431 research outputs found
The Complex Structure of the Multi-Phase Galactic Wind in a Starburst Merger
Neutral outflows have been detected in many ultraluminous infrared galaxies
(ULIRGs) via the Na I D absorption-line doublet.
For the first time, we have mapped and analyzed the 2-D kinematics of a cool
neutral outflow in a ULIRG, F10565+2448, using the integral field unit (IFU) on
Gemini North to observe the Na I D feature. At the same time we have mapped the
ionized outflow with the [NII] and H emission lines. We find a systemic
rotation curve that is consistent with the rotation of the molecular disk
determined from previous CO observations. The absorption lines show evidence of
a nuclear outflow with a radial extent of at least 3 kpc, consistent with
previous observations. The strength of the Na I D lines have a strong,
spatially resolved correlation with reddening, suggesting that dust is present
in the outflow. Surprisingly, the outflow velocities of the neutral gas show a
strong asymmetry in the form of a major-axis gradient that is opposite in sign
to disk rotation. This is inconsistent with entrained material rotating along
with the galaxy or with a tilted minor-axis outflow. We hypothesize that this
unusual behavior is due to an asymmetry in the distribution of the ambient gas.
We also see evidence of asymmetric ionized outflow in the emission-line
velocity map, which appear to be decoupled from the neutral outflow. Our
results strengthen the hypothesis that ULIRG outflows differ in morphology from
those in more quiescent disk galaxies.Comment: Accepted to Ap
An Ionization Cone in the Dwarf Starburst Galaxy NGC 5253
There are few observational constraints on how the escape of ionizing photons
from starburst galaxies depends on galactic parameters. Here, we report on the
first major detection of an ionization cone in NGC 5253, a nearby starburst
galaxy. This high-excitation feature is identified by mapping the emission-line
ratios in the galaxy using [S III] lambda 9069, [S II] lambda 6716, and H_alpha
narrow-band images from the Maryland-Magellan Tunable Filter at Las Campanas
Observatory. The ionization cone appears optically thin, which is suggestive of
the escape of ionizing photons. The cone morphology is narrow with an estimated
solid angle covering just 3% of 4pi steradians, and the young, massive clusters
of the nuclear starburst can easily generate the radiation required to ionize
the cone. Although less likely, we cannot rule out the possibility of an
obscured AGN source. An echelle spectrum along the minor axis shows complex
kinematics that are consistent with outflow activity. The narrow morphology of
the ionization cone supports the scenario that an orientation bias contributes
to the difficulty in detecting Lyman continuum emission from starbursts and
Lyman break galaxies.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, Accepted to ApJ Letter
Perception du niveau d'implication parentale dans le contexte du choix professionnel de l'adolescent et concept de soi de l'adolescent
La pensée stratégique et la planification stratégique dans les cégeps : exploration d'une relation possible
Le nouveau management public (NMP) amène la mise en place de différents processus de gestion visant à identifier clairement les résultats à atteindre en terme de desserte de services publics et à programmer les moyens optimaux pour y arriver. La planification stratégique est un des processus fondamentaux du cycle de gestion axée sur les résultats (GAR) au Québec. La littérature récente suggère qu'il puisse exister une relation entre le fait de planifier stratégiquement (produire un plan stratégique) et penser stratégiquement. Dans le contexte de la mise en place relativement récente d'exercices de planification stratégique dans les cégeps au Québec, nous explorons la relation possible entre ces deux variables en vérifiant a posteriori si la planification stratégique s'est effectivement appuyée sur la capacité de penser stratégiquement chez les gestionnaires ou encore si ce type de planification a contribué à « enrichir » la pensée stratégique des gestionnaires. Après une présentation plus exhaustive du sujet, nous exposons notre cadre théorique. Il définit les concepts de planification stratégique et de pensée stratégique, laquelle s'articule à travers un modèle, et situe certaines des particularités des cégeps à titre d'organisations publiques. La méthodologie est ensuite décrite. Nous avons mené des entretiens semi-dirigés auprès de sept gestionnaires de cégeps (en poste ou à la retraite) des régions de Québec et de Chaudière-Appalaches ayant pris part au second exercice de planification stratégique dans leur établissement. La présentation des résultats s'appuie sur les verbatims que nous avons tirés de ces entretiens et que nous avons encodés. Les codes, utilisés comme clés d'interprétation, nous permettent d'identifier des indices qui alimentent notre présentation des résultats. Notre chapitre consacré à l'analyse et la discussion explique tout autant les constats que nous effectuons que les indices qui ne peuvent pas être confirmés. Notre réflexion critique sur la méthodologie met en perspective différents éléments, lesquels nous permettent de répondre clairement à notre question de recherche sans toutefois négliger les nuances nécessaires en lien avec le caractère exploratoire de l'étude
Discovery of strongly blue shifted mid-infrared [NeIII] and [NeV] emission in ULIRGs
We report the discovery of blue shifted (delta(V) > 200 km/s) mid-infrared
[NeIII] and/or [NeV] emission in 25 out of 82 ULIRGs (30% of our sample). The
incidence of blue shifted [NeV] emission is even higher (59%) among the sources
with a [NeV] detection -- the tell-tale signature of an active galactic nucleus
(AGN). Sixteen ULIRGs in our sample, eleven of which are optically classified
as AGN, have [NeIII] blue shifts above 200 km/s. A comparison of the line
profiles of their 12.81um [NeII], 15.56um [NeIII] and 14.32um [NeV] lines
reveals the ionization of the blue shifted gas to increase with blue shift,
implying decelerating outflows in a stratified medium, photo-ionized by the
AGN. The strong correlation of the line width of the [NeIII] line with the
radio luminosity indicates that interaction of expanding radio jets with the
dense ISM surrounding the AGN may explain the observed neon line kinematics for
the strongest radio sources in this sample.Comment: Accepted for publication by ApJ Letters. 15 pages, 4 figure
Stellar Population Gradients in ULIRGs: Implications for Gas Inflow Timescales
Using longslit, optical spectra of Ultraluminous Infrared Galaxies (ULIRGs),
we measure the evolution in the star-formation intensity during galactic
mergers. In individual galaxies, we resolve kpc scales allowing comparison of
the nucleus, inner disk, and outer disk. We find that the strength of the Hbeta
absorption line increases with the projected distance from the center of the
merger, typically reaching about 9 Angstrom around 10 kpc. At these radii, the
star formation intensity must have rapidly decreased about 300-400 Myr ago;
only stellar populations deficient in stars more massive than Type A produce
such strong Balmer absorption. In contrast, we find the star formation history
in the central kpc consistent with continuous star formation. Our measurements
indicate that gas depletion occurs from the outer disk inwards during major
mergers. This result is consistent with merger-induced gas inflow and
empirically constrains the gas inflow timescale. Numerical simulations
accurately calculate the total amount of infalling gas but often assume the
timescale for infall. These new measurements are therefore central to modeling
merger-induced star formation and AGN activity.Comment: Accepted by ApJ; 11 pages, 8 figures, 18 online-only figures that can
be found at http://physics.ucsb.edu/~ktsoto/online_figs/2009arXiv0909.2050S
Outflows in Infrared-Luminous Starbursts at z < 0.5. I. Sample, NaI D Spectra, and Profile Fitting
We have conducted a spectroscopic survey of 78 starbursting infrared-luminous
galaxies at redshifts up to z = 0.5. We use moderate-resolution spectroscopy of
the NaI D interstellar absorption feature to directly probe the neutral phase
of outflowing gas in these galaxies. Over half of our sample are ultraluminous
infrared galaxies that are classified as starbursts; the rest have infrared
luminosities in the range log(L_IR/L_sun) = 10.2 - 12.0. The sample selection,
observations, and data reduction are described here. The absorption-line
spectra of each galaxy are presented. We also discuss the theory behind
absorption-line fitting in the case of a partially-covered, blended absorption
doublet observed at moderate-to-high resolution, a topic neglected in the
literature. A detailed analysis of these data is presented in a companion
paper.Comment: 59 pages, 18 figures in AASTeX preprint style; to appear in September
issue of ApJ
Exploring the active galactic nucleus and starburst content of local ultraluminous infrared galaxies through 5-8 micron spectroscopy
We present a 5-8 micron analysis of the Spitzer-IRS spectra of 71
ultraluminous infrared galaxies (ULIRGs) with redshift z < 0.15, devoted to the
study of the role of active galactic nuclei (AGN) and starbursts (SB) as the
power source of the extreme infrared emission. Around 5 micron an AGN is much
brighter (by a factor 30) than a starburst of equal bolometric luminosity. This
allows us to detect the presence of even faint accretion-driven cores inside
ULIRGs: signatures of AGN activity are found in 70 per cent of our sample
(50/71 sources). Through a simple analytical model we are also able to obtain a
quantitative estimate of the AGN/SB contribution to the overall energy output
of each source. Although the main fraction of ULIRG luminosity is confirmed to
arise from star formation events, the AGN contribution is non-negligible (23
per cent) and is shown to increase with luminosity. The existence of a rather
heterogeneous pattern in the composition and geometrical structure of the dust
among ULIRGs is newly supported by the comparison between individual absorption
features and continuum extinction.Comment: 56 pages, 13 figures, 4 tables. Accepted for publication in MNRA
Exploring the Dust Content of Galactic Winds with Herschel. I. NGC 4631
We present a detailed analysis of deep far-infrared observations of the
nearby edge-on star-forming galaxy NGC 4631 obtained with the Herschel Space
Observatory. Our PACS images at 70 and 160 um show a rich complex of filaments
and chimney-like features that extends up to a projected distance of 6 kpc
above the plane of the galaxy. The PACS features often match extraplanar
Halpha, radio-continuum, and soft X-ray features observed in this galaxy,
pointing to a tight disk-halo connection regulated by star formation. On the
other hand, the morphology of the colder dust component detected on larger
scale in the SPIRE 250, 350, and 500 um data matches the extraplanar H~I
streams previously reported in NGC 4631 and suggests a tidal origin. The PACS
70/160 ratios are elevated in the central ~3.0 kpc region above the nucleus of
this galaxy (the "superbubble"). A pixel-by-pixel analysis shows that dust in
this region has a higher temperature and/or an emissivity with a steeper
spectral index (beta > 2) than the dust in the disk, possibly the result of the
harsher environment in the superbubble. Star formation in the disk seems
energetically insufficient to lift the material out of the disk, unless it was
more active in the past or the dust-to-gas ratio in the superbubble region is
higher than the Galactic value. Some of the dust in the halo may also have been
tidally stripped from nearby companions or lifted from the disk by galaxy
interactions.Comment: Accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journa
VLT-VIMOS integral field spectroscopy of luminous and ultraluminous infrared galaxies II. Evidence for shock ionization caused by tidal forces in the extra-nuclear regions of interacting and merging LIRGs
LIRGs are an important class of objects in the low-z universe bridging the
gap between normal spirals and the strongly interacting and starbursting
ULIRGs. Studies of their 2D physical properties are still lacking. We aim to
understand the nature and origin of the ionization mechanisms operating in the
extranuclear regions of LIRGs as a function of the interaction phase and L_IR
by using IFS data obtained with VIMOS. Our analysis is based on over 25300
spectra of 32 LIRGs covering all types of morphologies and the entire
10^11-10^12 L_sun range. We found strong evidence for shock ionization, with a
clear trend with the dynamical status of the system. Specifically, we
quantified the variation with interaction phase of several line ratios
indicative of the excitation degree. While the [NII]/Ha ratio does not show any
significant change, the [SII]/Ha and [OI]/Ha ratios are higher for more
advanced interaction stages. We constrained the main mechanisms causing the
ionization in the extra-nuclear regions using diagnostic diagrams. Isolated
systems are mainly consistent with ionization caused by young stars. Large
fractions of the extra-nuclear regions in interacting pairs and more advanced
mergers are consistent with ionization caused by shocks. This is supported by
the relation between the excitation degree and the velocity dispersion of the
ionized gas, which we interpret as evidence for shock ionization in interacting
galaxies and advanced mergers but not in isolated galaxies. This relation does
not show any dependence with L_IR. All this indicates that tidal forces play a
key role in the origin of the ionizing shocks in the extra-nuclear regions. We
also showed what appears to be a common [OI]/Ha-sigma relation for the
extranuclear ionized gas in interacting (U)LIRGs. This needs to be investigated
further with a larger sample of ULIRGs.Comment: Accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysics. Some figures
were removed due to space limitations. A version with the whole set of
figures can be seen at
http://www.damir.iem.csic.es/extragalactic/publications/publications.htm
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