Ute Lisenfeld

Missing mass in collisional debris from galaxies

Recycled dwarf galaxies can form in the collisional debris of massive galaxies. Theoretical models predict that, contrary to classical galaxies, these recycled galaxies should be free of nonbaryonic dark matter. By analyzing the observed gas kinematics of such recycled galaxies with the help of a numerical model, we demonstrate that they do contain a massive dark component amounting to about twice the visible matter. Staying within the standard cosmological framework, this result most likely indicates the presence of large amounts of unseen, presumably cold, molecular gas. This additional mass should be present in the disks of their progenitor spiral galaxies, accounting for a substantial part of the so-called missing baryons.

The AMIGA project - I. Optical characterization of the CIG catalog

The AMIGA project (Analysis of the Interstellar Medium of Isolated Galaxies) is compiling a multiwavelength database of isolated galaxies that includes optical (B and Hα), infrared (FIR and NIR) and radio (continuum plus HI and CO lines) properties. It involves a refinement of the pioneering Catalog of Isolated Galaxies. This paper is the first in a series and begins with analysis of the global properties of the nearly redshift-complete CIG with emphasis on the Optical Luminosity Function (OLF) which we compare with other recent estimates of the OLF for a variety of environments. The CIG redshift distribution for n = 956 galaxies re-enforces the evidence for a bimodal structure seen earlier in smaller samples. The peaks at redshift near 1500 and 6000 km s −1 , corresponding respectively to galaxies in the local supercluster and those in more distant large-scale components (particularly Perseus-Pisces). The two peaks in the redshift distribution are superimposed on 50% or more of the sample that is distributed in a much more homogeneous way. The CIG probably represents the most homogeneous local field example that has ever been compiled. Our derivation of the CIG OLF is consistent with other studies of the OLF for lower density environments. This comparison via the Schechter parameter formalization shows that: 1) M ∗ increases with galaxy surface density on the sky and 2) α shows a weaker tendency to do the same. The CIG represents the largest and most complete foundation for studies of isolated galaxies and is likely as close as we can come to a field sample.

The AMIGA sample of isolated galaxies. V. Quantification of the isolation

Context. The AMIGA project aims to build a well defined and statistically significant reference sample of isolated galaxies in order to estimate the environmental effects on the formation and evolution of galaxies. Aims. The goal of this paper is to provide a measure of the environment of the isolated galaxies in the AMIGA sample, quantifying the influence of the candidate neighbours identified in our previous work and their potential effects on the evolution of the primary galaxies. Here we provide a quantification of the isolation degree of the galaxies in this sample. Methods. Our starting sample is the Catalogue of Isolated Galaxies (CIG). We used two parameters to estimate the influence exerted by the neighbour galaxies on the CIG galaxy: the local number density of neighbour galaxies and the tidal strength affecting the CIG galaxy. We show that both parameters together provide a comprehensive picture of the environment. For comparison, those parameters have also been derived for galaxies in denser environments such as triplets, groups and clusters. Results. The CIG galaxies show a continuous spectrum of isolation, as quantified by the two parameters, from very isolated to interacting. The fraction of CIG galaxies whose properties are expected to be influenced by the environment is however low (159 out of 950 galaxies). The isolated parameters derived for the comparison samples gave higher values than for the CIG and we found clear differences for the average values of the 4 samples considered, proving the sensitivity of these parameters. Conclusions. The environment of the galaxies in the CIG has been characterised, using two complementary parameters quantifying the isolation degree, the local number density of the neighbour galaxies and the tidal forces affecting the isolated galaxies. A final catalogue of galaxies has been produced and the most isolated of these galaxies are consequently appropriate to serve as a reference sample for the AMIGA project.

(Sub)millimetre emission from NGC 1569 : An abundance of very small grains}

We present new data of the dwarf galaxy NGC 1569 at 450 μ m, 850 μ m and 1200 μ m taken with SCUBA at the JCMT and the bolometer array at the IRAM 30 m telescope. After including data from IRAS at 12, 25, 60 and 100 μ m, we have successfully fitted the dust grain population model of Desert et al. (1990) to the observed midinfrared-to-millimetre spectrum. The fit requires a combination of both large and very small grains exposed to a strong radiation field as well as an enhancement of the number of very small grains relative to the number of large grains. We interpret this as the consequence of large grain destruction due to shocks in the turbulent interstellar medium of NGC 1569. The contribution of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is found to be negligible. Comparison of the dust emission maps with an HI map of similar resolution shows that both dust and molecular gas distributions peak close to the radio continuum maximum and at a minimum in the HI distribution. From a comparison of these three maps and assuming that the gas-to-dust mass ratio is the same everywhere, we estimate the ratio of molecular hydrogen column density to integrated CO intensity to be about 25–30 times the local Galactic value. The gas-to-dust ratio is 1500–2900, about an order of magnitude higher than in the Solar Neighbourhood.

SHOCK-ENHANCED C+ EMISSION AND THE DETECTION OF H2O FROM THE STEPHAN'S QUINTET GROUP-WIDE SHOCK USING HERSCHEL

We present the first Herschel spectroscopic detections of the [OI]63µm and [CII]158µm fine-structure transitions, and a single para-H_2O line from the 35 x 15 kpc^2 shocked intergalactic filament in Stephans Quintet. The filament is believed to have been formed when a high-speed intruder to the group collided with clumpy intergroup gas. Observations with the PACS spectrometer provide evidence for broad (> 1000 km s^(-1)) luminous [CII] line profiles, as well as fainter [OI]63µm emission. SPIRE FTS observations reveal water emission from the p-H_2O (1_(11)-0_(00)) transition at several positions in the filament, but no other molecular lines. The H_2O line is narrow, and may be associated with denser intermediate-velocity gas experiencing the strongest shock-heating. The [CII]/PAH_(tot) and [CII]/FIR ratios are too large to be explained by normal photo-electric heating in PDRs. HII region excitation or X-ray/Cosmic Ray heating can also be ruled out. The observations lead to the conclusion that a large fraction the molecular gas is diffuse and warm. We propose that the [CII], [OI] and warm H_2 line emission is powered by a turbulent cascade in which kinetic energy from the galaxy collision with the IGM is dissipated to small scales and low-velocities, via shocks and turbulent eddies. Low-velocity magnetic shocks can help explain both the [CII]/[OI] ratio, and the relatively high [CII]/H_2 ratios observed. The discovery that [CII] emission can be enhanced, in large-scale turbulent regions in collisional environments has implications for the interpretation of [CII] emission in high-z galaxies.

The AMIGA sample of isolated galaxies - IX. Molecular gas properties

Aims. We characterize the molecular gas content (ISM cold phase) using CO emission of a redshift-limited subsample of isolated galaxies from the AMIGA (Analysis of the interstellar Medium of Isolated GAlaxies) project in order to provide a comparison sample for studies of galaxies in different environments. Methods. We present the 12 CO(1–0) data for 273 AMIGA galaxies, most of them (n = 186) from our own observations with the IRAM 30 m and the FCRAO 14 m telescopes and the rest from the literature. We constructed a redshift-limited sample containing galaxies with 1500 km s −1 <v< 5000 km s −1 and excluded objects with morphological evidence of possible interaction. This sample (n = 173) is the basis for our statistical analysis. It contains galaxies with molecular gas masses, MH2 , in the range of ∼10 8 −10 10 M� .I t is dominated, both in absolute number and in detection rate, by spiral galaxies of type T = 3–5 (Sb-Sc). Most galaxies were observed with a single pointing towards their centers. Therefore, we performed an extrapolation to the total molecular gas mass expected in the entire disk based on the assumption of an exponential distribution. We then studied the relationships between MH2 and other galactic properties (LB, D 2 , LK, LFIR ,a ndMHI). Results. We find correlations between MH2 and LB, D 2 , LK ,a ndLFIR. The tightest correlation of MH2 holds with LFIR and, for T = 3– 5, with LK, and the poorest with D 2 . The correlations with LFIR and LK are very close to linearity. The correlation with LB is nonlinear so that MH2 /LB increases with LB. The molecular and the atomic gas masses of our sample show no strong correlation. We find a low mean value, log(MH2 /MHI) = −0.7 (for T = 3–5), and a strong decrease in this ratio with morphological type. The molecular gas column density and the surface density of the star formation rate (the Kennicutt-Schmidt law) show a tight correlation with a rough unity slope. We compare the relations of MH2 with LB and LK found for AMIGA galaxies to samples of interacting galaxies from the literature and find an indication for an enhancement of the molecular gas in interacting galaxies of up to 0.2–0.3 dex.

The AMIGA sample of isolated galaxies III. IRAS data and infrared diagnostics

Aims. We describe the mid- (MIR) and far- (FIR) infrared properties of a large (∼1000) sample of the most isolated galaxies in the local Universe. This sample is intended as a “nurture-free” zero point against which more environmentally influenced samples can be compared. Methods. We reprocess IRAS MIR/FIR survey data using the ADDSCAN/SCANPI utility for 1030 out of 1050 galaxies from the Catalogue of Isolated Galaxies (CIG) as part of the AMIGA project. We focus on diagnostics (FIR luminosity LFIR, R = log(LFIR/LB), and IRAS colours) thought to be sensitive to effects of environment or interaction. Results. The distribution of log(LFIR) sharply peaks from 9.0–10.5, with very few (<2%) galaxies above 10.5. Review of available optical images of the most FIR luminous galaxies finds the majority likely to be interacting systems missed in our earlier morphological reevaluation. The optically normalised luminosity diagnostic R = log(LFIR/LB) shows a sharply peaked distribution between 0.0 and −1.0. These results were compared to the magnitude limited sample of the Center for Astrophysics that was selected without environmental discrimination. This modestly (e.g., compared to cluster, binary galaxy, and compact group samples) environmentally affected sample shows a significantly higher mean log(LFIR), and R, whereas the mean log(LB) is the same. Our sample shows a strong LFIR vs. LB correlation, with a slope steeper than one (LFIR ∝ L 1.41 B ). Interacting galaxies were found above this correlation, showing an enhancement in LFIR. With respect to the IRAS colours, we found higher F60/F100 values for ellipticals and late-type galaxies than for spirals, indicating a higher dust temperature. The mean value of F60/F100 was found to be lower than for interacting samples from the literature. Conclusions. The results indicate that the FIR emission is a variable enhanced by interaction, and that our sample probably shows the lowest possible mean value. This attests to the utility of our sample for defining a nurture-free zero point.

The AMIGA sample of isolated galaxies - II. Morphological refinement

Received / accepted Abstract. We present a complete refinement of the optical morphologies for galaxies in the Catalog of Isolated Galaxies (Karachentseva 1973) that forms the basis of the AMIGA (Analysis of the interstellar Medium of Isolated GAlaxies) project. Uniform reclassification using the digitized POSS II benefit ed from the high resolution and dynamic range of that sky survey. Comparison with independent classifications made for an SDS S overlap sample of more than 200 galaxies confirms the reli- ability of the early vs. late-type discrimination and the ac curacy of spiral subtypes withinT = 1-2. CCD images taken at the Observatorio de Sierra Nevada were also used to solve ambiguities in early versus late-type classifications. A consi derable number of galaxies in the catalog (n = 193) are flagged for the presence of nearby companions or sign s of distortion likely due to interaction. This most isolated sample of galaxies in the local Universe is dominated by two populations: 1) 82% spirals (Sa-Sd) with the bulk being luminous systems with small bulges (63% between types Sb-Sc) and 2) a significant population o f early-type E-S0 galaxies (14%). Most of the types later than Sd are low luminosity galaxies concentrated in the local superclus- ter where isolation is diffi cult to evaluate. The late-type spiral majority of the sampl e spans a luminosity range MB−corr =−18 to −22 mag. Few of the E/S0 population are more luminous than−21.0 marking an absence of, an often sought, super L ∗ merger (e.g. fossil elliptical) population. The rarity of high lum inosity systems results in a fainter derived M ∗ for this population com- pared to the spiral optical luminosity function (OLF). The E-S0 population is from 0.2 to 0.6 mag fainter depending how the sample is defined. This marks the AMIGA sample as almost unique among samples that compare early and late-type OLFs sep- arately. In other samples, which always involve galaxies in higher density environments, M ∗/S0 is almost always 0.3-0.5 mag brighter than M ∗, presumably reflecting a stronger correlation between M ∗ and environmental density for early-type galaxies.

Formation of molecular gas in the tidal debris of violent galaxy-galaxy interactions.

In many gravitational interactions between galaxies, gas and stars that have been torn from the precursor galaxies can collect in tidal ‘tails’. Star formation begins anew in some of these regions, producing tidal dwarf galaxies. Observations of these new galaxies provides insight into processes relevant to galaxy formation more generally, because the timescale of the interaction is well defined. But tracking the star formation process has hitherto been difficult because the tidal dwarf galaxies with young stars showed no evidence of the molecular gas out of which those young stars formed. Here we report the discovery of molecular hydrogen (traced by carbon monoxide emission) in two tidal dwarf galaxies. In both cases, the concentration of molecular gas peaks at the same location as the maximum in atomic-hydrogen density, unlike the situation in most gas-rich galaxies. We infer from this that the molecular gas formed from the atomic hydrogen, rather than being torn in molecular form from the interacting galaxies. Star formation in the tidal dwarf galaxies therefore appears to mimic the process in normal spiral galaxies like our own.

VCC 2062: an old tidal dwarf galaxy in the Virgo cluster

Context. Numerical simulations predict the existence of old Tidal Dwarf Galaxies (TDGs) that would have survived several Gyr after the collision lying at their origin. Such survivors, which would by now have become independent relaxed galaxies, would be ideal laboratories, if nearby enough, to tackle a number of topical issues, including the distribution of Dark Matter in and around galaxies. However nding old dwarf galaxies with a conrmed tidal origin is an observational challenge. Aims. A dwarf galaxy in the nearby Virgo Cluster, VCC 2062, exhibits several unusual properties that are typical of a galaxy made out of recycled material. We discuss whether it may indeed be a TDG. Methods. We analysed multi-wavelength observations of VCC 2062, including a CO map acquired with the IRAM 30m dish, an optical spectrum of its HII regions, GALEX ultraviolet and archival broad-band and narrow-band optical images as well as a VLA HI datacube, originally obtained as part of the VIVA project. Results. VCC 2062 appears to be the optical, low surface brightness counterpart of a kinematically detached, rotating condensation that formed within an HI tail apparently physically linked to the disturbed galaxy NGC 4694. In contrast to its faint optical luminosity, VCC 2062 is characterised by strong CO emission and a high oxygen abundance more typical of spiral disks. Its dynamical mass however, is that of a dwarf galaxy. Conclusions. VCC 2062 was most likely formed within a pre-enriched gaseous structure expelled from a larger galaxy as a result of a tidal interaction. The natural provider for the gaseous tail is NGC 4694 or rather a former companion which subsequently has been accreted by the massive galaxy. According to that scenario, VCC 2062 has been formed by a past tidal encounter. Since its parent galaxies have most probably already totally merged, it qualies as an old Tidal Dwarf Galaxy.