Browsing by Author "Evans, A. S."

Now showing 1 - 9 of 9
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    A 33GHz Survey of Local Major Mergers: Estimating the Sizes of the Energetically Dominant Regions from High-resolution Measurements of the Radio Continuum
    (2017) Barcos-Munoz, L.; Leroy, A. K.; Evans, A. S.; Condon, J.; Privon, G. C.; Thompson, T. A.; Armus, L.; Diaz-Santos, T.; Mazzarella, J. M.; Meier, D. S.; Momjian, E.; Murphy, E. J.; Ott, J.; Sanders, D. B.; Schinnerer, E.; Stierwalt, S.; Surace, J. A.; Walter, F.
    We present Very Large Array observations of the 33 GHz radio continuum emission from 22 local ultraluminous and luminous infrared (IR) galaxies (U/LIRGs). These observations have spatial (angular) resolutions of 30-720 pc (0.'' 07-0.'' 67) in a part of the spectrum that is likely to be optically thin. This allows us to estimate the size of the energetically dominant regions. We find half-light radii from 30 pc to 1.7 kpc. The 33 GHz flux density correlates well with the IR emission, and we take these sizes as indicative of the size of the region that produces most of the energy. Combining our 33 GHz sizes with unresolved measurements, we estimate the IR luminosity and star formation rate per area and the molecular gas surface and volume densities. These quantities span a wide range (4 dex) and include some of the highest values measured for any galaxy (e.g., Sigma(33 GHz)(SFR) <= 10(4.1) M-circle dot yr(-1) kpc(-2)) at least 13 sources appear Compton thick (N-H(33 GHz) >= 10(24) cm(-2)). Consistent with previous work, contrasting these data with observations of normal disk galaxies suggests a nonlinear and likely multivalued relation between star formation rate and molecular gas surface density, though this result depends on the adopted CO-to-H-2 conversion factor and the assumption that our 33 GHz sizes apply to the gas. Eleven sources appear to exceed the luminosity surface density predicted for starbursts supported by radiation pressure and supernova feedback; however, we note the need for more detailed observations of the inner disk structure. U/LIRGs with higher surface brightness exhibit stronger [C II] 158 mu m deficits, consistent with the suggestion that high energy densities drive this phenomenon.
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    A hard X-ray view of luminous and ultra-luminous infrared galaxies in GOALS - I. AGN obscuration along the merger sequence
    (2021) Ricci, C.; Privon, G. C.; Pfeifle, R. W.; Armus, L.; Iwasawa, K.; Torres-Albà, N.; Satyapal, S.; Bauer, F. E.; Treister, E.; Ho, L. C.; Aalto, S.; Arévalo, P.; Barcos-Muñoz, L.; Charmandaris, V.; Diaz-Santos, T.; Evans, A. S.; Gao, T.; Inami, H.; Koss, M. J.; Lansbury, G.; Linden, S. T.; Medling, A.; Sanders, D. B.; Song, Y.; Stern, D.; U, V.; Ueda, Y.; Yamada, S.
    The merger of two or more galaxies can enhance the inflow of material from galactic scales into the close environments of active galactic nuclei (AGNs), obscuring and feeding the supermassive black hole (SMBH). Both recent simulations and observations of AGN in mergers have confirmed that mergers are related to strong nuclear obscuration. However, it is still unclear how AGN obscuration evolves in the last phases of the merger process. We study a sample of 60 luminous and ultra-luminous IR galaxies (U/LIRGs) from the GOALS sample observed by NuSTAR. We find that the fraction of AGNs that are Compton thick (CT;N-H >= 10(24)cm(-2) ) peaks at at a late merger stage, prior to coalescence, when the nuclei have projected separations (d(sep)) of 0.4-6 kpc. A similar peak is also observed in the median N-H [[(1.6 +/- 0.5) x 10(24) cm(-2)].]. The vast majority (85(-9)(+7) per cent)) of the AGNs in the final merger stages (d(sep) less than or similar to 10 kpc) are heavily obscured (N-H = 10(23) cm(-2)), and the median N-H of the accreting SMBHs in our sample is systematically higher than that of local hard X-ray-selected AGN, regardless of the merger stage. This implies that these objects have very obscured nuclear environments, with the gas almost completely covering the AGN in late mergers. CT AGNs tend to have systematically higher absorption-corrected X-ray luminosities than less obscured sources. This could either be due to an evolutionary effect, with more obscured sources accreting more rapidly because they have more gas available in their surroundings, or to a selection bias. The latter scenario would imply that we are still missing a large fraction of heavily obscured, lower luminosity (L2-10 less than or similar to 10(43) erg s(-1)) AGNs in U/LIRGs.
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    A Herschel/PACS Far-infrared Line Emission Survey of Local Luminous Infrared Galaxies
    (IOP PUBLISHING LTD, 2017) Diaz Santos, T.; Armus, L.; Charmandaris, V.; Lu, N.; Stierwalt, S.; Stacey, G.; Malhotra, S.; van der Werf, P. P.; Howell, J. H.; Privon, G. C.; Mazzarella, J. M.; Goldsmith, P. F.; Murphy, E. J.; Barcos Munoz, L.; Linden, S. T.; Inami, H.; Larson, L.; Evans, A. S.; Appleton, P.; Iwasawa, K.; Lord, S.; Sanders, D. B.; Surace, J. A.
    We present an analysis of [O I](63), [O III](88), [N II](122), and [C II](158) far-infrared (FIR) fine-structure line observations obtained with Herschel/PACS, for similar to 240 local luminous infrared galaxies (LIRGs) in the Great Observatories All-sky LIRG Survey. We find pronounced declines ("deficits") of line-to-FIR continuum emission for [N II](122), [O I](63), and [C II](158) as a function of FIR color and infrared luminosity surface density, Sigma(IR). The median electron density of the ionized gas in LIRGs, based on the [N II](122)/[N II](205) ratio, is n(e) = 41 cm(-3). We find that the dispersion in the [C II](158) deficit of LIRGs is attributed to a varying fractional contribution of photodissociation regions (PDRs) to the observed [C II](158) emission, f ([C II](158)(PDR)) = [C II](158)(PDR)/C II](158), which increases from similar to 60% to similar to 95% in the warmest LIRGs. The [O I](63)/[C II](158)(PDR) ratio is tightly correlated with the PDR gas kinetic temperaturein sources where [O I] 63 is not optically thick or self-absorbed. For each galaxy, we derive the average PDR hydrogen density, n(H), and intensity of the interstellar radiation field, G, in units of G(0) and find G/n(H) ratios of similar to 0.1-50 G(0) cm(3), with ULIRGs populating the upper end of the distribution. There is a relation between G/n(H) and Sigma(IR), showing a critical break at Sigma(IR)* similar or equal to 5 x 10(10) L-circle dot kpc(-2). Below Sigma(IR)*, G/n(H) remains constant, similar or equal to 0.32G(0) cm(3), and variations in Sigma(IR) are driven by the number density of star-forming regions within a galaxy, with no change in their PDR properties. Above Sigma(IR)*, G/n(H) increases rapidly with Sigma(IR), signaling a departure from the typical PDR conditions found in normal star-forming galaxies toward more intense/harder radiation fields and compact geometries typical of starbursting sources.
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    A Potential Recoiling Supermassive Black Hole, CXO J101527.2+625911
    (2017) Kim, D. -C.; Yoon, Ilsang; Privon, G. C.; Evans, A. S.; Harvey, D.; Stierwalt, S.; Kim, Ji Hoon
    We have carried out a systematic search for recoiling supermassive black holes (rSMBH) using the Chandra Source and SDSS Cross-Match Catalog. From the survey, we have detected a potential rSMBH, CXO J101527.2 +625911, at z = 0.3504. The source CXO J101527.2+625911 has a spatially offset (1.26 +/- 0.05 kpc) active SMBH and kinematically offset broad emission lines (175 +/- 25 km s(-1) relative to the systemic velocity). The observed spatial and velocity offsets suggest that this galaxy could be an rSMBH, but we have also considered the possibility of a dual SMBH scenario. The column density toward the galaxy center was found to be Compton thin, but no X-ray source was detected. The non-detection of the X-ray source in the nucleus suggests that either there is no obscured actively accreting SMBH or that there exists an SMBH, but it has a low accretion rate (i.e., a low luminosity AGN (LLAGN)). The possibility of the LLAGN was investigated and found to be unlikely based on the Ha luminosity, radio power, and kinematic arguments. This, along with the null detection of an X-ray source in the nucleus, supports our hypothesis that CXO J101527.2+625911 is an rSMBH. Our GALFIT analysis shows the host galaxy to be a bulge-dominated elliptical. The weak morphological disturbance and small spatial and velocity offsets suggest that CXO J101527.2+625911 could be in the final stage of a merging process and about to turn into a normal elliptical galaxy.
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    Hidden molecular outflow in the LIRG Zw 049.057
    (2018) Falstad, N.; Aalto, S.; Mangum, J. G.; Costagliola, F.; Gallagher, J. S.; Gonzalez-Alfonso, E.; Sakamoto, K.; Konig, S.; Muller, S.; Evans, A. S.; Privon, G. C.
    Context. Feedback in the form of mass outflows driven by star formation or active galactic nuclei is a key component of galaxy evolution. The luminous infrared galaxy Zw 049.057 harbours a compact obscured nucleus with a possible far-infrared signature of outflowing molecular gas. Due to the high optical depths at far-infrared wavelengths, however, the interpretation of the outflow signature is uncertain. At millimeter and radio wavelengths, the radiation is better able to penetrate the large columns of gas and dust responsible for the obscuration.
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    KINEMATICALLY IDENTIFIED RECOILING SUPERMASSIVE BLACK HOLE CANDIDATES IN SDSS QSOs WITH z < 0.25
    (2016) Kim, D. -C.; Evans, A. S.; Stierwalt, S.; Privon, G. C.
    We have performed a spectral decomposition to search for recoiling supermassive black holes (rSMBHs) in Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) quasi-stellar objects (QSOs) with z < 0.25. Out of 1271 QSOs, we have identified 26 rSMBH candidates that are recoiling toward us. The projected recoil velocities range from -76 to -307 km s(-1) with a mean of -149 +/- 58 km s(-1). Most of the rSMBH candidates are hosted by gas-rich luminous infrared galaxies (LIRGs)/ultra-luminous infrared galaxies (ULIRGs), but only 23% of them show signs of tidal features, which suggests that a majority of them are advanced mergers. We find that the black hole masses M-BH of the rSMBH candidates are on average similar to 5 times smaller than those of their stationary counterparts and cause a scatter in the M-BH -sigma(*) relation. The Eddington ratios of all of the rSMBH candidates are larger than 0.1, with a mean of 0.52 +/- 0.27, suggesting that they are actively accreting mass. Velocity shifts in high-excitation coronal lines suggest that the rSMBH candidates are recoiling with an average velocity of about -265 km s(-1). The electron density in the narrow line region of the H II rSMBH candidates is about 1/10 of that in active galactic nucleus (AGN) rSMBH candidates, probably because the AGN in the former was more spatially offset than that in the latter. The estimated spatial offsets between the rSMBH candidate and the center of the host galaxy range from 0."21 to 1."97 and need to be confirmed spatially with high-resolution adaptive optics imaging observations.
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    Massive Star Cluster Formation and Destruction in Luminous Infrared Galaxies in GOALS
    (IOP PUBLISHING LTD, 2017) Linden, S. T.; Evans, A. S.; Rich, J.; Larson, K. L.; Armus, L.; Diaz Santos, T.; Privon, G. C.; Howell, J.; Inami, H.; Kim, D. C.; Chien, L. H.; Vavilkin, T.; Mazzarella, J. M.; Modica, F.; Surace, J. A.; Manning, S.; Abdullah, A.; Blake, A.; Yarber, A.; Lambert, T.
    We present the results of a Hubble Space Telescope ACS/HRC FUV, ACS/WFC optical study into the cluster populations of a sample of 22 Luminous Infrared Galaxies in the Great Observatories All-Sky LIRG Survey. Through integrated broadband photometry, we have derived ages and masses for a total of 484 star clusters contained within these systems. This allows us to examine the properties of star clusters found in the extreme environments of LIRGs relative to lower luminosity star-forming galaxies in the local universe. We find that by adopting a Bruzual & Charlot simple stellar population model and Salpeter initial mass function, the age distribution of the clusters declines as dN/d tau = tau(-0.9+/-0.3), consistent with the age distribution derived for the Antennae Galaxies, and interpreted as evidence for rapid cluster disruption occurring in the strong tidal fields of merging galaxies. The large number of 10(6) M-circle dot young clusters identified in the sample also suggests that LIRGs are capable of producing more high-mass clusters than what is observed to date in any lower luminosity star-forming galaxy in the local universe. The observed cluster mass distribution of dN/dM = M-1.95+/-0.11 is consistent with the canonical -2 power law used to describe the underlying initial cluster mass function (ICMF) for a wide range of galactic environments. We interpret this as evidence against mass-dependent cluster disruption, which would flatten the observed CMF relative to the underlying ICMF distribution.
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    Molecular gas and dust properties of galaxies from the Great Observatories All-sky LIRG Survey
    (2019) Herrero-Illana, R.; Privon, G. C.; Evans, A. S.; Diaz-Santos, T.; Perez-Torres, M. A.; Alberdi, A.; Iwasawa, K.; Armus, L.; Aalto, S.; Mazzarella, J.; Chu, J.; Sanders, D. B.; Barcos-Munoz, L.; Charmandaris, V; Linden, S. T.; Yoon, I; Frayer, D. T.; Inami, H.; Kim, D-C; Borish, H. J.; Conway, J.; Murphy, E. J.; Song, Y.; Stierwalt, S.; Surace, J.
    We present IRAM-30 m Telescope (CO)-C-12 and (CO)-C-13 observations of a sample of 55 luminous and ultraluminous infrared galaxies (LIRGs and ULIRGs) in the local universe. This sample is a subset of the Great Observatory All-Sky LIRG Survey (GOALS), for which we use ancillary multi-wavelength data to better understand their interstellar medium and star formation properties. Fifty-three (96%) of the galaxies are detected in (CO)-C-12, and 29 (52%) are also detected in (CO)-C-13 above a 3 sigma level. The median full width at zero intensity (FWZI) velocity of the CO line emission is 661 km s(-1), and similar to 54% of the galaxies show a multi-peak CO profile. Herschel photometric data is used to construct the far-IR spectral energy distribution of each galaxy, which are fit with a modified blackbody model that allows us to derive dust temperatures and masses, and infrared luminosities. We make the assumption that the gas-to-dust mass ratio of (U)LIRGs is comparable to local spiral galaxies with a similar stellar mass (i.e., gas/dust of mergers is comparable to their progenitors) to derive a CO-to-H-2 conversion factor of = 1.8(-0.8)(+1.3) M-circle dot (K km s(-1) pc(2))(-1); such a value is comparable to that derived for (U)LIRGs based on dynamical mass arguments. We derive gas depletion times of 400 600 Myr for the (U)LIRGs, compared to the 1.3 Gyr for local spiral galaxies. Finally, we re-examine the relationship between the (CO)-C-12/(CO)-C-13 ratio and dust temperature, confirming a transition to elevated ratios in warmer systems.
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    MORPHOLOGY AND MOLECULAR GAS FRACTIONS OF LOCAL LUMINOUS INFRARED GALAXIES AS A FUNCTION OF INFRARED LUMINOSITY AND MERGER STAGE
    (IOP PUBLISHING LTD, 2016) Larson, K. L.; Sanders, D. B.; Barnes, J. E.; Ishida, C. M.; Evans, A. S.; Mazzarella, J. M.; Kim, D. C.; Privon, G. C.; Mirabel, I. F.; Flewelling, H. A.
    We present a new, detailed analysis of the morphologies and molecular gas fractions (MGFs) for a complete sample of 65 local luminous infrared galaxies from Great Observatories All-Sky Luminous Infrared Galaxies (LIRG) Survey using high resolution I-band images from The Hubble Space Telescope, the University of Hawaii 2.2 m Telescope and the Pan-STARRS1 Survey. Our classification scheme includes single undisturbed galaxies, minor mergers, and major mergers, with the latter divided into five distinct stages from pre-first pericenter passage to final nuclear coalescence. We find that major mergers of molecular gas-rich spirals clearly play a major role for all sources with L-IR > 10(11.5)L(circle dot); however, below this luminosity threshold, minor mergers and secular processes dominate. Additionally, galaxies do not reach L-IR > 10(12.0)L(circle dot) until late in the merger process when both disks are near final coalescence. The mean MGF (MGF = M-H2(M*+ M-H2)) for non-interacting and early-stage major merger LIRGs is 18 +/- 2%, which increases to 33 +/- 3%, for intermediate stage major merger LIRGs, consistent with the hypothesis that, during the early-mid stages of major mergers, most of the initial large reservoir of atomic gas (HI) at large galactocentric radii is swept inward where it is converted into molecular gas (H-2).