Search

We combine a semi-analytic model of galaxy formation, tracking atomic and molecular phases of cold gas, with a three-dimensional radiative-transfer and line tracing code to study the sub-mm emission from atomic and molecular species (CO, HCN, [CI], [CII], [OI]) in galaxies. We compare the physics that drives the formation of stars at the epoch of peak star formation (SF) in the Universe (z = 2.0) with that in local galaxies. We find that normal star-forming galaxies at high redshift have much higher CO-excitation peaks than their local counterparts and that CO cooling takes place at higher excitation levels. CO line ratios increase with redshift as a function of galaxy star-formation rate, but are well correlated with H2 surface density independent of redshift. We find an increase in the [OI]/[CII] line ratio in typical star-forming galaxies at z = 1.2 and z = 2.0 with respect to counterparts at z = 0. Our model results suggest that typical star-forming galaxies at high redshift consist of much denser and warmer star-forming clouds than their local counterparts. Galaxies belonging to the tail of the SF activity peak at z = 1.2 are already less dense and cooler than counterparts during the actual peak of SF activity (z = 2.0). We use our results to discuss how future ALMA surveys can best confront our predictions and constrain models of galaxy formation., Comment: 19 pages, 14 figures, accepted for publication in MNRAS

The nearly edge-on galaxy NGC4945 is one of the closest galaxies where an AGN and starburst coexist, and is one of the brightest sources at 100 keV. Near and mid-infrared spectroscopy have shown very strong obscuration of its central region, rivaled only in strength by some of the most deeply obscured ULIRGs. We aim to determine the spatial distribution of ISM features in the central 426x426 pc^2 of NGC4945. We map the central region of NGC4945 in three Spitzer-IRS modules (SH, SL and LL). We produce maps of the flux distribution of the starburst tracers [Ne II], [Ne III], [S III] and [S IV] at 12.81, 15.56, 18.71 and 10.51 mum, respectively, and a map of the AGN narrow-line region tracer [Ne V] at 14.32 mum. We also mapped the S(1), S(2) and S(3) pure rotational lines of H2, which trace the distribution of warm molecular hydrogen. We obtained an extinction map (A_V) based on the apparent strength of the 9.7 mum silicate absorption feature. Our A_V map traces the contours of the starburst ring but the highest extinction (A_V(9.85 mum)~60) is found at the nucleus. Within the uncertainty of the astrometry all emission lines are found to peak on the nucleus, except for the warm molecular hydrogen emission which shows a maximum 60-100 pc NW of the nucleus. We favour a scenario in which the lower H2 0-0 S(1) and S(2) rotational lines originate mainly from an unobscured extra-nuclear component associated with the super-wind cone observed in the HST NICMOS map of the H2 1-0 S(1) vibrational line. For the [Ne V] emission we infer an attenuation of a factor 12-160 (A_V=55-112) based on a comparison of the ratio of our [Ne V] flux and the absorption-corrected 14-195 keV Swift-BAT flux to the average [Ne V]/BAT ratio for Seyfert 1 nuclei. The high attenuation indicates that [Ne V] and [O IV] cannot be used as extinction-free tracers of AGN power in galaxies with deeply buried nuclei., Comment: 19 pages, 16 figures, accepted for publication in A&A

Context. HC3N is a molecule that is mainly associated with Galactic star-forming regions, but it has also been detected in extragalactic environments. Aims. To present the first extragalactic survey of HC3N, when combining earlier data from the literature with six new single-dish detections, and to compare HC3N with other molecular tracers (HCN, HNC), as well as other properties (silicate absorption strength, IR flux density ratios, C II flux, and megamaser activity). Methods. We present mm IRAM 30 m, OSO 20 m, and SEST observations of HC3N rotational lines (mainly the J = 10-9 transition) and of the J = 1-0 transitions of HCN and HNC. Our combined HC3N data account for 13 galaxies (excluding the upper limits reported for the non-detections), while we have HCN and HNC data for more than 20 galaxies. Results. A preliminary definition "HC3N-luminous galaxy" is made based upon the HC3N/HCN ratio. Most (~80 %) HC3N-luminous galaxies seem to be deeply obscured galaxies and (U)LIRGs. A majority (~60 % or more) of the HC3N-luminous galaxies in the sample present OH mega- or strong kilomaser activity. A possible explanation is that both HC3N and OH megamasers need warm dust for their excitation. Alternatively, the dust that excites the OH megamaser offers protection against UV destruction of HC3N. A high silicate absorption strength is also found in several of the HC3N-luminous objects, which may help the HC3N to survive. Finally, we find that a high HC3N/HCN ratio is related to a high dust temperature and a low C II flux., Comment: 17 pages, 12 figures, to be published in Astronomy & Astrophysics

With the incorporation of high-J molecular lines, we aim to constrain the physical conditions of the dense gas in the central region of the Seyfert 2 galaxy NGC 1068 and to determine signatures of the AGN or the starburst contribution. We used the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope to observe the J=4-3 transition of HCN, HNC, and HCO+, as well as the CN N_J=2_{5/2}-1_{3/2} and N_J=3_{5/2}-2_{5/2}, in NGC 1068. We estimate the excitation conditions of HCN, HNC, and CN, based on the line intensity ratios and radiative transfer models. We find that the bulk emission of HCN, HNC, CN, and the high-J HCO+ emerge from dense gas n(H_2)>=10^5 cm^-3). However, the low-J HCO+ lines (dominating the HCO+ column density) trace less dense (n(H_2)<10^5 cm^-3) and colder (T_K<=20 K) gas, whereas the high-J HCO+ emerges from warmer (>30 K) gas than the other molecules. The HCO+ J=4-3 line intensity, compared with the lower transition lines and with the HCN J=4-3 line, support the influence of a local XDR environment. The estimated N(CN)/N(HCN)~1-4 column density ratios are indicative of an XDR/AGN environment with a possible contribution of grain-surface chemistry induced by X-rays or shocks., Comment: Main text: 8 pages, 5 tables, 1 figure. Appendix: 7 pages, 1 table, 8 figures. Accepted for publication in A&A