Witnessing the birth of the red sequence: alma high resolution imaging of [C II] and dust in two interacting ultra-red starbursts at z=4.425.
File(s)Oteo_2016_ApJ_827_34.pdf (2.62 MB)
Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Exploiting the sensitivity and spatial resolution of the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array, we have studied the morphology and the physical scale of the interstellar medium—both gas and dust—in SGP 38326, an unlensed pair of interacting starbursts at z = 4.425. SGP 38326 is the most luminous star bursting system known at z > 4, with a total IR luminosity of L IR ~ 2.5 × 1013 L ⊙ and a star formation rate of ~ 4500 M ⊙ yr−1. SGP 38326 also contains a molecular gas reservoir among the most massive yet found in the early universe, and it is the likely progenitor of a massive, red-and-dead elliptical galaxy at z ~ 3. Probing scales of ~0farcs1 or ~800 pc we find that the smooth distribution of the continuum emission from cool dust grains contrasts with the more irregular morphology of the gas, as traced by the [C ii] fine structure emission. The gas is also extended over larger physical scales than the dust. The velocity information provided by the resolved [C ii] emission reveals that the dynamics of the two interacting components of SGP 38326 are each compatible with disk-like, ordered rotation, but also reveals an ISM which is turbulent and unstable. Our observations support a scenario where at least a subset of the most distant extreme starbursts are highly dissipative mergers of gas-rich galaxies.
Date Issued
2016-08-04
Date Acceptance
2016-06-13
Citation
Astrophysical Journal, 2016, 827 (1)
ISSN
0004-637X
Publisher
American Astronomical Society
Journal / Book Title
Astrophysical Journal
Volume
827
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:000382009500034&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=1ba7043ffcc86c417c072aa74d649202
Subjects
Science & Technology
Physical Sciences
Astronomy & Astrophysics
galaxies: high-redshift
galaxies: ISM
galaxies: starburst
submillimeter: galaxies
STAR-FORMING GALAXIES
DEEP-FIELD-SOUTH
ULTRALUMINOUS INFRARED GALAXIES
CO-TO-H-2 CONVERSION FACTOR
GREATER-THAN 1.5
SUBMILLIMETER GALAXIES
MU-M
INTERSTELLAR-MEDIUM
BOLOMETER CAMERA
NUMBER COUNTS
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
ARTN 34