31,143 research outputs found
The Hubble Sequence in Groups: The Birth of the Early-Type Galaxies
The physical mechanisms and timescales that determine the morphological
signatures and the quenching of star formation of typical (~L*) elliptical
galaxies are not well understood. To address this issue, we have simulated the
formation of a group of galaxies with sufficient resolution to track the
evolution of gas and stars inside about a dozen galaxy group members over
cosmic history. Galaxy groups, which harbor many elliptical galaxies in the
universe, are a particularly promising environment to investigate morphological
transformation and star formation quenching, due to their high galaxy density,
their relatively low velocity dispersion, and the presence of a hot intragroup
medium. Our simulation reproduces galaxies with different Hubble morphologies
and, consequently, enables us to study when and where the morphological
transformation of galaxies takes place. The simulation does not include
feedback from active galactic nuclei showing that it is not an essential
ingredient for producing quiescent, red elliptical galaxies in galaxy groups.
Ellipticals form, as suspected, through galaxy mergers. In contrast with what
has often been speculated, however, these mergers occur at z>1, before the
merging progenitors enter the virial radius of the group and before the group
is fully assembled. The simulation also shows that quenching of star formation
in the still star-forming elliptical galaxies lags behind their morphological
transformation, but, once started, is taking less than a billion years to
complete. As long envisaged the star formation quenching happens as the
galaxies approach and enter the finally assembled group, due to quenching of
gas accretion and (to a lesser degree) stripping. A similar sort is followed by
unmerged, disk galaxies, which, as they join the group, are turned into the
red-and-dead disks that abound in these environments.Comment: 12 pages, 12 Figures, 1 Table, accepted for publication in AP
Birth of massive black hole binaries
If massive black holes (BHs) are ubiquitous in galaxies and galaxies
experience multiple mergers during their cosmic assembly, then BH binaries
should be common albeit temporary features of most galactic bulges.
Observationally, the paucity of active BH pairs points toward binary lifetimes
far shorter than the Hubble time, indicating rapid inspiral of the BHs down to
the domain where gravitational waves lead to their coalescence. Here, we review
a series of studies on the dynamics of massive BHs in gas-rich galaxy mergers
that underscore the vital role played by a cool, gaseous component in promoting
the rapid formation of the BH binary. The BH binary is found to reside at the
center of a massive self-gravitating nuclear disc resulting from the collision
of the two gaseous discs present in the mother galaxies. Hardening by
gravitational torques against gas in this grand disc is found to continue down
to sub-parsec scales. The eccentricity decreases with time to zero and when the
binary is circular, accretion sets in around the two BHs. When this occurs,
each BH is endowed with it own small-size (< 0.01 pc) accretion disc comprising
a few percent of the BH mass. Double AGN activity is expected to occur on an
estimated timescale of < 1 Myr. The double nuclear point-like sources that may
appear have typical separation of < 10 pc, and are likely to be embedded in the
still ongoing starburst. We note that a potential threat of binary stalling, in
a gaseous environment, may come from radiation and/or mechanical energy
injections by the BHs. Only short-lived or sub-Eddington accretion episodes can
guarantee the persistence of a dense cool gas structure around the binary
necessary for continuing BH inspiral.Comment: To appear in "2007 STScI Spring Symposium: Black Holes", eds. M.
Livio & A. M. Koekemoer, Cambridge University Press, 25 pages, 12 figure
On the inspiral of Massive Black Holes in gas-rich galaxy mergers
We present a study on the dynamics of massive BHs in galaxy mergers, obtained
from a series of high-resolution N-Body/SPH simulations. The presence of a
gaseous component is essential for the rapid formation of an eccentric
(Keplerian) BH binary, that resides at the center of a massive (~10^9 Msun)
turbulent nuclear disc. Using physically and/or numerically motivated recipes,
we follow the accretion history of the BHs during the merger. The mass of the
BHs increases as large central inflows of gas occur inside each galaxy, and
their mass ratio varies with time. Given the encountered strong degeneracy
between numerical resolution and physical assumptions, we suggest here three
possible paths followed by the galaxies and the BHs during a merger in order to
fulfill the M-sigma relation : Adjustment, Symbiosis, and BH Dominance. In an
extremely high resolution run, we resolved the turbulent gas pattern down to
parsec scales, and found that BH feedback is expected to be effective near the
end of the merger. We then trace the BH binary orbit down to a scale of 0.1 pc
modeling the nuclear disc as an equilibrium Mestel disc composed either of gas,
gas and stars, or just stars. Under the action of dynamical friction against
the rotating gaseous and/or stellar background the orbit circularizes. When
this occurs, each BH is endowed with its own small-size (~0.01 pc) accretion
disc comprising a few percent of the BH mass. Double AGN activity is expected
to occur on an estimated timescale of ~10 Myrs, comparable to the inspiral
time. The double nuclear point--like sources that may appear have typical
separations of ~10 pc, and are likely to be embedded in the still ongoing
starburst.Comment: 10 pages, 5 figures, Proceedings of the Conference "The Multicoloured
Landscape of Compact Objects and their Explosive Origins", Cefalu` 200
Virtual image out-the-window display system study. Volume 2 - Appendix
Virtual image out-the-window display system imaging techniques and simulation devices - appendices containing background materia
Advanced space system concepts and their orbital support needs (1980 - 2000). Volume 1: Executive summary
The likely system concepts which might be representative of NASA and DoD space programs in the 1980-2000 time period were studied along with the programs' likely needs for major space transportation vehicles, orbital support vehicles, and technology developments which could be shared by the military and civilian space establishments in that time period. Such needs could then be used by NASA as an input in determining the nature of its long-range development plan. The approach used was to develop a list of possible space system concepts (initiatives) in parallel with a list of needs based on consideration of the likely environments and goals of the future. The two lists thus obtained represented what could be done, regardless of need; and what should be done, regardless of capability, respectively. A set of development program plans for space application concepts was then assembled, matching needs against capabilities, and the requirements of the space concepts for support vehicles, transportation, and technology were extracted. The process was pursued in parallel for likely military and civilian programs, and the common support needs thus identified
Advanced space system concepts and their orbital support needs (1980 - 2000). Volume 2: Final report
The results are presented of a study which identifies over 100 new and highly capable space systems for the 1980-2000 time period: civilian systems which could bring benefits to large numbers of average citizens in everyday life, much enhance the kinds and levels of public services, increase the economic motivation for industrial investment in space, expand scientific horizons; and, in the military area, systems which could materially alter current concepts of tactical and strategic engagements. The requirements for space transportation, orbital support, and technology for these systems are derived, and those requirements likely to be shared between NASA and the DoD in the time period identified. The high leverage technologies for the time period are identified as very large microwave antennas and optics, high energy power subsystems, high precision and high power lasers, microelectronic circuit complexes and data processors, mosaic solid state sensing devices, and long-life cryogenic refrigerators
Advanced space system concepts and their orbital support needs (1980 - 2000). Volume 3: Detailed data. Part 1: Catalog of initiatives, functional options, and future environments and goals
The following areas were discussed in relation to a study of the commonality of space vehicle applications to future national needs: (1) index of initiatives (civilian observation, communication, support), brief illustrated description of each initiative, time periods (from 1980 to 2000+) for implementation of these initiatives; (2) data bank of functional system options, presented in the form of data sheets, one for each of the major functions, with the system option for near-term, midterm, and far-term space projects applicable to each subcategory of functions to be fulfilled; (3) table relating initiatives and desired goals (public service and humanistic, materialistic, scientific and intellectual); and (4) data on size, weight and cost estimations
Ring galaxies from off-centre collisions
We investigate the formation of RE galaxies (i.e. of collisional ring galaxies with an empty ring), with N-body/smoothed particle hydrodynamics simulations. The simulations employ a recipe for star formation (SF) and feedback that has been shown to be crucial to produce realistic galaxies in a cosmological context. We show that RE galaxies can form through off-centre collisions (i.e. with a non-zero impact parameter), even for small inclination angles. The ring can be either a complete ring or an arc, depending on the initial conditions (especially on the impact parameter). In our simulations, the nucleus of the target galaxy is displaced from the dynamical centre of the galaxy and is buried within the ring, as a consequence of the off-centre collision. We find that the nucleus is not vertically displaced from the plane of the ring. We study the kinematics of the ring, finding agreement with the predictions by the analytic theory. The SF history of the simulated galaxies indicates that the interaction enhances the SF rate. We compare the results of our simulations with the observations of Arp 147, which is the prototype of RE galaxie
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