Companion Galaxy Research Articles

Effect of the local and large-scale environment on the star formation histories of galaxies

The specific environment of galaxies may play a key role in their evolution. Large extragalactic surveys make it possible to study galaxies not only within their local environment, but also within the large-scale structure of the Universe. We aim to investigate how the local environment influences the star formation history (SFH) of galaxies across a range of large-scale environments. We categorised a sample of 9384 galaxies into the three primary large-scale structures (voids, walls and filaments, and clusters). We further classified them based on their local environment (as either 'singlets' or group members) through a search of companion galaxies within sky-projected distances of $ r_p < 0.45$ Mpc and velocity differences of $ v < 160$ $ km s $. Subsequently, we explored these subsamples using SFH data from previous works. Throughout this study, we divided galaxies into long-timescale SFH galaxies (LT-SFH), which assemble their mass steadily along cosmic time, and short-timescale SFH galaxies (ST-SFH), which form their stars early on. We then compared their characteristic mass assembly look-back times. The distributions of mass assembly look-back times in ST-SFH galaxies are statistically different for singlets and groups. These differences are only found in LT-SFH galaxies when studying these distributions in stellar mass bins. Our results indicate that the large-scale environment is related to a delay in mass assembly of up to sim 2 Gyr, while this delay is $<$1 Gyr in the case of local environment. The effects of both types of environment are more significant in less massive galaxies and in LT-SFHs. Our results are consistent with galaxies in groups assembling their stellar mass earlier than in singlets, especially in voids and lower mass galaxies. Local environment plays a relevant role in stellar mass assembly times, although we find that large-scale structures also cause a delay in mass assembly, and all the more so in the case of cluster galaxies.

Barred active galactic nucleus galaxies in paired systems: Exploring the impact on nuclear activity

To unveil the influence of galaxy-galaxy interactions on the material transport driven by galactic bars toward the central regions of active galactic nucleus (AGN) galaxies, and to assess the efficiency of the combined mechanisms of interactions and bars in fueling massive black holes, we meticulously examine barred active galaxies in paired systems. Our study focuses on barred AGN galaxies in pairs with projected separations of $r_ p \,kpc $ and relative radial velocities of $ V< 500 \,km $ within $z<0.1$, identified by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS). To quantify the impact of interactions on material transport by galactic bars, we also constructed a suitable control sample of barred active galaxies without paired companions, matched in redshift, absolute r-band magnitude, stellar mass, color, and stellar age distributions. Additionally, we calculated the structural characteristics of galactic bars through two-dimensional image modeling, considering that bars exhibit a wide range of shapes and sizes, which may influence their ability to channel material. From this study, we clearly found that nuclear activity (derived from the $Lum OIII $) increases as the projected separations between galaxy pair members decrease. Notably, barred AGN galaxies in close pairs ($r_p 25 kpc $) exhibit significantly higher nuclear activity compared to galaxies in the control sample. Additionally, barred galaxies with a close pair companion show enhanced nuclear activity across all ranges of luminosity, stellar mass, and color. We also found that barred AGN galaxies with longer bar structures exhibit more efficient nuclear activity compared to those with shorter bars. This trend is especially pronounced in barred AGN galaxies within close pair systems, which show a significant excess of high $Lum OIII $ values. Furthermore, we examined the central nuclear activity in barred AGNs undergoing major and minor interactions. Our findings show a clear escalation in nuclear activity as the pair projected separations decrease, particularly pronounced in major systems. Additionally, nuclear activity distributions in barred AGN samples within major and minor pairs exhibit similar trends. However, a significant deviation occurs among barred AGN galaxies in close pair systems within major interactions, showing a substantial excess of high $Lum OIII $ values. This result is also reflected in the analysis of the accretion strength onto central black holes. These findings indicate that external perturbations from a nearby galaxy companion can influence gas flows induced by galactic bars, leading to increased nuclear activity in barred AGN galaxies within pair systems. Thus, the coexistence of both — bars and interactions — significantly amplifies central nuclear activity, thereby influencing the accretion processes onto massive black holes.

JWST NIRSpec Spectroscopy of the Triply Lensed z = 10.17 Galaxy MACS0647–JD

We present JWST/NIRSpec prism spectroscopy of MACS0647−JD, a triply lensed z ∼ 11 candidate discovered in Hubble Space Telescope imaging and spatially resolved by JWST imaging into two components, A and B. Spectroscopy of component A yields a spectroscopic redshift z = 10.17 based on seven detected emission lines: C iii] λ λ1907, 1909, [O ii] λ3727, [Ne iii] λ3869, [Ne iii] λ3968, Hδ λ4101, Hγ λ4340, and [O iii] λ4363. These are the second-most distant detections of these emission lines to date, in a galaxy observed just 460 million years after the Big Bang. Based on observed and extrapolated line flux ratios we derive a gas-phase metallicity 12 + log(O/H) ∼ 7.5–8.0, or Z ∼ (0.06–0.2) Z ⊙, ionization parameter log(U) = −1.9 ± 0.2, and an ionizing photon production efficiency log(ξion)=25.2±0.2 erg−1 Hz. The spectrum has a softened Lyα break, evidence for a strong Lyα damping wing. The Lyα damping wing also suppresses the F150W photometry, explaining the slightly overestimated photometric redshift z = 10.6 ± 0.3. MACS0647−JD has a stellar mass log(M/M ⊙) = 8.1 ± 0.3, including ∼6 × 107 M ⊙ in component A, most of which formed recently (within ∼20 Myr) with a star formation rate ∼ 2 ± 1 M ⊙ yr−1, all within an effective radius 70 ± 24 pc. Spectroscopy of a fainter companion galaxy C separated by a distance of ∼ 3 kpc reveals a Lyman break consistent with z ∼ 10.17. MACS0647−JD is likely the most distant galaxy merger known.

The rich galactic environment of a H2-absorption-selected quasar

We present the first Very Large Telescope (VLT) Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) observations of a quasar featuring a proximate molecular absorption system, SDSS J125917.31+030922.5. The proximate damped Lyα absorption acts as a natural coronagraph, removing the quasar emission over ∼40 Å in wavelength, and allows us to detect extended Lyα emission without the necessity of subtracting the quasar emission. This natural coronagraph permits the investigation of the quasar environment down to its inner regions (r < 20 kpc), where galaxy interactions or feedback processes should have the most noticeable effects. Our observations reveal a dense environment, with a highly asymmetric Lyα emission within 2″ (∼15 kpc), possibly shaped by a companion galaxy, and a southern extension of the nebulae to about 50 kpc, with rotation-like kinematic signature. The width of the Lyα emission is broadest closer to the quasar, indicating perturbed kinematics as expected if interactions and significant gas flows are present. The foreground absorbing system itself is redshifted by ≈400 km/s relative to the background quasar, and therefore is likely arising from gas moving toward the quasar. Finally two additional Lyα emitters are detected with > 10σ significance at 96 and 223 kpc from the quasar, making this field overdense relative to other similar observations of quasars at z ∼ 3. Our results support the hypothesis that quasars with proximate neutral and molecular absorption trace rich environments where galaxy interactions are at play and motivates further studies of H2-selected quasars to shed light on feeding and feedback processes.

MHONGOOSE: A MeerKAT nearby galaxy H I survey

The MHONGOOSE (MeerKAT H I Observations of Nearby Galactic Objects: Observing Southern Emitters) survey maps the distribution and kinematics of the neutral atomic hydrogen (H I) gas in and around 30 nearby star-forming spiral and dwarf galaxies to extremely low H I column densities. The H I column density sensitivity (3σ over 16 km s−1) ranges from ∼5 × 1017 cm−2 at 90″ resolution to ∼4 × 1019 cm−2 at the highest resolution of 7″. The H I mass sensitivity (3σ over 50 km s−1) is ∼5.5 × 105 M⊙ at a distance of 10 Mpc (the median distance of the sample galaxies). The velocity resolution of the data is 1.4 km s−1. One of the main science goals of the survey is the detection of cold accreting gas in the outskirts of the sample galaxies. The sample was selected to cover a range in H I masses from 107 M⊙ to almost 1011 M⊙ in order to optimally sample possible accretion scenarios and environments. The distance to the sample galaxies ranges from 3 to 23 Mpc. In this paper, we present the sample selection, survey design, and observation and reduction procedures. We compared the integrated H I fluxes based on the MeerKAT data with those derived from single-dish measurement and find good agreement, indicating that our MeerKAT observations are recovering all flux. We present H I moment maps of the entire sample based on the first ten percent of the survey data, and find that a comparison of the zeroth- and second-moment values shows a clear separation in the physical properties of the H I between areas with star formation and areas without related to the formation of a cold neutral medium. Finally, we give an overview of the H I-detected companion and satellite galaxies in the 30 fields, five of which have not previously been cataloged. We find a clear relation between the number of companion galaxies and the mass of the main target galaxy.

A quasar-galaxy merger at z~6.2: Rapid host growth via the accretion of two massive satellite galaxies

We present JWST/NIRSpec integral field spectroscopy in the rest-frame optical bands of the system PJ308--21, a quasar at $z=6.2342$ caught as its host galaxy interacts with companion galaxies. We detect the spatially extended emission of several emission lines ( and ), which we used to study the properties of the ionized phase of the interstellar medium: the source and hardness of the photoionizing radiation field, metallicity, dust reddening, electron density and temperature, and star formation. We also marginally detected continuum starlight emission associated with the companion sources. We find that at least two independent satellite galaxies are part of the system. While the quasar host appears highly enriched and obscured, with photoionization conditions typical of an Active Galactic Nucleus, the western companion shows minimal dust extinction, low metallicity ($Z and star formation driven photoionization. The eastern companion shows higher extinction and metallicity ($Z compared to the western companion, and it is at least partially photoionized by the nearby quasar. We do not find any indication of AGN in the companion sources. Our study shows that while the quasar host galaxy is already very massive dyn it is still rapidly building up by accreting two relatively massive star companion sources. This dataset showcases the power of JWST in exposing the buildup of massive galaxies in the first gigayear of the Universe.

PAC. V. The Roles of Mass and Environment in the Quenching of Galaxies

The roles that mass and environment play in galaxy quenching are still under debate. Leveraging the Photometric objects Around Cosmic webs method, we analyze the excess surface distribution n¯2wp(rp) of photometric galaxies in different colors (rest-frame u − r) within the stellar mass range of 109.0 ∼ 1011.0 M ⊙ around spectroscopic massive central galaxies (1010.9 ∼ 1011.7 M ⊙) at the redshift interval of 0 < z s < 0.7, utilizing data from the Hyper Suprime-Cam Subaru Strategic Program and the spectroscopic samples of Slogan Digital Sky Survey (i.e., Main, LOWZ, and CMASS samples). We find that both mass and environmental quenching contribute to the evolution of companion galaxies. To isolate the environmental effect, we quantify the quenched fraction excess (QFE) of companion galaxies encircling massive central galaxies within 0.01h −1 Mpc < r p < 20h −1 Mpc, representing the surplus quenched fraction relative to the average. We find that the high-density halo environment affects star formation quenching up to about three times the virial radius, and this effect becomes stronger at lower redshift. We also find that even after being scaled by the virial radius, the environmental quenching efficiency is higher for more massive halos or for companion galaxies of higher stellar mass, though the trends are quite weak. We present a fitting formula that comprehensively captures the QFE across central and companion stellar mass bins, halo-centric distance bins, and redshift bins, offering a valuable tool for constraining galaxy formation models. Furthermore, we have made a quantitative comparison with IllustrisTNG that underscores some important differences, particularly in the excessive quenching of low-mass companion galaxies (<109.5 M ⊙) in the simulation.

ALMA Reveals Spatially Resolved Properties of Molecular Gas in the Host Galaxy of FRB 20191001A at z = 0.2340

We report the detection of the CO(2–1) emission line with a spatial resolution of 0.″9 (3.5 kpc) from the host galaxy of the fast radio burst (FRB), FRB 20191001A at z = 0.2340, using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array. This is the first detection of spatially resolved CO emission from the host galaxy of an FRB at a cosmological distance. The inferred molecular gas mass of the host galaxy is (2.3 ± 0.4) × 1010 M ⊙, indicating that it is gas-rich, as evidenced by the measured molecular gas fraction μ gas = 0.50 ± 0.22. This molecular gas mass and the star formation rate of the host, SFR = (8.06 ± 2.42) M ⊙ yr−1, differ from those observed in the other FRB host galaxies with the average M gas = 9.6 × 108 M ⊙ and SFR = 0.90M ⊙ yr−1. This lends further credibility to the hypothesis that FRBs may originate from single or multiple progenitors across a diverse range of galaxy environments. Based on the observed velocity field modeling, we find that the molecular gas disk is dominated by an ordered circular rotation, despite the fact that the host galaxy has a gas-rich companion galaxy with a projected separation of ∼25 kpc. The formation of the FRB’s progenitor might not have been triggered by this interaction. We derive the 3σ upper limit of the molecular gas column density at the FRB detection site to be <2.1 × 1021 cm−2 with a 3σ upper limit.

One-sided H α excess before the first pericentre passage in galaxy pairs

ABSTRACT We present novel insights into the interplay between tidal forces and star formation in interacting galaxies before their first pericentre passage. We investigate seven close pair galaxies devoid of visible tidal disturbances, such as tails, bridges, and shells. Using integral field spectroscopy data of extended Calar Alto Legacy Integral Field Area, we unveil a previously unreported phenomenon: H $\alpha$ emission, a proxy for recent star formation, exhibits a significant enhancement in regions facing the companion galaxy, reaching up to 1.9 times higher flux compared to opposite directions. Notably, fainter companions within pairs display a more pronounced one-sided H $\alpha$ excess, exceeding the typical range observed in isolated galaxies with 2$\sigma$ confidence level. Furthermore, the observed H $\alpha$ excess in fainter companion galaxies exhibits a heightened prominence at the outer galactic regions. These findings suggest that tidal forces generated before the first pericentre passage exert a stronger influence on fainter galaxies due to their shallower potential wells by their brighter companions. This unveils a more intricate interplay between gravitational interactions and star formation history within interacting galaxies than previously understood, highlighting the need further to explore the early stages of interaction in galaxy evolution.

MUSE view of PDS 456: Kiloparsec-scale wind, extended ionized gas, and close environment

PDS 456 is the most luminous (Lbol ∼ 1047 erg s−1) radio-quiet quasar at z &lt; 0.3 and can be regarded as a local counterpart of the powerful quasars shining at Cosmic Noon. It hosts a strong nuclear X-ray ultra-fast (∼0.3c) outflow, and a massive and clumpy CO (3–2) molecular outflow extending up to ∼5 kpc from the nucleus. We analyzed the first MUSE Wide Field Mode (WFM) and Adaptive-Optics Narrow Field Mode (AO-NFM) optical integral field spectroscopic observations of PDS456. The AO-NFM observations provide an unprecedented spatial resolution, reaching up to ∼280 pc. Our findings reveal a complex circumgalactic medium around PDS 456, extending to a maximum projected size of ≈46 kpc. This includes a reservoir of gas with a mass of ∼107 − 108 M⊙, along with eight companion galaxies and a multi-phase outflow. WFM and NFM MUSE data reveal an outflow on a large scale (≈12 kpc from the quasar) in [O III], and on smaller scales (within 3 kpc) with higher resolution (about 280 pc) in Hα, respectively. The [O III] outflow mass rate is 2.3 ± 0.2 M⊙ yr−1 which is significantly lower than those typically found in other luminous quasars. Remarkably, the Hα outflow shows a similar scale, morphology, and kinematics to the CO (3–2) molecular outflow, with the latter dominating in terms of kinetic energy and mass outflow rate by two and one orders of magnitude, respectively. Our results therefore indicate that mergers, powerful active galactic nucleus (AGN) activity, and feedback through AGN-driven winds collectively contribute to shaping the host galaxy evolution of PDS 456, and likely that of similar objects at the brightest end of the AGN luminosity function across all redshifts. Moreover, the finding that the momentum boost of the total outflow deviates from the expected energy-conserving expansion for large-scale outflows highlights the need of novel AGN-driven outflow models to comprehensively interpret these phenomena.

TEMPLATES: Characterization of a Merger in the Dusty Lensing SPT0418–47 System

We present JWST and Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) imaging for the lensing system SPT0418−47, which includes a strongly lensed, dusty, star-forming galaxy at redshift z = 4.225 and an associated multiply imaged companion. The JWST NIRCam and MIRI imaging observations presented in this paper were acquired as part of the Early Release Science program Targeting Extremely Magnified Panchromatic Lensed Arcs and Their Extended Star formation (TEMPLATES). This data set provides robust mutiwavelength detections of stellar light in both the main (SPT0418A) and companion (SPT0418B) galaxies, while the ALMA detection of [C ii] emission confirms that SPT0418B lies at the same redshift as SPT0418A. We infer that the projected physical separation of the two galaxies is 4.42 ± 0.05 kpc. We derive total magnifications of μ = 29 ± 1 and μ = 4.1 ± 0.7 for SPT0418A and SPT0418B, respectively. We use both prospector and cigale to derive stellar masses. We find that SPT0418A has a stellar mass of M*=3.4−0.6+1.1×1010M⊙ from prospector or M * = 1.5 ± 0.3 × 1010 M ⊙ from cigale. The stellar mass ratio of SPT0418A and SPT0418B is roughly between 4 and 7 ( 4.2−1.6+1.9 for prospector and 7.5 ± 3.7 for cigale). We see evidence of extended structure associated with SPT0418A that is suggestive of a tidal feature. These features, along with the close projected proximity, imply that the system is interacting. Interestingly, the star formation rates and stellar masses of both galaxies are consistent with the main sequence of star-forming galaxies at this epoch, indicating that this ongoing interaction has not noticeably elevated the star formation levels.

The host dark matter haloes of the first quasars

ABSTRACT If z &amp;gt; 6 quasars reside in rare, massive haloes, ΛCDM cosmology predicts they should be surrounded by an anomalously high number of bright companion galaxies. Here, I show that these companion galaxies should also move unusually fast. Using a new suite of cosmological, ‘zoom-in’ hydrodynamic simulations, I present predictions for the velocity distribution of quasar companion galaxies and its variation with quasar host halo mass at $z \, = \, 6$. Satellites accelerate as they approach the quasar host galaxy, producing a line-of-sight velocity profile that broadens with decreasing distance to the quasar host galaxy. This increase in velocity dispersion is particularly pronounced if the host halo mass is $\gtrsim 5 \times 10^{12} \, \rm M_\odot$. Typical line-of-sight speeds rise to $\approx 500 \, \rm km \, s^{-1}$ at projected radii $\sim 10 \, \rm kpc$. For about 10 per cent of satellites, they should exceed $800 \, \rm km \, s^{-1}$, with $\approx 5~{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ of companions reaching line-of-sight speeds $\sim 1000 \, \rm km \, s^{-1}$. For lower host halo masses $\approx 5 \times 10^{11}{-}10^{12} \, \rm M_\odot$, the velocity profile of companion galaxies is significantly flatter. In this case, typical line-of-sight velocities are $\approx 250 \, \rm km \, s^{-1}$ and do not exceed $\approx 500 \, \rm km \, s^{-1}$. A comparison with existing Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), JWST and Multi-Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) line-of-sight velocity measurements reveals that observed z &amp;gt; 6 quasar companions closely follow the velocity distribution expected for a host halo with mass $\gtrsim 5 \times 10^{12} \, \rm M_\odot$, ruling out a light host halo. Finally, through an estimate of ultraviolet and [$\rm O \, {\small III}$] luminosity functions, I show that the velocity distribution more reliably discriminates between halo mass than companion number counts, which are strongly affected by cosmic variance.

Stellar populations and merger rates of brightest cluster galaxies a billion years ago: SDSS MaNGA IFU spectroscopy

ABSTRACT We investigate the spectroscopic properties of 85 brightest cluster galaxies (BCGs) and their companions observed with the SDSS MaNGA integral field unit. Galaxy redshifts are between 0.08 &amp;lt; z &amp;lt; 0.15, allowing for a field-of-view up to 80 × 80 kpc. For the main galaxies: the average age of the BCG cores is 7.66$\, \pm \,$1.36 Gyr with no significant gradient out to $2\, R_ {e}$; the average metallicity of the BCG cores is $[Z/H]=0.23\, \pm \, 0.03$ with a negative gradient of Δ[Z/H]/Δ(R/Re) = –0.14$\, \pm \, 0.09$ which flattens beyond $1.2\, R_ {e}$. Velocity dispersion gradients are mostly flat, but a few positive slopes are seen in the most massive galaxies. Emission lines are present in 12 of the BCGs, most often confined to the central $\sim 2\,$ kpc with emission line ratios well-described by a LINER or AGN excitation source. There are 78 companion galaxies identified and 9 have nebular emission lines that indicate recent star formation. The companions with flux ratios of 4:1 and 20:1 within 30 kpc of their BCG’s core are studied. The companion galaxies have a median age of 7.65$\, \pm \,$1.55 Gyr and are high-metallicity systems, with a median [Z/H] = 0.17 ± 0.07. Close spectroscopic companions with higher merging probabilities have an average merging time of 0.5 ± 0.2 Gyr. The average merger rate is 0.08$\, \pm \, 0.12 \,$ Gyr−1 for 4:1 companions and 0.26$\, \pm \, 0.22 \,$ Gyr−1 for 20:1 companions, allowing for an increase in mass of 2.3$\, \pm \,$3.4 per cent Gyr−1 and 3.5$\, \pm \,$3.2 per cent Gyr−1, respectively.

Suppression of Star Formation in Galaxy Pairs

We investigate the suppression of star formation in galaxy pairs based on the isolated galaxy pair sample derived from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey survey. By comparing the star formation rate between late-type galaxies (LTGs) in galaxy pairs and those in the isolated environment, we detect a signal of the suppression of star formation in galaxy pairs at d p < 100 kpc and 200 kpc < d p < 350 kpc. The occurrence of the suppression of star formation in these LTGs requires their companion galaxies to have an early-type morphology (n s > 2.5). The suppression of star formation in wide galaxy pairs at 200 kpc < d p < 350 kpc mainly occurs in massive LTGs, while in close galaxy pairs at d p < 100 kpc, it only appears in LTGs with a massive companion ( logM⋆>11.0 ), nearly independent of their own stellar mass. Based on these findings, we infer that the suppression of star formation in wide galaxy pairs is actually a result of galaxy conformity, while in close galaxy pairs, it stems from the influence of hot circumgalactic medium surrounding companion galaxies.

A too-many-dwarf-galaxy-satellites problem in the M 83 group

Dwarf galaxies in groups of galaxies provide excellent test cases for models of structure formation. This led to a so-called small-scale crisis, including the famous missing-satellites and too-big-to-fail problems. It was suggested that these two problems can be resolved by introducing baryonic physics to cosmological simulations. We tested the nearby grand spiral M 83 – a Milky Way sibling – to determine whether its number of dwarf galaxy companions is compatible with today’s Λ cold dark matter model using two methods: with cosmological simulations that include baryons and with theoretical predictions from the subhalo mass function. By employing distance measurements, we recovered a list of confirmed dwarf galaxies within 330 kpc of M 83 down to a magnitude of MV = −10. We find that both the state-of-the-art hydrodynamical cosmological simulation Illustris-TNG50 and theoretical predictions agree with the number of confirmed satellites around M 83 at the bright end of the luminosity function (&gt; 108 solar masses) but underestimate it at the faint end (down to 106 solar masses) at more than 3σ and 5σ levels, respectively. This indicates a too-many-satellites problem for M 83 in the Λ cold dark matter model. The actual degree of tension with cosmological models is underestimated because the number of observed satellites is incomplete due to the high contamination of spurious stars and Galactic cirrus.

Circumgalactic Environments Around Distant Quasars 3C 9 and 4C 05.84

We present results from the Quasar hosts Unveiled by high Angular Resolution Techniques survey studying the circumgalactic medium (CGM) by observing rest-frame UV emission lines Lyα, C iv, and He ii around two radio-loud quasars, 3C 9 (z = 2.02) and 4C 05.84 (z = 2.32), using the Keck Cosmic Web Imager. We detect large-scale Lyα nebulae around both quasars with projected diameters ∼100 kpc, with spatially resolved, embedded 15–30 kpc He ii and C iv nebulae around both quasars as well as kinematically distinct He ii and C iv nebulae at a physical separation of ∼15 kpc from both quasars. Observations of Hα, Hβ, and [O iii] emission using Keck MOSFIRE spectroscopically confirm that the Lyα nebulae extend to companion galaxies and that these quasars are in a protogroup/protocluster environment. We confirm that the He ii and C iv emission is kinematically and spatially coincident with the companion galaxies. We estimate the virial masses of the companion galaxies, their metallicities, and star formation rates, and investigate the sources of ionization. We measure the dynamical mass of the host dark matter halos and estimate that the dark matter halos of these systems will grow to a mass of 2 × 1014 M ⊙ (3C 9) and 2 × 1013 M ⊙ (4C 05.84) by z = 0. The combined CGM and companion galaxies observations indicate Lyα substructure can indicate the presence of companion galaxies in the CGM.

An Extended Lyα Outflow from a Radio Galaxy at z = 3.7?

Spatially resolved observations of active galactic nuclei (AGN) host galaxies undergoing feedback processes are one of the most relevant avenues through which galactic evolution can be studied, given the long-lasting effects AGN feedback has on gas reservoirs, star formation, and AGN environments at all scales. Within this context, we report results from Very Large Telescope/MUSE integral field optical spectroscopy of TN J1049-1258, one of the most powerful radio sources known, at a redshift of 3.7. We detected extended (∼18 kpc) Lyα emission, spatially aligned with the radio axis, redshifted by 2250 ± 60 km s−1 with respect to the host galaxy systemic velocity, and cospatial with UV continuum emission. This Lyα emission could arise from a companion galaxy, although there are arguments against this interpretation. Alternatively, it might correspond to an outflow of ionized gas stemming from the radio galaxy. The outflow would be the highest redshift spatially resolved ionized outflow to date. The enormous amount of energy injected, however, appears to be unable to quench the host galaxy’s prodigious star formation, occurring at a rate of ∼4500 M ⊙yr−1, estimated using its far-infrared luminosity. Within the field, we also found two companion galaxies at projected distances of ∼25 and ∼60 kpc from the host, which suggests the host galaxy is harbored within a protocluster.

Enigmatic Emission Structure around Mrk 783: Cross-Ionization of a Companion 100 kpc Away

Mrk 783 is a narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy that possesses a relatively large two-sided radio emission extending up to 14 kpc from the active nucleus possibly connected with a large-scale ionized gas emission. We obtained a deep [O iii] image that revealed an extended system of emission knots and diffuse ionized gas surrounding the main galaxy. The highly-excited gas is related not only to the radio structure, but also to tidal features illuminated by the active nucleus radiation up to the projected distance of 41 kpc as it follows from the emission lines’ intensities and kinematics derived from the long-slit spectroscopic data. Moreover, the part of the disk of the companion galaxy SDSS J130257.20+162537.1, located at ∼99 kpc projected distances to the north of Mrk 783, also falls in the AGN ionizing cone. It is possiblethat Mrk 783 can be considered as ‘Hanny’s Voorwerp precursor’, i.e., a galaxy that demonstrates signs of sequential switching from radio-loud to radio-quiet nuclear activity, in the moment before its ionization luminosity falls.

Are there more galaxies than we see around high-z quasars?

Context. It is still debated whether z ≳ 6 quasars lie in the most massive dark matter haloes of the Universe. While most theoretical studies support this scenario, current observations yield discordant results when they probe the halo mass through the detection rate of quasar companion galaxies. Feedback processes from supermassive black holes and dust obscuration have been blamed for this discrepancy, but these effects are complex and far from being clearly understood. Aim. This paper aims to improve the interpretation of current far-infrared observations by taking the cosmological volume probed by the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array Telescope into account and to explain the observational discrepancies. Methods. We statistically investigated the detection rate of quasar companions in current observations and verified whether they match the expected distribution from various theoretical models when they are convolved with the ALMA field of view through the use of Monte Carlo simulations. Results. We demonstrate that the telescope geometrical bias is fundamental and can alone explain the scatter in the number of detected satellite galaxies in different observations. We conclude that the resulting companion densities depend on the chosen galaxy distributions. According to our fiducial models, current data favour a density scenario in which quasars lie in dark matter haloes with a viral mass of Mvir ≳ 1012 M⊙, in agreement with most theoretical studies. According to our analysis, each quasar has about two companion galaxies, with a [CII] luminosity L[CII] ≳ 108 L⊙, within a distance of about 1 Mpc from the quasar.

MOSEL Survey: JWST Reveals Major Mergers/strong Interactions Drive the Extreme Emission Lines in the Early Universe

Abstract Extreme emission line galaxies (EELGs), where nebular emissions contribute 30%–40% of the flux in certain photometric bands, are ubiquitous in the early Universe (z &gt; 6). We utilize deep NIRCam imaging from the JWST Advanced Deep Extragalactic Survey (JADES) to investigate the properties of companion galaxies (projected distance &lt;40 kpc, ∣dv∣ &lt; 10,000 km s−1) around EELGs at z ∼ 3. Tests with TNG100 simulation reveal that nearly all galaxies at z = 3 will merge with at least one companion galaxy selected using similar parameters by z = 0. The median mass ratio of the most massive companion and the total mass ratio of all companions around EELGs is more than 10 times higher the control sample. Even after comparing with a stellar mass and stellar mass plus specific star formation rate (SFR)-matched control sample, EELGs have 3 to 5 times higher mass ratios than the brightest companion and total mass ratio of all companions. Our measurements suggest that EELGs are more likely to be experiencing strong interactions or undergoing major mergers irrespective of their stellar mass or specific SFRs. We suspect that gas cooling induced by strong interactions and/or major mergers could be triggering the extreme emission lines, and the increased merger rate might be responsible for the overabundance of EELGs at z &gt; 6.