scholarly journals Semi-analytic forecasts for JWST – III. Intrinsic production efficiency of Lyman-continuum radiation

2020 ◽  
Vol 494 (1) ◽  
pp. 1002-1017 ◽  
Author(s):  
L Y Aaron Yung ◽  
Rachel S Somerville ◽  
Gergö Popping ◽  
Steven L Finkelstein
Keyword(s):  
Galaxy Formation ◽  
Binary Stars ◽  
Production Efficiency ◽  
Cosmic Time ◽  
Massive Galaxies ◽  
Chemical Enrichment ◽  
Stellar Feedback ◽  
Lyman Continuum ◽  
James Webb Space Telescope ◽  
Galaxy Populations

ABSTRACT The James Webb Space Telescope is expected to enable transformational progress in studying galaxy populations in the very early Universe, during the epoch of reionization. A critical parameter for understanding the sources that reionized the Universe is the Lyman-continuum production efficiency, ξion, defined as the rate of production of ionizing photons divided by the intrinsic UV luminosity. In this work, we combine self-consistent star formation and chemical enrichment histories predicted by semi-analytic models of galaxy formation with stellar population synthesis (SPS) models to predict the expected dependence of ξion on galaxy properties and cosmic epoch from z = 4–10. We then explore the sensitivity of the production rate of ionizing photons, $\dot{N}_\text{ion}$, to the choice of SPS model and the treatment of stellar feedback in our galaxy formation model. We compare our results to those of other simulations, constraints from empirical models, and observations. We find that adopting SPS models that include binary stars predict about a factor of 2 more ionizing radiation than models that only assume single stellar populations. We find that UV-faint, low-mass galaxies have values of ξion about 0.25 dex higher than those of more massive galaxies, but find weak evolution with cosmic time, about 0.2 dex from z ∼ 12–4 at fixed rest-UV luminosity. We provide predictions of $\dot{N}_\text{ion}$ as a function of Mh and a number of other galaxy properties. All results presented in this work are available at https://www.simonsfoundation.org/semi-analytic-forecasts-for-jwst/.

scholarly journals The impact of stellar feedback on high-z galaxy populations

2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (S319) ◽  
pp. 26-26
Author(s):  
Michaela Hirschmann ◽  
Gabriella De Lucia
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Galaxy Formation ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Mass Function ◽  
Chemical Enrichment ◽  
Stellar Feedback ◽  
Feedback Scheme ◽  
Galaxy Populations ◽  
Improved Model ◽  
The Impact

AbstractOne major deficiency of state-of-the-art galaxy formation models consists in their inability of capturing the observed galaxy downsizing trend significantly over-estimating the number density of low-mass galaxies, in particular at high redshifts. Employing an enhanced galaxy formation model with a full chemical enrichment scheme (DeLucia et al., 2014), we present an improved model for stellar feedback (based on parametrizations from cosmological zoom simulations), in which strong gas outflows occur due to bursty star formation at high z, while star formation is mainly “quiescent” not causing any significant outflows anymore at low z. Due to the stronger gas outflows at high z, early star formation is strongly delayed towards later times. This helps to sufficiently detach the evolution of galaxy growth from the hiearchical dark matter assembly resulting in a fairly good agreement with the evolution of the observed stellar mass function (SMF, see Fig. 1). With our new feedback scheme, we can also successfully reproduce many other observational constraints, such as the metallicity content, the cold gas fractions or the quiescent galaxy fractions at both low and high redshifts. The resulting new-generation galaxy catalogues (Hirschmann et al., in prep) based on that model are expected to significantly contribute to the interpretation of current and up-coming large-scale surveys (HST, JWST, Euclid). This will, in turn, provide a rapid verification and refinement of our modeling.

scholarly journals Realistic mock observations of the sizes and stellar mass surface densities of massive galaxies in FIRE-2 zoom-in simulations

2020 ◽  
Vol 501 (2) ◽  
pp. 1591-1602
Author(s):  
T Parsotan ◽  
R K Cochrane ◽  
C C Hayward ◽  
D Anglés-Alcázar ◽  
R Feldmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Galaxy Formation ◽  
Surface Density ◽  
Stellar Mass ◽  
Massive Galaxies ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
Stellar Feedback ◽  
Central Surface ◽  
Stellar Ages ◽  
The Galaxy ◽  
Zoom In

ABSTRACT The galaxy size–stellar mass and central surface density–stellar mass relationships are fundamental observational constraints on galaxy formation models. However, inferring the physical size of a galaxy from observed stellar emission is non-trivial due to various observational effects, such as the mass-to-light ratio variations that can be caused by non-uniform stellar ages, metallicities, and dust attenuation. Consequently, forward-modelling light-based sizes from simulations is desirable. In this work, we use the skirt  dust radiative transfer code to generate synthetic observations of massive galaxies ($M_{*}\sim 10^{11}\, \rm {M_{\odot }}$ at z = 2, hosted by haloes of mass $M_{\rm {halo}}\sim 10^{12.5}\, \rm {M_{\odot }}$) from high-resolution cosmological zoom-in simulations that form part of the Feedback In Realistic Environments project. The simulations used in this paper include explicit stellar feedback but no active galactic nucleus (AGN) feedback. From each mock observation, we infer the effective radius (Re), as well as the stellar mass surface density within this radius and within $1\, \rm {kpc}$ (Σe and Σ1, respectively). We first investigate how well the intrinsic half-mass radius and stellar mass surface density can be inferred from observables. The majority of predicted sizes and surface densities are within a factor of 2 of the intrinsic values. We then compare our predictions to the observed size–mass relationship and the Σ1−M⋆ and Σe−M⋆ relationships. At z ≳ 2, the simulated massive galaxies are in general agreement with observational scaling relations. At z ≲ 2, they evolve to become too compact but still star forming, in the stellar mass and redshift regime where many of them should be quenched. Our results suggest that some additional source of feedback, such as AGN-driven outflows, is necessary in order to decrease the central densities of the simulated massive galaxies to bring them into agreement with observations at z ≲ 2.

scholarly journals The Bimodality of Galaxy Populations Revisited Through Spectral Synthesis

2006 ◽  
Vol 2 (S235) ◽  
pp. 139-139
Author(s):  
L. Sodré ◽  
A. Mateus ◽  
R. Cid Fernandes ◽  
G. Stasińska ◽  
W. Schoenell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Galaxy Formation ◽  
Spectral Synthesis ◽  
Synthesis Method ◽  
Local Universe ◽  
Massive Galaxies ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
The Galaxy ◽  
Galaxy Populations ◽  
Galaxy Population ◽  
Stellar Masses

AbstractWe revisit the bimodality of the galaxy population seen in the local universe. We address this issue in terms of physical properties of galaxies, such as mean stellar ages and stellar masses, derived from the application of a spectral synthesis method to galaxy spectra from the SDSS. We show that the mean light-weighted stellar age of galaxies presents the best description of the bimodality seen in the galaxy population. The stellar mass has an additional role since most of the star-forming galaxies present in the local universe are low-mass galaxies. Our results give support to the existence of a ‘downsizing’ in galaxy formation, where nowadays massive galaxies tend to have stellar populations older than those found in less massive objects.

scholarly journals Stellar Population Models

2012 ◽  
Vol 8 (S295) ◽  
pp. 272-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Maraston
Keyword(s):  
Galaxy Formation ◽  
Stellar Population ◽  
High Redshift ◽  
Spectral Energy Distribution ◽  
Cosmic Time ◽  
Mass Function ◽  
Initial Mass Function ◽  
Asymptotic Giant Branch ◽  
Spectral Energy ◽  
Massive Galaxies

AbstractModelling stellar populations in galaxies is a key approach to gain knowledge on the still elusive process of galaxy formation as a function of cosmic time. In this review, after a summary of the state-of-art, I discuss three aspects of the modelling, that are particularly relevant to massive galaxies, the focus of this symposium, at low and high-redshift. These are the treatment of the Thermally-Pulsating Asymptotic Giant Branch phase, evidences of an unusual Initial Mass Function, and the effect of modern stellar libraries on the model spectral energy distribution.

scholarly journals An interesting case of the formation and evolution of a barred galaxy in the cosmological context

2020 ◽  
Vol 642 ◽  
pp. L12
Author(s):  
Ewa L. Łokas
Keyword(s):  
Dark Matter ◽  
Galaxy Formation ◽  
Cosmic Time ◽  
Galaxy Cluster ◽  
Interesting Case ◽  
Massive Galaxies ◽  
Barred Galaxies ◽  
Tidal Interactions ◽  
The Galaxy ◽  
Formation And Evolution

Elongated, bar-like galaxies without a significant disk component, with little rotation support and no gas, often form as a result of tidal interactions with a galaxy cluster, as was recently demonstrated using the IllustrisTNG-100 simulation. Galaxies that exhibit similar properties are, however, also found to be infalling into the cluster for the first time. We use the same simulation to study in detail the history of such a galaxy over cosmic time in order to determine its origin. The bar appears to be triggered at t = 6.8 Gyr by the combined effect of the last significant merger with a subhalo and the first passage of another dwarf satellite, both ten times less massive than the galaxy. The satellites deposit all their gas in the galaxy, contributing to its third and last star-formation episode, which perturbs the disk and may also contribute to the formation of the bar. The galaxy then starts to lose its gas and dark matter due to its passage near a group of more massive galaxies. The strongest interaction involves a galaxy 22 times more massive, leaving the barred galaxy with no gas and half of its maximum dark matter mass. During this time, the bar grows steadily, seemingly unaffected by the interactions, although they may have aided its growth by stripping the gas. The studied galaxy, together with two other similar objects briefly discussed in this Letter, suggest the existence of a new class of early-type barred galaxies and thereby demonstrate the importance of interactions in galaxy formation and evolution.

scholarly journals Prospects for distinguishing galaxy evolution models with surveys at redshifts z ≳ 4

2020 ◽  
Vol 499 (3) ◽  
pp. 4534-4544 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jordan Mirocha
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Galaxy Evolution ◽  
Galaxy Formation ◽  
Duty Cycle ◽  
Cosmic Time ◽  
Galaxy Surveys ◽  
Stellar Feedback ◽  
Luminosity Functions ◽  
Galaxy Bias ◽  
The Masses

ABSTRACT Many semi-empirical galaxy formation models have recently emerged to interpret high-z galaxy luminosity functions and make predictions for future galaxy surveys. A common approach assumes a ‘universal’ star formation efficiency, f*, independent of cosmic time but strongly dependent on the masses of dark matter haloes. Though this class of models has been very successful in matching observations over much of cosmic history, simple stellar feedback models do predict redshift evolution in f* and are commonly used in semi-analytic models. In this work, we calibrate a set of universal f* and feedback-regulated models to the same set of rest-ultraviolet z ≳ 4 observations and find that a rapid, ∼(1 + z)−3/2 decline in both the efficiency of dust production and duty cycle of star formation are needed to reconcile feedback-regulated models with current observations. By construction, these models remain nearly identical to universal f* models in rest-ultraviolet luminosity functions (UVLFs) and colours. As a result, the only way to distinguish these competing scenarios is either via (i) improved constraints on the clustering of galaxies – universal and feedback-regulated models differ in predictions for the galaxy bias by 0.1 ≲ Δ〈b〉 ≲ 0.3 over 4 ≲ z ≲ 10 – or (ii) independent constraints on the dust contents and/or duty cycle of star formation. This suggests that improved constraints on the ‘dustiness’ and ‘burstiness’ of high-z galaxies will not merely add clarity to a given model of star formation in high-z galaxies, but rather fundamentally determine our ability to identify the correct model in the first place.

scholarly journals Star Formation Through Cosmic Time

2006 ◽  
Vol 2 (S235) ◽  
pp. 261-267
Author(s):  
Michael A. Dopita
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Galaxy Formation ◽  
Globular Clusters ◽  
High Redshift ◽  
Cosmic Time ◽  
Star Formation History ◽  
Massive Black Holes ◽  
Massive Galaxies ◽  
History Of ◽  
Population Iii Stars

AbstractThis paper reviews the star formation history of the Universe, from the first stars to the current day, with emphasis on the critical analysis of the techniques that have been used to determine it, especially considering the role of dust. We consider the first population of stars, the Population III stars, were formed at redshifts ranging as high as z ~ 60, the formation of the Globular Clusters, the main epoch of galaxy formation. In the sub-mm galaxies and high-redshift radio galaxies the collapse of massive galaxies was surprisingly rapid, and that the growth of super-massive black holes at their centers provides the energy input to eject the galactic interstellar medium while at the same time precipitating a final burst of star formation and the ejection of their ISM so that the subsequent evolution of these galaxies is passive.

scholarly journals Observational Searches for Star-Forming Galaxies at z > 6

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven L. Finkelstein
Keyword(s):  
Galaxy Evolution ◽  
Galaxy Formation ◽  
Cosmic Time ◽  
Mass Function ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
Chemical Enrichment ◽  
Large Samples ◽  
Galaxy Formation And Evolution ◽  
Observational Techniques ◽  
The Universe

AbstractAlthough the universe at redshifts greater than six represents only the first one billion years (< 10%) of cosmic time, the dense nature of the early universe led to vigorous galaxy formation and evolution activity which we are only now starting to piece together. Technological improvements have, over only the past decade, allowed large samples of galaxies at such high redshifts to be collected, providing a glimpse into the epoch of formation of the first stars and galaxies. A wide variety of observational techniques have led to the discovery of thousands of galaxy candidates at z > 6, with spectroscopically confirmed galaxies out to nearly z = 9. Using these large samples, we have begun to gain a physical insight into the processes inherent in galaxy evolution at early times. In this review, I will discuss (i) the selection techniques for finding distant galaxies, including a summary of previous and ongoing ground and space-based searches, and spectroscopic follow-up efforts, (ii) insights into galaxy evolution gleaned from measures such as the rest-frame ultraviolet luminosity function, the stellar mass function, and galaxy star-formation rates, and (iii) the effect of galaxies on their surrounding environment, including the chemical enrichment of the universe, and the reionisation of the intergalactic medium. Finally, I conclude with prospects for future observational study of the distant universe, using a bevy of new state-of-the-art facilities coming online over the next decade and beyond.

scholarly journals Chemical enrichment and feedback in low metallicity environments: constraints on galaxy formation

2008 ◽  
Vol 4 (S255) ◽  
pp. 134-141
Author(s):  
Francesca Matteucci
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Evolution ◽  
Galaxy Formation ◽  
Local Group ◽  
Dwarf Galaxies ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Formation Mechanisms ◽  
Chemical Enrichment ◽  
Stellar Feedback ◽  
R Process

AbstractChemical evolution models for dwarf metal poor galaxies, including dwarf irregulars and dwarf spheroidals will be presented. The main ingredients necessary to build detailed models of chemical evolution including stellar nucleosynthesis, supernova progenitors, stellar lifetimes and stellar feedback will be discussed. The stellar feedback will be analysed in connection with the development of galactic winds in dwarf galaxies and their effects on the predicted abundances and abundance ratios. Model results concerning α-elements (O, Mg, Si, Ca), Fe and s-and r-process elements will be discussed and compared with the most recent observational data for metal poor galaxies of the Local Group. We will show how the study of abundance ratios versus abundances can represent a very powerful tool to infer constraints on galaxy formation mechanisms. In this framework, we will discuss whether, on the basis of their chemical properties, the dwarf galaxies of the Local Group could have been the building blocks of the Milky Way.

scholarly journals Theoretical clues about dust accumulation and galaxy obscuration at high and low redshift

2020 ◽  
Vol 499 (2) ◽  
pp. 1701-1720
Author(s):  
Jullian H Barbosa-Santos ◽  
Gastão B Lima Neto ◽  
Amancio C S Friaça
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Galaxy Formation ◽  
Formation Rate ◽  
Cosmic Time ◽  
High Mass ◽  
Lower Efficiency ◽  
James Webb Space Telescope ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Good Tracer ◽  
Formation Systems

ABSTRACT Since the epoch of cosmic star formation peaks at z ∼ 2, most of it is obscured in high-mass galaxies, while in low-mass galaxies, the radiation escapes unobstructed. During the reionization epoch, the presence of evolved, dust obscured galaxies are a challenge to galaxy formation and evolution models. By means of a chemodynamical evolution model, we investigate the star formation and dust production required to build up the bulk of dust in galaxies with initial baryonic mass ranging from 7.5 × 107 to 2.0 × 1012 M⊙. The star formation efficiency was also chosen to represent the star formation rate (SFR) from irregular dwarf to giant elliptical galaxies. We adopted a dust coagulation efficiency from Dwek (Case A) as well as a lower efficiency one (Case B), about five times smaller than Case A. All possible combination of these parameters was computed, summing 40 different scenarios. We find that in high stellar formation systems, the dust accretion in interstellar medium rules over stellar production before the star formation peak, making these systems almost insensible to dust coagulation efficiency. In low star formation systems, the difference between Case A and B lasts longer, mainly in small galaxies. Thus, small irregular galaxies should be the best place to discriminate different dust sources. In our observational sample, taken from the literature, the dust-to-gas ratio tends to be more spread only than dust mass, for both stellar mass and SFR. The dust-to-gas versus dust-to-star diagram is a good tracer for both galaxy and dust evolution, due to the link between gas, star, dust, and SFR. However, the model do not constrain simultaneously all this quantities. The new generation facilities (such as James Webb Space Telescope, Extremely Large Telescope, GMT, and SPICA) will be indispensable to constrain dust formation across the cosmic time.

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