Alma observations of ly alpha blob 1: halo superstructure illuminated from within.
File(s)Geach_2016_ApJ_832_37.pdf (2.59 MB)
Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
We present new Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array (ALMA) 850 μm continuum observations of the original Lyα Blob (LAB) in the SSA22 field at z = 3.1 (SSA22-LAB01). The ALMA map resolves the previously identified submillimeter source into three components with a total flux density of S 850 = 1.68 ± 0.06 mJy, corresponding to a star-formation rate of ~150 M ⊙ yr−1. The submillimeter sources are associated with several faint (m ≈ 27 mag) rest-frame ultraviolet sources identified in Hubble Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) clear filter imaging (λ ≈ 5850 Å). One of these companions is spectroscopically confirmed with the Keck Multi-Object Spectrometer For Infra-Red Exploration to lie within 20 projected kpc and 250 km s−1 of one of the ALMA components. We postulate that some of these STIS sources represent a population of low-mass star-forming satellites surrounding the central submillimeter sources, potentially contributing to their growth and activity through accretion. Using a high-resolution cosmological zoom simulation of a 1013 M ⊙ halo at z = 3, including stellar, dust, and Lyα radiative transfer, we can model the ALMA+STIS observations and demonstrate that Lyα photons escaping from the central submillimeter sources are expected to resonantly scatter in neutral hydrogen, the majority of which is predicted to be associated with halo substructure. We show how this process gives rise to extended Lyα emission with similar surface brightness and morphology to observed giant LABs.
Date Issued
2016-11-14
Date Acceptance
2016-08-08
Citation
Astrophysical Journal, 2016, 832 (1)
ISSN
0004-637X
Publisher
IOP PUBLISHING LTD
Journal / Book Title
Astrophysical Journal
Volume
832
Issue
1
Copyright Statement
© 2016. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.
Identifier
http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000388603600019&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=1ba7043ffcc86c417c072aa74d649202
Subjects
Science & Technology
Physical Sciences
Astronomy & Astrophysics
galaxies: evolution
galaxies: halos
galaxies: high-redshift
STAR-FORMING GALAXIES
PROTO-CLUSTER REGION
HIGH-REDSHIFT
MILKY-WAY
COSMOLOGICAL SIMULATIONS
COOLING RADIATION
DUST CONTINUUM
MOLECULAR GAS
FORMATION LAW
COSMIC WEB
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
ARTN 37