Engineering topics

Maiolino, R.

Publications and source records attributed to Maiolino, R..

17 records

DOE OSTI2021

MASCOT: an ESO–ARO legacy survey of molecular gas in nearby SDSS-MaNGA galaxies - I. First data release, and global and resolved relations between H 2 and stellar content

We present the first data release of the Mapping Nearby Galaxies at Apache Point Observatory (MaNGA)–Arizona Radio Observatory (ARO) Survey of CO Targets (MASCOT), a European Southern Observatory public spectroscopic survey conducted at the ARO. We measure the CO(1–0) line emission in a sample of 187 nearby galaxies selected from the MaNGA survey that has obtained integral field unit (IFU) spectroscopy for a sample of ~10 000 galaxies at low redshift. The main goal of MASCOT is to probe the molecular gas content of star-forming galaxies with stellar masses >10 9.5 M ⊙ and with associated MaNGA IFU observations and well-constrained quantities like stellar masses, star formation rates, and metallicities. In this paper, we present the first results of the MASCOT survey, providing integrated CO(1–0) measurements that cover several effective radii of the galaxy and present CO luminosities, CO kinematics, and estimated H 2 gas masses. We observe that the decline of the galaxy star formation rate with respect to the star formation main sequence increases with the decrease of molecular gas and with a reduced star formation efficiency, in agreement with results of other integrated studies. Relating the molecular gas mass fractions with the slope of the stellar age gradients inferred from the MaNGA observations, we find that galaxies with lower molecular gas mass fractions tend to show older stellar populations close to the galactic centre, while the opposite is true for galaxies with higher molecular gas mass fractions, providing tentative evidence for inside-out quenching.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2019

Widespread star formation inside galactic outflows

Abstract Several models have predicted that stars could form inside galactic outflows and that this would be a new major mode of galaxy evolution. Observations of galactic outflows have revealed that they host large amounts of dense and clumpy molecular gas, which provide conditions suitable for star formation. We have investigated the properties of the outflows in a large sample of galaxies by exploiting the integral field spectroscopic data of the large MaNGA-SDSS4 galaxy survey. We find evidence for prominent star formation occurring inside at least 30 per cent of the galactic outflows in our sample, whilst signs of star formation are seen in up to half of the outflows. We also show that even if star formation is prominent inside many other galactic outflows, this may have not been revealed as the diagnostics are easily dominated by the presence of even faint active galactic nucleus and shocks. If very massive outflows typical of distant galaxies and quasars follow the same scaling relations observed locally, then the star formation inside high-z outflows can be up to several 100 $\rm M_{\odot }~yr^{-1}$ and could contribute substantially to the early formation of the spheroidal component of galaxies. Star formation in outflows can also potentially contribute to establishing the scaling relations between black holes and their host spheroids. Moreover, supernovae exploding on large orbits can chemically enrich in situ and heat the circumgalactic and intergalactic medium. Finally, young stars ejected on large orbits may also contribute to the reionization of the Universe.

Gallagher, R.↗

DOE OSTI2017

Optical Line Emission from z ∼ 6.8 Sources with Deep Constraints on Lyα Visibility

We analyze a sample of z-dropout galaxies in the CANDELS GOODS South and UDS fields that have been targeted by a dedicated spectroscopic campaign aimed at detecting their Lyα line. Deep IRAC observations at 3.6 and 4.5 μm are used to determine the strength of optical emission lines affecting these bands at z ∼ 6.5–6.9 in order to (1) investigate possible physical differences between Lyα emitting and non-emitting sources; (2) constrain the escape fraction of ionizing photons; and (3) provide an estimate of the specific star formation rate at high redshifts. We find evidence of strong [O iii]+Hβ emission in the average (stacked) SEDs of galaxies both with and without Lyα emission. The blue IRAC [3.6]–[4.5] color of the stack with detected Lyα line can be converted into a rest-frame equivalent width EW([O iii]+Hβ) = 1500{sub −440}{sup +530} Å assuming a flat intrinsic stellar continuum. This strong optical line emission enables a first estimate of f{sub esc}≲20% on the escape fraction of ionizing photons from Lyα detected objects. The objects with no Lyα line show less extreme EW([O iii]+Hβ) = 520{sub −150}{sup +170} Å, suggesting different physical conditions of the H ii regions with respect to Lyα-emitting ones, or a larger f{sub esc}. The latter case is consistent with a combined evolution of f{sub esc} and the neutral hydrogen fraction as an explanation of the lack of bright Lyα emission at z > 6. A lower limit on the specific star formation rate, SSFR > 9.1 Gyr{sup −1} for M{sub star}=2×10{sup 9} M{sub ⊙} galaxies at these redshifts can be derived from the spectroscopically confirmed sample.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2016

Tracing the reionization epoch with ALMA: [C ii] emission in z ∼ 7 galaxies

We present new results on [C ii]158 μm emission from four galaxies in the reionization epoch. These galaxies were previously confirmed to be at redshifts between 6.6 and 7.15 from the presence of the Lyα emission line in their spectra. The Lyα emission line is redshifted by 100–200 km s{sup −1} compared to the systemic redshift given by the [C ii] line. These velocity offsets are smaller than what is observed in z∼3 Lyman break galaxies (LBGs) with similar UV luminosities and emission line properties. Smaller velocity shifts reduce the visibility of Lyα and hence somewhat alleviate the need for a very neutral intergalactic medium at z∼7 to explain the drop in the fraction of Lyα emitters observed at this epoch. The galaxies show [C ii] emission with L[C ii] = 0.6 − 1.6×10{sup 8}L{sub ⊙}: these luminosities place them consistently below the star formation rate (SFR)–L[C ii] relation observed for low-redshift star-forming and metal-poor galaxies and also below z = 5.5 LBGs with similar SFRs. We argue that previous undetections of [C ii] in z∼7 galaxies with similar or smaller SFRs are due to selection effects: previous targets were mostly strong Lyα emitters and therefore probably metal-poor systems, while our galaxies are more representative of the general high-redshift star-forming population.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2015

BLOWIN' IN THE WIND: BOTH ''NEGATIVE'' AND ''POSITIVE'' FEEDBACK IN AN OBSCURED HIGH-z QUASAR

Quasar feedback in the form of powerful outflows is invoked as a key mechanism to quench star formation in galaxies, preventing massive galaxies to overgrow and producing the red colors of ellipticals. On the other hand, some models are also requiring ''positive'' active galactic nucleus feedback, inducing star formation in the host galaxy through enhanced gas pressure in the interstellar medium. However, finding observational evidence of the effects of both types of feedback is still one of the main challenges of extragalactic astronomy, as few observations of energetic and extended radiatively driven winds are available. Here we present SINFONI near infrared integral field spectroscopy of XID2028, an obscured, radio-quiet z = 1.59 QSO detected in the XMM-COSMOS survey, in which we clearly resolve a fast (1500 km s{sup –1}) and extended (up to 13 kpc from the black hole) outflow in the [O III] lines emitting gas, whose large velocity and outflow rate are not sustainable by star formation only. The narrow component of Hα emission and the rest frame U-band flux from Hubble Space Telescope/Advanced Camera for Surveys imaging enable to map the current star formation in the host galaxy: both tracers independently show that the outflow position lies in the center of an empty cavity surrounded by star forming regions on its edge. The outflow is therefore removing the gas from the host galaxy (''negative feedback''), but also triggering star formation by outflow induced pressure at the edges (''positive feedback''). XID2028 represents the first example of a host galaxy showing both types of feedback simultaneously at work.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2014

New observations of z ∼ 7 galaxies: evidence for a patchy reionization

We present new results from our search for z ∼ 7 galaxies from deep spectroscopic observations of candidate z dropouts in the CANDELS fields. Despite the extremely low flux limits achieved by our sensitive observations, only two galaxies have robust redshift identifications, one from its Lyα emission line at z = 6.65, the other from its Lyman break, i.e., the continuum discontinuity at the Lyα wavelength consistent with a redshift of 6.42 but with no emission line. In addition, for 23 galaxies we present deep limits in the Lyα equivalent width derived from the nondetections in ultradeep observations. Using this new data as well as previous samples, we assemble a total of 68 candidate z ∼ 7 galaxies with deep spectroscopic observations, of which 12 have a line detection. With this much enlarged sample we can place solid constraints on the declining fraction of Lyα emission in z ∼ 7 Lyman-break galaxies compared to z ∼ 6, both for bright and faint galaxies. Applying a simple analytical model, we show that the present data favor a patchy reionization process rather than a smooth one.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2014

Half-megasecond Chandra spectral imaging of the hot circumgalactic nebula around quasar MRK 231

A deep 400 ks ACIS-S observation of the nearest quasar known, Mrk 231, is combined with archival 120 ks data to carry out the first ever spatially resolved spectral analysis of a hot X-ray-emitting circumgalactic nebula around a quasar. The 65 × 50 kpc X-ray nebula shares no resemblance with the tidal debris seen at optical wavelengths. One notable exception is the small tidal arc ∼3.5 kpc south of the nucleus where excess soft X-ray continuum emission and Si XIII 1.8 keV line emission are detected, consistent with star formation and its associated alpha-element enhancement, respectively. An X-ray shadow is also detected at the location of the 15 kpc northern tidal tail. The hard X-ray continuum emission within ∼6 kpc of the center is consistent with being due entirely to the bright central active galactic nucleus. The soft X-ray spectrum of the outer (≳6 kpc) portion of the nebula is best described as the sum of two thermal components with temperatures ∼3 and ∼8 million K and spatially uniform super-solar alpha-element abundances, relative to iron. This result implies enhanced star formation activity over ∼10{sup 8} yr, accompanied by redistribution of the metals on a large scale. The low-temperature thermal component is not present within ∼6 kpc of the nucleus, suggesting extra heating in this region from the circumnuclear starburst, the central quasar, or the optically identified ≳3 kpc quasar-driven outflow. The soft X-ray emission is weaker in the western quadrant, coincident with a deficit of Hα and some of the largest columns of neutral gas outflowing from the nucleus. Shocks may heat the gas to high temperatures at this location, consistent with the tentative ∼2σ detection of extended Fe XXV 6.7 keV line emission.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2014

Karl G. Jansky very large array observations of cold dust and molecular gas in starbursting quasar host galaxies at z ∼ 4.5

We present Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) observations of 44 GHz continuum and CO J = 2-1 line emission in BRI 1202–0725 at z = 4.7 (a starburst galaxy and quasar pair) and BRI 1335–0417 at z = 4.4 (also hosting a quasar). With the full 8 GHz bandwidth capabilities of the upgraded VLA, we study the (rest-frame) 250 GHz thermal dust continuum emission for the first time along with the cold molecular gas traced by the low-J CO line emission. The measured CO J = 2-1 line luminosities of BRI 1202–0725 are L{sub CO}{sup ′}=(8.7±0.8)×10{sup 10} K km s{sup –1} pc{sup 2} and L{sub CO}{sup ′}=(6.0 ± 0.5)×10{sup 10} K km s{sup –1} pc{sup 2} for the submillimeter galaxy (SMG) and quasar, respectively, which are equal to previous measurements of the CO J = 5-4 line luminosities implying thermalized line emission, and we estimate a combined cold molecular gas mass of ∼9×10{sup 10} M {sub ☉}. In BRI 1335–0417 we measure L{sub CO}{sup ′}=(7.3±0.6)×10{sup 10} K km s{sup –1} pc{sup 2}. We detect continuum emission in the SMG BRI 1202–0725 North (S {sub 44} {sub GHz} = 51 ± 6 μJy), while the quasar is detected with S {sub 44} {sub GHz} = 24 ± 6 μJy and in BRI 1335–0417 we measure S {sub 44} {sub GHz} = 40 ± 7 μJy. Combining our continuum observations with previous data at (rest-frame) far-infrared and centimeter wavelengths, we fit three-component models in order to estimate the star formation rates. This spectral energy distribution fitting suggests that the dominant contribution to the observed 44 GHz continuum is thermal dust emission, while either thermal free-free or synchrotron emission contributes less than 30%.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2014

A molecular line scan in the Hubble deep field north

We present a molecular line scan in the Hubble Deep Field North (HDF-N) that covers the entire 3 mm window (79-115 GHz) using the IRAM Plateau de Bure Interferometer. Our CO redshift coverage spans z ≲ 0.45, 1 ≲ z ≲ 1.9 and all z ≳ 2. We reach a CO detection limit that is deep enough to detect essentially all z > 1 CO lines reported in the literature so far. We have developed and applied different line-searching algorithms, resulting in the discovery of 17 line candidates. We estimate that the rate of false positive line detections is ∼2/17. We identify optical/NIR counterparts from the deep ancillary database of the HDF-N for seven of these candidates and investigate their available spectral energy distributions. Two secure CO detections in our scan are identified with star-forming galaxies at z = 1.784 and at z = 2.047. These galaxies have colors consistent with the 'BzK' color selection and they show relatively bright CO emission compared with galaxies of similar dust continuum luminosity. We also detect two spectral lines in the submillimeter galaxy HDF 850.1 at z = 5.183. We consider an additional nine line candidates as high quality. Our observations also provide a deep 3 mm continuum map (1σ noise level = 8.6 μJy beam{sup –1}). Via a stacking approach, we find that optical/MIR bright galaxies contribute only to <50% of the star formation rate density at 1 < z < 3, unless high dust temperatures are invoked. The present study represents a first, fundamental step toward an unbiased census of molecular gas in 'normal' galaxies at high-z, a crucial goal of extragalactic astronomy in the ALMA era.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2014

A molecular line scan in the Hubble deep field north: Constraints on the co luminosity function and the cosmic H{sub 2} density

We present direct constraints on the CO luminosity function at high redshift and the resulting cosmic evolution of the molecular gas density, ρ{sub H{sub 2}}(z), based on a blind molecular line scan in the Hubble Deep Field North (HDF-N) using the IRAM Plateau de Bure Interferometer. Our line scan of the entire 3 mm window (79-115 GHz) covers a cosmic volume of ∼7000 Mpc{sup 3}, and redshift ranges z < 0.45, 1.01 < z < 1.89 and z > 2. We use the rich multiwavelength and spectroscopic database of the HDF-N to derive some of the best constraints on CO luminosities in high redshift galaxies to date. We combine the blind CO detections in our molecular line scan (presented in a companion paper) with stacked CO limits from galaxies with available spectroscopic redshifts (slit or mask spectroscopy from Keck and grism spectroscopy from the Hubble Space Telescope) to give first blind constraints on high-z CO luminosity functions and the cosmic evolution of the H{sub 2} mass density ρ{sub H{sub 2}}(z) out to redshifts z ∼ 3. A comparison to empirical predictions of ρ{sub H{sub 2}}(z) shows that the securely detected sources in our molecular line scan already provide significant contributions to the predicted ρ{sub H{sub 2}}(z) in the redshift bins (z) ∼ 1.5 and (z) ∼ 2.7. Accounting for galaxies with CO luminosities that are not probed by our observations results in cosmic molecular gas densities ρ{sub H{sub 2}}(z) that are higher than current predictions. We note, however, that the current uncertainties (in particular the luminosity limits, number of detections, as well as cosmic volume probed) are significant, a situation that is about to change with the emerging ALMA observatory.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2014

VARYING [C II]/[N II] LINE RATIOS IN THE INTERACTING SYSTEM BR1202-0725 AT z = 4.7

We study the properties of the interstellar medium in the interacting system BR1202-0725 at z = 4.7 via its [N II] and [C II] fine-structure line emission. This system consists of a QSO, a sub-mm galaxy (SMG), and two Lyα emitters (LAEs). Such a diversity in galaxy properties makes BR1202-0725 a unique laboratory of star formation and galaxy evolution at high redshift. We present ionized nitrogen ([N II] 205 μm) observations of this system, obtained with the IRAM Plateau de Bure Interferometer. We find no [N II] emission at the quasar location, but tentative [N II] line detections associated with the SMG and one of the LAEs. Together with available ionized carbon ([C II] 158 μm) Atacama Large Millimeter Array observations of this system, we find the following: the [C II]/[N II] luminosity ratio is >5.5 for the QSO and the SMG, but it is as low as ∼2 in the LAE, suggesting that, in this source, most of the [C II] emission is associated with the ionized medium (H II regions) rather than the neutral one (photon-dominated regions). This study demonstrates the importance of combined studies of multiple fine-structure lines in order to pin down the physical properties of the interstellar medium in distant galaxies.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2013

Gravitational lens models based on submillimeter array imaging of Herschel -selected strongly lensed sub-millimeter galaxies at z > 1.5

Strong gravitational lenses are now being routinely discovered in wide-field surveys at (sub-)millimeter wavelengths. We present Submillimeter Array (SMA) high-spatial resolution imaging and Gemini-South and Multiple Mirror Telescope optical spectroscopy of strong lens candidates discovered in the two widest extragalactic surveys conducted by the Herschel Space Observatory: the Herschel-Astrophysical Terahertz Large Area Survey (H-ATLAS) and the Herschel Multi-tiered Extragalactic Survey (HerMES). From a sample of 30 Herschel sources with S {sub 500} > 100 mJy, 21 are strongly lensed (i.e., multiply imaged), 4 are moderately lensed (i.e., singly imaged), and the remainder require additional data to determine their lensing status. We apply a visibility-plane lens modeling technique to the SMA data to recover information about the masses of the lenses as well as the intrinsic (i.e., unlensed) sizes (r {sub half}) and far-infrared luminosities (L {sub FIR}) of the lensed submillimeter galaxies (SMGs). The sample of lenses comprises primarily isolated massive galaxies, but includes some groups and clusters as well. Several of the lenses are located at z {sub lens} > 0.7, a redshift regime that is inaccessible to lens searches based on Sloan Digital Sky Survey spectroscopy. The lensed SMGs are amplified by factors that are significantly below statistical model predictions given the 500 μm flux densities of our sample. We speculate that this may reflect a deficiency in our understanding of the intrinsic sizes and luminosities of the brightest SMGs. The lensed SMGs span nearly one decade in L {sub FIR} (median L {sub FIR} = 7.9 × 10{sup 12} L {sub ☉}) and two decades in FIR luminosity surface density (median Σ{sub FIR} = 6.0 × 10{sup 11} L {sub ☉} kpc{sup –2}). The strong lenses in this sample and others identified via (sub-)mm surveys will provide a wealth of information regarding the astrophysics of galaxy formation and evolution over a wide range in redshift.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2013

FAST MOLECULAR OUTFLOWS IN LUMINOUS GALAXY MERGERS: EVIDENCE FOR QUASAR FEEDBACK FROM HERSCHEL

We report the results from a systematic search for molecular (OH 119 μm) outflows with Herschel/PACS in a sample of 43 nearby (z < 0.3) galaxy mergers, mostly ultraluminous infrared galaxies (ULIRGs) and QSOs. We find that the character of the OH feature (strength of the absorption relative to the emission) correlates with that of the 9.7 μm silicate feature, a measure of obscuration in ULIRGs. Unambiguous evidence for molecular outflows, based on the detection of OH absorption profiles with median velocities more blueshifted than –50 km s{sup –1}, is seen in 26 (70%) of the 37 OH-detected targets, suggesting a wide-angle (∼145°) outflow geometry. Conversely, unambiguous evidence for molecular inflows, based on the detection of OH absorption profiles with median velocities more redshifted than +50 km s{sup –1}, is seen in only four objects, suggesting a planar or filamentary geometry for the inflowing gas. Terminal outflow velocities of ∼–1000 km s{sup –1} are measured in several objects, but median outflow velocities are typically ∼–200 km s{sup –1}. While the outflow velocities show no statistically significant dependence on the star formation rate, they are distinctly more blueshifted among systems with large active galactic nucleus (AGN) fractions and luminosities [log (L{sub AGN}/L{sub ☉}) ≥ 11.8 ± 0.3]. The quasars in these systems play a dominant role in driving the molecular outflows. However, the most AGN dominated systems, where OH is seen purely in emission, show relatively modest OH line widths, despite their large AGN luminosities, perhaps indicating that molecular outflows subside once the quasar has cleared a path through the obscuring material.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

NASA NTRS2013

Fast Molecular Outflows in Luminous Galaxy Mergers: Evidence for Quasar Feedback from Herschel

We report the results from a systematic search for molecular (OH 119 micron) outflows with Herschel/PACS in a sample of 43 nearby (z < 0.3) galaxy mergers, mostly ultraluminous infrared galaxies (ULIRGs) and QSOs. We find that the character of the OH feature (strength of the absorption relative to the emission) correlates with that of the 9.7 micron silicate feature, a measure of obscuration in ULIRGs. Unambiguous evidence for molecular outflows, based on the detection of OH absorption profiles with median velocities more blueshifted than−50 km/s, is seen in 26 (70%) of the 37 OH-detected targets, suggesting a wide-angle (approx. 145 deg.) outflow geometry. Conversely, unambiguous evidence for molecular inflows, based on the detection of OH absorption profiles with median velocities more redshifted than +50 km/s is seen in only four objects, suggesting a planar or filamentary geometry for the inflowing gas. Terminal outflow velocities of approx. −1000 km/s are measured in several objects, but median outflow velocities are typically approx.−200 km/s−1. While the outflow velocities show no statistically significant dependence on the star formation rate, they are distinctly more blueshifted among systems with large active galactic nucleus (AGN) fractions and luminosities [log (L(sub AGN)/L(sub solar)) => 11.8 +/- 0.3]. The quasars in these systems play a dominant role in driving the molecular outflows. However, the most AGN dominated systems, where OH is seen purely in emission, show relatively modest OH line widths, despite their large AGN luminosities, perhaps indicating that molecular outflows subside once the quasar has cleared a path through the obscuring material.

Outfows↗

DOE OSTI2013

THE ANATOMY OF AN EXTREME STARBURST WITHIN 1.3 Gyr OF THE BIG BANG REVEALED BY ALMA

We present further analysis of the [C II] 158 {mu}m fine structure line and thermal dust continuum emission from the archetype extreme starburst/active galactic nucleus (AGN) group of galaxies in the early universe, BRI 1202-0725 at z = 4.7, using the Atacama Large Millimeter Array. The group has long been noted for having a closely separated (26 kpc in projection) FIR-hyperluminous quasar host galaxy and an optically obscured submillimeter galaxy (SMG). A short ALMA test observation reveals a rich laboratory for the study of the myriad processes involved in clustered massive galaxy formation in the early universe. Strong [C II] emission from the SMG and the quasar have been reported earlier by Wagg et al. based on these observations. In this paper, we examine in more detail the imaging results from the ALMA observations, including velocity channel images, position-velocity plots, and line moment images. We present detections of [C II] emission from two Ly{alpha}-selected galaxies in the group, demonstrating the relative ease with which ALMA can detect the [C II] emission from lower star formation rate galaxies at high redshift. Imaging of the [C II] emission shows a clear velocity gradient across the SMG, possibly indicating rotation or a more complex dynamical system on a scale {approx}10 kpc. There is evidence in the quasar spectrum and images for a possible outflow toward the southwest, as well as more extended emission (a {sup b}ridge{sup )}, between the quasar and the SMG, although the latter could simply be emission from Ly{alpha}-1 blending with that of the quasar at the limited spatial resolution of the current observations. These results provide an unprecedented view of a major merger of gas-rich galaxies driving extreme starbursts and AGN accretion during the formation of massive galaxies and supermassive black holes within 1.3 Gyr of the big bang.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

NASA NTRS2013

The Surprising Absence of Absorption in the Far-ultraviolet Spectrum of Mrk 231

Mrk 231, the nearest (z = 0.0422) quasar, hosts both a galactic-scale wind and a nuclear-scale iron low-ionization broad absorption line (FeLoBAL) outflow. We recently obtained a far-ultraviolet (FUV) spectrum of this object covering approx. 1150-1470A with the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph on board the Hubble Space Telescope. This spectrum is highly peculiar, highlighted by the presence of faint (< or approx.2% of predictions based on H(alpha)), broad (> or approx.10,000 km/s at the base), and highly blueshifted (centroid at approx. 3500 km/s) Ly(aplpha) emission. The FUV continuum emission is slightly declining at shorter wavelengths (consistent with F(sub lambda) Alpha Lambda(sup 1.7)) and does not show the presence of any obvious photospheric or wind stellar features. Surprisingly, the FUV spectrum also does not show any unambiguous broad absorption features. It thus appears to be dominated by the AGN, rather than hot stars, and virtually unfiltered by the dusty FeLoBAL screen. The observed Ly(alpha) emission is best explained if it is produced in the outflowing BAL cloud system, while the Balmer lines arise primarily from the standard broad emission line region seen through the dusty (Av approx. 7 mag) broad absorption line region. Two possible geometric models are discussed in the context of these new results.

Veilleux, S.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Long slit spectroscopy of NGC 5506

The galaxy NGC 5506 hosts an active nucleus, that presents characteristics that are intermediate between Sy1 and Sy2. We discuss long slit spectra of NGC 5506 in the ranges 4675-5475 A and 6300-7125 A, that were obtained at three different position angles, in Apr. 1991 at the WHT 4.2 m telescope. The peculiar kinematics of the emitting gas has already been observed by other researchers; following the model proposed by the other researchers, that the emitting gas is located in two cones, we determined the aperture of the cones. The data, moreover, support the hypothesis that the gas is receding from the nucleus. We modelled the intensity and the ratios of the emission lines, and verified that the active nucleus of NGC 5506 can be described as a Sy1 nucleus, with the UV-X source that is partially obscured to our line of sight. On the contrary, a good fraction of the interstellar gas of the galaxy is directly illuminated and photoionized by the central source. Our data show evidence of star formation close to the nucleus; we estimated the star formation rate, that is high with respect to 'normal' spirals, but not high enough to be comparable to star formation rates in a starburst galaxy.

Stanga, R. M.↗