arXiv subjects

C. B. Brook

Publications and source records attributed to C. B. Brook.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2022

A probabilistic deep learning model to distinguish cusps and cores in dwarf galaxies

Numerical simulations within a cold dark matter (DM) cosmology form halos whose density profiles have a steep inner slope (`cusp'), yet observations of galaxies often point towards a flat central `core'. We develop a convolutional mixture density neural network model to derive a probability density function (PDF) of the inner density slopes of DM halos. We train the network on simulated dwarf galaxies from the NIHAO and AURIGA projects, which include both DM cusps and cores: line-of-sight velocities and 2D spatial distributions of their stars are used as inputs to obtain a PDF representing the probability of predicting a specific inner slope. The model recovers accurately the expected DM profiles: $\sim$82$\%$ of the galaxies have a derived inner slope within $\pm$0.1 of their true value, while $\sim$98$\%$ within $\pm$0.3. We apply our model to four Local Group dwarf spheroidal galaxies and find results consistent with those obtained with the Jeans modelling based code GravSphere: the Fornax dSph has a strong indication of possessing a central DM core, Carina and Sextans have cusps (although the latter with large uncertainties), while Sculptor shows a double peaked PDF indicating that a cusp is preferred, but a core can not be ruled out. Our results show that simulation-based inference with neural networks provide a innovative and complementary method for the determination of the inner matter density profiles in galaxies, which in turn can help constrain the properties of the elusive DM.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2017

Metallicity Gradient of the Thick Disc Progenitor at High Redshift

We have developed a novel Markov Chain Mote Carlo (MCMC) chemical "painting" technique to explore possible radial and vertical metallicity gradients for the thick disc progenitor. In our analysis we match an N-body simulation to the data from the Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment (APOGEE) survey. We assume that the thick disc has a constant scale-height and has completed its formation at an early epoch, after which time radial mixing of its stars has taken place. Under these assumptions, we find that the initial radial metallicity gradient of the thick disc progenitor should not be negative, but either flat or even positive, to explain the current negative vertical metallicity gradient of the thick disc. Our study suggests that the thick disc was built-up in an inside-out and upside-down fashion, and older, smaller and thicker populations are more metal poor. In this case, star forming discs at different epochs of the thick disc formation are allowed to have different radial metallicity gradients, including a negative one, which helps to explain a variety of slopes observed in high redshift disc galaxies. This scenario helps to explain the positive slope of the metallicity-rotation velocity relation observed for the Galactic thick disc. On the other hand, radial mixing flattens the slope of an existing gradient.

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arXiv2017

The Radial Distribution of Mono-Metallicity Populations in the Galactic Disk as Evidence for Two-Phase Disk Formation

Recent determinations of the radial distributions of mono-metallicity populations (MMPs, i.e., stars in narrow bins in [Fe/H] within wider [$α$/Fe] ranges) by the SDSS-III/APOGEE DR12 survey cast doubts on the classical thin - thick disk dichotomy. The analysis of these observations lead to the non-$[α$/Fe] enhanced populations splitting into MMPs with different surface densities according to their [Fe/H]. By contrast, $[α$/Fe] enhanced (i.e., old) populations show an homogeneous behaviour. We analyze these results in the wider context of disk formation within non-isolated halos embedded in the Cosmic Web, resulting in a two-phase mass assembly. By performing hydrodynamical simulations in the context of the $\rm ΛCDM$ model, we have found that the two phases of halo mass assembly (an early, fast phase, followed by a slow one, with low mass assembly rates) are very relevant to determine the radial structure of MMP distributions, while radial mixing has only a secondary role, depending on the coeval dynamical and/or destabilizing events. Indeed, while the frequent dynamical violent events occuring at high redshift remove metallicity gradients, and imply efficient stellar mixing, the relatively quiescent dynamics after the transition keeps [Fe/H] gaseous gradients and prevents newly formed stars to suffer from strong radial mixing. By linking the two-component disk concept with the two-phase halo mass assembly scenario, our results set halo virialization (the event marking the transition from the fast to the slow phases) as the separating event marking periods characterized by different physical conditions under which thick and thin disk stars were born.

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arXiv2016

Impacts of a Flaring Star-forming Disc and Stellar Radial Mixing on the Vertical Metallicity Gradient

Using idealised N-body simulations of a Milky Way-sized disc galaxy, we qualitatively study how the metallicity distributions of the thin disc star particles are modified by the formation of the bar and spiral arm structures. The thin disc in our numerical experiments initially has a tight negative radial metallicity gradient and a constant vertical scale-height. We show that the radial mixing of stars drives a positive vertical metallicity gradient in the thin disc. On the other hand, if the initial thin disc is flared, with vertical scale-height increasing with galactocentric radius, the metal poor stars originally in the outer disc become dominant in regions above the disc plane at every radii. This process can drive a negative vertical metallicity gradient, which is consistent with the current observed trend. This model mimics a scenario where the star-forming thin disc was flared in the outer region at earlier epochs. Our numerical experiment with an initial flared disc predicts that the negative vertical metallicity gradient of the mono-age relatively young thin disc population should be steeper in the inner disc, and the radial metallicity gradient of the mono-age population should be shallower at greater heights above the disc plane. We also predict that the metallicity distribution function of mono-age young thin disc populations above the disc plane would be more positively skewed in the inner disc compared to the outer disc.

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arXiv2016

The different baryonic Tully-Fisher relations at low masses

We compare the Baryonic Tully-Fisher relation (BTFR) of simulations and observations of galaxies ranging from dwarfs to spirals, using various measures of rotational velocity Vrot. We explore the BTFR when measuring Vrot at the flat part of the rotation curve, Vflat, at the extent of HI gas, Vlast, and using 20% (W20) and 50% (W50) of the width of HI line profiles. We also compare with the maximum circular velocity of the parent halo, Vmax, within dark matter only simulations. The different BTFRs increasingly diverge as galaxy mass decreases. Using Vlast one obtains a power law over four orders of magnitude in baryonic mass, with slope similar to the observed BTFR. Measuring Vflat gives similar results as Vlast when galaxies with rising rotation curves are excluded. However, higher rotation velocities would be found for low mass galaxies if the cold gas extended far enough for Vrot to reach a maximum. W20 gives a similar slope as Vlast but with slightly lower values of Vrot for low mass galaxies, although this may depend on the extent of the gas in your galaxy sample. W50 bends away from these other relations toward low velocities at low masses. By contrast, Vmax bends toward high velocities for low mass galaxies, as cold gas does not extend out to the radius at which halos reach Vmax. Our study highlights the need for careful comparisons between observations and models: one needs to be consistent about the particular method of measuring Vrot, and precise about the radius at which velocities are measured.

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arXiv2016

The MaGICC Baryon Cycle: The Enrichment History of Simulated Disc Galaxies

Using cosmological galaxy formation simulations from the MaGICC project, spanning more than three magnitudes in stellar mass (~10^7-3x10^{10} Msun), we trace the baryonic cycle of infalling gas from the virial radius through to its participation in the star formation process. An emphasis is placed upon the temporal history of chemical enrichment during its passage through the corona and CGM. We derive the distributions of time between gas crossing the virial radius and being accreted to the star forming region (which allows mixing within the corona), as well as the time between gas being accreted to the star forming region and then forming stars (which allows mixing within the disc). Significant numbers of stars are formed from gas that cycles back through the hot halo after first accreting to the star forming region. Gas entering high mass galaxies is pre-enriched in low mass proto-galaxies prior to entering the virial radius of the central progenitor, with only small amounts of primordial gas accreted, even at high redshift (z~5). After entering the virial radius, significant further enrichment occurs prior to the accretion of the gas to the star forming region, with gas that is feeding the star forming region surpassing 0.1Z by z=0. Mixing with halo gas, itself enriched via galactic fountains, is thus crucial in determining the metallicity at which gas is accreted to the disc. The lowest mass simulation (Mvir~2x10^{10}Msun, with M*~10^7Msun), by contrast, accretes primordial gas through the virial radius and onto the disc at all times. Much like the classical analytical solutions to the `G-dwarf problem', overproduction of low-metallicity stars is ameliorated by the inefficiency of star formation. Finally, gas outflow/metal removal rates from star forming regions as a function of galactic mass are presented.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2015

The Spanish Square Kilometre Array White Book

The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) is called to revolutionise essentially all areas of Astrophysics. With a collecting area of about a square kilometre, the SKA will be a transformational instrument, and its scientific potential will go beyond the interests of astronomers. Its technological challenges and huge cost requires a multinational effort, and Europe has recognised this by putting the SKA on the roadmap of the European Strategy Forum for Research Infrastructures (ESFRI). The Spanish SKA White Book is the result of the coordinated effort of 120 astronomers from 40 different research centers. The book shows the enormous scientific interest of the Spanish astronomical community in the SKA and warrants an optimum scientific exploitation of the SKA by Spanish researchers, if Spain enters the SKA project.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2014

The Main Sequence and the Fundamental Metallicity Relation in MaGICC Galaxies: Evolution and Scatter

Using cosmological galaxy simulations from the MaGICC project, we study the evolution of the stellar masses, star formation rates and gas phase abundances of star forming galaxies. We derive the stellar masses and star formation rates using observational relations based on spectral energy distributions by applying the new radiative transfer code GRASIL-3D to our simulated galaxies. The simulations match well the evolution of the stellar mass-halo mass relation, have a star forming main sequence that maintains a constant slope out to redshift z $\sim$ 2, and populate projections of the stellar mass - star formation - metallicity plane, similar to observed star forming disc galaxies. We discuss small differences between these projections in observational data and in simulations, and the possible causes for the discrepancies. The light-weighted stellar masses are in good agreement with the simulation values, the differences between the two varying between 0.06 dex and 0.20 dex. We also find a good agreement between the star formation rate tracer and the true (time-averaged) simulation star formation rates. Regardless if we use mass- or light-weighted quantities, our simulations indicate that bursty star formation cycles can account for the scatter in the star forming main sequence.

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arXiv2014

The Role of Feedback in Shaping the Structure of the Interstellar Medium

We present an analysis of the role of feedback in shaping the neutral hydrogen (HI) content of simulated disc galaxies. For our analysis, we have used two realisations of two separate Milky Way-like (~L*) discs - one employing a conservative feedback scheme (MUGS), the other significantly more energetic (MaGICC). To quantify the impact of these schemes, we generate zeroth moment (surface density) maps of the inferred HI distribution; construct power spectra associated with the underlying structure of the simulated cold ISM, in addition to their radial surface density and velocity dispersion profiles. Our results are compared with a parallel, self-consistent, analysis of empirical data from THINGS (The HI Nearby Galaxy Survey). Single power-law fits (P~k^gamma) to the power spectra of the stronger-feedback (MaGICC) runs (over spatial scales corresponding to 0.5 kpc to 20 kpc) result in slopes consistent with those seen in the THINGS sample (gamma = -2.5). The weaker-feedback (MUGS) runs exhibit shallower power law slopes (gamma = -1.2). The power spectra of the MaGICC simulations are more consistent though with a two-component fit, with a flatter distribution of power on larger scales (i.e., gamma = -1.4 for scales in excess of 2 kpc) and a steeper slope on scales below 1 kpc (gamma = -5), qualitatively consistent with empirical claims, as well as our earlier work on dwarf discs. The radial HI surface density profiles of the MaGICC discs show a clear exponential behaviour, while those of the MUGS suite are essentially flat; both behaviours are encountered in nature, although the THINGS sample is more consistent with our stronger (MaGICC) feedback runs.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2014

GRASIL-3D: an Implemention of Dust Effects in the SEDs of Simulated Galaxies

We introduce a new model for the spectral energy distribution of galaxies, GRASIL-3D, which includes a careful modelling of the dust component of the interstellar medium. GRASIL-3D is an entirely new model based on the formalism of an existing and widely applied spectrophotometric model, GRASIL, but specifically designed to be interfaced with galaxies with any arbitrarily given geometry, such as galaxies calculated by theoretical hydrodynamical galaxy formation codes. GRASIL-3D is designed to separately treat radiative transfer in molecular clouds and in the diffuse cirrus component. The code has a general applicability to the outputs of simulated galaxies, either from Lagrangian or Eulerian hydrodynamic codes. As an application, the new model has been interfaced to the P-DEVA and GASOLINE smoothed-particle hydrodynamic codes, and has been used to calculate the spectral energy distribution for a variety of simulated galaxies from UV to sub-millimeter wavelengths, whose comparison with observational data gives encouraging results. In addition, GRASIL-3D allows 2D images of such galaxies to be obtained, at several angles and in different bands.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2014

The stellar-to-halo mass relation for Local Group galaxies

We contend that a single power law halo mass distribution is appropriate for direct matching to the stellar masses of observed Local Group dwarf galaxies, allowing the determination of the slope of the stellar mass-halo mass relation for low mass galaxies. Errors in halo masses are well defined as the Poisson noise of simulated local group realisations, which we determine using constrained local universe simulations (CLUES). For the stellar mass range 10$^7$<M*<10$^8$M$_\odot$, for which we likely have a complete census of observed galaxies, we find that the stellar mass-halo mass relation follows a power law with slope of 3.1, significantly steeper than most values in the literature. The steep relation between stellar and halo masses indicates that Local Group dwarf galaxies are hosted by dark matter halos with a small range of mass. Our methodology is robust down to the stellar mass to which the census of observed Local Group galaxies is complete, but the significant uncertainty in the currently measured slope of the stellar-to halo mass relation will decrease dramatically if the Local Group completeness limit was $10^{6.5}$M$\odot$ or below, highlighting the importance of pushing such limit to lower masses and larger volumes.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2013

Constraining Sub-Grid Physics with High-Redshift Spatially-Resolved Metallicity Distributions

We examine the role of energy feedback in shaping the distribution of metals within cosmological hydrodynamical simulations of L* disc galaxies. While negative abundance gradients today provide a boundary condition for galaxy evolution models, in support of inside-out disc growth, empirical evidence as to whether abundance gradients steepen or flatten with time remains highly contradictory. We made use of a suite of L* discs, realised with and without `enhanced' feedback. All the simulations were produced using the smoothed particle hydrodynamics code Gasoline, and their in situ gas-phase metallicity gradients traced from redshift z~2 to the present-day. Present-day age-metallicity relations and metallicity distribution functions were derived for each system. The `enhanced' feedback models, which have been shown to be in agreement with a broad range of empirical scaling relations, distribute energy and re-cycled ISM material over large scales and predict the existence of relatively `flat' and temporally invariant abundance gradients. Enhanced feedback schemes reduce significantly the scatter in the local stellar age-metallicity relation and, especially, the [O/Fe]-[Fe/H] relation. The local [O/Fe] distribution functions for our L* discs show clear bimodality, with peaks at [O/Fe]=-0.05 and +0.05 (for stars with [Fe/H]>-1), consistent with our earlier work on dwarf discs. Our results with `enhanced' feedback are inconsistent with our earlier generation of simulations realised with `conservative' feedback. We conclude that spatially-resolved metallicity distributions, particularly at high-redshift, offer a unique and under-utilised constraint on the uncertain nature of stellar feedback processes.

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arXiv2012

Properties of simulated Milky Way-mass galaxies in loose group and field environments

We test the validity of comparing simulated field disk galaxies with the empirical properties of systems situated within environments more comparable to loose groups, including the Milky Way's Local Group. Cosmological simulations of Milky Way-mass galaxies have been realised in two different environment samples: in the field and in environments with similar properties to the Local Group. Apart from the environments of the galaxies, the samples are kept as homogeneous as possible with equivalent ranges in last major merger time, halo mass and halo spin. Comparison of these two samples allow for systematic differences in the simulations to be identified. Metallicity gradients, disk scale lengths, colours, magnitudes and age-velocity dispersion relations are studied for each galaxy in the suite and the strength of the link between these and environment of the galaxies is studied. The bulge-to-disk ratio of the galaxies show that these galaxies are less spheroid dominated than many other simulated galaxies in literature with the majority of both samples being disk dominated. We find that secular evolution and mergers dominate the spread of morphologies and metallicity gradients with no visible differences between the two environment samples. In contrast with this consistency in the two samples there is tentative evidence for a systematic difference in the velocity dispersion-age relations of galaxies in the different environments. Loose group galaxies appear to have more discrete steps in their velocity dispersion-age relations. We conclude that at the current resolution of cosmological galaxy simulations field environment galaxies are sufficiently similar to those in loose groups to be acceptable proxies for comparison with the Milky Way provided that a similar assembly history is considered.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2012

The stellar metallicity distribution of disc galaxies and bulges in cosmological simulations

By means of high-resolution cosmological hydrodynamical simulations of Milky Way-like disc galaxies, we conduct an analysis of the associated stellar metallicity distribution functions (MDFs). After undertaking a kinematic decomposition of each simulation into spheroid and disc sub-components, we compare the predicted MDFs to those observed in the solar neighbourhood and the Galactic bulge. The effects of the star formation density threshold are visible in the star formation histories, which show a modulation in their behaviour driven by the threshold. The derived MDFs show median metallicities lower by 0.2-0.3 dex than the MDF observed locally in the disc and in the Galactic bulge. Possible reasons for this apparent discrepancy include the use of low stellar yields and/or centrally-concentrated star formation. The dispersions are larger than the one of the observed MDF; this could be due to simulated discs being kinematically hotter relative to the Milky Way. The fraction of low metallicity stars is largely overestimated, visible from the more negatively skewed MDF with respect to the observational sample. For our fiducial Milky Way analog, we study the metallicity distribution of the stars born "in situ" relative to those formed via accretion (from disrupted satellites), and demonstrate that this low-metallicity tail to the MDF is populated primarily by accreted stars. Enhanced supernova and stellar radiation energy feedback to the surrounding interstellar media of these pre-disrupted satellites is suggested as an important regulator of the MDF skewness.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2012

The Halo Shape and Evolution of Polar Disc Galaxies

We examine the properties and evolution of a simulated polar disc galaxy. This galaxy is comprised of two orthogonal discs, one of which contains old stars (old stellar disc), and the other, containing both younger stars and the cold gas (polar disc) of the galaxy. By exploring the shape of the inner region of the dark matter halo, we are able to confirm that the halo shape is a oblate ellipsoid flattened in the direction of the polar disc. We also note that there is a twist in the shape profile, where the innermost 3 kpc of the halo flattens in the direction perpendicular to the old disc, and then aligns with the polar disc out until the virial radius. This result is then compared to the halo shape inferred from the circular velocities of the two discs. We also use the temporal information of the simulation to track the system's evolution, and identify the processes which give rise to this unusual galaxy type. We confirm the proposal that the polar disc galaxy is the result of the last major merger, where the angular moment of the interaction is orthogonal to the angle of the infalling gas. This merger is followed by the resumption of coherent gas infall. We emphasise that the disc is rapidly restored after the major merger and that after this event the galaxy begins to tilt. A significant proportion of the infalling gas comes from filaments. This infalling gas from the filament gives the gas its angular momentum, and, in the case of the polar disc galaxy, the direction of the gas filament does not change before or after the last major merger.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2012

Thin disc, Thick Disc and Halo in a Simulated Galaxy

Within a cosmological hydrodynamical simulation, we form a disc galaxy with sub- components which can be assigned to a thin stellar disc, thick disk, and a low mass stellar halo via a chemical decomposition. The thin and thick disc populations so selected are distinct in their ages, kinematics, and metallicities. Thin disc stars are young (<6.6 Gyr), possess low velocity dispersion (σU,V,W = 41, 31, 25 km/s), high [Fe/H], and low [O/Fe]. The thick disc stars are old (6.6<age<9.8 Gyrs), lag the thin disc by \sim21 km/s, possess higher velocity dispersion (σU,V,W = 49, 44, 35 km/s), relatively low [Fe/H] and high [O/Fe]. The halo component comprises less than 4% of stars in the "solar annulus" of the simulation, has low metallicity, a velocity ellipsoid defined by (σU,V,W = 62, 46, 45 km/s) and is formed primarily in-situ during an early merger epoch. Gas-rich mergers during this epoch play a major role in fuelling the formation of the old disc stars (the thick disc). This is consistent with studies which show that cold accretion is the main source of a disc galaxy's baryons. Our simulation initially forms a relatively short (scalelength \sim1.7 kpc at z=1) and kinematically hot disc, primarily from gas accreted during the galaxy's merger epoch. Far from being a competing formation scenario, migration is crucial for reconciling the short, hot, discs which form at high redshift in ΛCDM, with the properties of the thick disc at z=0. The thick disc, as defined by its abundances maintains its relatively short scale-length at z = 0 (2.31 kpc) compared with the total disc scale-length of 2.73 kpc. The inside-out nature of disc growth is imprinted the evolution of abundances such that the metal poor α-young population has a larger scale-length (4.07 kpc) than the more chemically evolved metal rich α-young population (2.74 kpc).

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2012

The Distribution of Metals in Cosmological Hydrodynamical Simulations of Dwarf Disk Galaxies

We examine the chemical properties of 5 cosmological hydrodynamical simulations of an M33-like disc galaxy which have been shown to be consistent with the morphological characteristics and bulk scaling relations expected of late-type spirals. These simulations are part of the Making Galaxies In a Cosmological Context (MaGICC) Project, in which stellar feedback is tuned to match the stellar mass -- halo mass relationship. Each realisation employed identical initial conditions and assembly histories, but differed from one another in their underlying baryonic physics prescriptions, including (a) the efficiency with which each supernova energy couples to the ISM, (b) the impact of feedback associated with massive star radiation pressure, (c) the role of the minimum shut-off time for radiative cooling of Type II SNe remnants, (d) the treatment of metal diffusion, and (e) varying the IMF. Our analysis focusses on the resulting stellar metallicity distribution functions (MDFs) in each simulated (analogous) `solar neighbourhood' and central `bulge' region. We compare the simulated MDFs' skewness, kurtosis, and dispersion (inter-quartile, inter-decile, inter-centile, and inter-tenth-percentile regions) with that of the empirical solar neighbourhood MDF and Local Group dwarfs. We find that the MDFs of the simulated discs are more negatively skewed, with higher kurtosis, than those observed locally. We can trace this difference to the simulations' tight and correlated age-metallicity relations (compared with that of the Milky Way), suggesting that these relations within `dwarf' discs might be steeper than in L* discs and/or the degree of stellar orbital re-distribution and migration inferred locally has not been captured in their entirety, at the resolution of our simulations. The important role of metal diffusion in ameliorating the over-production of extremely metal-poor stars is highlighted.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2012

MaGICC Disks: Matching Observed Galaxy Relationships Over a Wide Stellar Mass Range

We use the same physical model to simulate four galaxies that match the relation between stellar and total mass, over a mass range that includes the vast majority of disc galaxies. The resultant galaxies, part of the Making Galaxies in a Cosmological Context (MaGICC) program, also match observed relations between luminosity, rotation velocity, size, colour, star formation rate, HI mass, baryonic mass, and metallicity. Radiation from massive stars and supernova energy regulate star formation and drive outflows, balancing the complex interplay between cooling gas, star formation, large scale outflows, and recycling of gas in a manner which correctly scales with the mass of the galaxy. Outflows also play a key role in simulating galaxies with exponential surface brightness profiles, flat rotation curves and dark matter cores. Our study implies that large scale outflows are the primary driver of the dependence of disc galaxy properties on mass. We show that the amount of outflows invoked in our model is required to meet the constraints provided by observations of OVI absorption lines in the circum-galactic-media of local galaxies.

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