GN-z11: Witnessing the formation of second-generation stars and an accreting massive black hole in a massive star cluster
Abstract
We explore the possibility of the N-rich young proto-galaxy GN-z11, recently observed at z = 10.6 by JWST, being the result of the formation of second generation stars from pristine gas and asymptotic giant branch (AGB) ejecta in a massive globular cluster or nuclear star cluster. We show that a second generation forming out of gas polluted by the ejecta of massive AGB stars and mixed with gas of a standard composition accounts for the unusually large N/O in the GN-z11 spectrum. The timing of the evolution of massive (4-7.5 M⊙) AGBs also provides a favorable environment for the growth of a central stellar mass black hole to the AGN stage observed in GN-z11. According to our model, the progenitor system was born when the age of the Universe was ≃260 − 380 Myr, well within the bounds of the pre-reionization epoch.
- Publication:
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Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Pub Date:
- December 2023
- DOI:
- arXiv:
- arXiv:2311.14558
- Bibcode:
- 2023A&A...680L..19D
- Keywords:
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- stars: AGB and post-AGB;
- stars: black holes;
- galaxies: clusters: general;
- galaxies: formation;
- galaxies: high-redshift;
- Astrophysics - Solar and Stellar Astrophysics;
- Astrophysics - Cosmology and Nongalactic Astrophysics;
- Astrophysics - Astrophysics of Galaxies;
- Astrophysics - High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
- E-Print:
- 6 pages, 3 figures, accepted for publication on A&