31 research outputs found
Constraining the extra heating of the Diffuse Ionized Gas in the Milky Way
The detailed observations of the diffuse ionized gas through the emission
lines H, [NII], and [SII] in the Perseus Arm of our Galaxy by the
Wisconsin H Mapper (WHAM)--survey challenge photoionization models.
They have to explain the observed rise in the line ratios [NII]/H and
[SII]/H. The models described here consider for the first time the
detailed observational geometry toward the Perseus Arm. The models address the
vertical variation of the line ratios up to height of 2 kpc above the midplane.
The rising trends of the line ratios are matched. The increase in the line
ratios is reflected in a rise of the temperature of the gas layer. This is due
to the progressive hardening of the radiation going through the gas. However an
extra heating above photoionization is needed to explain the absolute values.
Two different extra heating rates are investigated which are proportional to
and . The models show that a combination of both are best to explain
the data, where the extra heating independent of density is dominant for z
0.8 kpc.Comment: accepted for publication in Ap
Ionization Sources and Physical Conditions in the Diffuse Ionized Gas Halos of Four Edge-On Galaxies
Deep long-slit spectra of the diffuse ionized gas halos of the edge-on spiral
galaxies NGC 4302 and UGC 10288 are presented. These data, along with
previously presented data for NGC 5775 and NGC 891, are used to address the
issue of how DIG halos are energized. Composite photo-ionization/shock models
are generally better at explaining runs of line ratios in these galaxies than
photo-ionization models alone. Models of line ratios in NGC 5775 require a
greater contribution from shocks for filamentary regions than for
non-filamentary regions to explain the run of [OIII]/Halpha. In either case,
the [SII]/[NII] ratio is not well fit by the models. Composite models for UGC
10288 are successful at reproducing the run of [SII]/[NII] for all but the the
highest values of [NII]/Halpha; however, the run of [OIII]/Halpha vs.
[NII]/Halpha does not show any discernible trend, making it difficult to
determine whether or not shocks make a contribution.
We also examine whether the data can be explained simply by an increase in
temperature with z in a pure photo-ionization model. Runs of [SII]/Halpha,
[NII]/Halpha, and [SII]/[NII] in each of the four galaxies are consistent with
such an increase. However, the runs of [OIII]/Halpha vs. z in NGC 5775 and UGC
10288 require unusually high ionization fractions of O^{++} that can not be
explained without invoking a secondary ionization source or at the very least a
much higher temperature for the [OIII]-emitting component than for the [SII]-
and [NII]-emitting component. An increase in temperature with z is generally
more successful at explaining the [OIII]/Halpha run in NGC 891.Comment: 42 pages in aaspp4.sty format. This includes the 19 figures.
Reference added. Accepted for publication in Ap
Emission Line Ratios and Variations in Temperature and Ionization State in the Diffuse Ionized Gas of Five Edge-on Galaxies
We present spectroscopic observations of ionized gas in the disk-halo regions
of five edge-on galaxies, covering a wavelength range from [OII] 3727A to [SII]
6716.4A. The inclusion of the [OII] emission provides additional constraints on
the properties of the diffuse ionized gas (DIG), in particular, the origin of
the observed spatial variations in the line intensity ratios. We have derived
electron temperatures, ionization fractions and abundances along the slit. Our
data include both slit positions parallel and perpendicular to the galactic
disks. This allowed us to examine variations in the line intensity ratios with
height above the midplane as well as distance from the galactic centers. The
observed increase in the [OII]/Halpha line ratio towards the halo seems to
require an increase in electron temperature caused by a non-ionizing heating
mechanism. We conclude that gradients in the electron temperature can play a
significant role in the observed variations in the optical emission line ratios
from extraplanar DIG.Comment: accepted for publication in ApJ, 43 pages including 26 figure
High Latitude HI in NGC 2613: Buoyant Disk-Halo Outflow
We combine new VLA D array HI data of NGC 2613 with previous high resolution
data to show new disk-halo features in this galaxy. The global HI distribution
is modeled in detail using a technique which can disentangle the effects of
inclination from scale height and can also solve for the average volume density
distribution in and perpendicular to the disk. The model shows that the
galaxy's inclination is on the low end of the range given by Chaves & Irwin
(2001) and that the HI disk is thin (z_e = 188 pc), showing no evidence for
halo. Numerous discrete disk-halo features are observed, however, achieving z
heights up to 28 kpc from mid-plane. One prominent feature in particular, of
mass, 8X10^7 Msun and height, 22 kpc, is seen on the advancing side of the
galaxy at a projected galactocentric radius of 15.5 kpc. If this feature
achieves such high latitudes because of events in the disk alone, then input
energies of order ~ 10^{56} ergs are required. We have instead investigated the
feasibility of such a large feature being produced via buoyancy (with drag)
within a hot, pre-existing X-ray corona. Reasonable plume densities,
temperatures, stall height (~ 11 kpc), outflow velocities and ages can indeed
be achieved in this way. The advantage of this scenario is that the input
energy need only be sufficient to produce blow-out, a condition which requires
a reduction of three orders of magnitude in energy. If this is correct, there
should be an observable X-ray halo around NGC 2613.Comment: 32 pages 7 gif figures, accepted by Ap
Imaging Fabry-Perot Spectroscopy of NGC 5775: Kinematics of the Diffuse Ionized Gas Halo
We present imaging Fabry-Perot observations of Halpha emission in the nearly
edge-on spiral galaxy NGC 5775. We have derived a rotation curve and a radial
density profile along the major axis by examining position-velocity (PV)
diagrams from the Fabry-Perot data cube as well as a CO 2-1 data cube from the
literature. PV diagrams constructed parallel to the major axis are used to
examine changes in azimuthal velocity as a function of height above the
midplane. The results of this analysis reveal the presence of a vertical
gradient in azimuthal velocity. The magnitude of this gradient is approximately
1 km/s/arcsec, or about 8 km/s/kpc, though a higher value of the gradient may
be appropriate in localized regions of the halo. The evidence for an azimuthal
velocity gradient is much stronger for the approaching half of the galaxy,
although earlier slit spectra are consistent with a gradient on both sides.
There is evidence for an outward radial redistribution of gas in the halo. The
form of the rotation curve may also change with height, but this is not
certain. We compare these results with those of an entirely ballistic model of
a disk-halo flow. The model predicts a vertical gradient in azimuthal velocity
which is shallower than the observed gradient, indicating that an additional
mechanism is required to further slow the rotation speeds in the halo.Comment: 18 pages, 18 figures. Uses emulateapj.cls. Accepted for publication
in Ap
Infrared Spectroscopy of the Diffuse Ionized Halo of NGC 891
We present infrared spectroscopy from the Spitzer Space Telescope at one disk
position and two positions at a height of 1 kpc from the disk in the edge-on
spiral NGC 891, with the primary goal of studying halo ionization. Our main
result is that the [Ne III]/[Ne II] ratio, which provides a measure of the
hardness of the ionizing spectrum free from the major problems plaguing optical
line ratios, is enhanced in the extraplanar pointings relative to the disk
pointing. Using a 2D Monte Carlo-based photo-ionization code which accounts for
the effects of radiation field hardening, we find that this trend cannot be
reproduced by any plausible photo-ionization model, and that a secondary source
of ionization must therefore operate in gaseous halos. We also present the
first spectroscopic detections of extraplanar PAH features in an external
normal galaxy. If they are in an exponential layer, very rough emission
scale-heights of 330-530 pc are implied for the various features. Extinction
may be non-negligible in the midplane and reduce these scale-heights
significantly. There is little significant variation in the relative emission
from the various features between disk and extraplanar environment. Only the
17.4 micron feature is significantly enhanced in the extraplanar gas compared
to the other features, possibly indicating a preference for larger PAHs in the
halo.Comment: 35 pages in ApJ preprint format, 8 figures, accepted for publication
in ApJ. Minor change to Introduction to give appropriate credit to earlier,
related wor
Integral Field Unit Observations of NGC 891: Kinematics of the Diffuse Ionized Gas Halo
We present high and moderate spectral resolution spectroscopy of diffuse
ionized gas (DIG) emission in the halo of NGC 891. The data were obtained with
the SparsePak integral field unit at the WIYN Observatory. The wavelength
coverage includes the [NII]6548,6583, Halpha, and [SII]6716,6731 emission
lines. Position-velocity (PV) diagrams, constructed using spectra extracted
from four SparsePak pointings in the halo, are used to examine the kinematics
of the DIG. Using two independent methods, a vertical gradient in azimuthal
velocity is found to be present in the northeast quadrant of the halo, with
magnitude approximately 15-18 km/s/kpc, in agreement with results from HI
observations. The kinematics of the DIG suggest that this gradient begins at
approximately 1 kpc above the midplane. In another part of the halo, the
southeast quadrant, the kinematics are markedly different, and suggest rotation
at about 175 km/s, much slower than the disk but with no vertical gradient. We
utilize an entirely ballistic model of disk-halo flow in an attempt to
reproduce the kinematics observed in the northeast quadrant. Analysis shows
that the velocity gradient predicted by the ballistic model is far too shallow.
Based on intensity cuts made parallel to the major axis in the ballistic model
and an Halpha image of NGC 891 from the literature, we conclude that the DIG
halo is much more centrally concentrated than the model, suggesting that
hydrodynamics dominate over ballistic motion in shaping the density structure
of the halo. Velocity dispersion measurements along the minor axis of NGC 891
seem to indicate a lack of radial motions in the halo, but the uncertainties do
not allow us to set firm limits.Comment: 31 pages, 10 figures. Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical
Journa
High-Latitude HI in the Low Surface Brightness Galaxy UGC7321
From the analysis of sensitive HI 21-cm line observations, we find evidence
for vertically extended HI emission (|z|<~2.4 kpc) in the edge-on, low surface
brightness spiral galaxy UGC7321. Three-dimensional modelling suggests that the
HI disk of UGC7321 is both warped and flared, but that neither effect can fully
reproduce the spatial distribution and kinematics of the highest z-height gas.
We are able to model the high-latitude emission as an additional HI component
in the form of a ``thick disk'' or ``halo'' with a FWHM~3.3 kpc. We find
tentative evidence that the vertically extended gas declines in rotational
velocity as a function of z, although we are unable to completely rule out
models with constant V(z). In spite of the low star formation rate of UGC7321,
energy from supernovae may be sufficient to sustain this high-latitude gas.
However, alternative origins for this material, such as slow, sustained infall,
cannot yet be excluded.Comment: to appear in the August 20 Astrophysical Journal; 17 pages; version
with full resolution figures available at
http://cfa-www.harvard.edu/~lmatthew
The Wisconsin H-Alpha Mapper Northern Sky Survey
The Wisconsin H-Alpha Mapper (WHAM) has surveyed the distribution and
kinematics of ionized gas in the Galaxy above declination -30 degrees. The WHAM
Northern Sky Survey (WHAM-NSS) has an angular resolution of one degree and
provides the first absolutely-calibrated, kinematically-resolved map of the
H-Alpha emission from the Warm Ionized Medium (WIM) within ~ +/-100 km/s of the
Local Standard of Rest. Leveraging WHAM's 12 km/s spectral resolution, we have
modeled and removed atmospheric emission and zodiacal absorption features from
each of the 37,565 spectra. The resulting H-Alpha profiles reveal ionized gas
detected in nearly every direction on the sky with a sensitivity of 0.15 R (3
sigma). Complex distributions of ionized gas are revealed in the nearby spiral
arms up to 1-2 kpc away from the Galactic plane. Toward the inner Galaxy, the
WHAM-NSS provides information about the WIM out to the tangent point down to a
few degrees from the plane. Ionized gas is also detected toward many
intermediate velocity clouds at high latitudes. Several new H II regions are
revealed around early B-stars and evolved stellar cores (sdB/O). This work
presents the details of the instrument, the survey, and the data reduction
techniques. The WHAM-NSS is also presented and analyzed for its gross
properties. Finally, some general conclusions are presented about the nature of
the WIM as revealed by the WHAM-NSS.Comment: 42 pages, 14 figures (Fig 6-9 & 14 are full color); accepted for
publication in 2003, ApJ, 149; Original quality figures (as well as data for
the survey) are available at http://www.astro.wisc.edu/wham
Mapping Large-Scale Gaseous Outflows in Ultraluminous Infrared Galaxies with Keck II ESI Spectra: Spatial Extent of the Outflow
The kinematics of neutral gas and warm ionized gas have been mapped in
one-dimension across ultraluminous starburst galaxies using interstellar
absorption and emission lines, in Keck II ESI spectra. Blue-shifted absorption
is found along more of the slit than anticipated, exceeding scales of 15 kpc
across several systems. The large velocity gradient measured across some of
these outflows is inconsistent with a flow diverging from the central starburst
-- angular momentum conservation reduces the rotational velocity of an outflow
as it expands. More widespread star formation, likely triggered by the merger,
probably drives these outflows, although some models suggest the collision
itself could generate a wind by shock heating interstellar gas throughout the
disk. Young mergers with separated nuclei present the highest outflow masses,
due mainly to the larger area over which the cool gas can be detected. In a
typical ULIG, the mass carried by the cool phase of the outflow is around
10^8Msun, or a few percent of the total dynamical mass. Assuming the starburst
activity has proceeded at the observed rate for the past 10 Myr, the kinetic
energy of the cool outflows is a few percent of the supernova energy,
consistent with starbursts powering the outflows. The cool wind is expected to
be accelerated by momentum deposition, possibly from radiation pressure as well
as supernovae. Such models imply turn-around radii for the cool outflows of at
least 30 to 90 kpc. This cross-section presents a significant NaI absorption
cross section. If most L > 0.1L* galaxies pass through a luminous starburst
phase, then relics of cool outflows will create a significant redshift-path
density. Galaxy formation models should include this cool phase of the outflow
in addition to a hot wind in feedback models.Comment: Accepted to ApJ. Text and figures available as a single document at
http://www.physics.ucsb.edu/~cmartin/publications.htm