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arXiv · 1709.05312

An Atlas of Star-Forming Galaxy Equivalent Widths

Helen Meskhidze·Chris T. Richardson
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Abstract

We present an atlas of starburst galaxy emission lines spanning 10 orders of magnitude in ionizing flux and 7 orders of magnitude in hydrogen number density. Coupling SEDs from Starburst99 with photoionization calculations from Cloudy, we track 96 emission lines from 977 {\AA} to 205 m which are common to nebular regions, have been observed in H II regions, and serve as useful diagnostic lines. Each simulation grid displays equivalent widths and contains ~1.5x10$^4$ photoionization models calculated by supplying a spectral energy distribution, chemical abundances, dust content, and gas metallicity (ranging from 0.2 Z$\odot$ to 5.0 Z$\odot$). Our simulations will prove useful in starburst emission line data analysis, especially regarding local starburst galaxies that show high ionization emission lines. One sample application of our atlas predicts that C IV $\lambda$1549 will serve as a useful diagnostic emission line of vigorous star formation for coming James Webb Space Telescope observations predicting a peak equivalent width of approximately 316 {\AA}.

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Helen Meskhidze, Chris T. Richardson. 2017-09-15. An Atlas of Star-Forming Galaxy Equivalent Widths. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10509-017-3178-9

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