| 1. |
- Hayes, Matthew J., et al.
(författare)
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Spectral Shapes of the Lyα Emission from Galaxies. : II. The influence of stellar properties and nebular conditions on the emergent line profiles
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Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- We demonstrate how the stellar properties and nebular conditions in star-forming galaxies modulate the emission and spectral profile of HI Lyman-alpha (Lyα) emission line. In this second paper in a series, we examine the net Lyα output, kinematics, and in particular emission of blue-shifted Lyαradiation. We use intermediate resolution spectroscopy obtained with the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph on HST, giving a sample of 87 galaxies at redshift (z) between 0.05 and 0.44. We contrast the Lyα spectral measurements with properties of the ionized gas (from optical spectroscopy) and stars(from stellar spectral modeling). We demonstrate correlations of unprecedented strength between the Lyα escape fraction (or equivalent width) and properties correlating with ionization parameter(p ≈ 10−15). The same data reveal evolution in the relative contribution of blue-shifted emission to the total Lyα, which varies from ≈ 0 to ≈ 40 % on average (p ≈ 10−6). We also find particularly strong correlations with estimators of stellar evolutionary stage, nebular abundance, and weaker correlations regarding thermodynamic variables. Analysis of the low ionization stage absorption lines suggests the net emission and line profile is predominantly governed by the column of absorbing gas close to zero velocity. Multi-parametric analysis of the many variables presented here reveals that we can reliably predict up to 80 % of the Lyα luminosity variance, and ∼ 50 % of the variance on the EW. We also analyze the most crucial predictive variables, finding that for tracers of the high and low ionization gas and Hβ luminosity dominate the luminosity prediction whereas the Lyα EW is most well predicted by Hβ EW and the Hα/Hβ ratio. We discuss our results with reference to high redshift observations, with particular focus upon the use of Lyα to probe the nebular conditions in star forming galaxies and the reionization of the universe.
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| 2. |
- Hayes, Matthew J., et al.
(författare)
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Spectral shapes of the Ly α emission from galaxies – II. The influence of stellar properties and nebular conditions on the emergent Ly α profiles
- 2023
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Ingår i: Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0035-8711 .- 1365-2966. ; 520:4, s. 5903-5927
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We demonstrate how the stellar and nebular conditions in star-forming galaxies modulate the emission and spectral profile of H I Ly α emission line. We examine the net Ly α output, kinematics, and in particular emission of blueshifted Ly α radiation, using spectroscopy from with the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph on Hubble Space Telescope (HST), giving a sample of 87 galaxies at redshift z = 0.05−0.44. We contrast the Ly α spectral measurements with properties of the ionized gas (from optical spectra) and stars (from stellar modelling). We demonstrate correlations of unprecedented strength between the Ly α escape fraction (and equivalent width) and the ionization parameter (p ≈ 10−15). The relative contribution of blueshifted emission to the total Ly α also increases from ≈0 to ≈40 per cent over the range of O32 ratios (p ≈ 10−6). We also find particularly strong correlations with estimators of stellar age and nebular abundance, and weaker correlations regarding thermodynamic variables. Low ionization stage absorption lines suggest the Ly α emission and line profile are predominantly governed by the column of absorbing gas near zero velocity. Simultaneous multiparametric analysis over many variables shows we can predict 80 per cent of the variance on Ly α luminosity, and ∼50 per cent on the EW. We determine the most crucial predictive variables, finding that for tracers of the ionization state and H β luminosity dominate the luminosity prediction whereas the Ly α EW is best predicted by H β EW and the H α/H β ratio. We discuss our results with reference to high-redshift observations, focussing upon the use of Ly α to probe the nebular conditions in high-z galaxies and cosmic reionization.
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| 3. |
- Hayes, Matthew, et al.
(författare)
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The Lyman Alpha Reference Sample XV: The Influence of Gas Kinematics and Covering on Lyman alpha Halos
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Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Extended Lyman alpha halos surrounding star-forming galaxies have been proven in the last decade to be an effective tracer of gas around galaxies. Observations with deep integral field spectroscopy show that at redshift ? ≳ 3, more than half of the Ly?luminosity is contributed by the extended halo component. In the scenario of Ly? radiation being scattered in circumgalactic gas, this Ly? halo must reflect the distribution of gas outside of galaxies. In this paper, we investigate the origin of the extendedLy? halo emission using line-of-sight kinematic information in a well-studied sample of 42 galaxies observed in both ultraviolet imaging and spectroscopy with the Hubble Space Telescope. We find that galaxies with a lower contribution of the Ly? halo to the integrated light have faster outflows along the line of sight. We also present tentative evidence that the galaxies with very low gas-covering fractions also show smaller overall contributions from the halo. We interpret this to be primarily due to the modulation of the central Ly? component. Halos are essentially always in place, with light profiles that vary little, but the fraction of Ly? that is emitted in the core component is heavily modulated by kinematic properties.
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| 4. |
- Kim, Keunho J., et al.
(författare)
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Small Region, Big Impact : Highly Anisotropic Lyman-continuum Escape from a Compact Starburst Region with Extreme Physical Properties
- 2023
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Ingår i: Astrophysical Journal Letters. - 2041-8205 .- 2041-8213. ; 955:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Extreme, young stellar populations are considered to be the primary contributor to cosmic reionization. How the Lyman continuum (LyC) escapes these galaxies remains highly elusive, and it is challenging to observe this process in actual LyC emitters without resolving the relevant physical scales. We investigate the Sunburst Arc, a strongly lensed LyC emitter at z = 2.37 that reveals an exceptionally small-scale (tens of parsecs) region of high LyC escape. The small (<100 pc) LyC-leaking region has extreme properties: a very blue UV slope (β = −2.9 ± 0.1), a high ionization state ([O iii] λ5007/[O ii] λ3727 = 11 ± 3 and [O iii] λ5007/Hβ = 6.8 ± 0.4), strong oxygen emission (EW([O iii]) = 1095 ± 40 Å), and a high Lyα escape fraction (0.3 ± 0.03), none of which are found in nonleaking regions of the galaxy. The leaking region's UV slope is consistent with approximately "pure" stellar light that is minimally contaminated by the surrounding nebular continuum emission or extinguished by dust. These results suggest a highly anisotropic LyC escape process such that LyC is produced and escapes from a small, extreme starburst region where the stellar feedback from an ionizing star cluster creates one or more "pencil-beam" channels in the surrounding gas through which LyC can directly escape. Such anisotropic escape processes imply that random sight-line effects drive the significant scatters between measurements of galaxy properties and LyC escape fraction, and that strong lensing is a critical tool for resolving the processes that regulate the ionizing budget of galaxies for reionization.
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| 5. |
- Komarova, Lena, et al.
(författare)
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Haro 11 : The Spatially Resolved Lyman Continuum Sources
- 2024
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Ingår i: Astrophysical Journal. - 0004-637X .- 1538-4357. ; 967:2
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- As the nearest confirmed Lyman continuum (LyC) emitter, Haro 11 is an exceptional laboratory for studying LyC escape processes crucial to cosmic reionization. Our new Hubble Space Telescope/Cosmic Origins Spectrograph G130M/1055 observations of its three star-forming knots now reveal that the observed LyC originates in Knots B and C, with 903–912 Å luminosities of 1.9 ± 1.5 × 1040 erg s−1 and 0.9 ± 0.7 × 1040 erg s−1, respectively. We derive local escape fractions fesc,912 = 3.4% ± 2.9% and 5.1% ± 4.3% for Knots B and C, respectively. Our Starburst99 modeling shows dominant populations on the order of ∼1–4 Myr and 1–2 × 107M⊙ in each knot, with the youngest population in Knot B. Thus, the knot with the strongest LyC detection has the highest LyC production. However, LyC escape is likely less efficient in Knot B than in Knot C due to higher neutral gas covering. Our results therefore stress the importance of the intrinsic ionizing luminosity, and not just the escape fraction, for LyC detection. Similarly, the Lyα escape fraction does not consistently correlate with LyC flux, nor do narrow Lyα red peaks. High observed Lyα luminosity and low Lyα peak velocity separation, however, do correlate with higher LyC escape. Another insight comes from the undetected Knot A, which drives the Green Pea properties of Haro 11. Its density-bounded conditions suggest highly anisotropic LyC escape. Finally, both of the LyC-leaking Knots, B and C, host ultraluminous X-ray sources (ULXs). While stars strongly dominate over the ULXs in LyC emission, this intriguing coincidence underscores the importance of unveiling the role of accretors in LyC escape and reionization.
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| 6. |
- Le Reste, Alexandra, 1995-, et al.
(författare)
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LARS XIII : High Angular Resolution 21 cm H ı Observations of Lyα Emitting Galaxies
- 2022
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Ingår i: Astrophysical Journal. - : American Astronomical Society. - 0004-637X .- 1538-4357. ; 934:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The Lyα emission line is one of the main observables of galaxies at high redshift, but its output depends strongly on the neutral gas distribution and kinematics around the star-forming regions where UV photons are produced. We present observations of Lyα and 21 cm H ı emission at comparable scales with the goal to qualitatively investigate how the neutral interstellar medium (ISM) properties impact Lyα transfer in galaxies. We have observed 21 cm H ı at the highest possible angular resolution (≈3'' beam) with the Very Large Array in two local galaxies from the Lyman Alpha Reference Sample. We compare these data with Hubble Space Telescope Lyα imaging and spectroscopy, and Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer and Potsdam MultiAperture Spectrophotometer ionized gas observations. In LARS08, high-intensity Lyα emission is cospatial with high column density H ı where the dust content is the lowest. The Lyα line is strongly redshifted, consistent with a velocity redistribution that allows Lyα escape from a high column density neutral medium with a low dust content. In eLARS01, high-intensity Lyα emission is located in regions of low column density H ı, below the H ı data sensitivity limit ( < 2 × 1020 cm−2). The perturbed ISM distribution with low column density gas in front of the Lyα emission region plays an important role in the escape. In both galaxies, the faint Lyα emission (∼1×10−16 erg s−1cm−2 arcsec−2) traces intermediate Hα emission regions where H ı is found, regardless of the dust content. Dust seems to modulate, but not prevent, the formation of a faint Lyα halo. This study suggests the existence of scaling relations between dust, Hα, H ı, and Lyα emission in galaxies.
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| 7. |
- Mainali, Ramesh, et al.
(författare)
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The Connection Between Galactic Outflows and the Escape of Ionizing Photons
- 2022
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Ingår i: Astrophysical Journal. - : American Astronomical Society. - 0004-637X .- 1538-4357. ; 940:2
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We analyze spectra of a gravitationally lensed galaxy, known as the Sunburst Arc, that is leaking ionizing photons, also known as the Lyman continuum (LyC). Magnification from gravitational lensing permits the galaxy to be spatially resolved into one region that leaks ionizing photons and several that do not. Rest-frame UV and optical spectra from Magellan target 10 different regions along the lensed Arc, including six multiple images of the LyC leaking region and four regions that do not show LyC emission. The rest-frame optical spectra of the ionizing photon emitting regions reveal a blueshifted (ΔV = 27 km s−1) broad emission component (FWHM = 327 km s−1), comprising 55% of the total [O iii] line flux, in addition to a narrow component (FWHM = 112 km s−1), suggesting the presence of strong highly ionized gas outflows. This is consistent with the high-velocity ionized outflow inferred from the rest-frame UV spectra. In contrast, the broad emission component is less prominent in the nonleaking regions, comprising ∼26% of total [O iii] line flux. The high-ionization absorption lines are prominent in both the leaker and the nonleaker, but the low-ionization absorption lines are very weak in the leaker, suggesting that the line-of-sight gas is highly ionized in the leaker. Analyses of stellar wind features reveal that the stellar population of the LyC leaking regions is considerably younger (∼3 Myr) than that of the nonleaking regions (∼12 Myr), emphasizing that stellar feedback from young stars may play an important role in ionizing photon escape.
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| 8. |
- Melinder, Jens, et al.
(författare)
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Lyman alpha escape from 45 star forming galaxies– the Lyα Reference Sample XIV
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Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- We present Lyα imaging of 45 low redshift star-forming galaxies observed with the Hubble space telescope. The galaxies have been selected to have moderate to high star formation rates using FUVluminosity and Hα equivalent width criteria, but no constraints on Lyα luminosity have been applied. We employ a pixel SED fitting code to obtain accurate continuum subtracted Lyα, Hα and Hβ maps. We find that Lyα is less concentrated than FUV and optical line emission in almost all galaxies with significant Lyα emission. We present global measurements of Lyα and other quantities measured in apertures designed to capture all of the Lyα emission. We then show how the escape fraction ofLyα relates to a number of other measured quantities (mass, metallicity, star formation, ionization parameter, and extinction). We find that the escape fraction is strongly anti-correlated with both nebular and stellar extinction, weakly anti-correlated with stellar mass, but no conclusive evidence for correlations to other quantities. We show that Lyα escape fractions are inconsistent with common dust extinction laws and discuss how a combination of radiative transfer effects and clumpy dust models can help resolve the discrepancies. We present a star formation rate calibration based on Lyαluminosity, where the equivalent width of Lyα is used to correct for non-unity escape fraction, and show that this relation provides a reasonably accurate calibration but with a large scatter. We also show stacked growth curves of Lyα for the galaxies that can be used to find aperture loss fractions at a given physical radius
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| 9. |
- Melinder, Jens, 1977-, et al.
(författare)
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The Lyα Reference Sample. XIV. Lyα Imaging of 45 Low-redshift Star-forming Galaxies and Inferences on Global Emission
- 2023
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Ingår i: Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series. - 0067-0049 .- 1538-4365. ; 266:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We present Lyα imaging of 45 low-redshift star-forming galaxies observed with the Hubble Space Telescope. The galaxies have been selected to have moderate to high star formation rates (SFRs) using far-ultraviolet (FUV) luminosity and Hα equivalent width criteria, but no constraints on Lyα luminosity. We employ a pixel stellar continuum fitting code to obtain accurate continuum-subtracted Lyα, Hα, and Hβ maps. We find that Lyα is less concentrated than FUV and optical line emission in almost all galaxies with significant Lyα emission. We present global measurements of Lyα and other quantities measured in apertures designed to capture all of the Lyα emission. We then show how the escape fraction of Lyα relates to a number of other measured quantities (mass, metallicity, star formation, ionization parameter, and extinction). We find that the escape fraction is strongly anticorrelated with nebular and stellar extinction, weakly anticorrelated with stellar mass, but no conclusive evidence for correlations with other quantities. We show that Lyα escape fractions are inconsistent with common dust extinction laws, and discuss how a combination of radiative transfer effects and clumpy dust models can help resolve the discrepancies. We present an SFR calibration based on Lyα luminosity, where the equivalent width of Lyα is used to correct for nonunity escape fraction, and show that this relation provides a reasonably accurate SFR estimate. We also show stacked growth curves of Lyα for the galaxies that can be used to find aperture loss fractions at a given physical radius.
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| 10. |
- Menacho, Veronica, et al.
(författare)
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Ionized gas properties of the extreme starburst galaxy Haro 11 - temperature and metal abundance discrepancies
- 2021
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Ingår i: Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0035-8711 .- 1365-2966. ; 506:2, s. 1777-1800
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We use high quality VLT/MUSE data to study the kinematics and the ionized gas properties of Haro 11, a well-known starburst merger system and the closest confirmed Lyman continuum leaking galaxy. We present results from integrated line maps, and from maps in three velocity bins comprising the blueshifted, systemic, and redshifted emission. The kinematic analysis reveals complex velocities resulting from the interplay of virial motions and momentum feedback. Star formation happens intensively in three compact knots (knots A, B, and C), but one, knot C, dominates the energy released in supernovae. The halo is characterized by low gas density and extinction, but with large temperature variations, coincident with fast shock regions. Moreover, we find large temperature discrepancies in knot C, when using different temperature-sensitive lines. The relative impact of the knots in the metal enrichment differs. While knot B is strongly enriching its closest surrounding, knot C is likely the main distributor of metals in the halo. In knot A, part of the metal enriched gas seems to escape through low density channels towards the south. We compare the metallicities from two methods and find large discrepancies in knot C, a shocked area, and the highly ionized zones, that we partially attribute to the effect of shocks. This work shows, that traditional relations developed from averaged measurements or simplified methods, fail to probe the diverse conditions of the gas in extreme environments. We need robust relations that include realistic models where several physical processes are simultaneously at work.
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