Baryon Cycle Research Articles

Kinematics of the O vi Circumgalactic Medium: Halo Mass Dependence and Outflow Signatures

Abstract We probe the high-ionization circumgalactic medium by examining absorber kinematics, absorber–galaxy kinematics, and average absorption profiles of 31 O vi absorbers from the “Multiphase Galaxy Halos” Survey as a function of halo mass, redshift, inclination, and azimuthal angle. The galaxies are isolated at 0.12 < z gal < 0.66 and are probed by a background quasar within D ≈ 200 kpc. Each absorber–galaxy pair has Hubble Space Telescope images and COS quasar spectra, and most galaxy redshifts have been accurately measured from Keck/ESI spectra. Using the pixel-velocity two-point correlation function (TPCF) method, we find that O vi absorber kinematics have a strong halo mass dependence. Absorbers hosted by ∼L* galaxies have the largest velocity dispersions, which we interpret to be that the halo virial temperature closely matches the temperature at which the collisionally ionized O vi fraction peaks. Lower-mass galaxies and group environments have smaller velocity dispersions. Total column densities follow the same behavior, consistent with theoretical findings. After normalizing out the observed mass dependence, we studied absorber–galaxy kinematics with a modified TPCF and found nonvirialized motions due to outflowing gas. Edge-on minor-axis gas has large optical depths concentrated near the galaxy systemic velocity as expected for bipolar outflows, while face-on minor-axis gas has a smoothly decreasing optical depth distribution out to large normalized absorber–galaxy velocities, suggestive of decelerating outflowing gas. Accreting gas signatures are not observed owing to “kinematic blurring,” in which multiple line-of-sight structures are observed. These results indicate that galaxy mass dominates O vi properties over baryon cycle processes.

Galactic Winds in Low-mass Galaxies

Abstract Stellar-feedback-driven outflows are predicted to play a fundamental role in the baryon cycle of low-mass galaxies. However, observational constraints of winds in nearby dwarf galaxies are limited, as outflows are transient, intrinsically low surface brightness features and thus difficult to detect. Using deep Hα observations, we search for winds in a sample of 12 nearby dwarfs (M * ∼ 107–109.3 M ⊙) that host ongoing or recent starbursts. We detect features that we classify as winds in six galaxies, fountain candidates in five galaxies, and diffuse interstellar medium (ISM) in one system. Winds are found preferentially in galaxies with centrally concentrated star formation, while fountains are found in galaxies with spatially distributed star formation. We suggest that the concentration of star formation is a predictor for whether a low-mass galaxy will develop a wind. The spatial extent of all detected ionized gas is limited (<1/10 virial radius) and would still be considered the ISM by cosmological simulations. Our observations suggest that the majority of material expelled from dwarfs does not escape to the intergalactic medium but remains in the halo and may be recycled to the galaxies. Derived mass-loading factors range from 0.2 to 7 (with only a weak dependency on circular velocity or stellar mass), in tension with higher values in simulations needed to reproduce realistic low-mass galaxies and resolve discrepancies with ΛCDM. The sample is part of the panchromatic STARBurst IRegular Dwarf Survey—STARBIRDS—designed to characterize the starburst phenomenon in dwarf galaxies. We also report a previously uncatalogued nearby galaxy (J1118+7913).

Slicing the cool circumgalactic medium along the major axis of a star-forming galaxy at z = 0.7

ABSTRACT We present spatially resolved Echelle spectroscopy of an intervening Mg ii–Fe ii–Mg i absorption-line system detected at zabs = 0.73379 towards the giant gravitational arc PSZ1 G311.65–18.48. The absorbing gas is associated with an inclined disc-like star-forming galaxy, whose major axis is aligned with the two arc-segments reported here. We probe in absorption the galaxy’s extended disc continuously, at ≈3 kpc sampling, from its inner region out to 15× the optical radius. We detect strong ($W_0^{2796}\gt 0.3$Å) coherent absorption along 13 independent positions at impact parameters D = 0–29 kpc on one side of the galaxy, and no absorption at D = 28–57 kpc on the opposite side (all de-lensed distances at zabs). We show that (1) the gas distribution is anisotropic; (2) $W_0^{2796}$, $W_0^{2600}$, $W_0^{2852}$, and the ratio $W_0^{2600}\!/W_0^{2796}$, all anticorrelate with D; (3) the $W_0^{2796}$–D relation is not cuspy and exhibits significantly less scatter than the quasar-absorber statistics; (4) the absorbing gas is co-rotating with the galaxy out to D ≲ 20 kpc, resembling a ‘flat’ rotation curve, but at D ≳ 20 kpc velocities decline below the expectations from a 3D disc-model extrapolated from the nebular [O ii] emission. These signatures constitute unambiguous evidence for rotating extra-planar diffuse gas, possibly also undergoing enriched accretion at its edge. Arguably, we are witnessing some of the long-sought processes of the baryon cycle in a single distant galaxy expected to be representative of such phenomena.

Black hole feedback and the evolution of massive early-type galaxies

Abstract Observationally, constraining the baryonic cycle within massive galaxies has proven to be quite difficult. In particular, the role of black hole feedback in regulating star formation, a key process in our theoretical understanding of galaxy formation, remains highly debated. We present here observational evidence showing that, at fixed stellar velocity dispersion, the temperature of the hot gas is higher for those galaxies hosting more massive black holes in their centers. Analyzed in the context of well-established scaling relations, particularly the mass–size plane, the relation between the mass of the black hole and the temperature of the hot gas around massive galaxies provides further observational support to the idea that baryonic processes within massive galaxies are regulated by the combined effects of the galaxy halo virial temperature and black hole feedback, in agreement with the expectations from the EAGLE cosmological numerical simulation.

A MUSE inquiry into the physical processes taking place within the Abell 2667 Brightest Cluster Galaxy

AbstractBrightest cluster galaxies (BCGs) residing in cool-core clusters are known to be the stage of intricate baryon cycle phenomena (e.g. gas inflows, AGN outflows, star formation feedback). The scenarios describing the observed properties of these galaxies are still controversial, suffering from limitations due to the spatial resolving power of the instruments, specifically for galaxies beyond the Local Universe. However, the dramatic improvements introduced by the integral-field unit instruments (e.g. MUSE) could shed light on the physical processes driving the evolution of these galaxies. We present an extensive analysis of the stellar and gas properties (i.e. kinematics, stellar mass, star formation rate) of the radio-loud BCG sitting at the centre of the X-ray luminous cool-core cluster Abell 2667 (z = 0.23), based on MUSE data. Our results indicate that the BCG is a massive elliptical, hosting an AGN that is possibly undergoing accretion of cold star-forming clouds of ICM or galactic cannibalism.

The Warm Gaseous Disk and the Anisotropic Circumgalactic Medium of the Milky Way

Abstract Warm ( ) gas is an important gaseous component in the galaxy baryonic cycle, which is important for understanding both gas accretion and galactic feedback processes. We built a two-dimensional disk–circumgalactic medium (CGM) model to study the warm gas distribution of the Milky Way (MW) using the absorption-line surveys of Si iv and O vi. In this model, the disk component of both ions has the same density profile ( ) with a scale height of z 0 = 2.6 ± 0.4 kpc and a scale length of r 0 = 6.1 ± 1.2 kpc. For this disk component, we calculate the warm gas mass of . The similar disk density profiles and total masses of the Si iv- and O vi-bearing gas set constraints on the ionization mechanisms. We suggest that the warm gas disk might be dominated by the Galactic fountain mechanism, which ejects and recycles gas to set both the scale height and the scale length of the warm gas disk. The CGM component in our model has a dependence on Galactic latitude, with a higher column density along the direction perpendicular to the Galactic plane (b = 90°) than along the radial direction (b = 0°). The column density difference between these two directions is 0.82 ± 0.32 dex at 6.3σ for both ions. This difference may be due to either the enrichment of Galactic feedback to the entire CGM or an additional interaction layer between the warm gas disk and the CGM; existing data cannot distinguish between these two scenarios. If this higher column density at b = 90° is for the entire CGM, the total warm CGM mass is within the MW virial radius of 250 kpc.

Star formation quenching imprinted on the internal structure of naked red nuggets

ABSTRACT The formation and assembly process of massive galaxies is a combination of two phases: an initial in-situ-dominated one followed by an ex-situ-dominated evolution. Separating these two contributions is therefore crucial to understand the baryonic cycle within massive haloes. A recently discovered population of so-called naked red nuggets, galaxies that shortcut the ex-situ stage preserving their pristine properties, presents a unique opportunity to study in detail star formation in massive galaxies without the confounding effect of later accretion. We investigate the spatially resolved star formation histories of a sample of 12 naked red nuggets. We measure how their radial light distributions, star formation rates, and central densities evolved in time. We find that, while forming stars, red nuggets become gradually more concentrated, reaching a maximum concentration at quenching. After being quenched, they kept forming stars in a more discy-like configuration. Our measurements suggest that supermassive black holes and host galaxies grow their mass in a self-regulated way until a characteristic M•/Mhalo is reached. Once black holes are massive enough, red nuggets get quenched and depart from the star formation main sequence. While in the main sequence, red nuggets evolve at roughly constant star formation rate. This can explain up to ∼0.3 dex of the scatter of the star formation main sequence, as well as its higher normalization observed in the early Universe. Hence, our results suggest that the main sequence is composed of populations of galaxies at different evolutionary stages and that the scatter is therefore due to secular processes.

Fornax 3D project: a two-dimensional view of the stellar initial mass function in the massive lenticular galaxy FCC 167

The stellar initial mass function (IMF) regulates the baryonic cycle within galaxies, and is a key ingredient for translating observations into physical quantities. Although it was assumed to be universal for decades, there is now growing observational evidence showing that the center of massive early-type galaxies hosts a larger population of low-mass stars than is expected based on observations from the Milky Way. Moreover, these variations in the IMF have been found to be related to radial metallicity variations in massive galaxies. We present here a two-dimensional stellar population analysis of the massive lenticular galaxy FCC 167 (NGC 1380) as part of the Fornax3D project. Using a newly developed stellar population fitting scheme, we derive a full two-dimensional IMF map of an early-type galaxy. This two-dimensional analysis allows us go further than a radial analysis, showing how the metallicity changes along a disk-like structure while the IMF follows a distinct, less disky distribution. Thus, our findings indicate that metallicity cannot be the sole driver of the observed radial IMF variations. In addition, a comparison with the orbital decomposition shows suggestive evidence of a coupling between stellar population properties and the internal dynamical structure of FCC 167, where metallicity and IMF maps seem to track the distribution of cold and warm orbits, respectively.

The role of AGN feedback in the baryon cycle at z ∼ 2

AbstractIn this proceeding I will summarize our on-going observational campaign to characterize Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) driven ionized gas outflows at z ˜ 2 and assess their impact on galaxy evolution. The results are mostly derived from a recently completed SINFONI/VLT Large Programme named SUPER, conducted with Adaptive Optics to reach a spatial resolution of ˜2 kpc at z ˜ 2.

Fast and energetic AGN-driven outflows in simulated dwarf galaxies

The systematic analysis of optical large-scale surveys has revealed a population of dwarf galaxies hosting AGN, which have been confirmed by X-ray follow-up observations. Recently, the MaNGA survey identified six dwarf galaxies that appear to have an AGN that is preventing on-going star formation. It is therefore timely to study the physical properties of dwarf galaxies, in particular whether the presence of an AGN can affect their evolution. Using the moving mesh code AREPO, we have investigated different models of AGN activity, ranging from simple energy-driven spherical winds to collimated, mass-loaded, bipolar outflows in high resolution simulations of isolated dwarf galaxies hosting an active black hole. Our simulations also include a novel implementation of star formation and mechanical supernova (SN) feedback. We find that AGN outflows have a small but systematic effect on the central star formation rates (SFRs) for all set-ups explored, while substantial effects on the global SFR are only obtained with strong SNe and a sustained high-luminosity AGN with an isotropic wind. This suggests that AGN feedback in dwarf galaxies is unlikely to directly regulate their global SFRs. There is, however, a significant effect on outflow properties, which are notably enhanced by the AGN to much higher outflow temperatures and velocities, in agreement with kinematic signatures from the MaNGA survey. This indicates that AGN may play an indirect role in regulating the baryon cycle in dwarf galaxies by hindering cosmic gas inflows.

A dynamical view on stellar metallicity gradient diversity across the Hubble sequence with CALIFA

We analyze radial stellar metallicity and kinematic profiles out to 1Re in 244 CALIFA galaxies ranging from morphological type E to Sd, to study the evolutionary mechanisms of stellar population gradients. We find that linear metallicity gradients exhibit a clear correlation with galaxy morphological type - with early type galaxies showing the steepest gradients. We show that the metallicity gradients simply reflect the local mass-metallicity relation within a galaxy. This suggests that the radial stellar population distribution within a galaxys effective radius is primarily a result of the \emph{in-situ} local star formation history. In this simple picture, the dynamically derived stellar surface mass density gradient directly predicts the metallicity gradient of a galaxy. We show that this correlation and its scatter can be reproduced entirely by using independent empirical galaxy structural and chemical scaling relations. Using Schwarzschild dynamical models, we also explore the link between a galaxys local stellar populations and their orbital structures. We find that galaxies angular momentum and metallicity gradients show no obvious causal link. This suggests that metallicity gradients in the inner disk are not strongly shaped by radial migration, which is confirmed by the lack of correlation between the metallicity gradients and observable probes of radial migration in the galaxies, such as bars and spiral arms. Finally, we find that galaxies with positive metallicity gradients become increasingly common towards low mass and late morphological types - consistent with stellar feedback more efficiently modifying the baryon cycle in the central regions of these galaxies.

The Future of Dwarf Galaxy Research: What Telescopes Will Discover

AbstractDwarf galaxies make ideal laboratories to test galaxy evolution paradigms and cosmological models. Detailed studies of dwarfs across the spectrum allow us to gauge the efficacy of astrophysical processes at play in the lowest mass halos such as gas accretion, feedback, turbulence and chemical enrichment. Future observational studies will deliver unprecedented insights on the orbits of dwarf companions around the Milky Way, on their star formation histories and on the 3-D internal motions of their stars. Over large volumes, we will assess the impact of local environment on baryon cycling and star formation laws, leading to a full picture of the evolution of dwarfs across cosmic time. In combination, future discoveries promise to trace the history of assembly within the Local Group and beyond, probe how stars form under pristine conditions, and test models of structure formation on small scales.

Galactic Winds in Low-Mass Galaxies

AbstractMass-loss via stellar-feedback driven outflows is predicted to play a critical role in the baryon cycle of low-mass galaxies. However, observational constraints on warm winds are limited as outflows are transient, intrinsically low-surface brightness events and, thus, difficult to detect. Here, we search for outflows in a sample of eleven nearby starburst dwarf galaxies which are strong candidates for outflows. Despite deep H? imaging on galaxies, only a fraction of the sample show evidence of winds. The spatial extent of all detected ionized gas is limited and would still be considered part of the ISM by simulations. These new observations indicate that the physical extent of warm phase outflows is modest and most of the mass will be recycled to the galaxy. The sample is part of the panchromatic STARBurst IRegular Dwarf Survey (STARBIRDS) designed to characterize the starburst phenomenon and its impact on the evolution of low-mass galaxies.

Modelling the baryon cycle in low-mass galaxy encounters: the case of NGC 4490 and NGC 4485

Discoveries of low mass galaxy pairs and groups are increasing. Studies indicate that dwarf galaxy pairs are gas rich in the field and exhibit elevated star formation rates, suggestive of interactions. Lacking are dynamical models of observed dwarf galaxy pairs to disentangle the physical processes regulating their baryon cycles. We present new optical data and the first detailed theoretical model of an observed tidal encounter between two isolated low mass galaxies, NGC 4490 & NGC 4485. This system is an isolated analog of the Magellanic Clouds and is surrounded by a ~50 kpc extended HI envelope. We use hybrid $N$-body and test-particle simulations along with a visualization interface $Identikit$ to simultaneously reproduce the observed present-day morphology and kinematics. Our results demonstrate how repeated encounters between two dwarf galaxies can "park" baryons at very large distances, without the aid of environmental effects. Our best match to the data is an 8:1 mass ratio encounter where a one-armed spiral is induced in the NGC 4490-analog, which we postulate explains the nature of diffuse starlight presented in the new optical data. We predict that the pair will fully merge in ~370 Myr, but that the extended tidal features will continue to evolve and return to the merged remnant over ~5 Gyr. This pre-processing of baryons will affect the efficiency of gas stripping if such dwarf pairs are accreted by a massive host. In contrast, in isolated environments this study demonstrates how dwarf-dwarf interactions can create a long-lived supply of gas to the merger remnant.

Probing the Baryon Cycle of Galaxies with SPICA Mid- and Far-Infrared Observations

AbstractThe SPICA mid- and far-infrared telescope will address fundamental issues in our understanding of star formation and ISM physics in galaxies. A particular hallmark of SPICA is the outstanding sensitivity enabled by the cold telescope, optimised detectors, and wide instantaneous bandwidth throughout the mid- and far-infrared. The spectroscopic, imaging, and polarimetric observations that SPICA will be able to collect will help in clarifying the complex physical mechanisms which underlie the baryon cycle of galaxies. In particular, (i) the access to a large suite of atomic and ionic fine-structure lines for large samples of galaxies will shed light on the origin of the observed spread in star-formation rates within and between galaxies, (ii) observations of HD rotational lines (out to ~10 Mpc) and fine structure lines such as [C ii] 158 μm (out to ~100 Mpc) will clarify the main reservoirs of interstellar matter in galaxies, including phases where CO does not emit, (iii) far-infrared spectroscopy of dust and ice features will address uncertainties in the mass and composition of dust in galaxies, and the contributions of supernovae to the interstellar dust budget will be quantified by photometry and monitoring of supernova remnants in nearby galaxies, (iv) observations of far-infrared cooling lines such as [O i] 63 μm from star-forming molecular clouds in our Galaxy will evaluate the importance of shocks to dissipate turbulent energy. The paper concludes with requirements for the telescope and instruments, and recommendations for the observing strategy.

Comparing galaxy formation in semi-analytic models and hydrodynamical simulations

AbstractIt is now possible for hydrodynamical simulations to reproduce a representative galaxy population. Accordingly, it is timely to assess critically some of the assumptions of traditional semi-analytic galaxy formation models. We use the eagle simulations to assess assumptions built into the galform semi-analytic model, focusing on those relating to baryon cycling, angular momentum and feedback. We show that the assumption in galform that newly formed stars have the same specific angular momentum as the total disc leads to a significant overestimate of the total stellar specific angular momentum of disc galaxies. In eagle, stars form preferentially out of low-specific angular momentum gas in the interstellar medium due to the assumed gas density threshold for stars to form, leading to more realistic galaxy sizes. We find that stellar mass assembly is similar between galform and eagle but that the evolution of gas properties is different, with various indications that the rate of baryon cycling in eagle is slower than is assumed in galform. Finally, by matching individual galaxies between eagle and galform, we find that an artificial dependence of active galactic nucleus feedback and gas infall rates on halo mass-doubling events in galform drives most of the scatter in stellar mass between individual objects. Put together our results suggest that the galform semi-analytic model can be significantly improved in light of recent advances.

Distribution and Evolution of Metals in the Magneticum Simulations

Metals are ideal tracers of the baryonic cycle within halos. Their composition is a fossil record connecting the evolution of the various stellar components of galaxies to the interaction with the environment by in- and out-flows. The Magneticum simulations allow us to study halos across a large range of masses and environments, from massive galaxy clusters containing hundreds of galaxies, down to isolated field galaxies. They include a detailed treatment of the chemo-energetic feedback from the stellar component and its evolution, as well as feedback from the evolution of supermassive black holes. Following the detailed evolution of various metal species and their relative composition due to continuing enrichment of the IGM and ICM by SNIa, SNII and AGB winds of the evolving stellar population is revealed the complex interplay of local star-formation processes, mixing, global baryonic flows, secular galactic evolution and environmental processes. We present results from the Magneticum simulations on the chemical properties of simulated galaxies and galaxy clusters, carefully comparing them to observations. We show that the simulations already reach a very high level of realism within their complex descriptions of the chemo-energetic feedback, successfully reproducing a large number of observed properties and scaling relations. Our simulated galaxies clearly indicate that there are no strong secondary parameters (such as star-formation rates at a fixed redshift) driving the scatter in these scaling relations. The remaining differences clearly point to detailed physical processes, which have to be included in future simulations.

The cosmic baryon cycle and galaxy mass assembly in the FIRE simulations

We use cosmological simulations from the FIRE (Feedback In Realistic Environments) project to study the baryon cycle and galaxy mass assembly for central galaxies in the halo mass range $M_{\rm halo} \sim 10^{10} - 10^{13} M_{\odot}$. By tracing cosmic inflows, galactic outflows, gas recycling, and merger histories, we quantify the contribution of physically distinct sources of material to galaxy growth. We show that in situ star formation fueled by fresh accretion dominates the early growth of galaxies of all masses, while the re-accretion of gas previously ejected in galactic winds often dominates the gas supply for a large portion of every galaxy's evolution. Externally processed material contributes increasingly to the growth of central galaxies at lower redshifts. This includes stars formed ex situ and gas delivered by mergers, as well as smooth intergalactic transfer of gas from other galaxies, an important but previously under-appreciated growth mode. By $z=0$, wind transfer, i.e. the exchange of gas between galaxies via winds, can dominate gas accretion onto $\sim L^{*}$ galaxies over fresh accretion and standard wind recycling. Galaxies of all masses re-accrete >50% of the gas ejected in winds and recurrent recycling is common. The total mass deposited in the intergalactic medium per unit stellar mass formed increases in lower mass galaxies. Re-accretion of wind ejecta occurs over a broad range of timescales, with median recycling times ($\sim 100-350$ Myr) shorter than previously found. Wind recycling typically occurs at the scale radius of the halo, independent of halo mass and redshift, suggesting a characteristic recycling zone around galaxies that scales with the size of the inner halo and the galaxy's stellar component.

Constraints on the evolution of the relationship between H i mass and halo mass in the last 12 Gyr

The neutral hydrogen (HI) content of dark matter haloes forms an intermediate state in the baryon cycle that connects the hot shock-heated gas and cold star-forming gas in haloes. Measurement of the relationship between HI mass and halo mass therefore puts important constraints on galaxy formation models. We combine radio observations of HI in emission at low redshift ($z\sim 0$) with optical/UV observations of HI in absorption at high redshift ($1<z<4$) to derive constraints on the evolution of the HI-mass halo-mass (HIHM) relation from redshift $z=4$ to $z=0$. We find that one can model the HIHM relation similar to the stellar-mass halo-mass (SHM) relation at $z \sim 0$. At $z=0$, haloes with mass $10^{11.7}$ M$_\odot$ have the highest HI mass fraction ($\sim 1\%$), which is about four times smaller than their stellar mass fraction. We model the evolution of the HIHM relation in a manner similar to that of the SHM relation. Combining this parameterisation with a redshift- and mass-dependent modified Navarro-Frenk-White (NFW) profile for the HI density within a halo, we draw constraints on the evolution of the HIHM relation from the observed HI column density, incidence rate, and clustering bias at high redshift. We compare these findings with results from hydrodynamical simulations and other approaches in the literature, and find the models to be consistent with each other at the $68\%$ confidence level.

Mufasa: Galaxy star formation, gas, and metal properties across cosmic time

We examine galaxy star formation rates (SFRs), metallicities, and gas contents predicted by the MUFASA cosmological hydrodynamic simulations, which employ meshless hydrodynamics and novel feedback prescriptions that yield a good match to observed galaxy stellar mass assembly. We combine 50, 25, and 12.5 Mpc/h boxes with a quarter billion particles each to show that MUFASA broadly reproduces a wide range of relevant observations, including SFR and specific SFR functions, the mass-metallicity relation, HI and H2 fractions, HI (21 cm) and CO luminosity functions, and cosmic gas density evolution. There are mild but significant discrepancies, such as too many high-SFR galaxies, overly metal-rich and HI-poor galaxies at M*>10^{10} Mo, and sSFRs that are too low at z~1-2. The HI mass function increases by x2 out to z~1 then steepens to higher redshifts, while the CO luminosity function computed using the Narayanan et al. conversion factor shows a rapid increase of CO-bright galaxies out to z~2 in accord with data. Omega_HI and Omega_H2 both scale roughly as (1+z)^0.7 out to z~3, comparable to the rise in HI and H2 fractions. MUFASA galaxies with high SFR at a given M* have lower metallicities and higher HI and H2 fractions, following observed trends; we make quantitative predictions for how fluctuations in the baryon cycle drive correlated scatter around galaxy scaling relations. Most of these trends are well converged with numerical resolution. These successes highlight MUFASA as a viable platform to study many facets of cosmological galaxy evolution.