Showing papers by "Deidre A. Hunter published in 2015"

High-resolution Mass Models of Dwarf Galaxies from LITTLE THINGS

Abstract: We present high-resolution rotation curves and mass models of 26 dwarf galaxies from "Local Irregulars That Trace Luminosity Extremes, The H i Nearby Galaxy Survey" (LITTLE THINGS). LITTLE THINGS is a high-resolution (~6" angular; <2.6 km s^−1 velocity resolution) Very Large Array H i survey for nearby dwarf galaxies in the local volume within 11 Mpc. The high-resolution H i observations enable us to derive reliable rotation curves of the sample galaxies in a homogeneous and consistent manner. The rotation curves are then combined with Spitzer archival 3.6 μm and ancillary optical U, B, and V images to construct mass models of the galaxies. This high quality multi-wavelength data set significantly reduces observational uncertainties and thus allows us to examine the mass distribution in the galaxies in detail. We decompose the rotation curves in terms of the dynamical contributions by baryons and dark matter (DM) halos, and compare the latter with those of dwarf galaxies from THINGS as well as ΛCDM Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamic (SPH) simulations in which the effect of baryonic feedback processes is included. Being generally consistent with THINGS and simulated dwarf galaxies, most of the LITTLE THINGS sample galaxies show a linear increase of the rotation curve in their inner regions, which gives shallower logarithmic inner slopes α of their DM density profiles. The mean value of the slopes of the 26 LITTLE THINGS dwarf galaxies is which is a = -.032 ± 0.24 in accordance with the previous results found for low surface brightness galaxies (α = −0.2 ± 0.2) as well as the seven THINGS dwarf galaxies (α = −0.29 ± 0.07). However, this significantly deviates from the cusp-like DM distribution predicted by DM-only ΛCDM simulations. Instead our results are more in line with the shallower slopes found in the ΛCDM SPH simulations of dwarf galaxies in which the effect of baryonic feedback processes is included. In addition, we discuss the central DM distribution of DDO 210 whose stellar mass is relatively low in our sample to examine the scenario of inefficient supernova feedback in low mass dwarf galaxies predicted from recent ΛCDM SPH simulations of dwarf galaxies where central cusps still remain.

High-resolution mass models of dwarf galaxies from LITTLE THINGS

Abstract: We present high-resolution rotation curves and mass models of 26 dwarf galaxies from LITTLE THINGS. LITTLE THINGS is a high-resolution Very Large Array HI survey for nearby dwarf galaxies in the local volume within 11 Mpc. The rotation curves of the sample galaxies derived in a homogeneous and consistent manner are combined with Spitzer archival 3.6 micron and ancillary optical U, B, and V images to construct mass models of the galaxies. We decompose the rotation curves in terms of the dynamical contributions by baryons and dark matter halos, and compare the latter with those of dwarf galaxies from THINGS as well as Lambda CDM SPH simulations in which the effect of baryonic feedback processes is included. Being generally consistent with THINGS and simulated dwarf galaxies, most of the LITTLE THINGS sample galaxies show a linear increase of the rotation curve in their inner regions, which gives shallower logarithmic inner slopes alpha of their dark matter density profiles. The mean value of the slopes of the 26 LITTLE THINGS dwarf galaxies is alpha =-0.32 +/- 0.24 which is in accordance with the previous results found for low surface brightness galaxies (alpha = -0.2 +/- 0.2) as well as the seven THINGS dwarf galaxies (alpha =-0.29 +/- 0.07). However, this significantly deviates from the cusp-like dark matter distribution predicted by dark-matter-only Lambda CDM simulations. Instead our results are more in line with the shallower slopes found in the Lambda CDM SPH simulations of dwarf galaxies in which the effect of baryonic feedback processes is included. In addition, we discuss the central dark matter distribution of DDO 210 whose stellar mass is relatively low in our sample to examine the scenario of inefficient supernova feedback in low mass dwarf galaxies predicted from recent Lambda SPH simulations of dwarf galaxies where central cusps still remain.

Legacy extragalactic UV survey (LEGUS) with the hubble space telescope. I. Survey description

Abstract: The Legacy ExtraGalactic UV Survey (LEGUS) is a Cycle 21 Treasury program on the Hubble Space Telescope aimed at the investigation of star formation and its relation with galactic environment in nearby galaxies, from the scales of individual stars to those of ~kiloparsec-size clustered structures Five-band imaging from the near-ultraviolet to the I band with the Wide-Field Camera 3 (WFC3), plus parallel optical imaging with the Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS), is being collected for selected pointings of 50 galaxies within the local 12 Mpc The filters used for the observations with the WFC3 are F275W(λ2704 A), F336W(λ3355 A), F438W(λ4325 A), F555W(λ5308 A), and F814W(λ8024 A); the parallel observations with the ACS use the filters F435W(λ4328 A), F606W(λ5921 A), and F814W(λ8057 A) The multiband images are yielding accurate recent (lesssim50 Myr) star formation histories from resolved massive stars and the extinction-corrected ages and masses of star clusters and associations The extensive inventories of massive stars and clustered systems will be used to investigate the spatial and temporal evolution of star formation within galaxies This will, in turn, inform theories of galaxy evolution and improve the understanding of the physical underpinning of the gas-star formation relation and the nature of star formation at high redshift This paper describes the survey, its goals and observational strategy, and the initial scientific results Because LEGUS will provide a reference survey and a foundation for future observations with the James Webb Space Telescope and with ALMA, a large number of data products are planned for delivery to the community

A star formation law for dwarf irregular galaxies

Abstract: The radial profiles of gas, stars, and far-ultraviolet radiation in 20 dwarf Irregular galaxies are converted to stability parameters and scale heights for a test of the importance of two-dimensional (2D) instabilities in promoting star formation. A detailed model of this instability involving gaseous and stellar fluids with self-consistent thicknesses and energy dissipation on a perturbation crossing time gives the unstable growth rates. We find that all locations are effectively stable to 2D perturbations, mostly because the disks are thick. We then consider the average volume densities in the midplanes, evaluated from the observed H i surface densities and calculated scale heights. The radial profiles of the star-formation rates are equal to about 1% of the H i surface densities divided by the free fall times at the average midplane densities. This 1% resembles the efficiency per unit free fall time commonly found in other cases. There is a further variation of this efficiency with radius in all of our galaxies, following the exponential disk with a scale length equal to about twice the stellar mass scale length. This additional variation is modeled by the molecular fraction in a diffuse medium using radiative transfer solutions for galaxies with the observed dimensions and properties of our sample. We conclude that star formation is activated by a combination of three-dimensional gaseous gravitational processes and molecule formation. Implications for outer disk structure and formation are discussed.

Dense cloud cores revealed by CO in the low metallicity dwarf galaxy WLM

Abstract: Understanding stellar birth requires observations of the clouds in which they form. These clouds are dense and self-gravitating, and in all existing observations they are molecular, with H2 the dominant species and carbon monoxide (CO) the best available tracer. When the abundances of carbon and oxygen are low compared with that of hydrogen, and the opacity from dust is also low, as in primeval galaxies and local dwarf irregular galaxies, CO forms slowly and is easily destroyed, so it is difficult for it to accumulate inside dense clouds. Here we report interferometric observations of CO clouds in the local group dwarf irregular galaxy Wolf-Lundmark-Melotte (WLM), which has a metallicity that is 13 per cent of the solar value and 50 per cent lower than the previous CO detection threshold. The clouds are tiny compared to the surrounding atomic and H2 envelopes, but they have typical densities and column densities for CO clouds in the Milky Way. The normal CO density explains why star clusters forming in dwarf irregulars have similar densities to star clusters in giant spiral galaxies. The low cloud masses suggest that these clusters will also be low mass, unless some galaxy-scale compression occurs, such as an impact from a cosmic cloud or other galaxy. If the massive metal-poor globular clusters in the halo of the Milky Way formed in dwarf galaxies, as is commonly believed, then they were probably triggered by such an impact.

The non-thermal superbubble in IC 10: the generation of cosmic ray electrons caught in the act

Abstract: Superbubbles are crucial for stellar feedback, with supposedly high (of the order of 10 per cent) thermalization rates. We combined multiband radio continuum observations from the Very Large Array (VLA) with Effelsberg data to study the non-thermal superbubble (NSB) in IC 10, a starburst dwarf irregular galaxy in the Local Group. Thermal emission was subtracted using a combination of Balmer Hα and VLA 32 GHz continuum maps. The bubble’s nonthermal spectrum between 1.5 and 8.8 GHz displays curvature and can be well fitted with a standard model of an ageing cosmic ray electron population. With a derived equipartition magnetic field strength of 44± 8µG, and measuring the radiation energy density from Spitzer MIPS maps as 5±1×10 −11 erg cm −3 , we determine, based on the spectral curvature, a spectral age of the bubble of 1.0± 0.3 Myr. Analysis of the LITTLE THINGS HI data cube shows an expanding H I hole with 100 pc diameter and a dynamical age of 3.8± 0.3 Myr, centred to within 16 pc on IC 10 X-1, a massive stellar mass black hole (M> 23 M⊙). The results are consistent with the expected evolution for a superbubble with a few massive stars, where a very energetic event like a Type Ic supernova/hypernova has taken place about 1 Myr ago. We discuss alternatives to this interpretation.

Herschel Spectroscopic Observations of LITTLE THINGS Dwarf Galaxies

Abstract: We present far-infrared spectral line observations of five galaxies from the LITTLE THINGS sample: DDO 69, DDO 70, DDO 75, DDO 155, and WLM. While most studies of dwarfs focus on bright systems or starbursts due to observational constraints, our data extend the observed parameter space into the regime of low surface brightness dwarf galaxies with low metallicities and moderate star formation rates. Our targets were observed with Herschel at the [CII] 158um, [OI] 63um, [OIII] 88um, and NII 122um emission lines using the PACS Spectrometer. These high-resolution maps allow us for the first time to study the far-infrared properties of these systems on the scales of larger star-forming complexes. The spatial resolution in our maps, in combination with star formation tracers, allows us to identify separate PDRs in some of the regions we observed. Our systems have widespread [CII] emission that is bright relative to continuum, averaging near 0.5% of the total infrared budget - higher than in solar-metallicity galaxies of other types. [NII] is weak, suggesting that the [CII] emission in our galaxies comes mostly from PDRs instead of the diffuse ionized ISM. These systems exhibit efficient cooling at low dust temperatures, as shown by ([OI]+[CII])/TIR in relation to 60um/100um, and low [OI]/[CII] ratios which indicate that [CII] is the dominant coolant of the ISM. We observe [OIII]/[CII] ratios in our galaxies that are lower than those published for other dwarfs, but similar to levels noted in spirals.

The shape of little things dwarf galaxies ddo 46 and ddo 168: understanding the stellar and gas kinematics

Abstract: Determining the shape of dwarf irregular (dIrr) galaxies is controversial because if one assumes that these objects are disks and if these disks are randomly distributed over the sky, then their projected minor-to-major axis ratios should follow a particular statistical distribution, which is not observed. Thus, different studies have led to different conclusions. Some believe that the observed distributions can be explained by assuming the dIrrs are thick disks while others have concluded that dIrrs are triaxial. Fortunately, the central stellar velocity dispersion, σz,0, combined with maximum rotation speed, Vmax, provides a kinematic measure, Vmax/σz,0, which gives the threedimensional shape of a system. In this work, we present the stellar and gas kinematics of DDO 46 and DDO 168 from the Local Irregulars That Trace Luminosity Extremes; The H I Nearby Galaxy Survey (LITTLE THINGS) and determine their respective Vmax/σz,0 values. We used the Kitt Peak National Observatoryʼs Mayall 4 m telescope with the Echelle spectrograph as a long-slit spectrograph, which provided a two-dimensional, 3′-long slit. We acquired spectra of DDO 168 along four position angles (PAs) by placing the slit over the morphological major and minor axes and two intermediate PAs. However, due to poor weather conditions during our observing run for DDO 46, we were able to extract only one useful data point from the morphological major axis. We determined a central stellar velocity dispersion perpendicular to the disk, σz,0, of 13.5 ± 8k m s �1 for DDO 46 and σ 〈〉 z,0 of 10.7± 2.9 km s �1 for DDO 168. We then derived the maximum rotation speed in both galaxies using the LITTLE THINGS H I data. We separated bulk motions from non-circular motions using a double Gaussian decomposition technique and applied a tilted-ring model to the bulk velocity field. We corrected the observed H I rotation speeds for asymmetric drift and found a maximum velocity, Vmax, of 77.4 ±3.7 and 67.4 ±4.0 for DDO 46 and DDO 168, respectively. Thus, we derived a kinematic measure, Vmax/σz,0, of 5.7 ±0.6 for DDO 46 and 6.3 ±0.3 for DDO 168. Comparing these values to ones determined for spiral galaxies, we find that DDO 46 and DDO 168 have Vmax/σz,0 values indicative of thin disks, which is in contrast to minor-to-major axis ratio studies.

The shape of little things dwarf galaxies ddo 46 and ddo 168: understanding the stellar and gas kinematics

Abstract: Determining the shape of dwarf irregular (dIrr) galaxies is controversial because if one assumes that these objects are disks and if these disks are randomly distributed over the sky, then their projected minor-to-major axis ratios should follow a particular statistical distribution, which is not observed. Thus, different studies have led to different conclusions. Some believe that the observed distributions can be explained by assuming the dIrrs are thick disks while others have concluded that dIrrs are triaxial. Fortunately, the central stellar velocity dispersion, σz,0, combined with maximum rotation speed, Vmax, provides a kinematic measure, Vmax/σz,0, which gives the threedimensional shape of a system. In this work, we present the stellar and gas kinematics of DDO 46 and DDO 168 from the Local Irregulars That Trace Luminosity Extremes; The H I Nearby Galaxy Survey (LITTLE THINGS) and determine their respective Vmax/σz,0 values. We used the Kitt Peak National Observatoryʼs Mayall 4 m telescope with the Echelle spectrograph as a long-slit spectrograph, which provided a two-dimensional, 3′-long slit. We acquired spectra of DDO 168 along four position angles (PAs) by placing the slit over the morphological major and minor axes and two intermediate PAs. However, due to poor weather conditions during our observing run for DDO 46, we were able to extract only one useful data point from the morphological major axis. We determined a central stellar velocity dispersion perpendicular to the disk, σz,0, of 13.5 ± 8k m s �1 for DDO 46 and σ 〈〉 z,0 of 10.7± 2.9 km s �1 for DDO 168. We then derived the maximum rotation speed in both galaxies using the LITTLE THINGS H I data. We separated bulk motions from non-circular motions using a double Gaussian decomposition technique and applied a tilted-ring model to the bulk velocity field. We corrected the observed H I rotation speeds for asymmetric drift and found a maximum velocity, Vmax, of 77.4 ±3.7 and 67.4 ±4.0 for DDO 46 and DDO 168, respectively. Thus, we derived a kinematic measure, Vmax/σz,0, of 5.7 ±0.6 for DDO 46 and 6.3 ±0.3 for DDO 168. Comparing these values to ones determined for spiral galaxies, we find that DDO 46 and DDO 168 have Vmax/σz,0 values indicative of thin disks, which is in contrast to minor-to-major axis ratio studies.

The Shape of LITTLE THINGS Dwarf Galaxies DDO 46 and DDO 168: Understanding the stellar and gas kinematics

Abstract: We present the stellar and gas kinematics of DDO 46 and DDO 168 from the LITTLE THINGS survey and determine their respective Vmax/sigma_z,0 values. We used the KPNO's 4-meter telescope with the Echelle spectrograph as a long-slit spectrograph. We acquired spectra of DDO 168 along four position angles by placing the slit over the morphological major and minor axes and two intermediate position angles. However, due to poor weather conditions during our observing run for DDO 46, we were able to extract only one useful data point from the morphological major axis. We determined a central stellar velocity dispersion perpendicular to the disk, sigma_z,0, of 13.5+/-8 km/s for DDO 46 and of 10.7+/-2.9 km/s for DDO 168. We then derived the maximum rotation speed in both galaxies using the LITTLE THINGS HI data. We separated bulk motions from non-circular motions using a double Gaussian decomposition technique and applied a tilted-ring model to the bulk velocity field. We corrected the observed HI rotation speeds for asymmetric drift and found a maximum velocity, Vmax, of 77.4 +/- 3.7 and 67.4 +/- 4.0 km/s for DDO 46 and DDO 168, respectively. Thus, we derived a kinematic measure, Vmax/sigma_z,0, of 5.7 +/- 0.6 for DDO 46 and 6.3 +/- 0.3 for DDO 168. Comparing these values to ones determined for spiral galaxies, we find that DDO 46 and DDO 168 have Vmax/sigma_z,0 values indicative of thin disks, which is in contrast to minor-to-major axis ratio studies.

Dwarf Irregular Galaxies of the Local Group

Abstract: Local Group dwarf irregulars (dIrrs) cover an enormous range in star formation properties. Here I discuss these tiny galaxies as probes of star formation at the extremes of low gas densities and low metallicities. We have learned that (1) Star formation is inefficient in dIrrs and yet at very low \(\Sigma_{\rm HI}\) (\(<0.5\) M\(_{\odot}\;\) pc\(^{-2}\)) the star formation rate is higher than expected from a linear extrapolation from star formation at higher \(\Sigma_{\rm HI}\). (2) Star formation correlates with existing stars and stellar feedback could be important. (3) Stellar disks go on for a long ways, often with very regular surface brightness profiles and reaching very low \(\Sigma_{\rm HI}\). (4) Breaks in surface brightness profiles occur at about the same magnitude in both spirals and dwarfs, so something fundamental is taking place there. (5) Dwarf disks appear to grow from the “outside-in”, contrary to spirals. (6) At low metallicity, star formation takes place in giant molecular clouds, but the photodissociation region is large.

A Radio Continuum Study of Dwarf Galaxies: 6 cm imaging of LITTLE THINGS

Abstract: In this paper we examine to what extent the radio continuum can be used as an extinction free probe of star formation in dwarf galaxies. To that aim we observe $40$ nearby dwarf galaxies with the Very Large Array at 6 cm ($4$-$8$ GHz) in C-configuration. We obtained images with $3$-$8^{\prime\prime}$ resolution and noise levels of $3$-$15{\rm \,\mu Jy\,beam^{-1}}$. We detected emission associated with $22$ of the $40$ dwarf galaxies, $8$ of which are new detections. The general picture is that of an interstellar medium largely devoid of radio continuum emission, interspersed by isolated pockets of emission associated with star formation. We find an average thermal fraction of $\sim 50$-$70$% and an average magnetic field strength of $\sim 5$-$8\,{\rm \mu G}$, only slightly lower than that found in larger, spiral galaxies. At 100 pc scales, we find surprisingly high values for the average magnetic field strength of up to 50$\,{\rm \mu G}$. We find that dwarf galaxies follow the theoretical predictions of the radio continuum-star formation rate relation within regions of significant radio continuum emission but that the non-thermal radio continuum is suppressed relative to the star formation rate when considering the entire optical disk. We examine the far-infrared-star formation rate relation for our sample and find that the far-infrared is suppressed compared to the expected star formation rate. We discuss explanations for these observed relations and the impact of our findings on the radio continuum-far-infrared relation. We conclude that radio continuum emission at centimetre wavelengths has the promise of being a largely extinction-free star formation rate indicator. We find that star formation rates of gas rich, low mass galaxies can be estimated with an uncertainty of $\pm 0.2$ dex between the values of $2 \times 10^{-4}$ and $0.1 {\rm M_\odot\,yr^{-1}}$.

A Star Formation Law for Dwarf Irregular Galaxies

Abstract: The radial profiles of gas, stars, and far ultraviolet radiation in 20 dwarf Irregular galaxies are converted to stability parameters and scale heights for a test of the importance of two-dimensional (2D) instabilities in promoting star formation. A detailed model of this instability involving gaseous and stellar fluids with self-consistent thicknesses and energy dissipation on a perturbation crossing time give the unstable growth rates. We find that all locations are effectively stable to 2D perturbations, mostly because the disks are thick. We then consider the average volume densities in the midplanes, evaluated from the observed HI surface densities and calculated scale heights. The radial profiles of the star formation rates are equal to about 1% of the HI surface densities divided by the free fall times at the average midplane densities. This 1% resembles the efficiency per unit free fall time commonly found in other cases. There is a further variation of this efficiency with radius in all of our galaxies, following the exponential disk with a scale length equal to about twice the stellar mass scale length. This additional variation is modeled by the molecular fraction in a diffuse medium using radiative transfer solutions for galaxies with the observed dimensions and properties of our sample. We conclude that star formation is activated by a combination of three-dimensional gaseous gravitational processes and molecule formation. Implications for outer disk structure and formation are discussed.