Increase In Velocity Dispersion Research Articles

Effects of galaxy environment on merger fraction

Aims. In this work we examine how environment influences the merger fraction, from the low density field environment to higher density groups and clusters. We also study how the properties of a group or cluster, as well as the position of a galaxy in the group or cluster, influences the merger fraction. Methods. We identified galaxy groups and clusters in the North Ecliptic Pole using a friends-of-friends algorithm and the local density. Once identified, we determined the central galaxies, group radii, velocity dispersions, and group masses of these groups and clusters. Merging systems were identified with a neural network as well as visually. With these identifications and properties of groups and clusters and merging galaxy identifications, we examined how the merger fraction changes as the local density changes for all galaxies as well as how the merger fraction changes as the properties of the groups or clusters change. Results. We find that the merger fraction increases as local density increases and decreases as the velocity dispersion increases, as is often found in the literature. A decrease in merger fraction as the group mass increases is also found. We also find that groups with larger radii have higher merger fractions. The number of galaxies in a group does not influence the merger fraction. Conclusions. The decrease in merger fraction as group mass increases is a result of the link between group mass and velocity dispersion. Hence, this decrease in merger fraction with increasing mass is a result of the decrease of merger fraction with velocity dispersion. The increasing relation between group radii and merger fraction may be a result of larger groups having smaller velocity dispersion at a larger distance from the centre or larger groups hosting smaller, infalling groups with more mergers. However, we do not find evidence of smaller groups having higher merger fractions.

The host dark matter haloes of the first quasars

ABSTRACT If z > 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 > 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.

Apparent Effect of Dust Extinction on the Observed Outflow Velocity of Ionized Gas in Galaxy Mergers

In this study, we examine photoionization outflows during the late stages of galaxy mergers, with a specific focus on the relation between the observed velocity of outflowing gas and the apparent effects of dust extinction. We used the N-body/smoothed particle hydrodynamics code ASURA for galaxy merger simulations. These simulations concentrated on identical galaxy mergers featuring supermassive black holes of 108 M ⊙ and gas fractions of 30% and 10%. From the simulation data, we derived velocity and velocity dispersion diagrams for the active galactic nuclei (AGN)-driven ionized outflowing gas. Our findings show that high-velocity outflows with velocity dispersions of 500 km s−1 or greater can be observed in the late stages of galactic mergers. Particularly, in buried AGNs, both the luminosity-weighted outflow velocity and velocity dispersion increase owing to the apparent effects of dust extinction. Owing to these effects, velocity–velocity dispersion diagrams display a noticeable blue-shifted tilt in models with higher gas fractions. Crucially, this tilt is not influenced by the AGN luminosity but emerges from the observational impacts of dust extinction. Our results imply that the observed high-velocity [O iii] λ5007 outflow exceeding 1000 km s−1 in buried AGNs may be linked to the dust extinction that occurs during the late stages of gas-rich galaxy mergers.

Early-growing Supermassive Black Holes Strengthen Bars and Boxy/Peanut Bulges

Using N-body simulations, we explore the effects of growing a supermassive black hole (SMBH) prior to or during the formation of a stellar bar. Keeping the final mass and growth rate of the SMBH fixed, we show that if it is introduced before or while the bar is still growing, the SMBH does not cause a decrease in bar amplitude. Rather, in most cases, it is strengthened. In addition, an early-growing SMBH always either decreases the buckling amplitude, delays buckling, or both. This weakening of buckling is caused by an increase in the disk vertical velocity dispersion at radii well beyond the nominal black hole sphere of influence. While we find considerable stochasticity and sensitivity to initial conditions, the only case where the SMBH causes a decrease in bar amplitude is when it is introduced after the bar has attained a steady state. In this case, we confirm previous findings that the decrease in bar strength is a result of scattering of bar-supporting orbits with small pericenter radii. By heating the inner disk both radially and vertically, an early-growing SMBH increases the fraction of stars that can be captured by the inner Lindblad resonance (ILR) and the vertical ILR, thereby strengthening both the bar and the boxy-peanut-shaped bulge. Using orbital frequency analysis of star particles, we show that when an SMBH is introduced early and the bar forms around it, the bar is populated by different families of regular bar-supporting orbits than when the bar forms without an SMBH.

Observational Evidence of the Merging of Filaments and Hub Formation in G083.097+03.270

We uncover a hub–filament system correlated with massive young stellar associations in G083.097+03.270. Diagnosed with simultaneous 12CO, 13CO, and C18O line observations, the region is found to host two distinct and elongated filaments having separate velocity components, interacting spatially and kinematically, that appear to have seeded the formation of a dense hub at the intersection. A large velocity spread at the hub, in addition to a clear bridging feature connecting the filaments in velocity, indicate the merging of filaments. Along the filament axis, the velocity gradient reveals a global gas motion with an increasing velocity dispersion inward to the hub signifying turbulence. Altogether, the clustering of Class I sources, a high excitation temperature, a high column density, and the presence of a massive outflow at the central hub suggest enhanced star formation. We propose that the merging of large-scale filaments and velocity gradients along filaments are the driving factors in the mass accumulation process at the hub that have sequentially led to the massive star formation. With two giant filaments merging to coincide with a hub therein with ongoing star formation, this site serves as a benchmark for the “filaments to clusters” star-forming paradigm.

Multiple stellar populations found outside the tidal radius of NGC 1851 via Gaia DR3 XP spectra

Aims. Ancient galactic globular clusters (GCs) have long fascinated astronomers due to their intriguing multiple stellar populations (MPs), which are characterized by variations in light element abundances. Among these clusters, type II GCs stand out as they exhibit stars with large differences in heavy-element chemical abundances. These enigmatic clusters, comprising approximately 17% of analyzed GCs with MPs, have been hypothesized to be the remnants of accreted dwarf galaxies. Methods. We focus on one of the most debated type II GCs, namely, NGC 1851, to investigate its MPs across a wide spatial range of up to 50 arcmin from the cluster center. By using Gaia Data Release 3 low-resolution XP spectra, we generated synthetic photometry to perform a comprehensive analysis of the spatial distribution and kinematics of the canonical and anomalous populations within this GC. By using appropriate color-magnitude diagrams from the synthetic photometry in the BVI bands and in the f41525 band introduced in this work, we identified distinct stellar sequences associated with different heavy-element chemical compositions. Results. Our results suggest that the canonical and the anomalous populations reside both inside and outside the tidal radius of NGC 1851, up to a distance that exceeds its tidal radius 3.5 times. However, about 80% of stars outside the tidal radius are consistent with characteristics that class them among the canonical population, emphasizing its dominance in the cluster’s outer regions. Remarkably, canonical stars exhibit a more circular on-sky morphology, while the anomalous population displays an elliptical shape. Furthermore, we delve into the kinematics of the multiple populations, examining velocity dispersions, rotation patterns, and potential substructures. Our results reveal a flat or increasing velocity dispersion profile in the outer regions. Additionally, we observe hints of a tangentially anisotropic motion in the outer regions, indicating a preference for stars to escape on radial orbits. Our work demonstrates the capability of synthetic photometry, based on Gaia spectra, to explore multiple populations across the entire cluster field.

Kinematic analysis of the super-extended H I disk of the nearby spiral galaxy M 83

We present new H I observations of the nearby massive spiral galaxy M 83 taken with the JVLA at 21″ angular resolution (≈500 pc) of an extended (∼1.5 deg2) ten-point mosaic combined with GBT single-dish data. We study the super-extended H I disk of M 83 (∼50 kpc in radius), in particular disk kinematics, rotation, and the turbulent nature of the atomic interstellar medium. We define distinct regions in the outer disk (rgal> central optical disk), including a ring, a southern area, a southern arm and a northern arm. We examine H I gas surface density, velocity dispersion, and noncircular motions in the outskirts, which we compare to the inner optical disk. We find an increase of velocity dispersion (σv) toward the pronounced H I ring, indicative of more turbulent H I gas. Additionally, we report over a large galactocentric radius range (until rgal ∼ 50 kpc) where σv is slightly larger than thermal component (i.e., > 8 km s−1). We find that a higher star-formation rate (as traced by far UV emission) is not necessarily always associated with a higher H I velocity dispersion, suggesting that radial transport could be a dominant driver for the enhanced velocity dispersion. Furthermore, we find a possible branch that connects the extended H I disk to the dwarf irregular galaxy UGCA 365 and that deviates from the general direction of the northern arm. Lastly, we compare mass flow rate profiles (based on 2D and 3D tilted ring models) and find evidence for outflowing gas at rgal ∼ 2 kpc, inflowing gas at rgal ∼ 5.5 kpc, and outflowing gas at rgal ∼ 14 kpc. We caution that mass flow rates are highly sensitive to the assumed kinematic disk parameters, in particular to inclination.

Tracing the kinematics of the whole ram-pressure-stripped tails in ESO 137-001

ABSTRACT Ram pressure stripping (RPS) is an important process to affect the evolution of cluster galaxies and their surrounding environment. We present a large MUSE mosaic for ESO 137-001 and its stripped tails, and study the detailed distributions and kinematics of the ionized gas and stars. The warm, ionized gas is detected to at least 87 kpc from the galaxy and splits into three tails. There is a clear velocity gradient roughly perpendicular to the stripping direction, which decreases along the tails and disappears beyond ∼45 kpc downstream. The velocity dispersion of the ionized gas increases to ∼80 km s−1 at ∼20 kpc downstream and stays flat beyond. The stars in the galaxy disc present a regular rotation motion, while the ionized gas is already disturbed by the ram pressure. Based on the observed velocity gradient, we construct the velocity model for the residual galactic rotation in the tails and discuss the origin and implication of its fading with distance. By comparing with theoretical studies, we interpreted the increased velocity dispersion as the result of the oscillations induced by the gas flows in the galaxy wake, which may imply an enhanced degree of turbulence there. We also compare the kinematic properties of the ionized gas and molecular gas from ALMA, which shows they are co-moving and kinematically mixed through the tails. Our study demonstrates the great potential of spatially resolved spectroscopy in probing the detailed kinematic properties of the stripped gas, which can provide important information for future simulations of RPS.

Cloud-cloud collision and star formation in G323.18+0.15

We studied the cloud-cloud collision candidate G323.18+0.15 based on signatures of induced filaments, clumps, and star formation. We used archival molecular spectrum line data from the SEDIGISM 13CO (J = 2−1) survey, from the Mopra southern Galactic plane CO survey, and infrared to radio data from the GLIMPSE, MIPS, Hi-GAL, and SGPS surveys. Our new result shows that the G323.18+0.15 complex is 3.55 kpc away from us and consists of three cloud components, G323.18a, G323.18b, and G323.18c. G323.18b shows a perfect U-shape structure, which can be fully complemented by G323.18a, suggesting a collision between G323.18a and the combined G323.18bc filamentary structure. One dense compressed layer (filament) is formed at the bottom of G323.18b, where we detect a greatly increased velocity dispersion. The bridge with an intermediate velocity in a position-velocity diagram appears between G323.18a and G323.18b, which corresponds to the compressed layer. G323.18a plus G323.18b as a whole are probably not gravitationally bound. This indicates that high-mass star formation in the compressed layer may have been caused by an accidental event. The column density in the compressed layer of about 1.36 × 1022 cm−2 and most of the dense clumps and high-mass stars are located there. The average surface density of class I and class II young stellar objects (YSOs) inside the G323.18+0.15 complex is much higher than the density in the surroundings. The timescale of the collision between G323.18a and G323.18b is 1.59 Myr. This is longer than the typical lifetime of class I YSOs and is comparable to the lifetime of class II YSOs.

SDSS-IV MaNGA: Understanding Ionized Gas Turbulence Using Integral Field Spectroscopy of 4500 Star-forming Disk Galaxies

Abstract The Sloan Digital Sky Survey MaNGA program has now obtained integral field spectroscopy for over 10,000 galaxies in the nearby universe. We use the final MaNGA data release DR17 to study the correlation between ionized gas velocity dispersion and galactic star formation rate, finding a tight correlation in which σ Hα from galactic H ii regions increases significantly from ∼18–30 km s−1, broadly in keeping with previous studies. In contrast, σ Hα from diffuse ionized gas increases more rapidly from 20–60 km s−1. Using the statistical power of MaNGA, we investigate these correlations in greater detail using multiple emission lines and determine that the observed correlation of σ Hα with local star formation rate surface density is driven primarily by the global relation of increasing velocity dispersion at higher total star formation rate, as are apparent correlations with stellar mass. Assuming H ii region models consistent with our finding that σ [O III] < σ Hα < σ [O I], we estimate the velocity dispersion of the molecular gas in which the individual H ii regions are embedded, finding values σ Mol = 5–30 km s−1 consistent with ALMA observations in a similar mass range. Finally, we use variations in the relation with inclination and disk azimuthal angle to constrain the velocity dispersion ellipsoid of the ionized gas σ z /σ r = 0.84 ± 0.03 and σ ϕ /σ r = 0.91 ± 0.03, similar to that of young stars in the Galactic disk. Our results are most consistent with the theoretical models in which turbulence in modern galactic disks is driven primarily by star formation feedback.

Measurements of the Expansion Velocities of Ionized-Gas Superbubbles in Nearby Galaxies Based on Integral Field Spectroscopy Data

The study of the dynamic properties of bubbles in the interstellar medium is important for understanding the feedback mechanisms from star-formation processes in galaxies. The ongoing integral field spectroscopy of nearby star-forming galaxies reveals many expanding bubbles and superbubbles identified by the local increase in gas velocity dispersion. The limited angular resolution often prevents bona fide measures of the expansion velocities in galaxies outside the Local Group, even despite sufficient spectroscopic resolution. We present a method that makes it possible to measure the expansion velocity of bubbles surrounding massive stars and clusters based on the data about local variations in gas velocity dispersion. We adapt the method for the Fabry-Perot interferometers used with the 6-m telescope of the Special Astrophysical Observatory of the Russian Academy of Sciences, as well as for any integral field spectrograph with a Gaussian line spread function. We apply the method described to analyze the kinematics of ionized superbubbles gas and the only known supernova remnant in the IC 1613 galaxy. The estimate of the kinematic age of the supernova remnant (on the order of 3100 years) agrees well with the previously obtained independent estimate based on X-ray data.

Lax pair, Darboux transformation and rogue-periodic waves of a nonlinear Schrödinger–Hirota equation with the spatio-temporal dispersion and Kerr law nonlinearity in nonlinear optics

For a nonlinear Schrödinger–Hirota equation with the spatio-temporal dispersion and Kerr law nonlinearity in nonlinear optics, we derive a Lax pair, a Darboux transformation and two families of the periodic-wave solutions via the Jacobian elliptic functions dn and cn. We construct the linearly-independent and non-periodic solutions of that Lax pair, and substitute those solutions into the Darboux transformation to get the rogue-periodic-wave solutions. When the third-order dispersion or group velocity dispersion (GVD) or inter-modal dispersion (IMD) increases, the maximum amplitude of the rogue-periodic wave remains unchanged. From the rogue-dn-periodic-wave solutions, when the GVD decreases, the minimum amplitude of the rogue-dn-periodic wave decreases. When the third-order dispersion decreases, the minimum amplitude of the rogue-dn-periodic wave rises. Decrease of the IMD causes the period of the rogue-dn-periodic wave to decrease. From the rogue-cn-periodic-wave solutions, when the GVD increases, the minimum amplitude of the rogue-cn-periodic wave decreases. Increase of the third-order dispersion or IMD leads to the decrease of the period.

Connecting turbulent velocities and magnetic fields in galaxy cluster simulations with active galactic nuclei jets

ABSTRACT The study of velocity fields of the hot gas in galaxy clusters can help to unravel details of microphysics on small scales and to decipher the nature of feedback by active galactic nuclei (AGN). Likewise, magnetic fields as traced by Faraday rotation measurements (RMs) inform about their impact on gas dynamics as well as on cosmic ray production and transport. We investigate the inherent relationship between large-scale gas kinematics and magnetic fields through non-radiative magnetohydrodynamical simulations of the creation, evolution, and disruption of AGN jet-inflated lobes in an isolated Perseus-like galaxy cluster, with and without pre-existing turbulence. In particular, we connect cluster velocity measurements with mock RM maps to highlight their underlying physical connection, which opens up the possibility of comparing turbulence levels in two different observables. For single-jet outbursts, we find only a local impact on the velocity field, i.e. the associated increase in velocity dispersion is not volume-filling. Furthermore, in a setup with pre-existing turbulence, this increase in velocity dispersion is largely hidden. We use mock X-ray observations to show that at arcmin resolution, the velocity dispersion is therefore dominated by existing large-scale turbulence and is only minimally altered by the presence of a jet. For the velocity structure of central gas uplifted by buoyantly rising lobes, we find fast, coherent outflows with low velocity dispersion. Our results highlight that projected velocity distributions show complex structures, which pose challenges for the interpretation of observations.

The Young Massive Star Cluster Westerlund 2 Observed with MUSE. III. A Cluster in Motion—The Complex Internal Dynamics

Abstract Analyzing the dynamical state of nearby young massive star clusters is essential for understanding star cluster formation and evolution during their earliest stages. In this work we analyze the stellar and gas kinematics of the young massive star cluster Westerlund 2 (Wd2) using data from the integral field unit Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) and complement them with proper motions from the Gaia DR2. The mean gas radial velocity of 15.9 km s−1 agrees with the assumption that Wd2 is the result of a cloud–cloud collision. The gas motions show the expansion of the H ii region, driven by the radiation from the many OB stars in the cluster center. The velocity profile of the cluster member stars reveals an increasing velocity dispersion with decreasing stellar mass and that the low-mass stars show five distinct velocity groups. Based on their spatial correlation with the cluster’s two clumps, we concluded that this is the imprint of the initial cloud collapse that formed Wd2. A thorough analysis of the dynamical state of Wd2, which determines a dynamical mass range of M dyn,Wd2 = (7.5 ± 1.9) × 104 − (4.4 ± 1.1) × 105 M ⊙ and exceeds the photometric mass by at least a factor of two, leads to the conclusion that Wd2 is not massive enough to remain gravitationally bound. Additionally we also identify 22 runaway candidates with peculiar velocities between 30 and 546 km s−1.

Generalized Darboux transformations, semirational rogue waves, and modulation instability for the three-coupled variable-coefficient nonlinear Schrödinger system in an inhomogeneous multicomponent optical fiber

Nonlinear optics plays a crucial part in the progress of laser-based technologies and optical science. In this paper, we investigate the three-coupled variable-coefficient nonlinear Schrödinger system, which describes the amplification or attenuation of the picosecond pulses in an inhomogeneous multicomponent optical fiber with different frequencies or polarizations. Based on the existing Lax pair, we construct the first-/second-order generalized Darboux transformations and obtain the second-order semirational rogue-wave solutions, which represent the slowly varying envelopes of optical modes, under a constraint among the fiber gain/loss, nonlinearity and group velocity dispersion. We obtain the influences of nonlinearity and group velocity dispersion: when the value of the nonlinearity increases, amplitudes of the second-order semirational rogue waves decrease and when the value of the group velocity dispersion increases, amplitudes of the second-order semirational rogue waves increase. Baseband modulation instability (MI) through the linear stability explanation is obtained. When the characteristic roots have the negative imaginary parts, the system appears the baseband MI. When the MI occurs, it is of baseband type. With the positive parts, however, there is no MI occurring.

Gas compression and stellar feedback in the tidally interacting and ram-pressure stripped Virgo spiral galaxy NGC 4654

Due to an environment that promotes gravitational interactions and ram pressure stripping, galaxies within clusters are particularly likely to present unusual interstellar medium (ISM) properties. NGC 4654 is a Virgo cluster galaxy seen almost face-on, which undergoes nearly edge-on gas ram pressure stripping and a fly-by gravitational interaction with another massive galaxy, NGC 4639. NGC 4654 shows a strongly compressed gas region near the outer edge of the optical disk, with H I surface densities (high H I surface density region) significantly exceeding the canonical value of 10−15 M⊙ pc−2. New IRAM 30 m HERA CO(2−1) data of NGC 4654 are used to study the physical conditions of the ISM and its ability to form stars in the region where gas compression occurs. The CO-to-H2 conversion factor was estimated by (i) simultaneously solving for the conversion factor and the dust-to-gas ratio by assuming that the latter is approximately constant on giant molecular cloud scales and (ii) by assuming that the dust-to-gas ratio is proportional to the metallicity. The CO-to-H2 conversion factor was found to be one to two times the Galactic value. Based on the comparison with a region of similar properties in NGC 4501, we favor the higher value. We observe a significant decrease in the ratio between the molecular fraction and the total ISM pressure in the high H I surface density region. The gas in this region is self-gravitating, with a Toomre parameter below the critical value of Q = 1. However, the star-formation efficiency (SFEH2 = ΣSFR/ΣH2) is 1.5 to 2 times higher, depending on the assumed conversion factor, in the high H I surface density region than in the rest of the disk. Analytical models were used to reproduce radial profiles of the SFR and the atomic and molecular surface densities to better understand which physical properties are mandatory to maintain such high H I surface density regions. We conclude that a Toomre parameter of Q ∼ 0.8 combined with an increase in the velocity dispersion of Δvdisp ∼ 5 km s−1 are necessary conditions to simultaneously reproduce the gas surface densities and the SFR. A dynamical model that takes into account both gravitational interactions and ram pressure stripping was used to reproduce the gas distribution of NGC 4654. While the ISM properties are well reproduced in the whole disk, we find that the model SFR is significantly underestimated in the high H I surface density region due to the absence of gas cooling and stellar feedback. The comparison between the velocity dispersion given by the moment 2 map and the intrinsic 3D velocity dispersion from the model were used to discriminate between regions of broader linewidths caused by a real increase in the velocity dispersion and those caused by an unresolved velocity gradient only. We found that the 5 km s−1 increase in the intrinsic velocity dispersion predicted by the model is compatible with the observed velocity dispersion measured in the high H I surface density region. During a period of gas compression through external interactions, the gas surface density is enhanced, leading to an increased SFR and stellar feedback. Our observations and subsequent modeling suggest that, under the influence of stellar feedback, the gas density increases only moderately (by less than a factor of two). The stellar feedback acts as a regulator of star-formation, significantly increasing the turbulent velocity within the region.

Stellar scattering and the formation of exponential discs in self-gravitating systems

ABSTRACT We show, using the N-body code gadget-2, that stellar scattering by massive clumps can produce exponential discs, and the effectiveness of the process depends on the mass of scattering centres, as well as the stability of the galactic disc. Heavy, dense scattering centres in a less stable disc generate an exponential profile quickly, with a time-scale shorter than 1 Gyr. The profile evolution due to scattering can make a near-exponential disc under various initial stellar distributions. This result supports analytic theories that predict the scattering processes always favour the zero entropy gradient solution to the Jeans/Poisson equations, whose profile is a near-exponential. Profile changes are accompanied by disc thickening, and a power-law increase in stellar velocity dispersion in both vertical and radial directions is also observed through the evolution. Close encounters between stars and clumps can produce abrupt changes in stellar orbits and shift stars radially. These events can make trajectories more eccentric, but many leave eccentricities little changed. On average, orbital eccentricities of stars increase moderately with time.

Molecular Gas Properties on Cloud Scales across the Local Star-forming Galaxy Population

Abstract Using the PHANGS–ALMA CO(2–1) survey, we characterize molecular gas properties on ∼100 pc scales across 102,778 independent sightlines in 70 nearby galaxies. This yields the best synthetic view of molecular gas properties on cloud scales across the local star-forming galaxy population obtained to date. Consistent with previous studies, we observe a wide range of molecular gas surface densities (3.4 dex), velocity dispersions (1.7 dex), and turbulent pressures (6.5 dex) across the galaxies in our sample. Under simplifying assumptions about subresolution gas structure, the inferred virial parameters suggest that the kinetic energy of the molecular gas typically exceeds its self-gravitational binding energy at ∼100 pc scales by a modest factor (1.3 on average). We find that the cloud-scale surface density, velocity dispersion, and turbulent pressure (1) increase toward the inner parts of galaxies, (2) are exceptionally high in the centers of barred galaxies (where the gas also appears less gravitationally bound), and (3) are moderately higher in spiral arms than in inter-arm regions. The galaxy-wide averages of these gas properties also correlate with the integrated stellar mass, star formation rate, and offset from the star-forming main sequence of the host galaxies. These correlations persist even when we exclude regions with extraordinary gas properties in galaxy centers, which contribute significantly to the inter-galaxy variations. Our results provide key empirical constraints on the physical link between molecular cloud populations and their galactic environment.

APEX CO observations towards the photodissociation region of RCW 120

Context. The edges of ionized (H II) regions are important sites for the formation of (high-mass) stars. Indeed, at least 30% of the Galactic high-mass-star formation is observed there. The radiative and compressive impact of the H II region could induce star formation at the border following different mechanisms such as the collect and collapse or the radiation-driven implosion (RDI) models and change their properties. Aims. We aim to study the properties of two zones located in the photo dissociation region (PDR) of the Galactic H II region RCW 120 and discuss them as a function of the physical conditions and young star contents found in both clumps. Methods. Using the APEX telescope, we mapped two regions of size 1.5′ × 1.5′ toward the most massive clump of RCW 120 hosting young massive sources and toward a clump showing a protrusion inside the H II region and hosting more evolved low-mass sources. The 12CO (J = 3−2), 13CO (J = 3−2) and C18O (J = 3−2) lines observed, together with Herschel data, are used to derive the properties and dynamics of these clumps. We discuss their relation with the hosted star formation. Results. Assuming local thermodynamic equilibrium, the increase of velocity dispersion and Tex are found toward the center of the maps, where star-formation is observed with Herschel. Furthermore, both regions show supersonic Mach numbers (7 and 17 in average). No substantial information has been gathered about the impact of far ultraviolet radiation on C18O photodissociation at the edges of RCW 120. The fragmentation time needed for CC to be at work is equivalent to the dynamical age of RCW 120 and the properties of region B are in agreement with bright-rimmed clouds. Conclusions. Although conclusions from this fragmentation model should be taken with caution, it strengthens the fact that, together with evidence of compression, CC might be at work at the edges of RCW 120. Additionally, the clump located at the eastern part of the PDR is a good candidate pre-existing clump where star-formation may be induced by the RDI mechanism.

Autonomous Gaussian decomposition of the Galactic Ring Survey

The analysis of large molecular line surveys of the Galactic plane is essential for our understanding of the gas kinematics on Galactic scales and, in particular, its link with the formation and evolution of dense structures in the interstellar medium. An approximation of the emission peaks with Gaussian functions allows for an efficient and straightforward extraction of useful physical information contained in the shape and Doppler-shifted frequency of the emission lines contained in these enormous data sets. In this work, we present an overview and the first results of a Gaussian decomposition of the entire Galactic Ring Survey (GRS)13CO (1–0) data that consists of about 2.3 million spectra. We performed the decomposition with the fully automated GAUSSPY+ algorithm and fitted about 4.6 million Gaussian components to the GRS spectra. These decomposition results enable novel and unexplored ways to interpret and study the gas velocity structure. We discuss the statistics of the fit components and relations between the fitted intensities, velocity centroids, and velocity dispersions. We find that the magnitude of the velocity dispersion values increase towards the inner Galaxy and around the Galactic midplane, which we speculate is partly due to the influence of the Galactic bar and regions with higher non-thermal motions located in the midplane, respectively. We also used our decomposition results to infer global properties of the gas emission and find that the number of fit components used per spectrum is indicative of the amount of structure along the line of sight. We find that the emission lines from regions located on the far side of the Galaxy show increased velocity dispersion values, which are likely due to beam averaging effects. We demonstrate how this trend has the potential to aid in characterising Galactic structure by disentangling emission that belongs to the nearby Aquila Rift molecular cloud from emission that is more likely associated with the Perseus and Outer spiral arms. With this work, we also make our entire decomposition results available.