arXiv subjects

Chenggang Shu

Publications and source records attributed to Chenggang Shu.

41 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2001

The Fundamental Plane of Spiral Galaxies: Theoretical Expectations

Current theory of disk galaxy formation is used to study fundamental-plane (FP) type of relations for disk galaxies. We examine how the changes in model parameters affect these relations and explore the possibility of using such relations to constrain theoretical models. The distribution of galaxy disks in the space of their fundamental properties are predicted to be concentrated in a plane, with the Tully-Fisher (TF) relation (a relation between luminosity $L$ and maximum rotation velocity $V_m$) being an almost edge-on view. Using rotation velocities at larger radii generally leads to larger TF scatter. In searching for a third parameter, we find that both the disk scale-length $R_d$ (or surface brightness) and the rotation-curve shape are correlated with the TF scatter. The FP relation in the $(\Log L, \Log V_m, \Log R_d)$-space obtained from the theory is $L\propto R_d^{α'} V_m^{β'}$, with ${α'}\sim 0.50$ and ${β'}\sim 2.60$, consistent with the preliminary result we obtain from observational data. Among the model parameters we probe, variation in any of them can generate significant scatter in the TF relation, but the effects of the spin parameter and halo concentration can be reduced significantly by introducing $R_d$ while the scatter caused by varying $m_d$ (the ratio between disk mass and halo mass) is most effectively reduced by introducing the parameters which describes the rotation-curve shape. The TF and FP relations combined should therefore provide useful constraints on models of galaxy formation.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2001

The Host Haloes of Lyman Break Galaxies and Sub-millimeter Sources

We use the observed sizes and star formation rates of Lyman-break galaxies (LBGs) to understand their properties expected in the hierarchical scenario of galaxy formation. The observed size distribution constrains the masses of the host haloes of LBGs from below, while the observed star-formation distribution constrains the masses from above. Assuming a flat CDM model with a cosmological constant ($Ω_Λ=0.7$), we find that consistency with observations requires the circular velocities of LBG host haloes to be in the range 100--$300 {\rm km s^{-1}}$. The predicted comoving correlation length of these objects is $\sim 3 h^{-1}{\rm Mpc}$, and the predicted velocity dispersion of their stellar contents is typically $70 {\rm km s^{-1}}$. The same prescription applied to larger haloes in the CDM cosmogony predicts the existence of galaxies with star formation rates $\sim 1000 {\rm M_\odot yr^{-1}}$ at redshift $z\sim 3$. We explore the possibility of identifying these galaxies to be the bright sub-millimeter (sub-mm) sources detected by SCUBA. The model predicts that the host haloes of these sub-mm sources are massive. These galaxies are predicted to be strongly correlated, with a comoving correlation length of $\sim 7 h^{-1}{\rm Mpc}$. The descendants of the bright sub-mm sources should reside in clusters of galaxies at the present time, and it is likely that these objects are the progenitors of giant ellipticals. The model predicts the existence of a relatively bright and red population of galaxies at $z\sim 3$, which may be observed in the K-band.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2000

Some statistical properties of spiral galaxies

This paper presents some statistical correlations of 72 northern spiral galaxies. The results show that early-type spirals that are brighter, and thicker, and the axis ratios ($H_{z}/H_r$) of the disk tend to be smaller along the Hubble sequence. We also find that $H_{z}/H_r$ correlates strongly with the galaxy's color, and early-type spirals have larger values of $H_{z}/H_r$. The inclinations obtained by fitting the pattern of a spiral structure with a logarithmic spiral form are nearly the same as those obtained by using the formulas of Aaronson et al. (1980). Finally, the mean measured pitch angles for the different Hubble sequences in the Third Catalogue of Bright Galaxies by de Vaucouleurs et al. (1991) are derived.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2000

Dependence of Spiral Galaxy Distribution on Viewing Angle in RC3

The normalized inclination distributions are presented for the spiral galaxies in RC3. The results show that, except for the bin of $81^{\circ}$-$90^{\circ}$, in which the apparent minor isophotal diameters that are used to obtain the inclinations, are affected by the central bulges, the distributions for Sa, Sab, Scd and Sd are well consistent with the Monte-Carlo simulation of random inclinations within 3-$σ$, and Sb and Sbc almost, but Sc is different. One reason for the difference between the real distribution and the Monte-Carlo simulation of Sc may be that some quite inclined spirals, the arms of which are inherently loosely wound on the galactic plane and should be classified to Sc galaxies, have been incorrectly classified to the earlier ones, because the tightness of spiral arms which is one of the criteria of the Hubble classification in RC3 is different between on the galactic plane and on the tangent plane of the celestial sphere. Our result also implies that there might exist biases in the luminosity functions of individual Hubble types if spiral galaxies are only classified visually.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2000

Star Formation and Chemical Evolution of Lyman-Break Galaxies

The number density and clustering properties of Lyman-break galaxies (LBGs) observed at redshift $z\sim 3$ are best explained by assuming that they are associated with the most massive haloes at $z\sim 3$ predicted in hierarchical models of structure formation. In this paper we study, under the same assumption, how star formation and chemical enrichment may have proceeded in the LBG population. A consistent model, in which the amount of cold gas available for star formation must be regulated, is suggested. It is found that gas cooling in dark haloes provides a natural regulation process. In this model, the star formation rate in an LBG host halo is roughly constant over about 1 Gyr. The predicted star formation rates and effective radii are consistent with observations. The metallicity of the gas associated with an LBG is roughly equal to the chemical yield, or about the order of $1 Z_{\odot}$ for a Salpeter IMF. The contribution to the total metals of LBGs is roughly consistent with that obtained from the observed cosmic star formation history. The model predicts a marked radial metallicity gradient in a galaxy, with the gas in the outer region having much lower metallicity. As a result, the metallicities for the damped Lyman-alpha absorption systems expected from the LBG population are low. Since LBG halos are filled with hot gas in this model, their contributions to the soft X-ray background and to the UV ionization background are calculated and discussed.

astro-ph↗