Extending the Dynamic Range of Galaxy Outflow Scaling Relations: Massive Compact Galaxies with Extreme Outflows

Authors

Julie D. Davis, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Christy A. Tremonti, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Cameren N. Swiggum, University of Wisconsin-Madison
John Moustakas, Siena College
Aleksandar M. Diamond-Stanic, Bates CollegeFollow
Alison L. Coil, University of California, San Diego
James E. Geach, University of Hertfordshire
Ryan C. Hickox, Dartmouth College
Serena Perrotta, University of California, San Diego
Grayson C. Petter, Dartmouth College
Gregory H. Rudnick, University of Kansas
David S.N. Rupke, Rhodes College
Paul H. Sell, University of Florida
Kelly E. Whalen, Dartmouth College

Publication Title

Astrophysical Journal

Document Type

Article

Department or Program

Physics and Astronomy

Publication Date

7-2023

Abstract

We investigate galactic winds in the HizEA galaxies, a collection of 46 late-stage galaxy mergers at z = 0.4-0.8, with stellar masses of log ( M * / M ⊙ ) = 10.4 - 11.5 , star formation rates (SFRs) of 20-500 M ⊙ yr−1, and ultra-compact (a few 100 pc) central star-forming regions. We measure their gas kinematics using the Mg ii λ λ 2796,2803 absorption lines in optical spectra from MMT, Magellan, and Keck. We find evidence of outflows in 90% of targets, with maximum outflow velocities of 550-3200 km s−1. We combine these data with ten samples from the literature to construct scaling relations for outflow velocity versus SFR, star formation surface density (ΣSFR), M *, and SFR/M *. The HizEA galaxies extend the dynamic range of the scaling relations by a factor of ∼2-4 in outflow velocity and an order of magnitude in SFR and ΣSFR. The ensemble scaling relations exhibit strong correlations between outflow velocity, SFR, SFR/R, and ΣSFR, and weaker correlations with M * and SFR/M *. The HizEA galaxies are mild outliers on the SFR and M * scaling relations, but they connect smoothly with more typical star-forming galaxies on plots of outflow velocity versus SFR/R and ΣSFR. These results provide further evidence that the HizEA galaxies’ exceptional outflow velocities are a consequence of their extreme star formation conditions rather than hidden black hole activity, and they strengthen previous claims that ΣSFR is one of the most important properties governing the velocities of galactic winds.

Comments

Original version is available from the publisher at: https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/accbbf

Recommended Citation

Davis, J. D., Tremonti, C. A., Swiggum, C. N., Moustakas, J., Diamond-Stanic, A. M., Coil, A. L., Geach, J. E., Hickox, R. C., Perrotta, S., Petter, G. C., Rudnick, G. H., Rupke, D. S. N., Sell, P. H., & Whalen, K. E. (2023). Extending the Dynamic Range of Galaxy Outflow Scaling Relations: Massive Compact Galaxies with Extreme Outflows. The Astrophysical Journal, 951(2), 105–.

Copyright Note

© 2023. The Authors. Published by the American Astronomical Society.

Required Publisher's Statement

Original content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. Any further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the title of the work, journal citation and DOI.