journey until they touch and coalesce. Their dynamical evolution is radically different in gas-rich and gas-poor galaxies, leading to a sort of “dichotomy” between high-redshift and low-redshift galaxies, and late-type and early-type, typically more massive galaxies.

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