Large Velocity Widths Research Articles

A survey for variable young stars with small telescopes: VI – Analysis of the outbursting Be stars NSW 284, gaia 19eyy, and VES 263

ABSTRACT This paper is one in a series reporting results from small telescope observations of variable young stars. Here, we study the repeating outbursts of three likely Be stars based on long-term optical, near-infrared, and mid-infrared photometry for all three objects, along with follow-up spectra for two of the three. The sources are characterized as rare, truly regularly outbursting Be stars. We interpret the photometric data within a framework for modelling light-curve morphology, and find that the models correctly predict the burst shapes, including their larger amplitudes and later peaks towards longer wavelengths. We are thus able to infer the start and end times of mass loading into the circumstellar discs of these stars. The disc sizes are typically 3 – 6 times the areas of the central star. The disc temperatures are ∼40 per cent, and the disc luminosities are ∼10 per cent of those of the central Be star, respectively. The available spectroscopy is consistent with inside-out evolution of the disc. Higher excitation lines have larger velocity widths in their double-horned shaped emission profiles. Our observations and analysis support the decretion disc model for outbursting Be stars.

Host galaxies of ultrastrong Mg ii absorbers at z ∼ 0.5

ABSTRACT From a sample of 109 candidate ultrastrong Mg ii (USMg ii; having rest equivalent width of Mg ii, W2796 > 3.0 Å) systems at z = 0.4–0.6, we confirm 27 and identify host galaxies of 20 systems based on associated nebular line emission from our SALT observations or from Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) fiber spectra. The measured impact parameter, [O ii] luminosity, star formation rate, B-band luminosity, and stellar mass are in the ranges 7.3 ≤ D[kpc] ≤ 79, $0.2\le L_{[\mathrm{ O}\,~\small {\rm II}]}[ 10^{41}~\mathrm{ erg} \mathrm{ s}^{-1}]\le 4.5$, 2.59 ≤ SFR[M⊙yr−1] ≤ 33.51, $0.15L_B^{*}\le L_B\le 1.63L_B^{*}$, and 10.21 ≤ log[M*/ M ⊙] ≤ 11.62, respectively. The impact parameters found are larger than that predicted by the W2796 versus D relationship of the general population of Mg ii absorbers. At a given D, USMg ii host galaxies are more luminous and massive compared to typical Mg ii absorbers. However, the measured SFRs are slightly lower than that of main-sequence galaxies with same M⋆ at z ∼ 0.5. We report a correlation between $L_{[\mathrm{ O}\,\small {\rm II}]}$ and W2796 for the full population of Mg ii absorbers, driven mainly by the host galaxies of weak Mg ii absorbers that tend to have low $L_{[\mathrm{ O}\,\small {\rm II}]}$ and large impact parameters. We find at least ∼33 per cent of the USMg ii host galaxies (with a limiting magnitude of mr < 23.6) are isolated and the large W2796 in these cases may originate from gas flows (infall/outflow) in single haloes of massive but not starburst galaxies. We also find galaxy interactions could be responsible for large velocity widths in at least ∼17 per cent cases.

Quasars Probing Quasars. IX. The Kinematics of the Circumgalactic Medium Surrounding z ∼ 2 Quasars

Abstract We examine the kinematics of the gas in the environments of galaxies hosting quasars at z ∼ 2. We employ 148 projected quasar pairs to study the circumgalactic gas of the foreground quasars in absorption. The sample selects foreground quasars with precise redshift measurements, using emission lines with precision ≲300 km s−1 and average offsets from the systemic redshift ≲ ∣ 100 km s − 1 ∣ . We stack the background quasar spectra at the foreground quasar’s systemic redshift to study the mean absorption in C ii, C iv, and Mg ii. We find that the mean absorptions exhibit large velocity widths σ v ≈ 300 km s−1. Further, the mean absorptions appear to be asymmetric about the systemic redshifts. The mean absorption centroids exhibit small redshift relative to the systemic δv ≈ +200 km s−1, with large intrinsic scatter in the centroid velocities of the individual absorption systems. We find the observed widths are consistent with gas in gravitational motion and Hubble flow. However, while the observation of large widths alone does not require galactic-scale outflows, the observed offsets suggest that the gas is on average outflowing from the galaxy. The observed offsets also suggest that the ionizing radiation from the foreground quasars is anisotropic and/or intermittent.

Quasar 2175 Å dust absorbers – II. Correlation analysis and relationship with other absorption line systems

We present the cold neutral content (H I and C I gas) of 13 quasar 2175 \AA$ $ dust absorbers (2DAs) at $z$ = 1.6 - 2.5 to investigate the correlation between the presence of the UV extinction bump with other physical characteristics. These 2DAs were initially selected from the Sloan Digital Sky Surveys I - III and followed up with the Keck-II telescope and the Multiple Mirror Telescope as detailed in our Paper I. We perform a correlation analysis between metallicity, redshift, depletion level, velocity width, and explore relationships between 2DAs and other absorption line systems. The 2DAs on average have higher metallicity, higher depletion levels, and larger velocity widths than Damped Lyman-$\alpha$ absorbers (DLAs) or subDLAs. The correlation between [Zn/H] and [Fe/Zn] or [Zn/H] and log$\Delta$V$_{90}$ can be used as alternative stellar mass estimators based on the well-established mass-metallicity relation. The estimated stellar masses of the 2DAs in this sample are in the range of $\sim$ 10$^9$ to $\sim$2 $\times$ 10$^{11}$ $M_{\odot}$ with a median value of $\sim$2 $\times$ 10$^{10}$ $M_{\odot}$. The relationship with other quasar absorption line systems can be described as (1) 2DAs are a subset of Mg II and Fe II absorbers, (2) 2DAs are preferentially metal-strong DLAs/subDLAs, (3) More importantly, all of the 2DAs show C I detections with logN(C I) $>$ 14.0 cm$^{-2}$, (4) 2DAs can be used as molecular gas tracers. Their host galaxies are likely to be chemically enriched, evolved, massive (more massive than typical DLA/subDLA galaxies), and presumably star-forming galaxies.

The Second Galactic Center Black Hole? A Possible Detection of Ionized Gas Orbiting around an IMBH Embedded in the Galactic Center IRS13E Complex

Abstract The Galactic Center is the nuclear region of the nearest spiral galaxy, the Milky Way, and contains the supermassive black hole with , Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*). One of the basic questions about the Galactic Center is whether or not Sgr A* is the only “massive” black hole in the region. The IRS13E complex is a very intriguing infrared (IR) object that contains a large dark mass comparable to the mass of an intermediate mass black hole (IMBH) from the proper motions of the main member stars. However, the existence of the IMBH remains controversial. There are some objections to accepting the existence of the IMBH. In this study, we detected ionized gas with a very large velocity width ( km s−1) and a very compact size ( au) in the complex using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). We also found an extended component connecting with the compact ionized gas. The properties suggest that this is an ionized gas flow on the Keplerian orbit with high eccentricity. The enclosed mass is estimated to be by the analysis of the orbit. The mass does not conflict with the upper limit mass of the IMBH around Sgr A*, which is derived by the long-term astrometry with the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA). In addition, the object probably has an X-ray counterpart. Consequently, a very fascinating possibility is that the detected ionized gas is rotating around an IMBH embedded in the IRS13E complex.

Odinobservations of ammonia in the Sgr A +50 km s-1cloud and circumnuclear disk

Context. The Odin satellite is now into its sixteenth year of operation, much surpassing its design life of two years. One of the sources which Odin has observed in great detail is the Sgr A Complex in the centre of the Milky Way. Aims. To study the presence of NH3 in the Galactic Centre and spiral arms. Methods. Recently, Odin has made complementary observations of the 572 GHz NH3 line towards the Sgr A +50 km/s Cloud and Circumnuclear Disk (CND). Results. Significant NH3 emission has been observed in both the +50 km/s Cloud and the CND. Clear NH3 absorption has also been detected in many of the spiral arm features along the line of sight from the Sun to the core of our Galaxy. Conclusions. The very large velocity width (80 km/s) of the NH3 emission associated with the shock region in the southwestern part of the CND may suggest a formation/desorption scenario similar to that of gas-phase H2O in shocks/outflows.

Interaction between the H ii region and AFGL 333-Ridge: Implications for the star formation scenario

Abstract We investigated the star formation activities in the AFGL 333 region, which is in the vicinity of the W 4 expanding bubble, by conducting NH3 (1,1), (2,2), and (3,3) mapping observations with the 45 m Nobeyama Radio Telescope an angular resolution of 75″. The morphology of the NH3 (1,1) map shows a bow-shaped structure with the size of 2.0 × 0.6 pc as seen in the dust continuum. At the interface between the W 4 bubble and the dense NH3 cloud, the compact H ii region G134.2+0.8, associated with IRAS 02245+6115, is located. Interestingly, just at the north and south of G134.2+0.8 we found NH3 emission exhibiting large velocity widths of ∼2.8 km s−1, compared to 1.8 km s−1 at the other positions. As the possibility of mechanical energy injection through the activity of young stellar objects (YSOs) is low, we considered the origin of the large turbulent gas motion as an indication of interaction between the compact H ii region and the periphery of the dense molecular cloud. We also found expanding motion of the CO emission associated with G134.2+0.8. The overall structure of the AFGL 333-Ridge might have been formed by the expanding bubble of W 4. However, the small velocity widths observed to the west of IRAS 02245+6115, around the center of the dense molecular cloud, suggest that interaction with the compact H ii region is limited. Therefore the YSOs (dominantly Class 0/I) in the core of the AFGL 333-Ridge dense molecular cloud most likely formed in quiescent mode. As previously suggested for the large-scale star formation in the W 3 giant molecular cloud, our results show an apparent coexistence of induced and quiescent star formations in this region. It appears that star formation in the AFGL 333 region has proceeded without significant external triggers, but accompanying stellar feedback environment.

MERGER-INDUCED SHOCKS IN THE NEARBY LIRG VV 114 THROUGH METHANOL OBSERVATIONS WITH ALMA

ABSTRACT We report the detection of two CH3OH lines (J K = 2 K –1 K and 3 K –2 K ) between the progenitor’s disks (“Overlap”) of the mid-stage merging galaxy VV 114 obtained using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) Band 3 and Band 4. The detected CH3OH emission shows an extended filamentary structure (∼3 kpc) across the progenitor’s disks with relatively large velocity width (FWZI ∼ 150 km s−1). The emission is only significant in the “overlap” and not detected in the two merging nuclei. Assuming optically thin emission and local thermodynamic equilibrium, we found the CH3OH column density relative to H2 ( ) peaks at the “Overlap” (∼8 × 10−9), which is almost an order of magnitude larger than that at the eastern nucleus. We suggest that kpc-scale shocks driven by galaxy–galaxy collision may play an important role to enhance the CH3OH abundance at the “Overlap.” This scenario is consistent with shock-induced large velocity dispersion components of ionized gas that have been detected in optical wavelength at the same region. Conversely, low at the nuclear regions might be attributed to the strong photodissociation by nuclear starbursts and/or a putative active galactic nucleus, or inefficient production of CH3OH on dust grains due to initial high-temperature conditions (i.e., desorption of the precursor molecule, CO, into gas phase before forming CH3OH on dust grains). These ALMA observations demonstrate that CH3OH is a unique tool to address kpc-scale shock-induced gas dynamics and star formation in merging galaxies.

Statistical Study of High-Velocity Compact Clouds Based on the Complete CO Imagings of the Central Molecular Zone

High-velocity compact clouds (HVCCs) is one of the populations of peculiar clouds detected in the Central Molecular Zone (CMZ) of our Galaxy. They have compact appearances (< 5 pc) and large velocity widths (> 50 km s−1). Several explanations for the origin of HVCC were proposed; e.g., a series of supernovae (SN) explosions (Oka et al. 1999) or a gravitational kick by a point-like gravitational source (Oka et al. 2016). To investigate the statistical property of HVCCs, a complete list of them is acutely necessary. However, the previous list is not complete since the identification procedure included automated processes and manual selection (Nagai 2008). Here we developed an automated procedure to identify HVCCs in a spectral line data.

Kinematics of the Ultra-High-Velocity Gas in the Expanding Molecular Shell Adjacent to the W44 Supernova Remnant

High-velocity compact cloud (HVCC) is a peculiar category of molecular clouds detected in the central molecular zone of our Galaxy (Oka et al. 1998, 2007, and 2012). They are characterized by compact appearances (d < 5 pc) and very large velocity widths (Δ V > 50 km s−1). Some of them show high CO J=3–2/J=1–0 intensity ratios (≥ 1.5), indicating that they consist of dense and warm molecular gas. Dispite a number of efforts, we have not reached a comprehensive interpretation of HVCCs. Recently, we detected an extraordinaly broad velocity width feature, the ‘Bullet’, in the molecular cloud interacting with the W44 supernova remnant. The Bullet shares essential properties with HVCCs. Because of its proximity, a close inspection of the Bullet must contribute to the understanding of HVCCs.

Probing the cool interstellar and circumgalactic gas of three massive lensing galaxies atz= 0.4–0.7

We present multi-sightline absorption spectroscopy of cool gas around three lensing galaxies at z=0.4-0.7. These lenses have half-light radii r_e=2.6-8 kpc and stellar masses of log M*/Ms=10.9-11.4, and therefore resemble nearby passive elliptical galaxies. The lensed QSO sightlines presented here occur at projected distances of d=3-15 kpc (or d~1-2 r_e) from the lensing galaxies, providing for the first time an opportunity to probe both interstellar gas at r~r_e and circumgalactic gas at larger radii r>>re of these distant quiescent galaxies. We observe distinct gas absorption properties among different lenses and among sightlines of individual lenses. Specifically, while the quadruple lens for HE0435-1223 shows no absorption features to very sensitive limits along all four sightlines, strong Mg II, Fe II, Mg I, and Ca II absorption transitions are detected along both sightlines near the double lens for HE0047-1756, and in one of the two sightlines near the double lens for HE1104-1805. The absorbers are resolved into 8-15 individual components with a line-of-sight velocity spread of dv~300-600 km/s. The large ionic column densities, log N>14, observed in two components suggest that these may be Lyman limit or damped Lya absorbers with a significant neutral hydrogen fraction. The majority of the absorbing components exhibit a uniform super solar Fe/Mg ratio with a scatter of <0.1 dex across the full dv range. Given a predominantly old stellar population in these lensing galaxies, we argue that the observed large velocity width and Fe-rich abundance pattern can be explained by SNe Ia enriched gas at radius r~r_e. We show that additional spatial constraints in line-of-sight velocity and relative abundance ratios afforded by a multi-sightline approach provide a powerful tool to resolve the origin of chemically-enriched cool gas in massive halos.

FAINT CO LINE WINGS IN FOUR STAR-FORMING (ULTRA)LUMINOUS INFRARED GALAXIES

We report the results of a search for large velocity width, low-intensity line wings - a commonly used signature of molecular outflows - in four low redshift (ultra)luminous infrared galaxies (U/LIRGs) that appear to be dominated by star formation. The targets were drawn from a sample of fourteen such galaxies presented in Chung et al. (2011), who showed the stacked CO spectrum of the sample to exhibit 1000 km/s-wide line wings. We obtained sensitive, wide bandwidth imaging of our targets using the IRAM Plateau de Bure Interferometer. We detect each target at very high significance but do not find the claimed line wings in these four targets. Instead, we constrain the flux in the line wings to be only a few percent. Casting our results as mass outflow rates following Cicone et al. (2014) we show them to be consistent with a picture in which very high mass loading factors preferentially occur in systems with high AGN contributions to their bolometric luminosity. We identify one of our targets, IRAS05083 (VII Zw 31), as a candidate molecular outflow.

Fast cold gas in hot AGN outflows

Abstract Observations of the emission from spatially extended cold gas around bright high-redshift quasars (QSOs) reveal surprisingly large velocity widths exceeding 2000 km s− 1, out to projected distances as large as 30 kpc. The high-velocity widths have been interpreted as the signature of powerful AGN-driven outflows. Naively, these findings appear in tension with hydrodynamic models in which AGN-driven outflows are energy-driven and thus very hot with typical temperatures T ≳ 106–7 K. Using the moving-mesh code arepo, we perform ‘zoom-in’ cosmological simulations of a z ∼ 6 QSO and its environment, following black hole growth and feedback via energy-driven outflows. In the simulations, the QSO host galaxy is surrounded by a clumpy circumgalactic medium pre-enriched with metals due to supernovae-driven galactic outflows. As a result, part of the AGN-driven hot outflowing gas can cool radiatively, leading to large amounts ( ≳ 109 Mȯ) of cold gas comoving with the hot bipolar outflow. This results in velocity widths of spatially extended cold gas similar to those observed. We caution, however, that gas inflows, random motions in the deep potential well of the QSO host galaxy and cooling of supernovae-driven winds contribute significantly to the large velocity width of the cold gas in the simulations, complicating the interpretation of observational data.

Metal-enriched, subkiloparsec gas clumps in the circumgalactic medium of a faint z = 2.5 galaxy★

We report the serendipitous detection of a 0.2 L$^*$, Lyman-$\alpha$ emitting galaxy at redshift 2.5 at an impact parameter of 50 kpc from a bright background QSO sightline. A high-resolution spectrum of the QSO reveals a partial Lyman-limit absorption system ($N_\mathrm{HI}=10^{16.94\pm0.10}$ cm$^{-2}$) with many associated metal absorption lines at the same redshift as the foreground galaxy. Using photoionization models that carefully treat measurement errors and marginalise over uncertainties in the shape and normalisation of the ionizing radiation spectrum, we derive the total hydrogen column density $N_\mathrm{H}=10^{19.4\pm0.3}$ cm$^{-2}$, and show that all the absorbing clouds are metal enriched, with $Z=0.1$-$0.6 Z_\odot$. These metallicities and the system's large velocity width ($436$ km$\,$s$^{-1}$) suggest the gas is produced by an outflowing wind. Using an expanding shell model we estimate a mass outflow rate of $\sim5 M_\odot\,$yr$^{-1}$. Our photoionization model yields extremely small sizes ($<$100-500 pc) for the absorbing clouds, which we argue are typical of high column density absorbers in the circumgalactic medium (CGM). Given these small sizes and extreme kinematics, it is unclear how the clumps survive in the CGM without being destroyed by hydrodynamic instabilities. The small cloud sizes imply that even state-of-the-art cosmological simulations require more than a $1000$-fold improvement in mass resolution to resolve the hydrodynamics relevant for cool gas in the CGM.

3 mm band line survey toward the high-velocity compact cloud CO−0.40−0.22

AbstractHigh-velocity compact clouds (HVCCs) are a population of molecular clouds which have compact appearance (d &lt; 10 pc) and large velocity width (Δ V &gt; 50 km s−1), and are found in the central molecular zone of our Galaxy. We performed a 3 mm band line survey toward CO−0.40−0.22, a spatially unresolved HVCC with an extremely large velocity width (Δ V ≃ 90 km s−1), using the Mopra 22 m telescope. We surveyed the frequency range between 76 GHz and 116 GHz with a 0.27 MHz frequency resolution. We detect at least 54 lines from 32 molecules. Many line profiles show a prominent peak at vLSR ∼ 70 km s−1 with very large velocity width, indicating they are emitted by the HVCC. Detections of largish molecules are indicative of non-equilibrium chemistry. We extracted some prominent lines based on velocity structure, intensity ratios, and PCA analyses. Shock diagnostic lines (SiO, SO, CH3OH, HNCO) and dense gas probes (HCN, HCO+) appear to be prominent. Excitation analysis of CH3OH lines show an enhancement in Trot in the negative high-velocity end of the profile. These results suggest that CO−0.40−0.22 has experienced a shock, acceleration, compression, and heating in the recent past.

ASTE CO J = 3-2 SURVEY OF THE GALACTIC CENTER

We present high-resolution CO J = 3-2 maps of the Galactic center region, taken with the ASTE 10 m telescope. We have collected approximately 30,000 spectra with a 34'' grid spacing. The mapping area is roughly –18 < l < +35 and –08 < b < +09, which includes the central molecular zone and Bania's Clump 2, covering almost the full extent of the molecular gas concentration in the Galactic center. These CO J = 3-2 images show a behavior similar to the CO J = 1-0 images with the same resolution. Molecular gas in the Galactic center shows a higher J = 3-2/J = 1-0 intensity ratio (~0.7) than the gas in the spiral arms in the Galactic disk (~0.4). The CO J = 3-2/CO J = 1-0 luminosity ratio is 0.71. We see several regions with very high J = 3-2/J = 1-0 intensity ratios exceeding 1.5, including the Sgr A, l = +13, l = –04, and l = –12 regions. A number of small spots of high ratio gas are also found. Many of them have large velocity widths, indicating that they are spots of hot molecular gas shocked by unidentified supernovae and/or winds from massive stars.

Sagittarius A Molecular Cloud Complex in H13CO+ and Thermal SiO Emission Lines

Abstract We present results of a high-resolution wide-field mapping observation of the Sagittarius A (Sgr A) molecular cloud complex in H$^{13}$CO$^+$$J$$=$ 1–0 and thermal SiO $J$$=$ 2–1 emission lines with the 25-beam receiver of the 100 GHz band operating on the Nobeyama Radio Observatory 45-m telescope. The mapping area covers a 0$^\circ\!\!\!.$5 $\times$ 0$^\circ\!\!\!.$5 area involving several named molecular clouds, for example GCM$-$0.02$-$0.07, GCM$-$0.13$-$0.08, GCM 0.11$-$0.11, the Sickle molecular cloud, the Arched filaments molecular cloud, and so on. The data have an effective angular resolution of 26$''$. The H$^{13}$CO$^+$ emission line is a famous tracer of molecular gas mass because the line is optically thin, even in the Galactic center region, and is not emphasized by shock. The emission line presents a clumpy distribution of the molecular cloud. The averaged fractional abundance in the Sgr A complex is $N$(H$^{13}$CO$^+$)$/N_{\mathrm{H_2}}$$\simeq$ (1.8$\ \pm\ $0.4) $\times$ 10$^{-11}$, comparing the LTE mass and the virial theorem mass. The SiO emission line is a famous and reliable tracer of shocked molecular gas. We find many molecular clouds that are remarkable only in the SiO emission line. Such molecular clouds have a large velocity width of up to 60 km s$^{-1}$. The brightness temperature ratio is up to $T_{\mathrm{B}}$(SiO)$/T_{\mathrm{B}}$(H$^{13}$CO$^+$) $\lesssim$ 8. The features are dominated by shock SiO-enriched gas. In such clouds, the ratio of the fractional abundance of SiO and H$^{13}$CO$^+$ molecules is $X$(SiO)$/X$(H$^{13}$CO$^+$) $\sim$ 100. The features are presumably made by supernova remnants. We found a prototypical example in GCM$-$0.02$-$0.07. It has two distinct structures. One is a ridge-like structure contacting with the Sgr A East shell; another is an expanding shell-like structure. There is a wide-velocity width ridge of SiO-enriched gas in GCM 0.11$-$0.11, which is adjacent to Vertical filaments. This suggests that the collision with the molecular cloud accelerates relativistic electrons, which illuminate the Vertical filaments–Polarized Plumes complex.

ON THE PROGENITOR AND SUPERNOVA OF THE SN 2002cx-LIKE SUPERNOVA 2008ge,

We present observations of supernova (SN) 2008ge, which is spectroscopically similar to the peculiar SN 2002cx, and its pre-explosion site that indicate that its progenitor was probably a white dwarf. NGC 1527, the host galaxy of SN 2008ge, is an S0 galaxy with no evidence of star formation or massive stars. Astrometrically matching late-time imaging of SN 2008ge to pre-explosion HST imaging, we constrain the luminosity of the progenitor star. Since SN 2008ge has no indication of hydrogen or helium in its spectrum, its progenitor must have lost its outer layers before exploding, requiring that it be a white dwarf, a Wolf-Rayet star, or a lower-mass star in a binary system. Observations of the host galaxy show no signs of individual massive stars, star clusters, or H II regions at the SN position or anywhere else, making a Wolf-Rayet progenitor unlikely. Late-time spectroscopy of SN 2008ge show strong [Fe II] lines with large velocity widths compared to other members of this class at similar epochs. These previously unseen features indicate that a significant amount of the SN ejecta is Fe (presumably the result of radioactive decay of 56Ni generated in the SN), further supporting a thermonuclear explosion. Placing the observations of SN 2008ge in the context of observations of other objects in the class of SN, we suggest that the progenitor was most likely a white dwarf.

THE PERSISTENCE OF COOL GALACTIC WINDS IN HIGH STELLAR MASS GALAXIES BETWEENz∼ 1.4 AND ∼1

We present an analysis of the MgII 2796, 2803 and FeII 2586, 2600 absorption line profiles in coadded spectra of 468 galaxies at 0.7 < z < 1.5. The galaxy sample, drawn from the Team Keck Treasury Redshift Survey of the GOODS-N field, has a range in stellar mass (M_*) comparable to that of the sample at z~1.4 analyzed in a similar manner by Weiner et al. (2009; W09), but extends to lower redshifts and has specific star formation rates which are lower by ~0.6 dex. We identify outflows of cool gas from the Doppler shift of the MgII absorption lines and find that the equivalent width (EW) of absorption due to outflowing gas increases on average with M_* and star formation rate (SFR). We attribute the large EWs measured in spectra of the more massive, higher-SFR galaxies to optically thick absorbing clouds having large velocity widths. The outflows have hydrogen column densities N(H) > 10^19.3 cm^-2, and extend to velocities of ~500 km/s. While galaxies with SFR > 10 Msun/yr host strong outflows in both this and the W09 sample, we do not detect outflows in lower-SFR (i.e., log M_*/Msun < 10.5) galaxies at lower redshifts. Using a simple galaxy evolution model which assumes exponentially declining SFRs, we infer that strong outflows persist in galaxies with log M_*/Msun > 10.5 as they age between z=1.4 and z~1, presumably because of their high absolute SFRs. Finally, using high resolution HST/ACS imaging in tandem with our spectral analysis, we find evidence for a weak trend (at 1 sigma significance) of increasing outflow absorption strength with increasing galaxy SFR surface density.

PHYSICAL CONDITIONS IN THE LOW-IONIZATION COMPONENT OF STARBURST OUTFLOWS: THE SHAPE OF NEAR-ULTRAVIOLET AND OPTICAL ABSORPTION-LINE TROUGHS IN KECK SPECTRA OF ULIRGs

We analyze the physical conditions in the low-ionization component of starburst outflows (in contrast to the high-ionization wind fluid observed in X-rays), based on new Keck/LRIS spectroscopy of partially resolved absorption troughs in near-ultraviolet and optical spectra of Ultraluminous Infrared Galaxies. The large velocity width and blueshift present in seven, atomic transitions indicate a macroscopic velocity gradient within the outflowing gas. The \mgII 2796, 2803 (and \feII 2587, 2600) doublet lines in these data constrains the gas kinematics better than the heavily blended \nad 5892, 98 doublet. The identical shape of the \mgII 2796 absorption troughs to that of the normally weaker transition at 2803\AA requires both transitions be optically thick at all outflow velocities. The fraction of the galactic continuum covered by the outflow at each velocity therefore dictates the shape of these absorption troughs. We suggest that the velocity offset of the deepest part of the troughs, where the covering factor of low-ionization gas is near unity, reflects the speed of a shell of swept-up, interstellar gas at the time of blowout. In a spherical outflow, we show that the fragments of this shell expand slowly relative to the geometrical dilution; and the covering fraction of low-ionization gas decreases with increasing radius. Our measurement of a covering factor that decreases with increasing velocity can therefore be interpreted as evidence that the low-ionization outflow is accelerating. We also present measurements of C_f(v) in 4 species, place an upper limit of 3000 cm3 on the density of the outflowing gas, and discuss lower limits on the mass outflow rate.