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A Compact Starburst Core in the Dusty Lyman Break Galaxy Westphal-MD11

Andrew J. Baker·Linda J. Tacconi·Reinhard Genzel·Dieter Lutz·Matthew D. Lehnert
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Abstract

Using the IRAM Plateau de Bure Interferometer, we have searched for CO(3-2) emission from the dusty Lyman break galaxy Westphal-MD11 at z = 2.98. Our sensitive upper limit is surprisingly low relative to the system's 850 um flux density and implies a far-IR/CO luminosity ratio as elevated as those seen in local ultraluminous mergers. We conclude that the observed dust emission must originate in a compact structure radiating near its blackbody limit and that a relatively modest molecular gas reservoir must be fuelling an intense nuclear starburst (and/or deeply buried active nucleus) that may have been triggered by a major merger. In this regard, Westphal-MD11 contrasts strikingly with the lensed Lyman break galaxy MS1512-cB58, which is being observed apparently midway through an extended episode of more quiescent disk star formation.

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Andrew J. Baker, Linda J. Tacconi, Reinhard Genzel, Dieter Lutz, Matthew D. Lehnert. 2004-08-18. A Compact Starburst Core in the Dusty Lyman Break Galaxy Westphal-MD11. https://doi.org/10.1086/425174

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