arXiv subjects

Carlos De Breuck

Publications and source records attributed to Carlos De Breuck.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

The Atacama Large Aperture Submillimeter Telescope (AtLAST): enabling large-scale sub-mm science beyond 2030

AtLAST is designed to be the largest (sub-)mm single-dish astronomical observatory and the first climate-neutral modern research infrastructure. It offers a unique combination of large aperture (50 m), large field of view (>1 deg), fast scanning speed (up to 3 deg/s), and high surface accuracy (20micron nighttime half wavefront error) that allows >=50% Ruze efficiency up to 1 THz. The design features a rocking chair mount with an active main reflector surface, a high precision closed-loop metrology system, and the space to house six major instruments. Instruments will be periodically updated as spectroscopic focal plane array, detector, coherent amplifier, and semiconductor technologies used in readout and backend electronics will advance over the next decades. AtLAST will be a multi-purpose facility that will produce transformational results in nearly all fields of Astrophysics, such as Astrochemistry, Galactic and Extragalactic Astronomy, Cosmology, Planetary science, Stellar and Solar Physics, High energy astrophysics, and Time domain astronomy. Its unrivalled throughput of 6170 m^2 deg^2 will enable wide-field unbiased surveys. These will overcome extragalactic confusion noise and enable the detection of normal galaxy populations out to z=7. AtLAST will reveal and characterise the missing baryons in the Universe, by mapping the elusive, low surface brightness gas within and around galaxies across cosmic time. AtLAST will be the first green off-grid observatory, powered by a bespoke renewable energy system and reusing its braking energy thanks to a cutting-edge energy recovery system. By sharing surplus power and technological know-how with local communities, AtLAST will contribute to energy justice in Chile. AtLAST's new bold vision of a sustainable pursuit of breakthrough astronomy is an exceptional opportunity to shape the future of scientific research infrastructures. [abridged]

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2026

Exploring the gaseous halos of z>3 radio galaxies with UVES and JWST/NIRSpec

High-redshift radio galaxies (HzRGs) are among the most massive galaxies in the Universe and sites of extreme active galactic nuclei (AGN) feedback processes, powering energetic radio jets. They are typically embedded in giant Ly$α$ halos that are known to extend over $100\,\text{kpc}$ into the circumgalactic medium (CGM). In this paper, we target the Ly$α$ halos around four high-redshift radio galaxies in a redshift range of 3.1 < z < 4.5 using high-resolution spectroscopy from the Ultraviolet Echelle Spectograph (UVES) at the VLT, focusing on absorption features in the Ly$α$ emission that trace neutral hydrogen (HI) systems. We compare the UVES data to Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) observations of the same targets and find that the higher spectral resolution of UVES ($Δv \approx 12\,\text{km} \text{s}^{-1}$) allows for a more complete identification of absorbers and reveals the splitting of deep absorbers into multiple components. We identify between 6 and 14 absorbers for each target in our sample with column densities of $N_{\text{HI}} = 10^{12}-10^{17}\,\text{cm}^{-2}$. About 70 % of the absorbers can be spatially resolved along the radio jet axis, showing minimal variation in column densities over extents of more than 30 kpc. Our results indicate that a fraction of the absorbers may be physically associated with the host systems. Complementary JWST/NIRSpec observations of two of the targets, 4C+03.24 and TNJ0205, reveal potential outflows in the ionized interstellar medium (ISM). We discuss a kinematic link between the [OIII]-emitting gas and the cool halo gas as traced by Ly$α$, suggesting a common outflow origin.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2026

Uncovering the absorbed atomic Universe with the [OI]63um line

We report the discovery of strongly absorbed [OI]63um in a sample of 12 DSFGs at 4.2 4. Using ALMA Bands 9 and 10, we obtain spatially and spectrally resolved observations that probe the interstellar medium on sub-kpc scales. Despite reaching sensitivities 10-100x deeper than most previous studies, we detect [OI]63um in emission in only 2 sources at low significance, with the remaining galaxies yielding stringent non-detections over the full velocity range covered by robust detections of other far-infrared lines, including [CII] and [NII]205um. We identify several compact (0.05-0.2") regions having [OI]63um absorption against the far-infrared dust continuum, some of which are possibly reaching below rest-frame CMB radiation level. We also detect narrow, spatially localised [OI]63um emission "escape channels" preferentially detected in regions with weak or absent dust continuum emission. We predict that similar absorption effects may appear in the [CII] line, particularly when concentrating on the regions with the densest foreground material along the line of sight. The [OI]63um line appears to be originate from a mix of compact, high optical depth [OI]63um emitting regions and sub-thermally excited, oxygen-rich molecular clouds dispersed throughout high-redshift starbursts that are capable of absorbing the ground-state line emission. Combined with a comparison to cosmological radiation hydrodynamical simulations, this supports the interpretation that regions with higher gas and dust column densities may lead to weakening an intrinsically strong [OI]63um line emission. We argue that the high [OI]63um optical depth is the dominant effect causing the strong absorption, limiting the diagnostic power of this line to trace regions of massive star formation in high-redshift DSFGs.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2025

High$-z$ [OI] emission lines: ColdSIM simulations and ALMA observations

Neutral-oxygen [OI] far-infrared emission lines at $63μ$m and $145μ$m are powerful probes of the physical conditions in the interstellar medium, although they have not been fully exploited in high-redshift studies. We investigate the connection between [OI] emission lines and key galaxy properties, such as star formation rate (SFR) and H$_2$ content. Our predictions are compared with existing observations and new data analysed in this work. We post-process the outputs of the ColdSIM cosmological simulations with the DESPOTIC model, taking into account [OI]$63μ$m self-absorption by cold foreground material. A Random Forest algorithm is employed to accelerate computations and new observational ALMA data for galaxies at redshift $z\simeq 5-7$ are used to validate our model. Our predictions show significant [OI]$63μ$m luminosities ($\approx 10^8\,\rm L_\odot$) for galaxies with SFRs of $\approx 10^2\,\rm M_\odot\,{\rm yr}^{-1}$. The $145μ$m line luminosity is typically $15 \%$ the [OI]$63μ$m one and is a factor $\approx 2-20$ below high-$z$ observations. Both [OI] lines correlate with SFR and molecular mass, but exhibit flattening in scaling relations with metallicity and stellar mass. Foreground self-absorption reduces the [OI] flux by a factor of $2-4$, consistent with empirical corrections in observational studies. We find typical line ratios of [OI]$63μ$m / [CII]$158μ$m $\approx 1$ and [OI]$145μ$m / [CII]$158μ$m $ \approx 0.2 \, -$ consistent with $z\gtrsim 6$ observations, but only when [OI]$63μ$m self-absorption is included. Both [OI]$63μ$m and [OI]$145μ$m lines serve as tracers of star formation and molecular gas at high redshift. Their joint detection can provide constraints on the properties of the early interstellar medium and self-absorption of the [OI]$63μ$m line.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2025

Extended multi-phase gas reservoirs in the z=4.3 protocluster SPT2349-56: non-stellar ionisation sources?

We aim to characterize the multi-phase gas in the SPT2349-56 protocluster at z=4.3, known to host one of the most starbursting and AGN-rich high redshift environments.For this purpose we conducted APEX single dish observations of the [CII]158 micron (hereafter [CII]) line towards the Core and North components, previously imaged with the ALMA 12-m array. We also present the first [OIII]88 micron (hereafter [OIII]) line observations in such high redshift protocluster system. We obtain a [CII] line luminosity $\sim$1.7$\times$ more than the one recovered by ALMA towards the Core, while remarkably we recover 4$\times$ more [CII] line emission than the one found in deep ALMA images towards the North component, suggesting that the most massive gas reservoirs lie in the less extreme regions of this protocluster system. A minimum ionised gas mass of $\mathrm M_{\rm min}(H^+)$$ \sim$$3.7\times 10^{10}$\,\Msun\, is deduced from the [OIII] line, amounting to 30\% of the molecular gas mass in the same area. Finally we obtain star formation rate (SFR) estimates using the [OIII] line luminosity, and the corresponding ionised gas mass. These yield values that can surpass the far-IR continuum-derived SFR (under the assumption of a standard stellar IMF), which can be reconciled only if non-stellar ionising sources contribute to the [OIII] line luminosity, or a top-heavy stellar IMF produces a larger fraction of O stars per total stellar mass, a distinct possibility in High-Energy-Particle (HEP) rather than (UV-photon)-dominated environments in clusters. Future work using far-IR fine-structure and molecular/neutral-atomic lines is necessary for determining the thermal/ionisation states of the multi-phase medium and these line ratios must be measured over a wide range of spatial scales, which ultimately requires combining wide-field single-dish and high resolution interferometric observations.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2025

Gas-Poor Hosts and Gas-Rich Companions of $z\approx$3.5 Radio Active Galactic Nuclei: ALMA Insights into Jet Triggering and Feedback

Cold gaseous systems play important roles in galaxy evolution by possibly providing fuel to ignite active galactic nuclei (AGN) activity and star-formation. In this work, we analyze [CII]$158\rm μm$ and continuum observations from ALMA for a sample of four radio AGN at $z \approx 3.5$, focusing on eight associated companion cloud systems discovered within projected distances of tens of kiloparsecs or less. The spatial distribution of these companions indicates that the majority of cold gas is not located at the AGN position, i.e., not in their host galaxies. With the assistance of [CII] at $0.2"$ resolution, we further confirm the gas-poor nature of the hosts by re-analyzing archival [CI] (a tracer of H$_{2}$) at $\sim2"$ resolution. Our sample has [CII] luminosities in a range of $2.8\times10^{8}<L_{\rm [CII]}/L_{\odot}<4.2\times10^{9}$. The $L_{\rm [CII]}/L_{\rm IR}$ ratio, $\sim 9.4\times10^{-4}$, is consistent with sources discussed in the literature. Our findings show the gas-poor radio AGN hosts have nearby gas-rich companions. We propose that these companions may be stripped clouds resulting from merger processes, which could be a trigger of radio-loud AGN. They may also be a signature of negative AGN feedback (e.g., shock heating) on these infalling companions and on the host galaxy. In general, our analysis shows that powerful AGN at and before Cosmic Noon are impacting and being impacted by cold gaseous clouds in their circumgalactic or protointracluster media.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2025

JWST + ALMA ubiquitously discover companion systems within $\lesssim18\,$kpc around four $z$$\approx$3.5 luminous radio-loud AGN

Mergers play important roles in galaxy evolution at and beyond Cosmic Noon ($z\sim3$). They are found to be a trigger of active galactic nuclei (AGN) activity and a process for growing stellar mass and black hole mass. High-$z$ radio galaxies (HzRGs=type-2 radio-loud AGN) are among the most massive galaxies known, and reside in dense environments on scales of tens of kiloparsecs to Megaparsecs. We present the first search for kpc-scale companions in a sample of four $z\sim3.5$ HzRGs, with many supporting datasets, using matched 0.2" resolution ALMA and JWST/NIRSpec integral field unit data. We discover a total of $\sim12$ companion systems within $\lesssim18\,$kpc across all four HzRG fields using two independent detection methods: peculiar [OIII]$4959,5007$ kinematics offset from the main (systemic) ionized gas component and [CII]$158\rm μm$ emitters. We examine the velocity fields of these companions and find evidence of disk rotation along with more complex motions. We estimate the dynamical masses of these nearby systems to be $M_{\rm dyn}\sim10^{9-11}\,M_{\odot}$, which may indicate a minor merger scenario. Our results indicate that these companions may be the trigger of the powerful radio-loud AGN. We discuss the roles of the discovered companion systems in galaxy evolution for these powerful jetted AGN and indicate that they may impede jet launch and deflect the jet.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2025

The conceptual design of the 50-meter Atacama Large Aperture Submillimeter Telescope (AtLAST)

The (sub)millimeter sky contains a vast wealth of information that is both complementary and inaccessible to other wavelengths. Over half the light we receive is observable at (sub)millimeter wavelengths, yet we have mapped only a small portion of the sky at sufficient spatial resolution and sensitivity to detect and resolve distant galaxies or star forming cores within their large-scale environments. For decades the astronomical community has highlighted the need for a large, high-throughput (sub-)mm ($λ\sim 0.35-10$ mm) single dish. The Atacama Large Aperture Submillimeter Telescope (AtLAST), with its 50-m aperture and $2^\circ$ maximal field of view, aims to be such a facility. We present here the preliminary design concept for AtLAST, developed through an EU Horizon 2020-funded design study. Our design approach begins with a long lineage of (sub)millimeter telescopes, relies on calculations and simulations to realize the optics, and uses finite element analysis to optimize the designs for the mechanical structure and subsystems. The demanding technical requirements for AtLAST, set by transformative science goals, have motivated the design effort to combine novel concepts with lessons learned from the past experience of previous efforts. The result is an innovative rocking chair design with six instrument bays, two of which are mounted on Nasmyth platforms, inside a large receiver cabin. Ultimately, AtLAST aims to achieve a surface accuracy of $\leq 20~μ$m root mean square half wavefront error, corresponding a Ruze efficiency $>50\%$ at 950~GHz. We conclude that closed-loop metrology of the active primary surface will likely be required to achieve our surface accuracy goal. In the next phase of the project, we will prototype and test such metrology on existing platforms, with a goal of delivering a mature, construction-ready design by the end of this decade.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2024

Gas dynamics in an AGN-host galaxy at $z\simeq2.6$: regular rotation, non-circular motions, and mass models

The gas dynamics of galaxies provide critical insights into the evolution of both baryons and dark matter (DM) across cosmic time. In this context, galaxies at cosmic noon -- the period characterized by the most intense star formation and black hole activities -- are particularly significant. In this work, we present an analysis of the gas dynamics of PKS 0529-549: a galaxy at $z\simeq2.6$, hosting a radio-loud active galactic nucleus (AGN). We use new ALMA observations of the [CI] (2-1) line at a spatial resolution of 0.18$''$ ($\sim$1.5 kpc). We find that (1) the molecular gas forms a rotation-supported disk with $V_{\rm rot}/σ_{\rm v}=6\pm3$ and displays a flat rotation curve out to 3.3 kpc; (2) there are several non-circular components including a kinematically anomalous structure near the galaxy center, a gas tail to the South-West, and possibly a second weaker tail to the East; (3) dynamical estimates of gas and stellar masses from fitting the rotation curve are inconsistent with photometric estimates using standard gas conversion factors and stellar population models, respectively; these discrepancies may be due to systematic uncertainties in the photometric masses, in the dynamical masses, or in the case a more massive radio-loud AGN-host galaxy is hidden behind the gas-rich [CI] emitting starburst galaxy along the line of sight. Our work shows that in-depth investigations of 3D line cubes are crucial for revealing the complexity of gas dynamics in high-$z$ galaxies, in which regular rotation may coexist with non-circular motions and possibly tidal structures.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2024

Molecular gas mass measurements of an active, starburst galaxy at $z\approx2.6$ using ALMA observations of the [CI], CO and dust emission

We present new ALMA observations of a starburst galaxy at cosmic noon hosting a radio-loud active galactic nucleus: PKS 0529-549 at $z=2.57$. To investigate the conditions of its cold interstellar medium, we use ALMA observations which spatially resolve the [CI] fine-structure lines, [CI] (2-1) and [CI] (1-0), CO rotational lines, CO (7-6) and CO (4-3), and the rest-frame continuum emission at 461 and 809 GHz. The four emission lines display different morphologies, suggesting spatial variation in the gas excitation conditions. The radio jets have just broken out of the molecular gas but not through the more extended ionized gas halo. The [CI] (2-1) emission is more extended ($\approx8\,{\rm kpc}\times5\,{\rm kpc}$) than detected in previous shallower ALMA observations. The [CI] luminosity ratio implies an excitation temperature of $44\pm16$ K, similar to the dust temperature. Using the [CI] lines, CO (4-3), and 227 GHz dust continuum, we infer the mass of molecular gas $M_{\mathrm{mol}}$ using three independent approaches and typical assumptions in the literature. All approaches point to a massive molecular gas reservoir of about $10^{11}$ $M_{\odot}$, but the exact values differ by up to a factor of 4. Deep observations are critical in correctly characterizing the distribution of cold gas in high-redshift galaxies, and highlight the need to improve systematic uncertainties in inferring accurate molecular gas masses.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2024

CONCERTO: Instrument model of Fourier transform spectroscopy, white-noise components

Modern astrophysics relies on intricate instrument setups to meet the demands of sensitivity, sky coverage, and multi-channel observations. An example is the CONCERTO project, employing advanced technology like kinetic inductance detectors and a Martin-Puplett interferometer. This instrument, installed at the APEX telescope atop the Chajnantor plateau, began commissioning observations in April 2021. Following a successful commissioning phase that concluded in June 2021, CONCERTO was offered to the scientific community for observations, with a final observing run in December 2022. CONCERTO boasts an 18.5 arcmin field of view and a spectral resolution down to 1.45 GHz in the 130-310 GHz electromagnetic band. We developed a comprehensive instrument model of CONCERTO inspired by Fourier transform spectrometry principles to optimize performance and address systematic errors. This model integrates instrument noises, subsystem characteristics, and celestial signals, leveraging both physical data and simulations. Our methodology involves delineating simulation components, executing on-sky simulations, and comparing results with real observations. The resulting instrument model is pivotal, enabling a precise error correction and enhancing the reliability of astrophysical insights obtained from observational data. In this work, we focus on the description of three white-noise noise components included in the instrument model that characterize the white-noise level: the photon, the generation-recombination, and the amplifier noises.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2024

Atacama Large Aperture Submillimeter Telescope (AtLAST) Science: Surveying the distant Universe

During the most active period of star formation in galaxies, which occurs in the redshift range 1<z<3, strong bursts of star formation result in significant quantities of dust, which obscures new stars being formed as their UV/optical light is absorbed and then re-emitted in the infrared, which redshifts into the mm/sub-mm bands for these early times. To get a complete picture of the high-z galaxy population, we need to survey a large patch of the sky in the sub-mm with sufficient angular resolution to resolve all galaxies, but we also need the depth to fully sample their cosmic evolution, and therefore obtain their redshifts using direct mm spectroscopy with a very wide frequency coverage. This requires a large single-dish sub-mm telescope with fast mapping speeds at high sensitivity and angular resolution, a large bandwidth with good spectral resolution and multiplex spectroscopic capabilities. The proposed 50-m Atacama Large Aperture Submillimeter Telescope (AtLAST) will deliver these specifications. We discuss how AtLAST allows us to study the whole population of high-z galaxies, including the dusty star-forming ones which can only be detected and studied in the sub-mm, and obtain a wealth of information for each of these up to z~7: gas content, cooling budget, star formation rate, dust mass, and dust temperature. We present worked examples of surveys that AtLAST can perform, both deep and wide, and also focused on galaxies in proto-clusters. In addition we show how such surveys with AtLAST can measure the growth rate and the Hubble constant with high accuracy, and demonstrate the power of the line-intensity mapping method in the mm/sub-mm wavebands to constrain the cosmic expansion history at high redshifts, as good examples of what can uniquely be done by AtLAST in this research field.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2024

Atacama Large Aperture Submillimeter Telescope (AtLAST) Science: The hidden circumgalactic medium

Our knowledge of galaxy formation and evolution has incredibly progressed through multi-wavelength observational constraints of the interstellar medium (ISM) of galaxies at all cosmic epochs. However, little is known about the physical properties of the more diffuse and lower surface brightness reservoir of gas and dust that extends beyond ISM scales and fills dark matter haloes of galaxies up to their virial radii, the circumgalactic medium (CGM). New theoretical studies increasingly stress the relevance of the latter for understanding the feedback and feeding mechanisms that shape galaxies across cosmic times, whose cumulative effects leave clear imprints into the CGM. Recent studies are showing that a -- so far unconstrained -- fraction of the CGM mass may reside in the cold (T < 1e4 K) molecular and atomic phase, especially in high-redshift dense environments. These gas phases, together with the warmer ionised phase, can be studied in galaxies from z ~ 0 to z ~ 10 through bright far-infrared and sub-millimeter emission lines such as [C II] 158$μ$m, [O III] 88 $μ$m, [C I] 609$μ$m, [C I] 370$μ$m, and the rotational transitions of CO. Imaging such hidden cold CGM can lead to a breakthrough in galaxy evolution studies but requires a new facility with the specifications of the proposed Atacama Large Aperture Submillimeter Telescope (AtLAST). In this paper, we use theoretical and empirical arguments to motivate future ambitious CGM observations with AtLAST and describe the technical requirements needed for the telescope and its instrumentation to perform such science.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2024

Two shell- and wing-shaped supernova remnants. Investigating the molecular environments around VRO 42.05.01 and G 350.0-2.0

Supernova remnants (SNRs) are profoundly affected by their ambient medium. We present carbon monoxide (CO) observations around two mixed morphology SNRs, VRO 42.05.01 and G 350.0-2.0, that look remarkably similar in continuum radio emission, showing what we refer to as a shell and wing shape. It has been proposed that the shell and wing shape is the result of environmental effects, in the form of a sharp density gradient or discontinuity. Our motivation for studying these two sources jointly is that if the dense molecular environment causes the development of these sources' shell and wing shape, then these two sources' environments must be similar. This is contrary to what we observe. In the case of VRO 42.05.01, we have found direct evidence of an interaction with its molecular environment, in the form of broadened $^{12}$CO line profiles, high $(J=2-1)$ to $(J=1-0)$ line ratios, and arc features in position-velocity space. We interpret some of these features to be associated with the SNR shock, and some of them to be due to the presence of a pre-supernova stellar wind. We have found no such features in the abundant molecular gas surrounding G 350.0-2.0. We have also made a spectral index map of G 350.0-2.0, and we see that the radio spectrum of G 350.0-2.0 steepens significantly at frequencies $<200$~MHz, much like that of VRO 42.05.01. In spite of their spectral and morphological similarities, these two sources look substantially different in their optical and infrared emission. The lack of large-scale correspondence between the radio continuum and the molecular material, as well as the differences in the excitation and morphological properties of the molecular gas surrounding both sources, lead us to conclude that the shell and wing morphology of these two sources is not due to interactions with a similar ambient molecular ISM.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2024

JWST discovers an AGN ionization cone but only weak radiative-driven feedback in a powerful $z$$\approx$3.5 radio-loud AGN

We present the first results from a JWST program studying the role played by powerful radio jets in the evolution of the most massive galaxies at the onset of Cosmic Noon. Using NIRSpec integral field spectroscopy, we detect 24 rest-frame optical emission lines from the $z=3.5892$ radio galaxy 4C+19.71. 4C+19.71 contains one of the most energetic radio jets known, making it perfect for testing radio-mode feedback on the interstellar medium (ISM) of a $M_{\star}\sim10^{11}\,\rm M_{\odot}$ galaxy. The rich spectrum enables line ratio diagnostics showing that the radiation from the active galactic nucleus (AGN) dominates the ionization of the entire ISM out to at least $25\,$kpc, the edge of the detection. Sub-kpc resolution reveals filamentary structures and emission blobs in the warm ionized ISM distributed on scales of $\sim5$ to $\sim20\,$kpc. A large fraction of the extended gaseous nebula is located near the systemic velocity. This nebula may thus be the patchy ISM which is illuminated by the AGN after the passage of the jet. A radiatively-driven outflow is observed within $\sim5\,$kpc from the nucleus. The inefficient coupling ($\lesssim 10^{-4}$) between this outflow and the quasar and the lack of extreme gas motions on galactic scales are inconsistent with other high-$z$ powerful quasars. Combining our data with ground-based studies, we conclude that only a minor fraction of the feedback processes is happening on $<25\,$kpc scales.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2023

CONCERTO: instrument and status

CONCERTO (CarbON CII line in post-rEionization and ReionizaTiOn) is a low-resolution Fourier transform spectrometer dedicated to the study of star-forming galaxies and clusters of galaxies in the transparent millimeter windows from the ground. It is characterized by a wide instantaneous 18.6 arcmin field of view, operates at 130-310 GHz, and was installed on the 12-meter Atacama Pathfinder Experiment (APEX) telescope at 5100 m above sea level. CONCERTO's double focal planes host two arrays of 2152 kinetic inductance detectors and represent a pioneering instrument to meet a state-of-the-art scientific challenge. This paper introduces the CONCERTO instrument and explains its status, shows the first CONCERTO spectral maps of Orion, and describes the perspectives of the project.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2023

COALAS II. Extended molecular gas reservoirs are common in a distant, forming galaxy cluster

This paper presents the results of 475 hours of interferometric observations with the Australia Telescope Compact Array towards the Spiderweb protocluster at $z=2.16$. We search for large, extended molecular gas reservoirs among 46 previously detected CO(1-0) emitters, employing a customised method we developed. Based on the CO emission images and position-velocity diagrams, as well as the ranking of sources using a binary weighting of six different criteria, we have identified 14 robust and 7 tentative candidates that exhibit large extended molecular gas reservoirs. These extended reservoirs are defined as having sizes greater than 40 kpc or super-galactic scale. This result suggests a high frequency of extended gas reservoirs, comprising at least $30 \%$ of our CO-selected sample. An environmental study of the candidates is carried out based on N-th nearest neighbour and we find that the large molecular gas reservoirs tend to exist in denser regions. The spatial distribution of our candidates is mainly centred on the core region of the Spiderweb protocluster. The performance and adaptability of our method are discussed. We found 13 (potentially) extended gas reservoirs located in nine galaxy (proto)clusters from the literature. We noticed that large extended molecular gas reservoirs surrounding (normal) star-forming galaxies in protoclusters are rare. This may be attributable to the lack of observations low-J CO transitions and the lack of quantitative analyses of molecular gas morphologies. The large gas reservoirs in the Spiderweb protocluster are a potential source of the intracluster medium seen in low redshift Virgo- or Coma-like galaxy clusters.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2023

3D tomography of the giant Ly$α$ nebulae of $z$$\approx$3--5 radio-loud AGN

Ly$α$ emission nebulae are ubiquitous around high-z galaxies and are tracers of the gaseous environment on scales out to >100 kpc. High-z radio galaxies (HzRGs, type-2 radio-loud quasars) host large scale nebulae observed in the ionised gas differ from those seen in other types of high-z quasars. In this work, we exploit MUSE observations of Lya nebulae around eight HzRGs ($2.9<z<4.5$). All the HzRGs have large scale Lya emission nebulae with seven of them extended over 100 kpc at the observed surface brightness (SB) limit. Because the emission line profiles are significantly affected by neutral hydrogen absorbers across the entire nebulae, we perform an absorption correction to infer maps of the intrinsic Lya SB, central velocity and velocity width, all at the last scattering surface of the observed Lya photons. We find: (i) The intrinsic SB radial profiles can be described by an inner exponential and an outter power law; (ii) our HzRGs have higher SB and more asymmetric nebulae than both RL and RQ type-1s; (iii) intrinsic nebula kinematics of four HzRGs show evidence of jet-driven outflows but no general trends for the whole sample; (iv) a relation between the nebula maximum extent and the offset between the AGN and the nebula centroids; (v) an alignment between radio jet position angles and the nebula morphology. All support a scenario where the orientation of the AGN has an impact on the observed nebular morphologies and resonant scattering may affect the shape of the SB profiles, nebular kinematics and relations between the observed Lya morphologies. Furthermore, we find evidence showing that the outskirts of the ionised gas nebulae may be 'contaminated' by Lya photons from nearby emission halos. Overall, this work provides results which allow us to compare Lya nebulae around various classes of quasars at and beyond Cosmic Noon. [Abridged]

astro-ph.GA↗