Stephan's Quintet Research Articles

Deep H i Mapping of Stephan’s Quintet and Its Neighborhood

We carried out deep mapping observations of the atomic hydrogen (H i) 21 cm line emission in a field centered on the famous galaxy group Stephan's Quintet (SQ), using the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST) equipped with a 19-beam receiver. The final data cube reaches an H i column density sensitivity of 5σ = 2.1 × 1017 cm−2 per 20 km s−1 channel with an angular resolution of 4.′0. The discovery of a large diffuse feature of the H i emission in the outskirts of the intragroup medium of SQ was reported in a previous paper (Xu et al.). Here we present a new study of the total H i emission of SQ and the detection of several neighboring galaxies, exploiting the high sensitivity and the large sky coverage of the FAST observations. A total H i mass of M H I = 3.48 ± 0.35 × 1010 M ☉ is found for SQ, which is significantly higher than previous measurements in the literature. This indicates that, contrary to earlier claims, SQ is not H i deficient. The excessive H i gas is mainly found in the velocity ranges of 6200–6400 km s−1 and 6800–7000 km s−1, which were undetected in previous observations that are less sensitive than ours. Our results suggest that the “missing H i” in compact groups may be hidden in the low-density diffuse neutral gas instead of in the ionized gas.

First James Webb Space Telescope´s images

From left to right and from top to bottom: 1. The Stephan's Quintet (interacting galaxies' group), 40 million and 290 million light-years away; 2. The Cartwheel Galaxy, a merger of galaxies of 144,300 light-years across, 500 million light-years away; 3. The spectrum of the exoplanet WASP-96b (1,150 light-years away), showing evaporated water; 4. James Webb telescope in its clean room; 5. The South Ring Nebula, 2,500 light-years away (12 light-years across); 6. Galactic cluster in the early universe SMACS 07323, 4,600,000,000 light-years away; 7. The star formation region NGC 3324 (Gabriela Mistral) in the Carina Nebula (NGC3372), 7,600 light-years away.

Extremely Broad Lyα Line Emission from the Molecular Intragroup Medium in Stephan’s Quintet: Evidence for a Turbulent Cascade in a Highly Clumpy Multiphase Medium?

Abstract We present Hubble Space Telescope Cosmic Origin Spectrograph (COS) UV line spectroscopy and integral-field unit (IFU) observations of the intragroup medium in Stephan’s Quintet (SQ). SQ hosts a 30 kpc long shocked ridge triggered by a galaxy collision at a relative velocity of 1000 km s−1, where large amounts of molecular gas coexist with a hot, X-ray-emitting, plasma. COS spectroscopy at five positions sampling the diverse environments of the SQ intragroup medium reveals very broad (≈2000 km s−1) Lyα line emission with complex line shapes. The Lyα line profiles are similar to or much broader than those of Hβ, [C ii]157.7 μm, and CO (1–0) emission. The extreme breadth of the Lyα emission, compared with Hβ, implies resonance scattering within the observed structure. Scattering indicates that the neutral gas of the intragroup medium is clumpy, with a significant surface covering factor. We observe significant variations in the Lyα/Hβ flux ratio between positions and velocity components. From the mean line ratio averaged over positions and velocities, we estimate the effective escape fraction of Lyα photons to be ≈10%–30%. Remarkably, over more than four orders of magnitude in temperature, the powers radiated by X-rays, Lyα, H2, and [C ii] are comparable within a factor of a few, assuming that the ratio of the Lyα to H2 fluxes over the whole shocked intragroup medium stay in line with those observed at those five positions. Both shocks and mixing layers could contribute to the energy dissipation associated with a turbulent energy cascade. Our results may be relevant for the cooling of gas at high redshifts, where the metal content is lower than in this local system, and a high amplitude of turbulence is more common.

Searching for intergalactic star forming regions in Stephan’s Quintet with SITELLE

Based on SITELLE spectroscopy data, we studied the ionised gas emission for the 175 Hα emission regions in the Stephan’s Quintet (SQ). In this paper we perform a detailed analysis of the star formation rate (SFR), oxygen abundance, and nitrogen-to-oxygen abundance ratio (N/O) of the SQ regions, with the intention of exploring the provenance and evolution of this complex structure. According to the BPT diagram, we found 91 HII, 17 composite, and 7 active galactic nucleus-like regions in SQ. Several regions are compatible with fast shocks models without a precursor for solar metallicity and low density (n = 0.1 cm−3), with velocities in the range of 175–300 km s−1. We derived the total SFR in SQ (log(SFR/M⊙ yr−1 = 0.496)). Twenty-eight percent of the total SFR in SQ comes from starburst A, while 9% is in starburst B, and 45% comes from the regions with a radial velocity lower than 6160 km s−1. For this reason, we assume that the material prior to the collision with the new intruder does not show a high SFR, and therefore SQ was apparently quenched. When considering the integrated SFR for the whole SQ and the new intruder, we found that both zones have a SFR consistent with those obtained in the SDSS star-forming galaxies. At least two chemically different gas components cohabit in SQ where, on average, the regions with high radial velocities (v > 6160 km s−1) have lower values of oxygen abundance and N/O than those with low radial velocities (v ≤ 6160 km s−1). The values found for the line ratios considered in this study, as well as in the oxygen abundance and N/O for the southern debris region and the northernmost tidal tail, are compatible with regions belonging to the outer part of the galaxies. We highlight the presence of inner-outer variation for metallicity and some emission line ratios along the new intruder strands and the young tidal tail south strand. Finally, the SQ Hα regions are outside the galaxies because the interactions have dispersed the gas to the peripheral zones.

Redshift effect implications on revised models of Stephan’s Quintet

Recent observations of Stephan’s Quintet (SQ) gave new indications on its formation scenario. Older formation and role of NCG 7317 should be considered in revised numerical models of the compact group. Velocities of group members to recreate are estimated from redshift measurements. Several effects contribute to observed redshifts and a new effect is predicted to be the result of the gravitational interaction between photons and constant magnetic fields creating gravitational waves. The energy carried by these waves is manifested as redshifts of the photons. Cosmological simulation data are used to prove the significant contribution of our effect. The analysis of synthetic observations created from those simulations has shown that redshifts of SQ members could be misinterpreted as caused only from Doppler Effect. The revised models of the group should consider a new method to recreate the formation scenario based on redshift patterns and not mis-estimated velocities.

Searching for intergalactic star forming regions in Stephan’s Quintet with SITELLE

Stephan’s Quintet (SQ), the prototypical compact group of galaxies in the local Universe, has been observed with the imaging Fourier transform spectrometer SITELLE, attached to the Canada-France-Hawaii-Telescope, to perform a deep search for intergalactic star-forming emission. In this paper we present the extended ionised gaseous structures detected and analyse their kinematical properties. The large field of view (11′ × 11′) and the spectral ranges of SITELLE have allowed a thorough study of the entire galaxy system, its interaction history and the main properties of the ionised gas. The observations have revealed complex three-dimensional strands in SQ seen for the first time, as well as the spatially resolved velocity field for a new SQ dwarf galaxy (M 82-like) and the detailed spectral map of NGC 7320c, confirming its AGN nature. A total of 175 SQ Hα emission regions have been found, 22 of which present line profiles with at least two kinematical components. We studied 12 zones and 28 sub-zones in the SQ system in order to define plausible physical spatial connections between its different parts in the light of the kinematical information gathered. In this respect we have found five velocity systems in SQ: (i) v = [5600−5900] km s−1 associated with the new intruder and the southern debris region; (ii) v = [5900−6100] km s−1, associated with the north starburst A and south starburst A and the strands connected to these zones; (iii) v = [6100−6600] km s−1, associated with the strands from the large-scale shock region (LSSR); (iv) v = [6600−6800] km s−1, associated with the young tidal tail, the starburst A (SQA), NGC 7319, and the NGC 7319 north lobe; and (v) v = [6800−7000] km s−1, associated with the strands seen connecting LSSR with SQA. We fail to detect ionised gas emission in the old tail, neither in the vicinity of NGC 7318A nor in NGC 7317, and the connection between NGC 7319 north lobe and SQA cannot be confirmed. Conversely, a clear gaseous bridge has been confirmed both spatially and kinematically between the LSSR zone and the NGC 7319 AGN nucleus. Finally, a larger scale, outer rim winding the NGC 7318B/A system clockwise north-west to south-east has been highlighted in continuum and in Hα. This structure may be reminiscent of a sequence of a previously proposed scenario for SQ a sequence of individual interactions.

Revisiting Stephan's Quintet with deep optical images

Abstract Stephan's Quintet, a compact group of galaxies, is often used as a laboratory to study a number of phenomena, including physical processes in the interstellar medium, star formation, galaxy evolution, and the formation of fossil groups. As such, it has been subject to intensive multiwavelength observation campaigns. Yet, models lack constrains to pin down the role of each galaxy in the assembly of the group. We revisit here this system with multiband deep optical images obtained with MegaCam on the Canada–France–Hawaii Telescope (CFHT), focusing on the detection of low surface brightness (LSB) structures. They reveal a number of extended LSB features, some new, and some already visible in published images but not discussed before. An extended diffuse, reddish, lopsided, halo is detected towards the early-type galaxy NGC 7317, the role of which had so far been ignored in models. The presence of this halo made of old stars may indicate that the group formed earlier than previously thought. Finally, a number of additional diffuse filaments are visible, some close to the foreground galaxy NGC 7331 located in the same field. Their structure and association with mid-infrared emission suggest contamination by emission from Galactic cirrus.

The role of molecular gas in galaxy transition in compact groups

Compact groups (CGs) provide an environment in which interactions between galaxies and with the intra-group medium enable and accelerate galaxy transitions from actively star forming to quiescent. Galaxies in transition from active to quiescent can be selected, by their infrared (IR) colors, as canyon or infrared transition zone (IRTZ) galaxies. We used a sample of CG galaxies with IR data from the Wide Field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) allowing us to calculate the stellar mass and star formation rate (SFR) for each galaxy. Furthermore, we present new CO(1-0) data for 27 galaxies and collect data from the literature to calculate the molecular gas mass for a total sample of 130 galaxies. This data set allows us to study the difference in the molecular gas fraction (Mmol/Mstar) and star formation efficiency (SFE=SFR/Mmol) between active, quiescent, and transitioning (i.e., canyon and IRTZ) galaxies. We find that transitioning galaxies have a mean molecular gas fraction and a mean SFE that are significantly lower than those of actively star-forming galaxies. The molecular gas fraction is higher than that of quiescent galaxies, whereas the SFE is similar. These results indicate that the transition from actively star-forming to quiescent in CG galaxies goes along with a loss of molecular gas, possibly due to tidal forces exerted from the neighboring galaxies or a decrease in the gas density. In addition, the remaining molecular gas loses its ability to form stars efficiently, possibly owing to turbulence perturbing the gas, as seen in other, well-studied examples such as Stephan's Quintet and HCG~57. Thus, the amount and properties of molecular gas play a crucial role in the environmentally driven transition of galaxies from actively star forming to quiescent.

Powerful H2 Line Cooling in Stephan’s Quintet. II. Group-wide Gas and Shock Modeling of the Warm H2 and a Comparison with [C ii] 157.7 μm Emission and Kinematics

Abstract We map for the first time the two-dimensional H2 excitation of warm intergalactic gas in Stephan's Quintet on group-wide (50 × 35 kpc2) scales to quantify the temperature, mass, and warm H2 mass fraction as a function of position using Spitzer. Molecular gas temperatures are seen to rise (to T > 700 K) and the slope of the power-law density–temperature relation flattens along the main ridge of the filament, defining the region of maximum heating. We also performed MHD modeling of the excitation properties of the warm gas, to map the velocity structure and energy deposition rate of slow and fast molecular shocks. Slow magnetic shocks were required to explain the power radiated from the lowest-lying rotational states of H2, and strongly support the idea that energy cascades down to small scales and low velocities from the fast collision of NGC 7318b with group-wide gas. The highest levels of heating of the warm H2 are strongly correlated with the large-scale stirring of the medium as measured by [C ii] spectroscopy with Herschel. H2 is also seen associated with a separate bridge that extends toward the Seyfert nucleus in NGC 7319, from both Spitzer and CARMA CO observations. This opens up the possibility that both galaxy collisions and outflows from active galactic nuclei can turbulently heat gas on large scales in compact groups. The observations provide a laboratory for studying the effects of turbulent energy dissipation on group-wide scales, which may provide clues about the heating and cooling of gas at high z in early galaxy and protogalaxy formation.

STRONG C+EMISSION IN GALAXIES ATz∼ 1-2: EVIDENCE FOR COLD FLOW ACCRETION POWERED STAR FORMATION IN THE EARLY UNIVERSE

We have recently detected the [CII] 157.7 micron line in eight star forming galaxies at redshifts 1 to 2 using the redshift(z) Early Universe Spectrometer (ZEUS). Our sample targets star formation dominant sources detected in PAH emission. This represents a significant addition to [CII] observations during the epoch of peak star formation. We have augmented this survey with observations of the [OI] 63 micron line and far infrared photometry from the PACS and SPIRE Herschel instruments as well as Spitzer IRS spectra from the literature showing PAH features. Our sources exhibit above average gas heating efficiency, many with both [OI]/FIR and [CII]/FIR ~1% or more. The relatively strong [CII] emission is consistent with our sources being dominated by star formation powered PDRs, extending to kpc scales. We suggest that the star formation mode in these systems follows a Schmidt-Kennicutt law similar to local systems, but at a much higher rate due to molecular gas surface densities 10 to 100 times that of local star forming systems. The source of the high molecular gas surface densities may be the infall of neutral gas from the cosmic web. In addition to the high [CII]/FIR values, we also find high [CII]/PAH ratios and, in at least one source, a cool dust temperature. This source, SWIRE 4-5, bears a resemblance in these diagnostics to shocked regions of Stephan's Quintet, suggesting that another mode of [CII] excitation in addition to normal photoelectric heating may be contributing to the observed [CII] line.

A study of the ionized gas in Stephan's Quintet from integral field spectroscopy observations★

The Stephan's Quintet (SQ) is a famous interacting compact group of galaxies in an important stage of dynamical evolution, but surprisingly very few spectroscopic studies are found in the literature. We present optical integral field spectroscopy (IFS) observations of the SQ from the PPAK IFS Nearby Galaxies Survey (PINGS), that provide a powerful way of studying with spatial resolution the physical characteristics of the ionized gas within the group. The nature of the gas emission is analysed using 2D maps of continuum-subtracted, pure emission-line intensities, stacked spectra, diagnostic diagrams, and photoionization model predictions. In the case of NGC 7319, we study the galaxy-wide high-velocity outflow emission by comparing the emission properties with theoretical shock and AGN models. We conclude that the excitation mechanism of the gas in this galaxy is a mixture of AGN photoionization and shocks with a photoionizing precursor. The emission spectra from the large scale shock front in the interacting pair NGC 7318A/B is analysed, confirming the presence of several kinematic components. Comparison with predictions from theoretical shock models suggests that the gas emission is consistent with shocks without a photoionizing precursor, low pre-shock density, and velocities in the range of 200 - 400 km s-1. The gas oxygen abundance for NGC 7318B is determined using an updated O3N2 calibration. Although NGC 7317 shows no significant gas emission, an ionizing cluster is found southwest of this galaxy, probably the result of tidal interaction. As a by-product, we analyse the gas emission of the foreground galaxy NGC 7320.

SHOCKS AND STAR FORMATION IN STEPHAN'S QUINTET. I. GEMINI SPECTROSCOPY OF Hα-BRIGHT KNOTS

We present a Gemini-GMOS spectroscopic study of Hubble Space Telescope (HST)-selected Hα-emitting regions in Stephan's Quintet (HCG 92), a nearby compact galaxy group, with the aim of disentangling the processes of shock-induced heating and star formation in its intra-group medium. The ≈40 sources are distributed across the system, but most densely concentrated in the ∼kiloparsec-long shock region. Their spectra neatly divide them into narrow- and broad-line emitters, and we decompose the latter into three or more emission peaks corresponding to spatial elements discernible in HST imaging. The emission-line ratios of the two populations of Hα-emitters confirm their nature as H ii regions (90% of the sample) or molecular gas heated by a shock front propagating at ≲300 km s−1. Their redshift distribution reveals interesting three-dimensional structure with respect to gas-phase baryons, with no H ii regions associated with shocked gas, no shocked regions in the intruder galaxy NGC 7318B, and a sharp boundary between shocks and star formation. We conclude that star formation is inhibited substantially, if not entirely, in the shock region. Attributing those H ii regions projected against the shock to the intruder, we find a lopsided distribution of star formation in this galaxy, reminiscent of pileup regions in models of interacting galaxies. The Hα luminosities imply mass outputs, star formation rates, and efficiencies similar to nearby star-forming regions. Two large knots are an exception to this, being comparable in stellar output to the prolific 30 Doradus region. We also examine Stephan's Quintet in the context of compact galaxy group evolution, as a paradigm for intermittent star formation histories in the presence of a rich, X-ray-emitting intra-group medium. All spectra are provided as supplemental materials.

Optical spectra of Halpha-bright knots in Stephan's Quintet

Optical spectra of Halpha-bright knots in Stephan's Quintet

SHOCK-ENHANCED C+EMISSION AND THE DETECTION OF H2O FROM THE STEPHAN'S QUINTET GROUP-WIDE SHOCK USINGHERSCHEL

We present the first Herschel spectroscopic detections of the [OI]63 and [CII]158 micron fine-structure transitions, and a single para-H2O line from the 35 x 15 kpc^2 shocked intergalactic filament in Stephan's Quintet. The filament is believed to have been formed when a high-speed intruder to the group collided with clumpy intergroup gas. Observations with the PACS spectrometer provide evidence for broad (> 1000 km s^-1) luminous [CII] line profiles, as well as fainter [OI]63micron emission. SPIRE FTS observations reveal water emission from the p-H2O (111-000) transition at several positions in the filament, but no other molecular lines. The H2O line is narrow, and may be associated with denser intermediate-velocity gas experiencing the strongest shock-heating. The [CII]/PAH{tot) and [CII]/FIR ratios are too large to be explained by normal photo-electric heating in PDRs. HII region excitation or X-ray/Cosmic Ray heating can also be ruled out. The observations lead to the conclusion that a large fraction the molecular gas is diffuse and warm. We propose that the [CII], [OI] and warm H2 line emission is powered by a turbulent cascade in which kinetic energy from the galaxy collision with the IGM is dissipated to small scales and low-velocities, via shocks and turbulent eddies. Low-velocity magnetic shocks can help explain both the [CII]/[OI] ratio, and the relatively high [CII]/H2 ratios observed. The discovery that [CII] emission can be enhanced, in large-scale turbulent regions in collisional environments has implications for the interpretation of [CII] emission in high-z galaxies.

Intergalactic magnetic fields in Stephan's Quintet

We present results of the VLA radio continuum total power and polarised intensity observations of Stephan's Quintet at 1.43 and 4.86 GHz along with complementary 4.85 and 8.35 GHz Effelsberg observations. Our study shows a large envelope of radio emission encompassing all the member galaxies and hence a large volume of intergalac- tic matter. Infall of the galaxy NGC 7318B produces a ridge of intergalactic, polarised emission, for which the magnetic field strength was estimated as 11.0 \pm 2.2 {\mu}G, with an ordered component of 2.6 \pm 0.8 {\mu}G. The energy density of the field within the ridge area is of the same order as estimates of the thermal component, implying a significant role of the magnetic field in the dynamics of the intergalactic matter. We also report that the tidal dwarf galaxy candidate SQ-B possesses a strong and highly anisotropic magnetic field with the total strength being equal to 6.5 \pm 1.9 {\mu}G and an ordered component reaching 3.5 \pm 1.2 {\mu}G, which is comparable to that found in normal-sized galaxies.

ENHANCED WARM H2EMISSION IN THE COMPACT GROUP MID-INFRARED “GREEN VALLEY”

We present results from a Spitzer, mid-infrared spectroscopy study of a sample of 74 galaxies located in 23 Hickson Compact Groups, chosen to be at a dynamically-active stage of HI depletion. We find evidence for enhanced warm H2 emission (i.e. above that associated with UV excitation in star-forming regions) in 14 galaxies (~20%), with 8 galaxies having extreme values of L(H2 S(0)-S(3))/L(7.7micron PAH), in excess of 0.07. Such emission has been seen previously in the compact group HCG 92 (Stephan's Quintet), and was shown to be associated with the dissipation of mechanical energy associated with a large-scale shock caused when one group member collided, at high velocity, with tidal debris in the intragroup medium. Similarly, shock excitation or turbulent heating is likely responsible for the enhanced H2 emission in the compact group galaxies, since other sources of heating (UV or X-ray excitation from star formation or AGN) are insufficient to account for the observed emission. The group galaxies fall predominantly in a region of mid-infrared color-color space identified by previous studies as being connected to rapid transformations in HCG galaxy evolution. Furthermore, the majority of H2-enhanced galaxies lie in the optical "green valley" between the blue cloud and red-sequence, and are primarily early-type disk systems. We suggest that H2-enhanced systems may represent a specific phase in the evolution of galaxies in dense environments and provide new insight into mechanisms which transform galaxies onto the optical red sequence.

Synthetic X-ray and radio maps for two different models of Stephan's Quintet

We present simulations of the compact galaxy group Stephan's Quintet (SQ) including magnetic fields, performed with the N-body/smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) code \textsc{Gadget}. The simulations include radiative cooling, star formation and supernova feedback. Magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) is implemented using the standard smoothed particle magnetohydrodynamics (SPMHD) method. We adapt two different initial models for SQ based on Renaud et al. and Hwang et al., both including four galaxies (NGC 7319, NGC 7320c, NGC 7318a and NGC 7318b). Additionally, the galaxies are embedded in a magnetized, low density intergalactic medium (IGM). The ambient IGM has an initial magnetic field of $10^{-9}$ G and the four progenitor discs have initial magnetic fields of $10^{-9} - 10^{-7}$ G. We investigate the morphology, regions of star formation, temperature, X-ray emission, magnetic field structure and radio emission within the two different SQ models. In general, the enhancement and propagation of the studied gaseous properties (temperature, X-ray emission, magnetic field strength and synchrotron intensity) is more efficient for the SQ model based on Renaud et al., whose galaxies are more massive, whereas the less massive SQ model based on Hwang et al. shows generally similar effects but with smaller efficiency. We show that the large shock found in observations of SQ is most likely the result of a collision of the galaxy NGC 7318b with the IGM. This large group-wide shock is clearly visible in the X-ray emission and synchrotron intensity within the simulations of both SQ models. The order of magnitude of the observed synchrotron emission within the shock front is slightly better reproduced by the SQ model based on Renaud et al., whereas the distribution and structure of the synchrotron emission is better reproduced by the SQ model based on Hwang et al..

OBSERVATIONS OF STAR FORMATION INDUCED BY GALAXY-GALAXY AND GALAXY-INTERGALACTIC MEDIUM INTERACTIONS WITH AKARI

Nearby spiral galaxies M101 and M81 are considered to have undergone a galaxy-galaxy interaction. M101 has experienced HI gas infall due to the interaction. With AKARI far-infrared (IR) photometric observations, we found regions with enhanced star forming activity, which are spatially close to regions affected by the interaction. In addition, the relation between the star formation rate (SFR) and the gas content for such regions shows a significant difference from typical spiral arm regions. We discuss possible explanations for star formation processes on a kiloparsec scale and the association with interaction-triggered star formation. We also observed the compact group of galaxies Stephan’s Quintet (SQ) with the AKARI Far-infrared Surveyor (FIS). The SQ shows diffuse intergalactic medium (IGM) due to multiple collisions between the member galaxies and the IGM. The intruder galaxy NGC 7318b is currently colliding with the IGM and causes a large-scale shock. The 160 micron image clearly shows the structure along the shock ridge as seen in warm molecular hydrogen line emission and X-ray emission. The far-IR emission from the shocked region comes from the luminous [CII]158 ㎛ line and cold dust (~20 K) that coexist with molecular hydrogen gas. Survival of dust grains is indispensable to form molecular hydrogen gas within the collision age (~5 Myr). At the stage of the dusty IGM environment, [CII] and H₂ lines rather than X-ray emission are powerful cooling channels to release the collision energy.

DETECTION OF POWERFUL MID-IR H2EMISSION IN THE BRIDGE BETWEEN THE TAFFY GALAXIES

We report the detection of strong, resolved emission from warm H2 in the Taffy galaxies and bridge. Relative to the continuum and faint PAH emission, the H2 emission is the strongest in the connecting bridge, approaching L(H2)/L(PAH8{\mu}m) = 0.1 between the two galaxies, where the purely rotational lines of H2 dominate the mid-infrared spectrum in a way very reminiscent of the group-wide shock in the interacting group Stephan's Quintet. The surface brightness in the 0-0 S(0) and S(1) H2 lines in the bridge is more than twice that observed at the center of the Stephan's Quintet shock. We observe a warm H2 mass of 4.2 \times 108 M\odot in the bridge, but taking into account the unobserved bridge area, the total warm mass is likely to be twice this value. We use excitation diagrams to characterize the warm molecular gas, finding an average surface mass of 5 \times 106 M\odot kpc-2 and typical excitation temperatures of 150-175 K. H2 emission is also seen in the galaxy disks, although there the emission is more consistent with normal star forming galaxies. We investigate several possible heating mechanisms for the bridge gas, but favor the conversion of kinetic energy from the head-on collision via turbulence and shocks as the main heating source. Since the cooling time for the warm H2 is short (5000 yr), shocks must be permeating the molecular gas in bridge region in order to continue heating the H2.

TURBULENT MOLECULAR GAS AND STAR FORMATION IN THE SHOCKED INTERGALACTIC MEDIUM OF STEPHAN'S QUINTET

We report on single-dish radio CO observations towards the inter-galactic medium (IGM) of the Stephan's Quintet (SQ) group of galaxies. Extremely bright mid-IR H2 rotational line emission from warm molecular gas has been detected by Spitzer in the kpc-scale shock created by a galaxy collision. We detect in the IGM CO(1-0), (2-1) and (3-2) line emission with complex profiles, spanning a velocity range of 1000 km/s. The spectra exhibit the pre-shock recession velocities of the two colliding gas systems (5700 and 6700 km/s), but also intermediate velocities. This shows that much of the molecular gas has formed out of diffuse gas accelerated by the galaxy-tidal arm collision. A total H2 mass of 5x10^9 Msun is detected in the shock. The molecular gas carries a large fraction of the gas kinetic energy involved in the collision, meaning that this energy has not been thermalized yet. The turbulent kinetic energy of the H2 gas is at least a factor of 5 greater than the thermal energy of the hot plasma heated by the collision. The ratio between the warm H2 mass derived from Spitzer IRS spectroscopy and the H2 mass derived from CO fluxes is ~0.3 in the IGM of SQ, which is 10-100 times higher than in star-forming galaxies. In the shocked region, the ratio of the PAH-to-CO surface luminosities, commonly used to measure the star formation efficiency of the H2 gas, is lower (up to a factor 75) than the observed values in star-forming galaxies. We suggest that turbulence fed by the galaxy-tidal arm collision maintains a high heating rate within the H2 gas. This interpretation implies that the velocity dispersion on the scale of giant molecular clouds in SQ is one order of magnitude larger than the Galactic value. The high amplitude of turbulence may explain why this gas is not forming stars efficiently. [abridged version]