Interstellar Medium In Dwarf Galaxies Research Articles

The Pristine Inner Galaxy Survey (PIGS)

We aim to constrain the chemo-dynamical properties of the Sagittarius (Sgr) dwarf galaxy using carbon abundances. At low metal- licities in particular, these properties reveal the early chemical evolution of a system, tracing the contributing supernovae (SNe) and how much of their ejecta eventually made it into the next stellar generation. Our sample from the Pristine Inner Galaxy Survey (PIGS) includes ~350 metal-poor ([Fe/H] < −1.5) stars in the main body of Sgr with good quality spectroscopic observations. Our metal-poor Sgr population has a larger velocity dispersion than metal-rich Sgr from the literature, which could be explained by outside-in star formation, extreme Galactic tidal perturbations, and/or the presence of a metal-rich disc and bar + metal-poor halo. The average carbon abundance [C/Fe] in Sgr is similar to that of other classical dwarf galaxies (DGs) and consistently lower than in the Milky Way by ~0.2–0.3 dex at low metallicities. The interstellar medium in DGs, including Sgr, may have retained yields from more energetic Population III and II supernovae (SNe), thereby reducing the average [C/Fe]. Additionally, SNe Ia producing more Fe than C would start to contribute at lower metallicity in DGs/Sgr than in the Galaxy. The presence of a [C/Fe] gradient for Sgr stars with [Fe/H] ≳ −2.0 (~6.8 × 10−4 dex arcmin−1) suggests that SNe la contributed to the system at those metallicities, especially in its inner regions. There is a low frequency of carbon-enhanced metal-poor (CEMP) stars in our Sgr sample. At higher metallicities and carbon abundances (i.e. mostly CEMPs), this may be due to photometric selection effects, but those are less likely to affect non-CEMP stars. Given the lower average [C/Fe] in DGs, we propose using the same CEMP definition ([C/Fe] > +0.7) as that applied to the Galaxy at large ends up underpredicting the number of CEMP stars in DGs. Burthermore, for Sgr, a cut at [C/Fe] ∽ +0.35 may be more appropriate, which brings the frequency of CEMP stars in agreement with that of the whole Galaxy.

Constraining millimeter dust emission in nearby galaxies with NIKA2: The case of NGC2146 and NGC2976

This study presents the first millimeter continuum mapping observations of two nearby galaxies, the starburst spiral galaxy NGC2146 and the dwarf galaxy NGC2976, at 1.15 mm and 2 mm using the NIKA2 camera on the IRAM 30m telescope, as part of the Guaranteed Time Large Project IMEGIN. These observations provide robust resolved information about the physical properties of dust in nearby galaxies by constraining their FIR-radio SED in the millimeter domain. After subtracting the contribution from the CO line emission, the SEDs are modeled spatially using a Bayesian approach. Maps of dust mass surface density, temperature, emissivity index, and thermal radio component of the galaxies are presented, allowing for a study of the relations between the dust properties and star formation activity (using observations at 24μm as a tracer). We report that dust temperature is correlated with star formation rate in both galaxies. The effect of star formation activity on dust temperature is stronger in NGC2976, an indication of the thinner interstellar medium of dwarf galaxies. Moreover, an anti-correlation trend is reported between the dust emissivity index and temperature in both galaxies.

The interstellar medium of dwarf galaxies: new insights from Machine Learning analysis of emission-line spectra

Dwarf galaxies are ideal laboratories to study the physics of the interstellar medium (ISM). Emission lines have been widely used to this aim. Retrieving the full information encoded in the spectra is therefore essential. This can be efficiently and reliably done using Machine Learning (ML) algorithms. Here, we apply the ML code GAME to MUSE (Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer) and PMAS (Potsdam Multi Aperture Spectrophotometer) Integral Field Unit (IFU) observations of two nearby Blue Compact Galaxies (BCGs): Henize 2-10 and IZw18. We derive spatially resolved maps of several key ISM physical properties. We find that both galaxies show a remarkably uniform metallicity distribution. Henize 2-10 is a star forming dominated galaxy, with a Star Formation Rate (SFR) of about 1.2 M$_{\odot}$ yr$^{-1}$. Henize 2-10 features dense and dusty ($A_V$ up to 5-7 mag) star forming central sites. We find IZw18 to be very metal-poor ($Z$= 1/20 $Z_{\odot}$). IZw18 has a strong interstellar radiation field, with a large ionization parameter. We also use models of PopIII stars spectral energy distribution as a possible ionizing source for the HeII $\lambda$4686 emission detected in the IZw18 NW component. We find that PopIII stars could provide a significant contribution to the line intensity. The upper limit to the PopIII star formation is 52% of the total IZw18 SFR.

Low Metallicity ISM: excess submillimetre emission and CO-free H2 gas

AbstractThe low metallicity interstellar medium of dwarf galaxies gives a different picture in the far infrared(FIR)/submillimetre(submm)wavelengths than the more metal-rich galaxies. Excess emission is often found in the submm beginning at or beyond 500 μm. Even without taking this excess emission into account as a possible dust component, higher dust-to-gas mass ratios (DGR) are often observed compared to that expected from their metallicity for moderately metal-poor galaxies. The Spectral Energy Distributions (SEDs) of the lowest metallicity galaxies, however, give very low dust masses and excessively low values of DGR, inconsistent with the amount of metals expected to be captured into dust if we presume the usual linear relationship holding for all metallicities, including the more metal-rich galaxies. This transition seems to appear near metalllicities of 12 + log(O/H) 8.0 - 8.2. These results rely on accurately quantifying the total molecular gas reservoir, which is uncertain in low metallicity galaxies due to the difficulty in detecting CO(1-0) emission. Dwarf galaxies show an exceptionally high [CII] 158 μm/CO (1-0) ratio which may be indicative of a significant reservoir of ‘CO-free’ molecular gas residing in the photodissociated envelope, and not traced by the small CO cores.

A study of interstellar medium of dwarf galaxies using H i power spectrum analysis

We estimate the power spectrum of HI intensity fluctuations for a sample of 8 galaxies (7 dwarf and one spiral). The power spectrum can be fitted to a power law P_HI(U) = A U^\alpha for 6 of these galaxies, indicating turbulence is operational. The estimated best fit value for the slope ranges from ~ -1.5 (AND IV, NGC 628, UGC 4459 and GR 8) to ~ -2.6 (DDO 210 and NGC 3741). We interpret this bi-modality as being due to having effectively 2D turbulence on length scales much larger than the scale height of the galaxy disk and 3D otherwise. This allows us to use the estimated slope to set bounds on the scale heights of the face-on galaxies in our sample. We also find that the power law slope remains constant as we increase the channel thickness for all these galaxies, suggesting that the fluctuations in HI intensity are due to density fluctuations and not velocity fluctuations, or that the slope of the velocity structure function is ~ 0. Finally, for the four galaxies with "2D turbulence" we find that the slope \alpha correlates with the star formation rate per unit area, with larger star formation rates leading to steeper power laws. Given our small sample size this result needs to be confirmed with a larger sample.

Three-dimensional simulations of the interstellar medium in dwarf galaxies - II. Galactic winds

We study the hydrodynamical evolution of galactic winds in discy dwarf galaxies moving through an intergalactic medium (IGM). In agreement with previous investigations, we find that when the ram pressure stripping does not disrupt the interstellar medium (ISM), it usually has a negligible effect on the galactic wind dynamics. Only when the IGM ram pressure is comparable to the central ISM thermal pressure do the stripping and the superwind influence each other, increasing the gas removal rate. In this case, several parameters regulate the ISM ejection process, such as the original distribution of the ISM and the geometry of the IGM–galaxy interaction. When the ISM is not removed by the ram pressure or the wind, it loses memory of the starburst episode and recovers almost its pre-burst distribution in a time-scale of 50–200 Myr. After this time, another star formation episode becomes, in principle, possible. Evidently, galactic winds are consistent with the star formation history of recurrent bursts. Contrary to the ISM content, the amount of the metal-rich ejecta retained by the galaxy is more sensitive to the ram pressure action. Part of the ejecta is first trapped in a low-density, extraplanar gas produced by the IGM–ISM interaction, and then pushed back on to the galactic disc. The amount of trapped metals in a moving galaxy may be up to three times larger than in a galaxy at rest. This prediction may be tested by comparing metallicity of dwarf galaxies in nearby poor clusters or groups, such as Virgo or Fornax, with the field counterpart. The sensitivity of the metal entrapment efficiency on the geometry of the interaction may explain part of the observed scatter in the metallicity–luminosity relation for dwarf galaxies.

Three-dimensional simulations of the interstellar medium in dwarf galaxies - I. Ram pressure stripping

We present 3D hydrodynamic simulations of ram pressure stripping in dwarf galaxies. Analogous studies on this subject usually deal with much higher ram pressures, typical of galaxy clusters, or mild ram pressure due to the gas halo of the massive galactic companions. We extend over previous investigations by considering flattened, rotating dwarf galaxies subject to ram pressures typical of poor galaxy groups. We study the ram pressure effects as a function of several parameters such as galactic mass and velocity, ambient gas density, and angle between the galactic plane and the direction of motion. It turns out that this latter parameter plays a role only when the gas pressure in the galactic centre is comparable to the ram pressure. Despite the low values of the ram pressure, some dwarf galaxies can be completely stripped after 1-2 hundred of million years. This pose an interesting question on the aspect of the descents and, more in general, on the morphological evolution of dwarf galaxies. In cases in which the gas is not completely stripped, the propagation of possible galactic wind may be influenced by the disturbed distribution of the interstellar matter. We also consider the modification of the ISM surface density induced by the ram pessure and find that the resulting compression may trigger star formation over long time spans.

Galactic winds and circulation of the interstellar medium in dwarf galaxies

We study, through 2D hydrodynamical simulations, the feedback of a starburst on the ISM of typical gas-rich dwarf galaxies. The main goal is to address the circulation of the ISM and metals following the starburst. We assume a single-phase rotating ISM in equilibrium in the galactic potential generated by a stellar disc and a spherical dark halo. The starburst is assumed to occur in a small volume in the centre of the galaxy, and it generates a mechanical power of 3.8×1039 or 3.8×1040 erg s−1 for 30 Myr. We find, in accordance with previous investigations, that the galactic wind is not very effective in removing the ISM. The metal-rich stellar ejecta, however, can be efficiently expelled from the galaxy and dispersed in the intergalactic medium. Moreover, we find that the central region of the galaxy is always replenished with cold and dense gas a few 100 million years after the starburst, achieving the requisite for a new star formation event in ≈0.5–1 Gyr. The hydrodynamical evolution of galactic winds is thus consistent with the episodic star formation regime suggested by many chemical evolution studies. We also discuss the X-ray emission of these galaxies and find that the observable (emission-averaged) abundance of the hot gas underestimates the real one if thermal conduction is effective. This could explain the very low hot-gas metallicities estimated in starburst galaxies.

Cosmological Evolution of Dwarf Galaxies: The Influence of Star Formation and the Multiphase Interstellar Medium

A model is developed to explain the cosmological evolution of dwarf galaxies. The population of small galaxies is found to evolve rapidly for z < 1, which provides a natural explanation for the evolution observed in the galaxy luminosity function. A tail is found in the redshift distribution of the faint blue excess that can extend to a redshift of 2. The star formation history is followed in detail for these objects. Constraints on the metallicity are identified for which stars are formed with much higher efficiency in a multiphase interstellar medium than in massive galaxies. Blue dwarf galaxies at the current epoch are identified with this starburst mode. The collapse of 1 and 2 σ perturbations of the initial density fluctuation spectrum is followed using the extended standard hierarchical clustering formalism. The collapse of these perturbations is normally associated with the formation of dwarf galaxies. These objects have shallow gravitational potential wells, and their evolution strongly depends upon the cooling time of the gas. The latter is determined by the ionization and chemical equilibrium of the gas in the presence of the intergalactic and local stellar radiation fields. The latter generally dominates and creates a feedback mechanism that regulates the evolutionary timescale. To improve upon previous models, essential new astrophysical ingredients are incorporated, such as a more detailed description of the physical processes regulating the multiphase structure of the interstellar medium in dwarf galaxies and the effects of evolution in the galaxy's metallicity on the formation of stars in molecular clouds. It is found that for a low star formation rate of 0.1 M☉ yr-1, the cooling time of interstellar gas is longer than the local Hubble time until z ~ 1. At this epoch, a two-phase medium makes the dwarf interstellar medium less fragile against supernova explosions, and the volume filling factor of the hot phase (107 K) becomes of order unity. The resulting X-ray luminosity is consistent with observations of nearby dwarf galaxies if exchange processes between the hot and cold phases of the interstellar medium (i.e., evaporation and ablation of clouds due the supernova blast wave) are included. The tenuous halo gas has a temperature in excess of the escape velocity and exhibits very high ionization stages. The dark matter halo potential (M/L ~ 102) influences the loss rate of metals and the star formation history. It is found that if the metallicity is between 0.01 and 0.1 Z☉ then a period of rapid star formation, ~1-3 M☉ yr-1, can be excited for z ~ 1. The physical reason for this starburst mode in our model is that the free-fall time exceeds the ambipolar diffusion timescale for clouds. Consequently, molecular clouds are not magnetically supported and star formation can proceed much more efficiently compared with more massive and metal-rich galaxies. Our results are consistent with the redshift distribution of dwarf galaxies observed in the Hubble Deep Field. In particular, a rapidly evolving dwarf population can account for the excess number counts of faint galaxies: the blue excess. Predictions are made for the color evolution of the old stellar population in these systems, observable with the Near-Infrared Camera and Multiobject Spectrometer (NICMOS) on the Hubble Space Telescope in the near future.

Observations of the impact of starbursts on the interstellar medium in dwarf galaxies

Dwarf galaxies play a crucial role in our understanding of the formation and evolution of galaxies, and the concept of supernova-driven mass outflows is a vital ingredient in theories of the structure and evolution of dwarf galaxies. Despite the theoretical importance of these outflows, there is a very limited amount of direct observational evidence for their existence. We have therefore begun a detailed multi-wave-band search for outflows in dwarf (M(sub B) greater than or = -18) galaxies with extensive recent or ongoing centrally concentrated star formation. We report the first results of this search in the present paper. Observations of the ionized gas in dwarf amorphous galaxies with centrally concentrated populations of massive stars provide evidence for the large-scale expansion of their expansion of their ionized interstellar media. Fabry-Perot H alpha images reveal the presence of kiloparsec-scale 'superbubbles' and filaments which tend to be oriented along the galaxy minor axis. These structures are comparable in size to the chracteristic optical sizes of the galaxies, and dominate the morphology of the galaxies at low surface brightness in H alpha. Since expanding structure of this size and velocity are not observed in all low-mass galaxies with recent or ongoing star formation, we suggest that we are witnessing transient events that likely have a relatively low 'duty cycle' in such galaxies. That is, we argue that the particular galaxies in the present paper have had significantly elevated star formation rates over the past 10(exp 7)-10(exp 8) yr (i.e., these are starburst or young poststarburst systems). This interpretation is consistent with the optical colors and emission-line properties of these galaxies.

The effect of central starbursts on the interstellar medium of dwarf galaxies

Major starburst events can last tens of millions of years, and in the process they can deposit significant amounts of energy into the surrounding interstellar medium. This energy from supernova and stellar winds imparts enough momentum to the interstellar medium (ISM) that portions of the ISM can become unbound and leave the parent galaxy, taking the metal-enriched stellar debris along. In dwarf galaxies, starbursts can produce enough total energy to unbind most or all of the ambient ISM. Whether this actually occurs is a strong function of the ellipticity of the ISM distribution, with flat disks and spheres being the limiting cases. We calculate whether 'blow out' along the symmetry axis of 'blow away' of the entire ISM occurs during a central starburst in dwarf galaxies as a function of galactic mass, starburst energy, ISM density, and ISM ellipticity. The calculations cover a range of 10(exp 7) to 10(exp 9) solar mass for dwarf galaxies and include 'normal' galaxies of 10(exp 11) solar mass as well. No massive dark matter halos are assumed to be present. We find that for physically reasonable values of total ISM mass and starburst energy a blow out along the symmetry axis occurs in the majority of cases, though a significant fraction of small dwarf galaxies can lose most of their ISM. As no dark matter halos or clumpy ISM distributions are included, it is apparent that the ISM in most dwarf galaxies may be generally resistant to significant disruption by a central starburst event. The effects of this range of behavi or on the metallicities that would be observed in these galaxies is discussed.