scholarly journals Cosmic rays across the star-forming galaxy sequence – I. Cosmic ray pressures and calorimetry

2021 ◽  
Vol 502 (1) ◽  
pp. 1312-1333
Author(s):  
Roland M Crocker ◽  
Mark R Krumholz ◽  
Todd A Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Cosmic Rays ◽  
Surface Density ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Formation Rate ◽  
Cosmic Ray ◽  
Gas Content ◽  
Critical Surface ◽  
Pressure Balance

ABSTRACT In the Milky Way (MW), cosmic rays (CRs) are dynamically important in the interstellar medium (ISM), contribute to hydrostatic balance, and may help regulate star formation. However, we know far less about the importance of CRs in galaxies whose gas content or star formation rate (SFR) differ significantly from those of the MW. Here, we construct self-consistent models for hadronic CR transport, losses, and contribution to pressure balance as a function of galaxy properties, covering a broad range of parameters from dwarfs to extreme starbursts. While the CR energy density increases from ∼1 eV cm−3 to ∼1 keV cm−3 over the range from sub-MW dwarfs to bright starbursts, strong hadronic losses render CRs increasingly unimportant dynamically as the SFR surface density increases. In MW-like systems, CR pressure is typically comparable to turbulent gas and magnetic pressure at the galactic mid-plane, but the ratio of CR to gas pressure drops to ∼10−3 in dense starbursts. Galaxies also become increasingly CR calorimetric and gamma-ray bright in this limit. The degree of calorimetry at fixed galaxy properties is sensitive to the assumed model for CR transport, and in particular to the time CRs spend interacting with neutral ISM, where they undergo strong streaming losses. We also find that in some regimes of parameter space hydrostatic equilibrium discs cannot exist, and in Paper II of this series we use this result to derive a critical surface in the plane of star formation surface density and gas surface density beyond which CRs may drive large-scale galactic winds.

scholarly journals Cosmic rays across the star-forming galaxy sequence. II: Stability limits and the onset of cosmic ray-driven outflows

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roland M Crocker ◽  
Mark R Krumholz ◽  
Todd A Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Cosmic Rays ◽  
Surface Density ◽  
Star Formation Rate ◽  
Formation Rate ◽  
Cosmic Ray ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
Rate Versus ◽  
The Galaxy ◽  
Plausible Mechanism

Abstract Cosmic rays (CRs) are a plausible mechanism for launching winds of cool material from the discs of star-forming galaxies. However, there is no consensus on what types of galaxies likely host CR-driven winds, or what role these winds might play in regulating galaxies’ star formation rates. Using a detailed treatment of the transport and losses of hadronic CRs developed in the previous paper in this series, here we develop a semi-analytic model that allows us to assess the viability of using CRs to launch cool winds from galactic discs. In particular, we determine the critical CR fluxes – and corresponding star formation rate surface densities – above which hydrostatic equilibrium within a given galaxy is precluded because CRs drive the gas off in a wind or otherwise render it unstable. Our model demonstrates that catastrophic, CR-driven wind loss is a possibility at galactic mean surface densities below $\, {\lesssim}\, 10^2 \ M_{\odot }$ pc−2. In this regime – encompassing the Galaxy and local dwarfs – the locus of the CR stability curve patrols the high side of the observed distribution of galaxies in the Kennicutt-Schmidt parameter space of star formation rate versus gas surface density. However, hadronic losses render CRs unable to drive global winds in galaxies with surface densities above the ∼102 − 103M⊙ pc−2 transition region. Our results show that quiescent, low surface density galaxies like the Milky Way are poised on the cusp of instability, such that small changes to ISM parameters can lead to the launching of CR-driven outflows, and we suggest that, as a result, CR feedback sets an ultimate limit to the star formation efficiency of most modern galaxies.

scholarly journals The diffuse gamma-ray emission toward the Galactic mini starburst W43

2020 ◽  
Vol 640 ◽  
pp. A60
Author(s):  
Rui-Zhi Yang ◽  
Yuan Wang
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Formation Rate ◽  
Cosmic Ray ◽  
Young Star ◽  
Gas Content ◽  
Large Area ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
Photon Index ◽  
Star Formation Regions

In this paper we report the Fermi Large Area Telescope (Fermi-LAT) detection of the γ-ray emission toward the young star forming region W43. Using the latest source catalog and diffuse background models, the extended γ-ray excess is detected with a significance of ~16σ. The γ-ray emission has a spectrum with a photon index of 2.3 ± 0.1. We also performed a detailed analysis of the gas content in this region by taking into account the opacity correction to the HI gas column density. The total cosmic-ray (CR) proton energy is estimated to be on the order of 1048 erg, assuming the γ-rays are produced from the interaction of the accelerated protons and nuclei with the ambient gas. Comparing this region to the other star formation regions in our Galaxy, we find that the CR luminosity is better correlated with the wind power than the star formation rate (SFR). This result suggests that CRs are primarily accelerated by stellar wind in these systems.

scholarly journals CHANG-ES

2018 ◽  
Vol 611 ◽  
pp. A72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marita Krause ◽  
Judith Irwin ◽  
Theresa Wiegert ◽  
Arpad Miskolczi ◽  
Ancor Damas-Segovia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Wind Velocity ◽  
Surface Density ◽  
Spiral Galaxies ◽  
Star Formation Rate ◽  
Formation Rate ◽  
Cosmic Ray ◽  
Scale Height ◽  
Radio Continuum ◽  
Frequency Bands

Aim. The vertical halo scale height is a crucial parameter to understand the transport of cosmic-ray electrons (CRE) and their energy loss mechanisms in spiral galaxies. Until now, the radio scale height could only be determined for a few edge-on galaxies because of missing sensitivity at high resolution.Methods. We developed a sophisticated method for the scale height determination of edge-on galaxies. With this we determined the scale heights and radial scale lengths for a sample of 13 galaxies from the CHANG-ES radio continuum survey in two frequency bands.Results. The sample average values for the radio scale heights of the halo are 1.1 ± 0.3 kpc in C-band and 1.4 ± 0.7 kpc in L-band. From the frequency dependence analysis of the halo scale heights we found that the wind velocities (estimated using the adiabatic loss time) are above the escape velocity. We found that the halo scale heights increase linearly with the radio diameters. In order to exclude the diameter dependence, we defined a normalized scale height h˜ which is quite similar for all sample galaxies at both frequency bands and does not depend on the star formation rate or the magnetic field strength. However, h˜ shows a tight anticorrelation with the mass surface density.Conclusions. The sample galaxies with smaller scale lengths are more spherical in the radio emission, while those with larger scale lengths are flatter. The radio scale height depends mainly on the radio diameter of the galaxy. The sample galaxies are consistent with an escape-dominated radio halo with convective cosmic ray propagation, indicating that galactic winds are a widespread phenomenon in spiral galaxies. While a higher star formation rate or star formation surface density does not lead to a higher wind velocity, we found for the first time observational evidence of a gravitational deceleration of CRE outflow, e.g. a lowering of the wind velocity from the galactic disk.

scholarly journals Stellar Explosions in High-surface Density Galaxies

2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (A29B) ◽  
pp. 232-232
Author(s):  
Evan Scannapieco ◽  
Sharanya Sur ◽  
Eve C. Ostriker
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Surface Density ◽  
Energy Input ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Star Formation Rate ◽  
High Surface ◽  
Formation Rate ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Velocity Dispersions ◽  
The Impact

AbstractHigh surface density, rapidly star-forming galaxies are observed to have ≈ 50 - 100 km s−1 line-of-sight velocity dispersions, which are much higher than expected from supernova driving alone, but may arise from large-scale gravitational instabilities. Using three-dimensional simulations of local regions of the interstellar medium, we explore the impact of high velocity dispersions that arise from these disk instabilities. Parametrizing disks by their surface densities and epicyclic frequencies, we conduct a series of simulations that probe a broad range of conditions. Turbulence is driven purely horizontally and on large scales, neglecting any energy input from supernovae.We find that such motions lead to strong global outflows in the highly-compact disks that were common at high redshifts, but weak or negligible mass loss in the more diffuse disks that are prevalent today. Substantial outflows are generated if the one-dimensional horizontal velocity dispersion exceeds -35 km s−1, as occurs in the dense disks that have star formation rate densities above ≈ 0.1 M⊙ yr−1 kpc−2. These outflows are triggered by a thermal runaway, arising from the inefficient cooling of hot material coupled with successive heating from turbulent driving. Thus, even in the absence of stellar feedback, a critical value of the star-formation rate density for outflow generation can arise due to a turbulent heating instability. This suggests that in strongly self-gravitating disks, outflows may be enhanced by, but need not caused by, energy input from stellar explosions.These results are explained in more detailed in Sur, Scannapieco, & Ostriker (2015).

scholarly journals Cosmic Rays from Regions of Star Formation III. The Role of T-Tauri Stars in the Rho Oph Cloud

1981 ◽  
Vol 94 ◽  
pp. 325-326
Author(s):  
J. A. Paul ◽  
M. Cassé ◽  
T. Montmerle
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Cosmic Rays ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Cosmic Ray ◽  
T Tauri Stars ◽  
Gamma Ray Astronomy ◽  
T Tauri ◽  
Cloud Complex

It has long been expected that gamma-ray astronomy will visualize the mysterious cosmic-ray (CR) sources. Indeed, on the basis of COS-B observations, it has been proposed that CR acceleration within the Rho Oph cloud complex (ROCC) is required to account for its gamma-ray luminosity (Cassé and Paul, 1980, herein after CP, Bignami and Morfill, 1980). However, Issa et al. (1980) have suggested that the size of the ROCC has been underestimated by a factor ≃2, and that the cloud mass is a factor ≃ 4 higher than given by Myers et al. (1978), making unnecessary CR acceleration and trapping in the cloud interior.

scholarly journals Exploring the Dust Content of Galactic Halos with Herschel*. III. NGC 891

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
J H Yoon ◽  
C L Martin ◽  
S Veilleux ◽  
M Meléndez ◽  
T Mueller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Surface Density ◽  
Thermal Emission ◽  
Formation Rate ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Cosmic Ray ◽  
Far Infrared ◽  
Starburst Galaxy ◽  
Galactic Halos ◽  
Infrared Observations

Abstract We present deep far-infrared observations of the nearby edge-on galaxy NGC 891 obtained with the Herschel Space Observatory and the Spitzer Space Telescope. The maps confirm the detection of thermal emission from the inner circumgalactic medium (halo) and spatially resolve a dusty superbubble and a dust spur (filament). The dust temperature of the halo component is lower than that of the disk but increases across a region of diameter ≈8.0 kpc extending at least 7.7 kpc vertically from one side of the disk, a region we call a superbubble because of its association with thermal X-ray emission and a minimum in the synchrotron scaleheight. This outflow is breaking through the thick disk and developing into a galactic wind, which is of particular interest because NGC 891 is not considered a starburst galaxy; the star formation rate surface density, 0.03M⊙ yr−1 kpc−2, and gas fraction, just $10\%$ in the inner disk, indicate the threshold for wind formation is lower than previous work has suggested. We conclude that the star formation surface density is sufficient for superbubble blowout into the halo, but the cosmic ray electrons may play a critical role in determining whether this outflow develops into a fountain or escapes from the gravitational potential. The high dust-to-gas ratio in the dust spur suggests the material was pulled out of NGC 891 through the collision of a minihalo with the disk of NGC 891. We conclude that NGC 891 offers an example of both feedback and satellite interactions transporting dust into the halo of a typical galaxy.

scholarly journals NEW RESULTS FROM H.E.S.S. OBSERVATIONS OF GALAXY CLUSTERS

2009 ◽  
Vol 18 (10) ◽  
pp. 1627-1631 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
WILFRIED DOMAINKO ◽  
DALIBOR NEDBAL ◽  
JAMES A. HINTON ◽  
OLIVIER MARTINEAU-HUYNH
Keyword(s):  
Cosmic Rays ◽  
Galaxy Clusters ◽  
Gamma Rays ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Cosmic Ray ◽  
Clusters Of Galaxies ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Model Predictions ◽  
The Universe

Clusters of galaxies are believed to contain a significant population of cosmic rays. From the radio and probably hard X-ray bands it is known that clusters are the spatially most extended emitters of non-thermal radiation in the Universe. Due to their content of cosmic rays, galaxy clusters are also potential sources of VHE (> 100 GeV) gamma rays. Recently, the massive, nearby cluster Abell 85 has been observed with the H.E.S.S. experiment in VHE gamma rays with a very deep exposure as part of an ongoing campaign. No significant gamma-ray signal has been found at the position of the cluster. The non-detection of this object with H.E.S.S. constrains the total energy of cosmic rays in this system. For a hard spectral index of the cosmic rays of -2.1 and if the cosmic-ray energy density follows the large scale gas density profile, the limit on the fraction of energy in these non-thermal particles with respect to the total thermal energy of the intra-cluster medium is 8% for this particular cluster. This value is at the lower bounds of model predictions.

scholarly journals From Gas to Stars over Cosmic Time

2012 ◽  
Vol 8 (S292) ◽  
pp. 3-15
Author(s):  
Mordecai-Mark Mac Low
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Radiation Pressure ◽  
Surface Density ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Star Formation Rate ◽  
Gravitational Instability ◽  
High Redshift ◽  
Formation Rate ◽  
Cosmic Time ◽  
Galaxy Populations

AbstractThe formation of stars from gas drives the evolution of galaxies. Yet, it remains one of the hardest processes to understand when trying to connect observations of modern and high-redshift stellar and galaxy populations to models of large scale structure formation. It has become clear that the star formation rate at redshifts z > 2 drops off rather more quickly than was thought even five years ago. Theoretical models have tended to overpredict the star formation rate at these high redshifts substantially, primarily due to overcooling. Overcooling in galaxies typically occurs because of unphysical radiative cooling. As a result, insufficient turbulence is driven by stellar feedback in galaxies. I show that such turbulence has the net effect of strongly inhibiting star formation, despite its ability to locally promote star formation by compression. Radiation pressure appears less likely to be a dominant driver of the turbulence than has been argued, but supernova and magnetorotational instabilities remain viable mechanisms. Gravity alone cannot be the main driver, as otherwise well-resolved models without feedback would accurately predict star formation rates. Star formation rate surface density correlates well with observed molecular gas surface density, as well as with other tracers of high density material. Correlation does not, however, necessarily imply causation. In this case, it appears that both molecule formation and star formation occur as a consequence of gravitational collapse, with molecules typically playing an important but not an essential role in cooling. The basic concept that gravitational instability drives star formation remains a true guide through the thickets of complexity surrounding this topic. I finally briefly note that understanding ionization heating and radiation pressure from the most massive stars will likely require much higher resolution models (sub-parsec scale) than resolving supernova feedback.

scholarly journals High-energy gamma rays and the large-scale distribution of gas and cosmic rays

1985 ◽  
Vol 106 ◽  
pp. 213-218
Author(s):  
W. Hermsen ◽  
J.B.G.M. Bloemen
Keyword(s):  
Cosmic Rays ◽  
Column Density ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Cosmic Ray ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Interstellar Gas ◽  
Density Maps ◽  
Nuclear Component ◽  
Energy Gamma

The COS-B gamma-ray survey is compared with 12CO and HI surveys in a region containing the Orion complex and in the outer Galaxy. The observed gamma-ray intensities in the Orion region (100 MeV<E<5 GeV) can be ascribed to the interaction of uniformly distributed cosmic rays with the interstellar gas. Calibration of the ratio between H2 column-density and integrated CO line intensity resulted in the value: (3.0±0.7)x102 0 molecules cm-2K -1km -1s. In the outer Galaxy HI column-density maps in three galacto-centric distance ranges are used in combination with COS-B gamma-ray data to determine the radial distribution of the gamma-ray emissivity. A steep negative gradient of the emissivity for the 70 MeV-150 MeV range and an approximately constant (within ~20%) emissivity for the 300 MeV-5 GeV range is found. The result is interpreted as a strong decrease in the cosmic-ray electron density and a near constancy of the nuclear component.

scholarly journals Testing the star formation scaling relations in the clumps of the North American and Pelican nebulae cloud complex

2020 ◽  
Vol 500 (3) ◽  
pp. 3123-3141
Author(s):  
Swagat R Das ◽  
Jessy Jose ◽  
Manash R Samal ◽  
Shaobo Zhang ◽  
Neelam Panwar
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Surface Density ◽  
Star Formation Rate ◽  
Formation Rate ◽  
Free Fall ◽  
Scaling Relations ◽  
Time Model ◽  
Fall Time ◽  
The North ◽  
Crossing Time

ABSTRACT The processes that regulate star formation within molecular clouds are still not well understood. Various star formation scaling relations have been proposed as an explanation, one of which is to formulate a relation between the star formation rate surface density $\rm \Sigma _{SFR}$ and the underlying gas surface density $\rm \Sigma _{gas}$. In this work, we test various star formation scaling relations, such as the Kennicutt–Schmidt relation, the volumetric star formation relation, the orbital time model, the crossing time model and the multi free-fall time-scale model, towards the North American Nebula and Pelican Nebula and in the cold clumps associated with them. Measuring stellar mass from young stellar objects and gaseous mass from CO measurements, we estimate the mean $\rm \Sigma _{SFR}$, the star formation rate per free-fall time and the star formation efficiency for clumps to be 1.5 $\rm M_{\odot}\, yr^{-1}\, kpc^{-2}$, 0.009 and 2.0 per cent, respectively, while for the whole region covered by both nebulae (which we call the ‘NAN’ complex) the values are 0.6 $\rm M_{\odot}\, yr^{-1}\, kpc^{-2}$, 0.0003 and 1.6 per cent, respectively. For the clumps, we notice that the observed properties are in line with the correlation obtained between $\rm \Sigma _{SFR}$ and $\rm \Sigma _{gas}$, and between $\rm \Sigma _{SFR}$ and $\rm \Sigma _{gas}$ per free-fall time and orbital time for Galactic clouds. At the same time, we do not observe any correlation with $\rm \Sigma _{gas}$ per crossing time and multi free-fall time. Even though we see correlations in the former cases, however, all models agree with each other within a factor of 0.5 dex. It is not possible to discriminate between these models because of the current uncertainties in the input observables. We also test the variation of $\rm \Sigma _{SFR}$ with the dense gas but, because of low statistics, a weak correlation is seen in our analysis.

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