ALMA detects molecular gas in the halo of the powerful radio galaxy TXS 0828+193

• Both theoretical and observational results suggest that high-redshift radio galaxies (HzRGs) inhabit overdense regions of the universe and might be the progenitors of local, massive galaxies residing in the centre of galaxy clusters. In this paper, we present CO(3-2) line observations of the HzRG TXS 0828+193 (z = 2.57) and its environment using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array. In contrast to previous observations, we detect CO emission associated with the HzRG and derive a molecular gas mass of $(0.9\pm 0.3)\times 10^{10}\, \rm M_{\odot }$. Moreover, we confirm the presence of a previously detected off-source CO emitting region (companion #1), and detect three new potential companions. The molecular gas mass of each companion is comparable to that of the HzRG. Companion #1 is aligned with the axis of the radio jet and has stellar emission detected by Spitzer. Thus, this source might be a normal star-forming galaxy or alternatively a result of jet-induced star formation. The newly found CO sources do not have counterparts in any other observing band and could be high-density clouds in the halo of TXS 0828+193 and thus potentially linked to the large-scale filamentary structure of the cosmic web.

Subject headings

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Fysik -- Astronomi, astrofysik och kosmologi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Physical Sciences -- Astronomy, Astrophysics and Cosmology (hsv//eng)

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Fysik -- Atom- och molekylfysik och optik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Physical Sciences -- Atom and Molecular Physics and Optics (hsv//eng)

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Fysik -- Fusion, plasma och rymdfysik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Physical Sciences -- Fusion, Plasma and Space Physics (hsv//eng)

Keyword

radio lines: galaxies

galaxies: evolution

galaxies: high-redshift

galaxies: haloes

galaxies: active

galaxies: individual: TXS 0828+193

Publication and Content Type

art (subject category)

ref (subject category)