Virial Radius Research Articles

The role of impact parameter in typical close galaxy flybys

Abstract Close galaxy flybys, interactions during which two galaxies inter-penetrate, are frequent and can significantly affect the evolution of individual galaxies. Equal-mass flybys are extremely rare and almost exclusively distant, while frequent flybys have mass ratios $q=0.1$ or lower, with a secondary galaxy penetrating deep into the primary. This can result in comparable strengths of interaction between the two classes of flybys and lead to essentially the same effects. To demonstrate this, emphasise and explore the role of the impact parameter further, we performed a series of N-body simulations of typical flybys with varying relative impact parameters $b/R_{\mathrm{vir},1}$ ranging from $0.114$ to $0.272$ of the virial radius of the primary galaxy. Two-armed spirals form during flybys, with radii of origin correlated with the impact parameter and strengths well approximated with an inverted S-curve. The impact parameter does not affect the shape of induced spirals, and the lifetimes of a distinguished spiral structure appear to be constant, $T_\mathrm{LF} \sim 2$ Gyr. Bars, with strengths anti-correlated with the impact parameter, form after the encounter is over in simulations with $b/R_{\mathrm{vir},1} \leq 0.178$ and interaction strengths $S\geq0.076$ , but they are short-lived except for the stronger interactions with $S\geq0.129$ . We showcase an occurrence of multiple structures (ring-like, double bar) that survives for an exceptionally long time in one of the simulations. Effects on the pre-existing bar instability, that develops much later, are diverse: from an acceleration of bar formation, little to no effect, to even bar suppression. There is no uniform correlation between these effects and the impact parameter, as they are secondary effects, happening later in a post-flyby stage. Classical bulges are resilient to flyby interactions, while dark matter halos can significantly spin up in the amount anti-correlated with the impact parameter. There is an offset angle between the angular momentum vector of the dark matter halo and that of a disc, and it correlates linearly with the impact parameter. Thus, flybys remain an important pathway for structural evolution within galaxies in the local Universe.

On the cosmic web elongation in fuzzy dark matter cosmologies: Effects on density profiles, shapes, and alignments of haloes

ABSTRACT The fuzzy dark matter (FDM) scenario has received increased attention in recent years due to the small-scale challenges of the vanilla Lambda cold dark matter (ΛCDM) cosmological model and the lack of any experimental evidence for any candidate particle. In this study, we use cosmological N-body simulations to investigate high-redshift dark matter haloes and their responsiveness to an FDM-like power spectrum cutoff on small scales in the primordial density perturbations. We study halo density profiles, shapes, and alignments in FDM-like cosmologies (the latter two for the first time) by providing fits and quantifying departures from ΛCDM as a function of the particle mass m. Compared to ΛCDM, the concentrations of FDM-like haloes are lower, peaking at an m-dependent halo mass and thus breaking the approximate universality of density profiles in ΛCDM. The intermediate-to-major and minor-to-major shape parameter profiles are monotonically increasing with ellipsoidal radius in N-body simulations of ΛCDM. In FDM-like cosmologies, the monotonicity is broken, haloes are more elongated around the virial radius than their ΛCDM counterparts and less elongated closer to the centre. Finally, intrinsic alignment correlations, stemming from the deformation of initially spherically collapsing haloes in an ambient gravitational tidal field, become stronger with decreasing m. At z ∼ 4, we find a 6.4σ-significance in the fractional differences between the isotropized linear alignment magnitudes Diso in the m = 10−22 eV model and ΛCDM. Such FDM-like imprints on the internal properties of virialized haloes are expected to be strikingly visible in the high-z Universe.

The flat entropy profile at the outskirts of the Abell 2244 galaxy cluster

ABSTRACT Entropy is an advantageous diagnostics to study the thermodynamic history of the intracluster plasma of galaxy clusters. We present the entropy profile of the Abell 2244 galaxy cluster derived both exclusively using X-ray data from the low-background Swift XRT telescope and using the Planck y data. The entropy profile derivation using X-rays only is robust at least to the virial radius because the cluster brightness is large compared to the X-ray background at low energies, the temperature is strongly bounded by the lack of cluster X-ray photons at energies kT > 3 keV, and the XRT background is low, stable, and understood. In the observed solid angle, about one quadrant, the entropy radial profile deviates from a power law at the virial radius, mainly because of a sharp drop in the cluster temperature. This bending of the entropy profile is confirmed when X-ray spectral information is replaced by the Compton map. Clumping and non-thermal pressure support are insufficient to restore a power-law entropy profile because they are bound to be small by: (i) the agreement between mass estimates from different tracers (gas and galaxies), (ii) the agreement between entropy profile determinations based on combinations of observables with different sensitivities and systematics, and (iii) the low value of clumping as estimated using the azimuthal scatter and the gas fraction. Based on numerical simulations, ion–electron equilibration is also insufficient to restore a linear entropy profile. Therefore, the bending of the entropy profiles seems to be robustly derived and witnesses the theoretically predicted decrease in the inflow through the virial boundary.

Millisecond Pulsars in Dense Star Clusters: Evolution, Scaling Relations, and the Galactic-center Gamma-Ray Excess

The number of millisecond pulsars (MSPs) observed in Milky Way globular clusters has increased explosively in recent years, but the underlying population is still uncertain due to observational biases. We use state-of-the-art N-body simulations to study the evolution of MSP populations in dense star clusters. These cluster models span a wide range in initial conditions, including different initial masses, metallicities, and virial radii, which nearly cover the full range of properties exhibited by the population of globular clusters in the Milky Way. We demonstrate how different initial cluster properties affect the number of MSPs, for which we provide scaling relations as a function of cluster age and mass. As an application, we use our formulae to estimate the number of MSPs delivered to the Galactic center from inspiralling globular clusters to probe the origin of the Galactic-center gamma-ray excess detected by Fermi. We predict about 400 MSPs in the Galactic center from disrupted globular clusters, which can potentially explain most of the observed gamma-ray excess.

MUSE-ALMA Haloes – VIII. Statistical study of circumgalactic medium gas

ABSTRACT The distribution of gas and metals in the circumgalactic medium (CGM) plays a critical role in how galaxies evolve. The MUSE-ALMA Haloes survey combines MUSE, ALMA, and HST observations to constrain the properties of the multiphase gas in the CGM and the galaxies associated with the gas probed in absorption. In this paper, we analyse the properties of galaxies associated with 32 strong ${\rm H\, {\small I}}$ Ly-α absorbers at redshift 0.2 ≲ z ≲ 1.4. We detect 79 galaxies within ±500 kms−1 of the absorbers in our 19 MUSE fields. These associated galaxies are found at physical distances from 5.7 kpc and reach star formation rates as low as 0.1 M⊙ yr−1. The significant number of associated galaxies allows us to map their physical distribution on the Δv and b plane. Building on previous studies, we examine the physical and nebular properties of these associated galaxies and find the following: (i) 27/32 absorbers have galaxy counterparts and more than 50 per cent of the absorbers have two or more associated galaxies, (ii) the ${\rm H\, {\small I}}$ column density of absorbers is anticorrelated with the impact parameter (scaled by virial radius) of the nearest galaxy as expected from simulations, (iii) the metallicity of associated galaxies is typically larger than the absorber metallicity, which decreases at larger impact parameters. It becomes clear that while strong ${\rm H\, {\small I}}$ absorbers are typically associated with more than a single galaxy, we can use them to statistically map the gas and metal distribution in the CGM.

Kinematics of the Local Group gas and galaxies in the hestia simulations

ABSTRACT We investigate the kinematic properties of gas and galaxies in the Local Group (LG) using high-resolution simulations performed by the hestia (High-resolution Environmental Simulations of The Immediate Area) collaboration. Our simulations include the correct cosmography surrounding LG-like regions consisting of two main spiral galaxies of ∼1012 M⊙, their satellites and minor isolated galaxies, all sharing the same large-scale motion within a volume of a few Mpc. We characterize the gas and galaxy kinematics within the simulated LGs, from the perspective of the Sun, to compare with observed trends from recent HST/COS absorption-line observations and LG galaxy data. To analyse the velocity pattern of LG gas and galaxies seen in the observational data, we build sky maps from the local standard of rest, and the Galactic and LG barycentre frames. Our findings show that the establishment of a radial velocity dipole at low/high latitudes, near the preferred barycentre direction, is a natural outcome of simulation kinematics for material outside the Milky Way virial radius after removing Galaxy rotation when the two main LG galaxies are approaching. Our results favour a scenario where gas and galaxies stream towards the LG barycentre producing a velocity dipole resembling observations. While our study shows in a qualitative way the global matter kinematics in the LG as part of its ongoing assembly, quantitative estimates of gas-flow rates and physical conditions of the LG gas have to await a more detailed modelling of the ionization conditions, which will be presented in a follow-up paper.

An intergalactic medium temperature from a giant radio galaxy

ABSTRACT The warm–hot intergalactic medium (warm–hot IGM, or WHIM) pervades the filaments of the Cosmic Web and harbours half of the Universe’s baryons. The WHIM’s thermodynamic properties are notoriously hard to measure. Here we estimate a galaxy group–WHIM boundary temperature using a new method. In particular, we use a radio image of the giant radio galaxy (giant RG, or GRG) created by NGC 6185, a massive nearby spiral. We analyse this extraordinary object with a Bayesian 3D lobe model and deduce an equipartition pressure Peq = 6 × 10−16 Pa – among the lowest found in RGs yet. Using an X-ray-based statistical conversion for Fanaroff–Riley II RGs, we find a true lobe pressure $P = 1.5\substack{+1.7\\ -0.4}\times 10^{-15}\ \mathrm{Pa}$. Cosmic Web reconstructions, group catalogues, and MHD simulations furthermore imply an Mpc–scale IGM density $1 + \delta _\mathrm{IGM} = 40\substack{+30\\ -10}$. The buoyantly rising lobes are crushed by the IGM at their inner side, where an approximate balance between IGM and lobe pressure occurs: PIGM ≈ P. The ideal gas law then suggests an IGM temperature $T_\mathrm{IGM} = 11\substack{+12\\-5} \times 10^6\ \mathrm{K}$, or $k_\mathrm{B}T_\mathrm{IGM} = 0.9\substack{+1.0\\-0.4}\ \mathrm{keV}$, at the virial radius – consistent with X-ray-derived temperatures of similarly massive groups. Interestingly, the method is not performing at its limit: in principle, estimates TIGM ∼ 4 × 106 K are already possible – rivalling the lowest X-ray measurements available. The technique’s future scope extends from galaxy group outskirts to the WHIM. In conclusion, we demonstrate that observations of GRGs in Cosmic Web filaments are finally sensitive enough to probe the thermodynamics of galaxy groups and beyond.

The soft X-ray background with Suzaku. I. Milky Way halo

Abstract We present measurements of the soft X-ray background emission for 130 Suzaku observations at 75° < l < 285° and |b| > 15° obtained from 2005 to 2015, covering nearly one solar cycle. In addition to the standard soft X-ray background model consisting of the local hot bubble and the Milky Way Halo (MWH), we include a hot collisional-ionization-equilibrium component with a temperature of ∼0.8 keV to reproduce spectra of a significant fraction of the lines of sight. Then, the scatter in the relation between the emission measure vs. temperature of the MWH component is reduced. Here, we exclude time ranges with high count rates to minimize the effect of the solar wind charge exchange (SWCX). However, the spectra of almost the same lines of sight are inconsistent. The heliospheric SWCX emissions likely contaminate and give a bias in measurements of temperature and the emission measure of the MWH. Excluding the data around the solar maximum and using the data taken before the end of 2009, at |b| > 35° and 105° < l < 255°, the temperature (0.22 keV) and emission measure (2 × 10−3 cm−6 pc) of the MWH are fairly uniform. The increase of the emission measure toward the lower Galactic latitude at |b| < 35° indicates the presence of a disk-like morphology component. A composite model which consists of disk-like and spherical-morphology components also reproduces the observed emission measure distribution of MWH. In this case, the hydrostatic mass at a few tens of kiloparsec from the Galactic center agrees with the gravitational mass of the Milky Way. The plasma with the virial temperature likely fills the Milky Way halo in nearly hydrostatic equilibrium. Assuming a gas metallicity of 0.3 solar, the upper limit of the gas mass of the spherical component out to 250 kpc, or the virial radius, is ∼ a few × 1010 M⊙.

Strong constraints on decay and annihilation of dark matter from heating of gas-rich dwarf galaxies

Gas-rich dwarf galaxies located outside the virial radius of their host are relatively pristine systems and have ultra-low gas cooling rates. This makes them very sensitive to heat injection by annihilation or decay of dark matter (DM). Such dwarfs are particularly sensitive to DM producing e$^\pm$ with energies 1$-$100 MeV or photons with energies 13.6 eV$-1$ keV, because these products can be efficiently thermalized in the neutral hydrogen gas of the dwarfs. Following the methodology of Wadekar and Farrar (2021), we require the rate of heat injection by DM to not exceed the ultra-low radiative cooling rate of gas in the Leo T dwarf galaxy. This gives model-independent bounds on $(i)$ the decay lifetime of DM to $e^\pm$ (photons) which are stronger than all the previous literature for $m_\mathrm{DM}\sim$ 1$-$10 MeV ($m_\mathrm{DM}\sim0.02-1$ keV), $(ii)$ annihilation of DM to $e^{\pm}$ comparable to constraints from CMB and X/$\gamma$-ray surveys. We also translate our bounds for the case of the following DM models: axion-like particles (ALPs), sterile neutrinos, excited DM states, higgs portal scalars and dark baryons. Observations of gas-rich low-mass dwarfs from upcoming 21cm and optical surveys can therefore be powerful probes of a multitude of models of DM.

Stellar angular momentum can be controlled from cosmological initial conditions

ABSTRACT The angular momentum of galaxies controls the kinematics of their stars, which in turn drives observable quantities such as the apparent radius, the bulge fraction, and the alignment with other nearby structures. To show how angular momentum of galaxies is determined, we build high (35 pc) resolution numerical experiments in which we increase or decrease the angular momentum of the Lagrangian patches in the early universe. We perform cosmological zoom-in simulations of three galaxies over their histories from z = 200 to z = 2, each with five different choices for the angular momentum (15 simulations in total). Our results show that altering early universe angular momentum changes the timing and orbital parameters of mergers, which in turn changes the total stellar angular momentum within a galaxy’s virial radius in a predictable manner. Of our three galaxies, one has no large satellite at z = 2; in this case, the specific angular momentum is concentrated in the central galaxy. Our changes to the initial conditions result in its stellar angular momentum changing over 0.7 dex (from 61 to ${320}\, {\rm kpc\, km\, s}^{-1}$) at z = 2. This causes its effective radius to grow by 40 per cent, its v/σ parameter to grow by a factor of 2.6, and its bulge fraction to decrease from 0.72 to 0.57. This proof of concept illustrates how causal studies can contribute to a better understanding of the origin of galaxy scaling relations and intrinsic alignments.

Suzaku Observations of the Cluster Outskirts and Intercluster Filament in the Triple Merger Cluster A98

We present Suzaku observations of the Abell 98 (A98) triple galaxy cluster system and the purported intercluster filament. The three subclusters are expected to lie along a large-scale cosmic filament. With partial azimuthal coverage of the northernmost cluster, we find that the inferred entropy profile of this relatively low-mass cluster (kT ≈ 2.8 keV) adheres to expectations from models of self-similar pure gravitational collapse in the region of the virial radius. There is evidence of extended structure beyond r 200 to the north of the northernmost cluster, along the merger axis, with properties consistent that are expected for the warm–hot intergalactic medium ( keV and n e = 7.6 × 10−5 ± 3.6 × 10−5 cm−3). No such emission is detected at the same radius in regions away from the merger axis, consistent with the expectation that the merger axis of this triple system lies along a large-scale cosmic filament. In the bridge region between A98N and A98S, there is evidence of filamentary emission at the 2.2σ level, as well as a tentative detection of cool gas (kT ∼ 1 keV). The entropy profile of this intercluster filament suggests that the A98 system is most likely aligned closer to the plane of the sky rather than along the line of sight. The structure to the north of the system, as well as in-between A98N and A98S, is indicative that the clusters are connected to a larger-scale structure spanning at least 4 Mpc.

Hubble Space Telescope Captures UGC 12591: bulge/disc properties, star formation and ‘missing baryons’ census in a very massive and fast-spinning hybrid galaxy

ABSTRACT We present Hubble Space Telescope (HST) observations of the nearby, massive, highly rotating hybrid galaxy UGC 12591, along with observations in the UV to FIRbands. HST data in V, I, and H bands is used to disentangle the structural components. Surface photometry shows a dominance of the bulge over the disc with an H-band B/D ratio of $69{{\,\rm per\,cent}}$. The spectral energy distribution (SED) fitting reveals an extremely low global star formation rate (SFR) of $\rm \sim 0.1\!-\!0.2\, M_\odot \, yr^{-1}$, exceptionally low for the galaxy’s huge stellar mass of $\rm 1.6\times 10^{11}M_\odot$, implying a strong quenching of its SFR with a star formation efficiency of 3–5 per cent. For at least the past $\rm 10^{8}$ yr, the galaxy has remained in a quiescent state as a sterile, ‘red and dead’ galaxy. UGC 12591 hosts a supermassive black hole (SMBH) of $\rm 6.18\times 10^{8} \, M_\odot$, which is possibly quiescent at present, i.e. we neither see large ($\rm \gt 1 kpc$) radio jets nor the SMBH contributing significantly to the mid-IR SED, ruling out strong radiative feedback of AGN. We obtained a detailed census of all observable baryons with a total mass of $\rm 6.46\times 10^{11} \, M_\odot$ within the virial radius, amounting to a baryonic deficiency of ${\sim }85{{\,\rm per\,cent}}$ relative to the cosmological mean. Only a small fraction of these baryons reside in a warm/hot circumgalactic X-ray halo, while the majority are still unobservable. We discussed various astrophysical scenarios to explain its unusual properties. Our work is a major step forward in understanding the assembly history of such extremely massive, isolated galaxies.

Observations of a Magellanic Corona

The Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) and the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) are the closest massive satellite galaxies of the Milky Way. They are probably on their first passage on an infalling orbit towards our Galaxy1 and trace the continuing dynamics of the Local Group2. Recent measurements of a high mass for the LMC (Mhalo ≈ 1011.1–11.4 M⊙)3–6 imply that the LMC should host a Magellanic Corona: a collisionally ionized, warm-hot gaseous halo at the virial temperature (105.3–5.5 K) initially extending out to the virial radius (100–130 kiloparsecs (kpc)). Such a corona would have shaped the formation of the Magellanic Stream7, a tidal gas structure extending over 200° across the sky2,8,9 that is bringing in metal-poor gas to the Milky Way10. Here we show evidence for this Magellanic Corona with a potential direct detection in highly ionized oxygen (O+5) and indirectly by means of triply ionized carbon and silicon, seen in ultraviolet (UV) absorption towards background quasars. We find that the Magellanic Corona is part of a pervasive multiphase Magellanic circumgalactic medium (CGM) seen in many ionization states with a declining projected radial profile out to at least 35 kpc from the LMC and a total ionized CGM mass of log10(MH II,CGM/M⊙) ≈ 9.1 ± 0.2. The evidence for the Magellanic Corona is a crucial step forward in characterizing the Magellanic group and its nested evolution with the Local Group.

Signatures of extended discs and outflows in the circumgalactic medium using the Q0107 quasar triplet

ABSTRACT We use H i absorption along the lines-of-sight to the Q0107 quasar triplet in order to model potential disc and outflow structures in the circumgalactic medium of intervening galaxies at z ≲ 1, as well as the intergalactic medium on scales of up to a few virial radii. We consider a sample of twelve isolated galaxies in the Q0107 field with position angles and inclinations measured from HST imaging as well as redshifts from our spectroscopic surveys, alongside 27 detected Ly α absorbers within 500 km s−1 of these galaxies. Building on previous work showing increased incidence of absorption close to the projected major and minor axes, we use model rotating discs and bi-conical outflows in attempting to reproduce the observed absorption. Requiring these models to match absorption in multiple lines-of-sight provides additional constraints over single-sightline observations. We identify four possible outflows with velocities ∼100 km s−1, two of which extend to or beyond the virial radius, with a variety of opening angles. Two galaxies have nearby co-rotating absorbers with rotation velocities ≲ vvir, that may probe disc-like structures, and we can rule out a disc/outflow origin for a further ten absorbers. These indicate that outflowing and co-rotating structures can extend to large scales but are either not ubiquitous, or do not always produce detectable Ly α. In some cases, disc models are successful even close to the minor axis of the galaxy, and some of our model outflows exhibit wide opening angles. These results imply that purely geometrical cuts are not sufficient to distinguish between discs and outflows in single line-of-sight studies.

Environmental cluster effects and galaxy evolution: The H i properties of the Abell clusters A85/A496/A2670

ABSTRACT We study the impact of the local environment on the transformation of spiral galaxies in three nearby (z < 0.08) Abell clusters: A85/A496/A2670. These systems were observed in H i with the Very Large Array, covering a volume extending beyond the virial radius and detecting 10, 58, and 38 galaxies, respectively. High fractions (0.40–0.86) of bright spirals [log(M*/M⊙) = 9−10] are not detected in H i. We provide further evidence of environmental effects consisting in significant fractions (0.10–0.33) of abnormal objects and a number of red (passive) spirals, suggesting an ongoing process of quenching. Ram-pressure profiles and the sample of the brightest spirals used as test particles for environmental effects indicate that ram-pressure plays an important role in stripping and transforming late-types. Phase-space diagrams and our search for substructures helped to trace the dynamical stage of the three systems. This was used to compare the global cluster effects versus pre-processing, finding that the former is the dominating mechanism in the studied clusters. By contrasting the global distribution of H i normal versus H i disturbed spirals in the combined three clusters, we confirm the expected correlation of disturbed objects located, on average, at shorter projected radii. However, individual clusters do not necessarily follow this trend, and we show that A496 and A2670 present atypical behaviour. In general, we provide conclusive evidence about the dependence of the transformation of infalling spirals on the ensemble of cluster properties like mass, ICM density, dynamical stage, and surrounding large-scale structure.

Mapping H i in the NGC 4636 Galaxy Group with FAST

This paper presents data from a 21 cm H i emission drift scan observation of a field partially covering the NGC 4636 galaxy group with the Five-hundred meter Aperture Radio Telescope (FAST). We construct a pipeline to reduce the data, and use SoFiA for source finding. When not contaminated by Radio Frequency Interference (RFI), the FAST observations are capable of detecting all of the galaxies previously detected by the Arecibo Legacy Fast ALFA (ALFALFA) survey in the same region. Comparing to ALFALFA for the detections in common, the FAST data show consistent integrated spectra when the H i disks are spatially unresolved, and capture more flux when the H i disks are resolved. The FAST data further reveal 10 new detections in the region mutually covered with ALFALFA, and 18 new detections beyond the footprint of ALFALFA. All of the new detections have the matching optical counterparts. For the member galaxies of the NGC 4636 group, the detection limit of FAST is deeper by 0.4 dex in H i mass than that of the ALFALFA data. After correcting for the incompleteness caused by RFI contamination, we show that the H i detection rate of galaxies rises steeply with radius out to the virial radius of the group, and flattens beyond that. We also examine four spatially resolved galaxy systems with potential tidal interaction features in detail. Considering that the data have been taken during the “shared-risk” period before a major source of local RFI was eliminated, the results highlight the power of FAST in detecting extragalactic H i.

The Missing Satellite Problem outside of the Local Group. II. Statistical Properties of Satellites of Milky Way–like Galaxies

We present a new observation of satellite galaxies around seven Milky Way (MW)–like galaxies located outside of the Local Group (LG) using Subaru/Hyper Suprime-Cam imaging data to statistically address the missing satellite problem. We select satellite galaxy candidates using magnitude, surface brightness, Sérsic index, axial ratio, FWHM, and surface brightness fluctuation cuts, followed by visual screening of false positives such as optical ghosts of bright stars. We identify 51 secure dwarf satellite galaxies within the virial radius of nine host galaxies, two of which are drawn from the pilot observation presented in Paper I. We find that the average luminosity function of the satellite galaxies is consistent with that of the MW satellites, although the luminosity function of each host galaxy varies significantly. We observe an indication that more massive hosts tend to have a larger number of satellites. Physical properties of the satellites such as the size–luminosity relation are also consistent with the MW satellites. However, the spatial distribution is different; we find that the satellite galaxies outside of the LG show no sign of concentration or alignment, while that of the MW satellites is more concentrated around the host and exhibits a significant alignment. As we focus on relatively massive satellites with M V < −10, we do not expect that the observational incompleteness can be responsible here. This trend might represent a peculiarity of the MW satellites, and further work is needed to understand its origin.

Absorption-based circumgalactic medium line emission estimates

ABSTRACT Motivated by integral field units (IFUs) on large ground telescopes and proposals for ultraviolet-sensitive space telescopes to probe circumgalactic medium (CGM) emission, we survey the most promising emission lines and how such observations can inform our understanding of the CGM and its relation to galaxy formation. We tie our emission estimates to both HST/COS absorption measurements of ions around z ≈ 0.2 Milky Way mass haloes and models for the density and temperature of gas. We also provide formulas that simplify extending our estimates to other samples and physical scenarios. We find that O iii 5007 Å and N ii 6583 Å, which at fixed ionic column density are primarily sensitive to the thermal pressure of the gas they inhabit, may be detectable with KCWI and especially IFUs on 30 m telescopes out to half a virial radius. O v 630 Å and O vi 1032,1038 Å are perhaps the most promising ultraviolet lines, with models predicting intensities &amp;gt;100 γ cm−2 s−1 sr−1 in the inner 100 kpc of Milky Way-like systems. A detection of O vi would confirm the collisionally ionized picture and constrain the density profile of the CGM. Other ultraviolet metal lines constrain the amount of gas that is actively cooling and mixing. We find that C iii 978 Å and C iv 1548 Å may be detectable if an appreciable fraction of the observed O vi column is associated with mixing or cooling gas. H α emission within $100\,$ kpc of Milky Way-like galaxies is within reach of current IFUs even for the minimum signal from ionizing background fluorescence, while hydrogen n &amp;gt; 2 Ly-series lines are too weak to be detectable.

Deprojection of X-ray data in galaxy clusters: confronting simulations with observations

ABSTRACT Numerical simulations with varying realism indicate an emergent principle−multiphase condensation and large cavity power occur when the ratio of the cooling time to the free-fall time (tcool/tff) falls below a threshold value close to 10. Observations indeed show cool-core signatures when this ratio falls below 20–30, but the prevalence of cores with tcool/tff ratio below 10 is rare as compared to simulations. In X-ray observations, we obtain projected spectra from which we have to infer radial gas density and temperature profiles. Using idealized models of X-ray cavities and multiphase gas in the core and 3D hydro jet-ICM simulations, we quantify the biases introduced by deprojection based on the assumption of spherical symmetry in determining tcool/tff. We show that while the used methods are able to recover the tcool/tff ratio for relaxed clusters, they have an uncertainty of a factor of 2−3 in systems containing large cavities (≳ 20 kpc). We also show that the mass estimates from these methods, in the absence of X-ray spectra close to the virial radius, suffer from a degeneracy between the virial mass (M200) and the concentration parameter (c) in the form of M200c2 ≈ constant. Additionally, the lack of soft-X-ray (≲ 0.5 keV) coverage and poor spatial resolution makes us overestimate min(tcool/tff) by a factor of few in clusters with min(tcool/tff) ≲ 5. This bias can largely explain the lack of cool-core clusters with min(tcool/tff) ≲ 5.

Velocity-dependent annihilation radiation from dark matter subhalos in cosmological simulations

We use the suite of Milky Way-like galaxies in the Auriga simulations to determine the contribution to annihilation radiation from dark matter subhalos in three velocity-dependent dark matter annihilation models: Sommerfeld, p-wave, and d-wave models. We compare these to the corresponding distribution in the velocity-independent s-wave annihilation model. For both the hydrodynamical and dark-matter-only simulations, only in the case of the Sommerfeld-enhanced annihilation does the total annihilation flux from subhalos exceed the total annihilation flux from the smooth halo component within the virial radius of the halo. Progressing from Sommerfeld to the s, p, and d-wave models, the contribution from the smooth component of the halo becomes more dominant, implying that for the p-wave and d-wave models the smooth component is by far the dominant contribution to the radiation. Comparing to the Galactic center excess observed by Fermi-LAT, for all simulated halos the emission is dominated by the smooth halo contribution. However, it is possible that for Sommerfeld models, extrapolation down to mass scales below the current resolution limit of the simulation would imply a non-negligible contribution to the gamma-ray emission from the Galactic Center region.