arXiv subjects

A. Montaña

Publications and source records attributed to A. Montaña.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2022

The SCUBA-2 Cosmology Legacy Survey: The EGS deep field -- III. The evolution of faint submillimeter galaxies at $z<4$

We present a demographic analysis of the physical and morphological properties of $450/850~μ\rm m$-selected galaxies from the deep observations of the SCUBA-2 Cosmology Legacy Survey in the Extended Groth Strip that are detected below the classical submillimeter-galaxy regime ($S_{850 μ\rm m}\lesssim 6~\rm mJy$/beam) and compare them with a sample of optically-selected star-forming galaxies detected in the Cosmic Assembly Near-infrared Deep Extragalactic Legacy Survey in the same field. We derive the evolution of the main sequence of star-forming galaxies, finding a steeper specific star formation rate versus stellar mass at $z>2.5$ than previous studies. Most faint submillimeter-galaxies fall within $3σ$ of the main sequence, but 40~per cent are classified as starbursts. Faint submillimeter galaxies have 50~per cent larger sizes at $2<z<3$ than optically-selected star-forming galaxies of the same mass range. This is also the redshift bin where we find the largest fraction of starbursts, and hence we could be witnessing merging processes, as confirmed by the preference for visual-morphology classifications of these systems as irregular disk galaxies and mergers. Both populations show an increment towards lower redshifts ($z<2$) of their concentration in $H$-band morphology, but faint submillimeter galaxies on average show larger concentration values at later times. These findings support the claim that faint submillimeter galaxies are mostly a population of massive dust-obscured disk-like galaxies that develop larger bulge components at later epochs. While the similarities are great, the median sizes, starburst numbers and $H$-band concentration of faint submillimeter galaxies differ from those of optically-selected star-forming galaxies of the same stellar mass.

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arXiv2022

PASSAGES: The Large Millimeter Telescope and ALMA Observations of Extremely Luminous High Redshift Galaxies Identified by the Planck

The Planck All-Sky Survey to Analyze Gravitationally-lensed Extreme Starbursts (PASSAGES) project aims to identify a population of extremely luminous galaxies using the Planck All-Sky Survey and to explore the nature of their gas fuelling, induced starburst, and the resulting feedback that shape their evolution. Here, we report the identification of 22 high redshift luminous dusty star forming galaxies (DSFGs) at $z=1.1-3.3$ drawn from a candidate list constructed using the Planck Catalog of Compact Sources (PCCS) and WISE All-Sky Survey. They are confirmed through follow-up dust continuum imaging and CO spectroscopy using AzTEC and the Redshift Search Receiver (RSR) on the Large Millimeter Telescope Alfonso Serrano (LMT). Their apparent IR luminosities span $(0.1-3.1)\times 10^{14} L_\odot$ (median of $1.2\times10^{14}L_\odot$), making them some of the most luminous galaxies found so far. They are also some of the rarest objects in the sky with a source density of $\lesssim0.01$ deg$^{-2}$. Our Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) 1.1 mm continuum observations with $θ$ $\approx$ 0.4" resolution show clear ring or arc morphologies characteristic of strong lensing. Their lensing-corrected luminosity of $L_{\rm IR}\gtrsim 10^{13}L_\odot$ ($SFR\gtrsim10^3 M_\odot$ yr$^{-1}$) indicates that they are the magnified versions of the most intrinsically luminous DSFGs found at these redshifts. Our spectral energy distribution (SED) analysis finds little detectable AGN activity despite their enormous luminosity, and any AGN activity present must be extremely heavily obscured.

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arXiv2021

Early Science with the Large Millimeter Telescope: a 1.1 mm AzTEC Survey of Red-$Herschel$ dusty star-forming galaxies

We present LMT/AzTEC 1.1mm observations of $\sim100$ luminous high-redshift dusty star-forming galaxy candidates from the $\sim600\,$sq.deg $Herschel$-ATLAS survey, selected on the basis of their SPIRE red far-infrared colours and with $S_{500μ\rm m}=35-80$ mJy. With an effective $θ_{\rm FWHM}\approx9.5\,$ arcsec angular resolution, our observations reveal that at least 9 per cent of the targets break into multiple systems with SNR $\geq 4$ members. The fraction of multiple systems increases to $\sim23\,$ per cent (or more) if some non-detected targets are considered multiples, as suggested by the data. Combining the new AzTEC and deblended $Herschel$ photometry we derive photometric redshifts, IR luminosities, and star formation rates. While the median redshifts of the multiple and single systems are similar $(z_{\rm med}\approx3.6)$, the redshift distribution of the latter is skewed towards higher redshifts. Of the AzTEC sources $\sim85\,$ per cent lie at $z_{\rm phot}>3$ while $\sim33\,$ per cent are at $z_{\rm phot}>4$. This corresponds to a lower limit on the space density of ultra-red sources at $4 4$ galaxies.

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arXiv2020

The redshift and star formation mode of AzTEC2: a pair of massive galaxies at $z=4.63$

We combine observations from the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) and the NOrthern Extended Millimeter Array (NOEMA) to assess the redshift and to study the star formation conditions in AzTEC2: one of the brightest sub-millimeter galaxies (SMGs) in the COSMOS field ($S_{\rm 1.1mm}=10.5\pm1.4$mJy). Our high-resolution observations confirm that AzTEC2 splits into two components (namely AzTEC2-A and AzTEC2-B) for which we detect [C$\,$II] and $^{12}$CO(5$\to$4) line emission, implying a redshift of $4.626\pm0.001$ ($4.633\pm0.001$) for AzTEC2-A (AzTEC2-B) and ruling out previous associations with a galaxy at $z\sim1$. We use the $^{12}$CO(5$\to$4) line emission and adopt typical SMG-like gas excitation conditions to estimate the molecular gas mass, which is $M_{\rm gas}(α_{\rm CO}/2.5)=2.1\pm0.4 \times10^{11}{\rm M}_\odot$ for AzTEC2-A, and a factor four lower for AzTEC2-B. With the infrared-derived star formation rate of AzTEC2-A ($1920\pm100 \,M_\odot{\rm \, yr}^{-1}$) and AzTEC2-B ($710\pm 35\,M_\odot{\rm \,yr}^{-1}$), they both will consume their current gas reservoir within $(30-200)\,$Myr. We find evidence of a rotation-dominated [C$\,$II] disk in AzTEC2-A, with a de-projected rotational velocity of $v_{\rm rot}(i=39^\circ)=660\pm130{\rm \,km\,s}^{-1}$, velocity dispersion $\lesssim100{\rm \,km\,s}^{-1}$, and dynamical mass of $M_{\rm dyn}(i=39^\circ)=2.6^{+1.2}_{-0.9}\times10^{11}\,M_\odot$. We propose that an elevated gas accretion rate from the cosmic web might be the main driver of the intense levels of star formation in AzTEC2-A, which might be further enhanced by gravitational torques induced by its minor companion (AzTEC2-B). These results strengthen the picture whereby the population of single-dish selected SMGs is rather heterogeneous, including a population of pairs of massive, highly-active galaxies in a pre-coalescence phase.

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arXiv2018

Early Science with the Large Millimeter Telescope: an energy-driven wind revealed by massive molecular and fast X-ray outflows in the Seyfert Galaxy IRAS 17020+4544

We report on the coexistence of powerful gas outflows observed in millimeter and X-ray data of the Radio-Loud Narrow Line Seyfert 1 Galaxy IRAS 17020+4544. Thanks to the large collecting power of the Large Millimeter Telescope, a prominent line arising from the 12CO(1-0) transition was revealed in recent observations of this source. The complex profile is composed by a narrow double-peak line and a broad wing. While the double-peak structure may be arising in a disk of molecular material, the broad wing is interpreted as the signature of a massive outflow of molecular gas with an approximate bulk velocity of -660 km/s. This molecular wind is likely associated to a multi-component X-ray Ultra-Fast Outflow with velocities reaching up to ~0.1c and column densities in the range 10^{21-23.9} cm^-2 that was reported in the source prior to the LMT observations. The momentum load estimated in the two gas phases indicates that within the observational uncertainties the outflow is consistent with being propagating through the galaxy and sweeping up the gas while conserving its energy. This scenario, which has been often postulated as a viable mechanism of how AGN feedback takes place, has so far been observed only in ULIRGs sources. IRAS 17020+4544 with bolometric and infrared luminosity respectively of 5X10^{44} erg/s and 1.05X10^{11} L_sun appears to be an example of AGN feedback in a NLSy1 Galaxy (a low power AGN). New proprietary multi-wavelength data recently obtained on this source will allow us to corroborate the proposed hypothesis.

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arXiv2018

AzTEC 1.1 mm observations of high-z protocluster environments: SMG overdensities and misalignment between AGN jets and SMG distribution

We present observations at 1.1 mm towards 16 powerful radio galaxies and a radio-quiet quasar at 0.5<z<6.3 acquired with the AzTEC camera mounted at the JCMT and ASTE to study the spatial distribution of submillimeter galaxies towards possible protocluster regions. The survey covers a total area of 1.01 square degrees with rms depths of 0.52 - 1.44 mJy and detects 728 sources above 3sigma. We find overdensities of a factor of ~2 in the source counts of 3 individual fields (4C+23.56, PKS1138-262 and MRC0355-037) over areas of ~200 sq deg. When combining all fields, the source-count analysis finds an overdensity that reaches a factor $\gtrsim 3$ at S$_{\rm{1.1mm}} \ge 4$ mJy covering a 1.5-arcmin-radius area centred on the AGN. The large size of our maps allows us to establish that beyond a radius of 1.5 arcmin, the radial surface density of SMGs falls to that of a blank field. In addition, we find a trend for SMGs to align closely to a perpendicular direction with respect to the radio jets of the powerful central radio galaxies (73$_{+13}^{-14}$ degrees). This misalignment is found over projected co-moving scales of 4-20 Mpc, departs from perfect alignment (0 deg) by ~5sigma, and apparently has no dependence on SMG luminosity. Under the assumption that the AzTEC sources are at the redshift of the central radio galaxy, the misalignment reported here can be interpreted as SMGs preferentially inhabiting mass-dominant filaments funneling material towards the protoclusters, which are also the parent structures of the radio galaxies.

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arXiv2017

Early Science with the Large Millimetre Telescope: Molecules in the Extreme Outflow of a proto-Planetary Nebula

Extremely high velocity emission likely related to jets is known to occur in some proto-Planetary Nebulae. However, the molecular complexity of this kinematic component is largely unknown. We observed the known extreme outflow from the proto-Planetary Nebula IRAS 16342-3814, a prototype water fountain, in the full frequency range from 73 to 111 GHz with the RSR receiver on the Large Millimetre Telescope. We detected the molecules SiO, HCN, SO, and $^{13}$CO. All molecular transitions, with the exception of the latter are detected for the first time in this source, and all present emission with velocities up to a few hundred km s$^{-1}$. IRAS 16342-3814 is therefore the only source of this kind presenting extreme outflow activity simultaneously in all these molecules, with SO and SiO emission showing the highest velocities found of these species in proto-Planetary Nebulae. To be confirmed is a tentative weak SO component with a FWHM $\sim$ 700 km s$^{-1}$. The extreme outflow gas consists of dense gas (n$_{\rm H_2} >$ 10$^{4.8}$--10$^{5.7}$ cm$^{-3}$), with a mass larger than $\sim$ 0.02--0.15 M$_{\odot}$. The relatively high abundances of SiO and SO may be an indication of an oxygen-rich extreme high velocity gas.

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arXiv2016

Early Science with the Large Millimeter Telescope: discovery of the 12CO(1-0) emission line in the ring galaxy, VIIZw466

We report an early science discovery of the CO(1-0) emission line in the collisional ring galaxy, VII Zw466, using the Redshift Search Receiver instrument on the Large Millimeter Telescope Alfonso Serrano.The apparent molecular-to-atomic gas ratio either places the ISM of VII Zw466 in the HI-dominated regime or implies a large quantity of CO-dark molecular gas, given its high star formation rate. The molecular gas densities and star formation rate densities of VII Zw466 are consistent with the standard Kennicutt-Schmidt star formation law even though we find this galaxy to be H2-deficient. The choice of CO-to-H2 conversion factors cannot explain the apparent H2 deficiency in its entirety. Hence, we find that the collisional ring galaxy, VII Zw466, is either largely deficient in both H2 and HI or contains a large mass of CO-dark gas. A low molecular gas fraction could be due to the enhancement of feedback processes from previous episodes of star formation as a result of the star-forming ISM being confined to the ring. We conclude that collisional ring galaxy formation is an extreme form of galaxy interaction that triggers a strong galactic-wide burst of star formation that may provide immediate negative feedback towards subsequent episodes of star formation---resulting in a short-lived star formation history or, at least, the appearance of a molecular gas deficit.

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arXiv2016

Deep LMT/AzTEC millimeter observations of Epsilon Eridani and its surroundings

Epsilon Eridani is a nearby, young Sun-like star that hosts a ring of cool debris analogous to the solar system's Edgeworth-Kuiper belt. Early observations at (sub-)mm wavelengths gave tentative evidence of the presence of inhomogeneities in the ring, which have been ascribed to the effect of a putative low eccentricity planet, orbiting close to the ring. The existence of these structures have been recently challenged by high resolution interferometric millimeter observations. Here we present the deepest single-dish image of Epsilon Eridani at millimeter wavelengths, obtained with the Large Millimeter Telescope Alfonso Serrano (LMT). The main goal of these LMT observations is to confirm (or refute) the presence of non-axisymmetric structure in the disk. The dusty ring is detected for the first time along its full projected elliptical shape. The radial extent of the ring is not spatially resolved and shows no evidence, to within the uncertainties, of dust density enhancements. Additional features of the 1.1 mm map are: (i) the presence of significant flux in the gap between the ring and the star, probably providing the first exo-solar evidence of Poynting-Robertson drag, (ii) an unambiguous detection of emission at the stellar position with a flux significantly above that expected from Epsilon Eridani's photosphere, and (iii) the identification of numerous unresolved sources which could correspond to background dusty star-forming galaxies.

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arXiv2016

Early Science with the Large Millimeter Telescope: Observations of Extremely Luminous High-z Sources Identified by Planck

We present 8.5 arcsec resolution 1.1mm continuum imaging and CO spectroscopic redshift measurements of eight extremely bright submillimetre galaxies identified from the Planck and Herschel surveys, taken with the Large Millimeter Telescope's AzTEC and Redshift Search Receiver instruments. We compiled a candidate list of high redshift galaxies by cross-correlating the Planck Surveyor mission's highest frequency channel (857 GHz, FWHM = 4.5 arcmin) with the archival Herschel Spectral and Photometric Imaging Receiver (SPIRE) imaging data, and requiring the presence of a unique, single Herschel counterpart within the 150 arcsec search radius of the Planck source positions with 350 micron flux density larger than 100 mJy, excluding known blazars and foreground galaxies. All eight candidate objects observed are detected in 1.1mm continuum by AzTEC bolometer camera, and at least one CO line is detected in all cases with a spectroscopic redshift between 1.3 < z(CO) < 3.3. Their infrared spectral energy distributions mapped using the Herschel and AzTEC photometry are consistent with cold dust emission with characteristic temperature between $T_d$ = 43 K and 84 K. With apparent infrared luminosity of up to L(IR) = $3\times10^{14} μ^{-1} L_\odot$, they are some of the most luminous galaxies ever found (with yet unknown gravitational magnification factor $μ$). The analysis of their spectral energy distributions (SEDs) suggests that star formation is powering the bulk of their extremely large IR luminosities. Derived molecular gas masses of $M_{H2}=(0.6-7.8)\times 10^{11} M_\odot$ (for $μ$~10) also make them some of the most gas-rich high redshift galaxies ever detected.

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arXiv2015

Early Science with the Large Millimeter Telescope: Dust constraints in a z~9.6 galaxy

Recent observations with the GISMO (Goddard-IRAM Superconducting 2 Millimeter Observer) 2 mm camera revealed a detection 8 arcsec away from the lensed galaxy MACS1149-JD1 at z=9.6. Within the 17.5 arcsec FWHM GISMO beam, this detection is consistent with the position of the high-redshift galaxy and therefore, if confirmed, this object could be claimed to be the youngest galaxy producing significant quantities of dust. We present higher resolution (8.5 arcsec) observations of this system taken with the AzTEC 1.1 mm camera mounted on the Large Millimeter Telescope Alfonso Serrano. Dust continuum emission at the position of MACS1149-JD1 is not detected with an r.m.s. of 0.17 mJy/beam. However, we find a detection ~ 11 arcsec away from MACS1149-JD1, still within the GISMO beam which is consistent with an association to the GISMO source. Combining the AzTEC and GISMO photometry, together with Herschel ancillary data, we derive a z_phot= 0.7-1.6 for the dusty galaxy. We conclude therefore that the GISMO and AzTEC detections are not associated with MACS1149-JD1. From the non-detection of MACS1149-JD1 we derive the following (3 σ) upper limits corrected for gravitational lensing magnification and for cosmic microwave background effects: dust mass < 1.6 x 10^7 M_sun, IR luminosity < 8 x 10^10 L_sun, star formation rate < 14 M_sun/yr, and UV attenuation < 2.7 mag. These limits are comparable to those derived for other high-redshift galaxies from deep Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) observations.

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arXiv2015

Early Science with the Large Millimeter Telescope: CO and [C II] Emission in the z=4.3 AzTEC J095942.9+022938 (COSMOS AzTEC-1)

Measuring redshifted CO line emission is an unambiguous method for obtaining an accurate redshift and total cold gas content of optically faint, dusty starburst systems. Here, we report the first successful spectroscopic redshift determination of AzTEC J095942.9+022938 ("COSMOS AzTEC-1"), the brightest 1.1mm continuum source found in the AzTEC/JCMT survey (Scott et al. 2008), through a clear detection of the redshifted CO (4-3) and CO (5-4) lines using the Redshift Search Receiver on the Large Millimeter Telescope. The CO redshift of $z=4.3420\pm0.0004$ is confirmed by the detection of the redshifted 158 micron [C II] line using the Submillimeter Array. The new redshift and Herschel photometry yield $L_{FIR}=(1.1\pm0.1)\times 10^{13} L_\odot$ and $SFR = 1300\, M_\odot$ yr$^{-1}$. Its molecular gas mass derived using the ULIRG conversion factor is $1.4\pm0.2 \times 10^{11} M_\odot$ while the total ISM mass derived from the 1.1mm dust continuum is $3.7\pm0.7 \times 10^{11} M_\odot$ assuming dust temperature of 35 K. Our dynamical mass analysis suggests that the compact gas disk ($r\approx 1.1$ kpc, inferred from dust continuum and SED analysis) has to be nearly face-on, providing a natural explanation for the uncommonly bright, compact stellar light seen by the HST. The [C II] line luminosity $L_{[C~II]} = 7.8\pm1.1 \times 10^9 L_\odot$ is remarkably high, but it is only 0.04 per cent of the total IR luminosity. AzTEC COSMOS-1 and other high redshift sources with a spatially resolved size extend the tight trend seen between [C II]/FIR ratio and $Σ_{FIR}$ among IR-bright galaxies reported by Diaz-Santos et al. (2013) by more than an order of magnitude, supporting the explanation that the higher intensity of the IR radiation field is responsible for the "[C II] deficiency" seen among luminous starburst galaxies.

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