Herschel reveals a molecular outflow in a z = 2.3 ULIRG
Abstract
We report the results from a 19-h integration with the Spectral and Photometric Imaging REceiver (SPIRE) Fourier Transform Spectrometer aboard the Herschel Space Observatory which has revealed the presence of a molecular outflow from the Cosmic Eyelash (SMM J2135-0102) via the detection of blueshifted OH absorption. Detections of several fine-structure emission lines indicate low-excitation H ii regions contribute strongly to the [C ii] luminosity in this z = 2.3 ultra-luminous infrared galaxy (ULIRG). The OH feature suggests a maximum wind velocity of 700 km s- 1, which is lower than the expected escape velocity of the host dark matter halo, ≈ 1000 km s- 1. A large fraction of the available molecular gas could thus be converted into stars via a burst protracted by the resulting gas fountain, until an active galactic nucleus (AGN)-driven outflow can eject the remaining gas.
- Publication:
-
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
- Pub Date:
- August 2014
- DOI:
- 10.1093/mnras/stu967
- arXiv:
- arXiv:1402.6320
- Bibcode:
- 2014MNRAS.442.1877G
- Keywords:
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- Astrophysics - Astrophysics of Galaxies;
- Astrophysics - Cosmology and Nongalactic Astrophysics
- E-Print:
- 7 pages, 4 figures