arXiv subjects

Christy A. Tremonti

Publications and source records attributed to Christy A. Tremonti.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Precision Spectroscopy for 1.7 Million Galaxies from SDSS-IV: Improved Spectral Measurements and Catalogs for eBOSS

The Sloan Digital Sky Survey IV DR17 Extended Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (eBOSS) consists of 2,233,939 high-quality optical galaxy spectra obtained through 2" fibers, providing a rich spectroscopic resource for studying galaxy evolution across a broad redshift range. eBOSS was designed primarily for large-scale structure and BAO measurements and, as such, focused on galaxy redshifts, leaving much of the information contained in the spectra unexplored. In addition to the trove of spectra, the large number of repeat observations (197,521 duplicate spectra) enables evaluation of the survey's spectrophotometric quality. To unlock this potential, we introduce the eBOSS Data Analysis Pipeline (eBOSS-DAP), adapted from the MaNGA-DAP, which delivers uniform measurements of emission-line fluxes and equivalent widths, stellar and gas kinematics, continuum spectral indices, and stellar population fits. Using the eBOSS-DAP, we successfully analyze 1,899,553 high-quality galaxy spectra below a redshift of $z < 1.12$ to produce an extensive spectroscopic catalog for the eBOSS galaxy sample. We characterize the calibration performance, quantify the reliability of the derived measurements, and release a suite of data products that fully exploit the power of the eBOSS dataset. These catalogs open the door to a new generation of studies in galaxy evolution and cosmology.

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arXiv2026

The [Ne V] AGN Diagnostic in SDSS-IV/eBOSS: An Anticorrelation Between Ionization State and AGN Luminosity in Low-Redshift Coronal-Line Galaxies

Traditional narrow-line diagnostics fail at high redshift, where low metallicity drives star-forming galaxies and Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) into overlapping regions of the Baldwin-Phillips-Terlevich (BPT) diagram. Coronal lines, with ionization potentials exceeding 100 eV, offer a robust alternative: they cannot be produced by normal stellar populations, arise almost exclusively from AGN or fast shocks, and are insensitive to abundance evolution. Among these, the [Ne V] doublet is the brightest optical coronal line tracer of AGN activity. Existing coronal line catalogs contain only about 1750 objects, too few to statistically assess the completeness and purity of [Ne V]-selected AGN samples. We identify 33,817 galaxies with [Ne V] S/N > 5 at z = 0.147-1.12 in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey IV extended Baryon Oscillations Spectroscopic Survey (SDSS-IV/eBOSS), exceeding the combined literature total by more than an order of magnitude. [Ne V] preferentially selects rapidly accreting, relatively unobscured AGN; only 41.5% of BPT AGN show detectable emission. By stacking spectra that lack [Ne V] on a grid of black hole mass and [O III] luminosity, we recover [Ne V] in the majority of bins, implying that non-detections reflect limited survey sensitivity rather than a deficit of coronal emission. We find [Ne V]/[Ne III] is only weakly correlated with [O III]/[O II]. Galaxies with high [Ne V]/[Ne III] for their [O III]/[O II] ratio have lower Eddington ratios and are more likely classified as LIERs or Composites. The [Ne V]/[O III] ratio shows a strong anticorrelation with [O III] luminosity, with the most extreme coronal-line strengths found among the lowest-luminosity AGN, in analogy with the accretion states of stellar-mass black holes. Comparison with a sample of z=2-9 [Ne V]-detected galaxies suggests some, but not all, high-redshift AGN follow the same relations.

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arXiv2025

JWST Discovery of Warm Dust in the Circumgalactic Medium of the Makani Galaxy

We report the detection of near- and mid-infrared emission from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) out to ~ 35 kpc in the Makani Galaxy, a compact massive galaxy with a record-breaking 100-kpc scale starburst-driven wind at redshift z = 0.459. The NIRCam and MIRI observations with JWST take advantage of a coincidental match between the PAH spectral features at 3.3, 7.7, and (11.3 + 12.2) microns in Makani and the bandpasses of the MIRI and NIRCam filters. The warm dust is not only detected in the cool-gas tracers of the galactic wind associated with the more recent (7 Myr) starburst episode, but also in the outer warm-ionized gas wind produced by the older (0.4 Gyr) episode. The presence of PAHs in the outer wind indicates that the PAHs have survived the long (R/v ~ 10^8 yrs) journey to the halo despite the harsh environment of the galactic wind. The measured F1800W/F1130W flux ratios in the unresolved nucleus, inner halo (R = 10 - 20 kpc), and outer halo (R = 20 - 35 kpc), tracers of the PAH (11.3 + 12.2)/7.7 ratios, indicate decreasing starlight intensity incident on the PAHs, decreasing PAH sizes, and increasing PAH ionization fractions with increasing distance from the nucleus. These data provide the strongest evidence to date that the ejected dust of galactic winds survives the long journey to the CGM, but is eroded along the way.

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arXiv2024

The Outflowing [OII] Nebulae of Compact Starburst Galaxies at z $\sim$ 0.5

High-velocity outflows are ubiquitous in compact, massive (M$_* \sim$ 10$^{11}$ M$_{\odot}$), z $\sim$ 0.5 galaxies with extreme star formation surface densities ($Σ_{SFR} \sim$ 2000 M$_{\odot}$ yr$^{-1}$ kpc$^{-2}$). We have previously detected and characterized these outflows using MgII absorption lines. To probe their full extent, we present Keck/KCWI integral field spectroscopy of the [OII] and MgII emission nebulae surrounding all of the 12 galaxies in this study. We find that [OII] is more effective than MgII in tracing low surface brightness, extended emission in these galaxies. The [OII] nebulae are spatially extended beyond the stars, with radial extent R$_{90}$ between 10 and 40 kpc. The nebulae exhibit non-gravitational motions, indicating galactic outflows with maximum blueshifted velocities ranging from -335 to -1920 km s$^{-1}$. The outflow kinematics correlate with the bursty star formation histories of these galaxies. Galaxies with the most recent bursts of star formation (within the last $<$ 3 Myr) exhibit the highest central velocity dispersions ($σ>$ 400 km s$^{-1}$), while the oldest bursts have the lowest-velocity outflows. Many galaxies exhibit both high-velocity cores and more extended, slower-moving gas indicative of multiple outflow episodes. The slower, larger outflows occurred earlier and have decelerated as they propagate into the CGM and mix on timescales $>$ 50 Myr.

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arXiv2024

Evolution of Gas Flows along the Starburst to Post-Starburst to Quiescent Galaxy Sequence

We measure velocity offsets in the NaI $λ\lambda5890, 5896$ (Na D) interstellar medium absorption lines to track how neutral galactic winds change as their host galaxies evolve. Our sample of $\sim$80,000 SDSS spectra at $0.010 < z < 0.325$ includes starburst, post-starburst, and quiescent galaxies, forming an evolutionary sequence of declining star formation rate (SFR). We detect bulk flows across this sequence, mostly at higher host stellar masses($log(M_{\star}/M_{\odot})>10$). Along this sequence, the fraction of outflows decreases ($76\pm2\%$ to $65\pm4\%$ to a 3$σ$ upper limit of $34\%$), and the mean velocity offset changes from outflowing to inflowing ($-84.6\pm5.9$ to $-71.6\pm11.4$ to $76.6\pm2.3\,km\,s^{-1}$). Even within the post-starburst sample, wind speed decreases with time elapsed since the starburst ended. These results reveal that outflows diminish as galaxies age. For post-starbursts, there is evidence for an AGN contribution, especially to the speediest outflows: 1) SFR declines faster in time than outflow velocity, a decoupling arguing against massive stellar feedback; 2) of the few outflows strong enough to escape the interstellar medium (9/105), three of the four hosts with measured emission lines are Seyfert galaxies. For disky starburst galaxies, however, the trends suggest flows out of the stellar disk plane (with outflow 1/2-opening angle $> 45$ degree) instead of from the nucleus: the wind velocity decreases as the disk becomes more edge-on, and the outflow fraction, constant at $\sim$90$\%$ for disk inclinations $i<45$ degree, steadily decreases from $\sim$90$%$ to 20$\%$ for $i>45$ degree.

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arXiv2023

Ionized Gas Extended Over 40 kpc in an Odd Radio Circle Host Galaxy

A new class of extragalactic astronomical sources discovered in 2021, named Odd Radio Circles (ORCs, Norris et al. 2021), are large rings of faint, diffuse radio continuum emission spanning ~1 arcminute on the sky. Galaxies at the centers of several ORCs have photometric redshifts of z~0.3-0.6, implying physical scales of several 100 kiloparsecs in diameter for the radio emission, the origin of which is unknown. Here we report spectroscopic data on an ORC including strong [OII] emission tracing ionized gas in the central galaxy of ORC4 at z=0.4512. The physical extent of the [OII] emission is ~40 kpc in diameter, larger than expected for a typical early-type galaxy (Pandya et al, 2017) but an order of magnitude smaller than the large-scale radio continuum emission. We detect a ~200 km/s velocity gradient across the [OII] nebula, as well as a high velocity dispersion of ~180 km/s. The [OII] equivalent width (EW, ~50 Ang) is extremely high for a quiescent galaxy. The morphology, kinematics, and strength of the [OII] emission are consistent with the infall of shock ionized gas near the galaxy, following a larger-scale, outward moving shock driven by a galactic wind. Both the extended optical and radio emission, while observed on very different scales, may therefore result from the same dramatic event.

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arXiv2023

Kinematics, Structure, and Mass Outflow Rates of Extreme Starburst Galactic Outflows

We present results on the properties of extreme gas outflows in massive ($\rm M_* \sim$10$^{11} \ \rm M_{\odot}$), compact, starburst ($\rm SFR \sim$$200 \, \rm M_{\odot} \ yr^{-1}$) galaxies at z = $0.4-0.7$ with very high star formation surface densities ($\rm Σ_{SFR} \sim$$2000 \,\rm M_{\odot} \ yr^{-1} \ kpc^{-2}$). Using optical Keck/HIRES spectroscopy of 14 HizEA starburst galaxies we identify outflows with maximum velocities of $820 - 2860$ \kmps. High-resolution spectroscopy allows us to measure precise column densities and covering fractions as a function of outflow velocity and characterize the kinematics and structure of the cool gas outflow phase (T $\sim$10$^4$ K). We find substantial variation in the absorption profiles, which likely reflects the complex morphology of inhomogeneously-distributed, clumpy gas and the intricacy of the turbulent mixing layers between the cold and hot outflow phases. There is not a straightforward correlation between the bursts in the galaxies' star formation histories and their wind absorption line profiles, as might naively be expected for starburst-driven winds. The lack of strong \mgii \ absorption at the systemic velocity is likely an orientation effect, where the observations are down the axis of a blowout. We infer high mass outflow rates of $\rm \sim$50 $-$ 2200 $\rm M_{\odot} \, yr^{-1}$, assuming a fiducial outflow size of 5 kpc, and mass loading factors of $η\sim$5 for most of the sample. %with $η\sim$20 for two galaxies. While these values have high uncertainties, they suggest that starburst galaxies are capable of ejecting very large amounts of cool gas that will substantially impact their future evolution.

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arXiv2023

The Ionization and Dynamics of the Makani Galactic Wind

The Makani galaxy hosts the poster child of a galactic wind on scales of the circumgalactic medium. It consists of a two-episode wind in which the slow, outer wind originated 400 Myr ago (Episode I; R_I = 20-50 kpc) and the fast, inner wind is 7 Myr old (Episode II; R_II = 0-20 kpc). While this wind contains ionized, neutral, and molecular gas, the physical state and mass of the most extended phase--the warm, ionized gas--is unknown. Here we present Keck optical spectra of the Makani outflow. These allow us to detect hydrogen lines out to r = 30-40 kpc and thus constrain the mass, momentum, and energy in the wind. Many collisionally-excited lines are detected throughout the wind, and their line ratios are consistent with 200-400 km/s shocks that power the ionized gas, with v_shock = $σ$_wind. Combining shock models, density-sensitive line ratios, and mass and velocity measurements, we estimate that the ionized mass and outflow rate in the Episode II wind could be as high as that of the molecular gas: M_II(HII) ~ M_II(H_2) = (1-2)x10^9 Msun and dM/dt_II(HII) ~ dM/dt_II(H_2) = 170-250 Msun/yr. The outer wind has slowed, so that dM/dt_I(HII) ~ 10 Msun/yr, but it contains more ionized gas: M_I(HII) = 5x10^9 Msun. The momentum and energy in the recent Episode II wind imply a momentum-driven flow (p ``boost" ~ 7) driven by the hot ejecta and radiation pressure from the Eddington-limited, compact starburst. Much of the energy and momentum in the older Episode I wind may reside in a hotter phase, or lie further into the CGM.

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arXiv2022

The Space Density of Intermediate Redshift, Extremely Compact, Massive Starburst Galaxies

We present a measurement of the intrinsic space density of intermediate redshift ($z\sim0.5$), massive ($M_{*} \sim 10^{11} \ \text{M}_{\odot}$), compact ($R_{e} \sim 100$ pc) starburst ($Σ_{SFR} \sim 1000 \ \text{M}_{\odot} \ \text{yr}^{-1} \text{kpc}^{-1}$) galaxies with tidal features indicative of them having undergone recent major mergers. A subset of them host kiloparsec scale, $>1000 \ \text{km}\ \text{s}^{-1}$ outflows and have little indication of AGN activity, suggesting that extreme star formation can be a primary driver of large-scale feedback. The aim for this paper is to calculate their space density so we can place them in a better cosmological context. We do this by empirically modeling the stellar populations of massive, compact starburst galaxies. We determine the average timescale for which galaxies that have recently undergone an extreme nuclear starburst would be targeted and included in our spectroscopically selected sample. We find that massive, compact starburst galaxies targeted by our criteria would be selectable for $\sim 148 ^{+27}_{-24}$ Myr and have an intrinsic space density $n_{\text{CS}} \sim (1.1^{+0.5}_{-0.3}) \times 10^{-6} \ \ \text{Mpc}^{-3}$. This space density is broadly consistent with our $z\sim0.5$ compact starbursts being the most extremely compact and star forming low redshift analogs of the compact star forming galaxies in the early Universe as well as them being the progenitors to a fraction of intermediate redshift post starburst and compact quiescent galaxies.

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arXiv2021

Physical Properties of Massive Compact Starburst Galaxies with Extreme Outflows

We present results on the nature of extreme ejective feedback episodes and the physical conditions of a population of massive ($\rm M_* \sim 10^{11} M_{\odot}$), compact starburst galaxies at z = 0.4-0.7. We use data from Keck/NIRSPEC, SDSS, Gemini/GMOS, MMT, and Magellan/MagE to measure rest-frame optical and near-IR spectra of 14 starburst galaxies with extremely high star formation rate surface densities (mean $\rm Σ_{SFR} \sim 3000 \,M_{\odot} yr^{-1} kpc^{-2}$) and powerful galactic outflows (maximum speeds v$_{98} \sim$ 1000-3000 km s$^{-1}$). Our unique data set includes an ensemble of both emission [OII]$λλ$3726,3729, H$β$, [OIII]$λλ$4959,5007, H$α$, [NII]$λλ$6548,6583, and [SII]$λλ$6716,6731) and absorption MgII$λλ$2796,2803, and FeII$λ$2586) lines that allow us to investigate the kinematics of the cool gas phase (T$\sim$10$^4$ K) in the outflows. Employing a suite of line ratio diagnostic diagrams, we find that the central starbursts are characterized by high electron densities (median n$_e \sim$ 530 cm$^{-3}$), and high metallicity (solar or super-solar). We show that the outflows are most likely driven by stellar feedback emerging from the extreme central starburst, rather than by an AGN. We also present multiple intriguing observational signatures suggesting that these galaxies may have substantial Lyman continuum (LyC) photon leakage, including weak [SII] nebular emission lines. Our results imply that these galaxies may be captured in a short-lived phase of extreme star formation and feedback where much of their gas is violently blown out by powerful outflows that open up channels for LyC photons to escape.

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arXiv2021

Compact Starburst Galaxies with Fast Outflows: Central Escape Velocities and Stellar Mass Surface Densities from Multi-band Hubble Space Telescope Imaging

We present multi-band Hubble Space Telescope imaging that spans rest-frame near-ultraviolet through near-infrared wavelengths (0.3-1.1 $μ$m) for 12 compact starburst galaxies at z=0.4-0.8. These massive galaxies (M_stellar ~ 10^11 M_Sun) are driving very fast outflows ($v_{max}$=1000-3000 km/s), and their light profiles are dominated by an extremely compact starburst component (half-light radius ~ 100 pc). Our goal is to constrain the physical mechanisms responsible for launching these fast outflows by measuring the physical conditions within the central kiloparsec. Based on our stellar population analysis, the central component typically contributes $\approx$25% of the total stellar mass and the central escape velocities $v_{esc,central}\approx900$ km/s are a factor of two smaller than the observed outflow velocities. This requires physical mechanisms that can accelerate gas to speeds significantly beyond the central escape velocities, and it makes clear that these fast outflows are capable of traveling into the circumgalactic medium, and potentially beyond. We find central stellar densities comparable to theoretical estimates of the Eddington limit, and we estimate $Σ_1$ surface densities within the central kpc comparable to those of compact massive galaxies at $0.5<z<3.0$. Relative to "red nuggets" and "blue nuggets" at $z\sim2$, we find significantly smaller $r_e$ values at a given stellar mass, which we attribute to the dominance of a young stellar component in our sample and the better physical resolution for rest-frame optical observations at $z\sim0.6$ versus $z\sim2$. We compare to theoretical scenarios involving major mergers and violent disc instability, and we speculate that our galaxies are progenitors of power-law ellipticals in the local universe with prominent stellar cusps.

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arXiv2020

Deviations from the Infrared-Radio Correlation in Massive, Ultra-compact Starburst Galaxies

Feedback through energetic outflows has emerged as a key physical process responsible for transforming star-forming galaxies into the quiescent systems observed in the local universe. To explore this process, this paper focuses on a sample of massive and compact merger remnant galaxies hosting high-velocity gaseous outflows ($|v| \gtrsim 10^{3}$ km s$^{-1}$), found at intermediate redshift ($z \sim 0.6$). From their mid-infrared emission and compact morphologies, these galaxies are estimated to have exceptionally large star formation rate (SFR) surface densities ($Σ_{SFR} \sim 10^{3}$ $\mathrm{M_{\odot}}$ yr$^{-1}$ kpc$^{-2}$), approaching the Eddington limit for radiation pressure on dust grains. This suggests that star formation feedback may be driving the observed outflows. However, these SFR estimates suffer from significant uncertainties. We therefore sought an independent tracer of star formation to probe the compact starburst activity in these systems. In this paper, we present SFR estimates calculated using 1.5 GHz continuum Jansky Very Large Array observations for 19 of these galaxies. We also present updated infrared (IR) SFRs calculated from WISE survey data. We estimate SFRs from the IR to be larger than those from the radio for 16 out of 19 galaxies by a median factor of 2.5. We find that this deviation is maximized for the most compact galaxies hosting the youngest stellar populations, suggesting that compact starbursts deviate from the IR-radio correlation. We suggest that this deviation stems either from free-free absorption of synchrotron emission, a difference in the timescale over which each indicator traces star formation, or exceptionally hot IR-emitting dust in these ultra-dense galaxies.

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arXiv2019

The Data Analysis Pipeline for the SDSS-IV MaNGA IFU Galaxy Survey: Overview

Mapping Nearby Galaxies at Apache Point Observatory (MaNGA) is acquiring integral-field spectroscopy for the largest sample of galaxies to date. By 2020, the MaNGA Survey --- one of three core programs in the fourth-generation Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS-IV) --- will have observed a statistically representative sample of 10$^4$ galaxies in the local Universe ($z\lesssim0.15$). In addition to a robust data-reduction pipeline (DRP), MaNGA has developed a data-analysis pipeline (DAP) that provides higher-level data products. To accompany the first public release of its code base and data products, we provide an overview of the MaNGA DAP, including its software design, workflow, measurement procedures and algorithms, performance, and output data model. In conjunction with our companion paper Belfiore et al., we also assess the DAP output provided for 4718 observations of 4648 unique galaxies in the recent SDSS Data Release 15 (DR15). These analysis products focus on measurements that are close to the data and require minimal model-based assumptions. Namely, we provide stellar kinematics (velocity and velocity dispersion), emission-line properties (kinematics, fluxes, and equivalent widths), and spectral indices (e.g., D4000 and the Lick indices). We find that the DAP provides robust measurements and errors for the vast majority ($>$99%) of analyzed spectra. We summarize assessments of the precision and accuracy of our measurements as a function of signal-to-noise, and provide specific guidance to users regarding the limitations of the data. The MaNGA DAP software is publicly available and we encourage community involvement in its development.

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arXiv2018

Clocking the Evolution of Post-Starburst Galaxies: Methods and First Results

Detailed modeling of the recent star formation histories (SFHs) of post-starburst (or "E+A") galaxies is impeded by the degeneracy between the time elapsed since the starburst ended (post-burst age), the fraction of stellar mass produced in the burst (burst strength), and the burst duration. To resolve this issue, we combine GALEX ultraviolet photometry, SDSS photometry and spectra, and new stellar population synthesis models to fit the SFHs of 532 post-starburst galaxies. In addition to an old stellar population and a recent starburst, 48% of the galaxies are best fit with a second recent burst. Lower stellar mass galaxies (log M$_\star$/M$_\odot<10.5$) are more likely to experience two recent bursts, and the fraction of their young stellar mass is more strongly anti-correlated with their total stellar mass. Applying our methodology to other, younger post-starburst samples, we identify likely progenitors to our sample and examine the evolutionary trends of molecular gas and dust content with post-burst age. We discover a significant (4$σ$) decline, with a 117-230 Myr characteristic depletion time, in the molecular gas to stellar mass fraction with the post-burst age. The implied rapid gas depletion rate of 2-150 M$_\odot$yr$^{-1}$ cannot be due to current star formation, given the upper limits on the current SFRs in these post-starbursts. Nor are stellar winds or SNe feedback likely to explain this decline. Instead, the decline points to the expulsion or destruction of molecular gas in outflows, a possible smoking gun for AGN feedback.

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arXiv2017

The Mass and Momentum Outflow Rates of Photoionized Galactic Outflows

Galactic outflows are believed to play an important role in regulating star formation in galaxies, but estimates of the outflowing mass and momentum have historically been based on uncertain assumptions. Here, we measure the mass, momentum, and energy outflow rates of seven nearby star-forming galaxies using ultraviolet absorption lines and observationally motivated estimates for the density, metallicity, and radius of the outflow. Low-mass galaxies generate outflows faster than their escape velocities with mass outflow rates up to twenty times larger than their star formation rates. These outflows from low-mass galaxies also have momenta larger than provided from supernovae alone, indicating that multiple momentum sources drive these outflows. Only 1-20\% of the supernovae energy is converted into kinetic energy, and this fraction decreases with increasing stellar mass such that low-mass galaxies drive more efficient outflows. We find scaling relations between the outflows and the stellar mass of their host galaxies (M$_\ast$) at the 2-3$σ$ significance level. The mass-loading factor, or the mass outflow rate divided by the star formation rate, scales as M$_\ast^{-0.4}$ and with the circular velocity as v$_\mathrm{circ}^{-1.6}$. The scaling of the mass-loading factor is similar to recent simulations, but the observations are a factor of five smaller, possibly indicating that there is a substantial amount of unprobed gas in a different ionization phase. The outflow momenta are consistent with a model where star formation drives the outflow while gravity counteracts this acceleration.

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arXiv2016

The growth of the central region by acquisition of counter-rotating gas in star-forming galaxies

Galaxies grow through both internal and external processes. In about 10% of nearby red galaxies with little star formation, gas and stars are counter-rotating, demonstrating the importance of external gas acquisition in these galaxies. However, systematic studies of such phenomena in blue, star-forming galaxies are rare, leaving uncertain the role of external gas acquisition in driving evolution of blue galaxies. Based on new measurements with integral field spectroscopy of a large representative galaxy sample, we find an appreciable fraction of counter-rotators among blue galaxies (9 out of 489 galaxies). The central regions of blue counter-rotators show younger stellar populations and more intense, ongoing star formation than their outer parts, indicating ongoing growth of the central regions. The result offers observational evidence that the acquisition of external gas in blue galaxies is possible; the interaction with pre-existing gas funnels the gas into nuclear regions (< 1 kpc) to form new stars.

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arXiv2016

A Robust Measurement of the Mass Outflow Rate of the Galactic Outflow from NGC 6090

To evaluate the impact of stellar feedback, it is critical to estimate the mass outflow rates of galaxies. Past estimates have been plagued by uncertain assumptions about the outflow geometry, metallicity, and ionization fraction. Here we use Hubble Space Telescope ultraviolet spectroscopic observations of the nearby starburst NGC 6090 to demonstrate that many of these quantities can be constrained by the data. We use the Si~{\sc IV} absorption lines to calculate the scaling of velocity (v), covering fraction (C$_f$), and density with distance from the starburst (r), assuming the Sobolev optical depth and a velocity law of the form: v$~\propto(1 -\mathrm{R}_\mathrm{i}/\mathrm{r} )^β$ (where R$_\mathrm{i}$ is the inner outflow radius). We find that the velocity ($β$=0.43) is consistent with an outflow driven by an r$^{-2}$ force with the outflow radially accelerated, while the scaling of the covering fraction ($C_f \propto \mathrm{r}^{-0.82}$) suggests that cool clouds in the outflow are in pressure equilibrium with an adiabatically expanding medium. We use the column densities of four weak metal lines and CLOUDY photoionization models to determine the outflow metallicity, the ionization correction, and the initial density of the outflow. Combining these values with the profile fitting, we find R$_\mathrm{i}$ = 63 pc, with most of the mass within 300~pc of the starburst. Finally, we find that the maximum mass outflow rate is 2.3~M$_\odot$ yr$^{-1}$ and the mass loading factor (outflow divided by the star formation rate) is 0.09, a factor of 10 lower than the value calculated using common assumptions for the geometry, metallicity and ionization structure of the outflow.

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arXiv2016

Boxy H$α$ Emission Profiles in Star-Forming Galaxies

We assemble a sample of disk star-forming galaxies from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release 7, studying the structure of H$α$ emission lines, finding a large fraction of this sample contains boxy H$α$ line profiles. This fraction depends on galaxy physical and geometric parameters in the following way: (1) it increases monotonically with star formation rate per unit area ($Σ_{\rm SFR}$), and stellar mass ($M_*$), with the trend being much stronger with $M_*$, from $\sim$0% at $M_*=10^{10}M_{\odot}$ to about 50% at $M_*=10^{11}M_\odot$; (2) the fraction is much smaller in face-on systems than in edge-on systems. It increases with galaxy inclination ($i$) while $i < 60\,^{\circ}$ and is roughly a constant of 25% beyond this range; (3) for the sources which can be modeled well with two velocity components, blueshifted and redshifted from the systemic velocity, these is a positive correlation between the velocity difference of these two components and the stellar mass, with a slope similar to the Tully-Fisher relation; (4) the two components are very symmetric in the mean, both in velocity and in amplitude. The four findings listed above can be understood as a natural result of a rotating galaxy disk with a kpc-scale ring-like H$α$ emission region.

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