arXiv subjects

F. Combes

Publications and source records attributed to F. Combes.

At least 451 records · Page 25Linked to original sources

arXiv2003

Molecular Gas in NUclei of GAlaxies (NUGA): II. The Ringed LINER NGC7217

We present CO(1-0) and CO(2-1) maps of the LINER galaxy NGC7217, obtained with the IRAM interferometer, at 2.4"x1.9" and 1.2"x0.8" resolution respectively. The nuclear ring (at r=12"=0.8kpc) dominates the CO maps, and has a remarkable sharp surface density gradient at its inner edge. The latter is the site of the stellar/Halpha ring, while the CO emission ring extends farther or is broader (500-600pc). This means that the star formation has been more intense toward the inner edge of the CO ring, in a thin layer, just at the location of the high gas density gradient. In the CO(2-1) map, a central concentration inside 3" coincides with a spiral dust lane, clearly seen in the HST V-I color image. N-body simulations including gas dissipation and star formation are performed to better understand the nature of the nuclear ring observed. In the best model, the gas content was higher in the recent past (having been consumed via star formation), and the oval/spiral formed were more self-gravitating (abridged).

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arXiv2003

Cold molecular gas in cooling flow clusters of galaxies

The results of a CO line survey in central cluster galaxies with cooling flows are presented. Cold molecular gas is detected with the IRAM 30m telescope, through CO(1-0) and CO(2-1) emission lines in 6-10 among 32 galaxies. The corresponding gas masses are between 3.10^8 and 4.10^10 Msol. These results are in agreement with recent CO detections by Edge (2001). A strong correlation between the CO emission and the Halpha luminosity is also confirmed. Cold gas exists in the center of cooling flow clusters and these detections may be interpreted as an evidence of the long searched very cold residual of the hot cooling gas.

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arXiv2003

Efficiency of stripping mechanisms

There are several physical processes to remove gas from galaxies in clusters, with subsequent starvation and star formation quenching: tidal interactions between galaxies, or tidal stripping from the cluster potential itself, interactions with the hot intra-cluster medium (ICM) through ram pressure, turbulent or viscous stripping, or also outflows from star formation of nuclear activity, We review the observational evidence for all processes, and numerical simulations of galaxies in clusters which support the respective mechanisms. This allows to compare their relative efficiencies, all along cluster formation.

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arXiv2003

Properties of SN-host galaxies

It is of prime importance to recognize evolution and extinction effects in supernovae results as a function of redshift, for SN Ia to be considered as distance indicators. This review surveys all observational data searching for an evolution and/or extinction, according to host morphology. For instance, it has been observed that high-z SNe Ia have bluer colours than the local ones: although this goes against extinction to explain why SN are dimmer with redshift until z ~ 1, supporting a decelerating universe, it also demonstrates intrinsic evolution effects. -- SNe Ia could evolve because the age and metallicity of their progenitors evolve. The main parameter is carbon abundance. Smaller C leads to a dimmer SN Ia and also less scatter on peak brightness, as it is the case in elliptical galaxy today. Age of the progenitor is an important factor: young populations lead to brighter SNe Ia, as in spiral galaxies, and a spread in ages lead to a larger scatter, explaining the observed lower scatter at high z. -- Selection biases also play a role, like the Malmquist bias; high-z SNe Ia are found at larger distance from their host center: there is more obscuration in the center, and also detection is easier with no contamination from the center. This might be one of the reason why less obscuration has been found for SNe Ia at high z. -- There is clearly a sample evolution with z: currently only the less bright SNe Ia are detected at high z, with less scatter. The brightest objects have a slowly declining light-curve, and at high z, no slow decline has been observed. This may be interpreted as an age effect, high-z SN having younger progenitors.

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arXiv2003

Molecular gas and AGN fueling

CO emission, tracing the molecular content and distribution in galaxies, is a privileged tool to trace gas towards the nucleus, since the HI tracer is in general depleted there. A review is done of recent CO line observations, with sufficient spatial resolution to indicate the morphology and kinematics of the gas near the nucleus. The puzzling result that nuclei presently observed in an active phase have little sign of fueling, is discussed.

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arXiv2003

Supermassive black holes (SMBH) and formation of galaxies

The recently confirmed correlation between the mass of SMBH and bulges of galaxies (and their central velocity dispersion), suggest a common formation scenario for galaxies and their central black holes. Common fueling can be invoked through internal dynamical processes, external accretion, and hierarchical merging of structures. The success of recent theories is reviewed, as the self-regulated growth of both bulges and SMBHs, the predicted AGN statistics, when activity is triggered by accretion and mergers, the predicted frequency of binary SMBH and consequences. In particular, the SMBH growth problem can now be revised, invoking intermediate-mass black holes (IMBH) as BH seeds in the early universe. As a by-product, the merger of binary SMBHs help to heat and destroy central stellar cusps. Remaining problems are mentioned.

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arXiv2003

Molecular Gas in NUclei of GAlaxies (NUGA) I.The counter-rotating LINER NGC4826

We present new high-resolution observations of the nucleus of the counter-rotating LINER NGC4826, made in the J=1-0 and J=2-1 lines of 12CO with the IRAM Plateau de Bure mm-interferometer(PdBI).The CO maps, which achieve 0.8''(16pc) resolution in the 2-1 line, fully resolve an inner molecular gas disk which is truncated at an outer radius of 700pc. The total molecular gas mass is distributed in a lopsided nuclear disk of 40pc radius and two one-arm spirals, which develop at different radii in the disk. The distribution and kinematics of molecular gas in the inner 1kpc of NGC4826 show the prevalence of different types of m=1 perturbations in the gas. Although dominated by rotation, the gas kinematics are perturbed by streaming motions related to the m=1 instabilities. The non-circular motions associated with the inner m=1 perturbations agree qualitatively with the pattern expected for a trailing wave developed outside corotation ('fast' wave). In contrast, the streaming motions in the outer m=1 spiral are better explained by a 'slow' wave. A paradoxical consequence is that the inner m=1 perturbations would not favour AGN feeding. An independent confirmation that the AGN is not being generously fueled at present is found in the low values of the gravitational torques exerted by the stellar potential for R<530pc. The distribution of star formation in the disk of NGC4826 is also strongly asymmetrical. Massive star formation is still vigorous, fed by the significant molecular gas reservoir at R<700pc. There is supporting evidence for a recent large mass inflow episode in NGC4826. These observations have been made in the context of the NUclei of GAlaxies (NUGA) project, aimed at the study of the different mechanisms for gas fueling of AGN.

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arXiv2003

Formation of polar ring galaxies

Polar ring galaxies are peculiar systems in which a gas rich, nearly polar ring surrounds an early-type or elliptical host galaxy. Two formation scenarios for these objects have been proposed: they are thought to form either in major galaxy mergers or by tidal accretion of the polar material from a gas rich donor galaxy. Both scenarios are studied through N-body simulations including gas dynamics and star formation. Constraints on physical parameters are drawn out, in order to determine which scenario is the most likely to occur. Polar ring galaxies from each scenario are compared with observations and we discuss whether the accretion scenario and the merging scenario account for observational properties of polar ring galaxies. The conclusion of this study is that the accretion scenario is both the most likely and the most supported by observations. Even if the merging scenario is rather robust, most polar ring galaxies are shown to be the result of tidal gas accretion events.

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arXiv2002

NUGA: the IRAM survey of AGN spiral hosts

The NUclei of GAlaxies (NUGA) project is a combined effort to carry out a high-resolution (<1'') interferometer CO survey of a sample of 12 nearby AGN spiral hosts, using the IRAM array. We map the distribution and dynamics of molecular gas in the inner 1 kpc of the nuclei with resolutions of 10-50 pc, and study the mechanisms for gas fueling of the different low-luminosity AGN. First results show evidence for the occurrence of strong m=1 gas instabilities in Seyferts. NUGA maps allow us to address the origin/nature of m=1 modes and their link with m=2 modes and acoustic instabilities, present in other targets.

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arXiv2002

On the global structure of distant galactic disks

Radial and vertical profiles are determined for a sample of 34 edge-on disk galaxies in the HDFs, selected for their apparent diameter larger than 1.3 arcsec and their unperturbed morphology. The thickness and flatness of their galactic disks are determined and discussed with regard to evolution with redshift. We find that sub-L* spiral galaxies with z \sim 1 have a relative thickness or flatness (characterized by h_z/h the scaleheight to scalelength ratio) globally similar to those in the local Universe. A slight trend is however apparent, with the h_z/h flatness ratio larger by a factor of \sim 1.5 in distant galaxies if compared to local samples. In absolute value, the disks are smaller than in present-day galaxies. About half of the z \sim 1 spiral disks show a non-exponential surface brightness distribution.

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arXiv2002

Polar Ring Galaxies and the Tully Fisher relation: implications for the dark halo shape

We have investigated the Tully-Fisher relation for Polar Ring Galaxies (PRGs), based on near infrared, optical and HI data available for a sample of these peculiar objects. The total K-band luminosity, which mainly comes from the central host galaxy, and the measured HI linewidth at 20% of the peak line flux density, which traces the potential in the polar plane, place most polar rings of the sample far from the Tully-Fisher relation defined for spiral galaxies, with many PRGs showing larger HI linewidths than expected for the observed K band luminosity. This result is confirmed by a larger sample of objects, based on B-band data. This observational evidence may be related to the dark halo shape and orientation in these systems, which we study by numerical modeling of PRG formation and dynamics: the larger rotation velocities observed in PRGs can be explained by a flattened polar halo, aligned with the polar ring.

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arXiv2002

AGN fueling: the observational point of view

Observations at multiple wavelengths are reviewed to search for evidence for fueling mechanisms in galaxies, both for nuclear starbursts and AGN activity. Although it is undisputed that dynamical perturbations such as bars or tidal interactions accumulate gas in the central regions and sometimes trigger nuclear starbursts, the evidence remains scarce that these are necessary to fuel AGNs. Interpretations in terms of time-scales, feed-back, and black hole evolution are discussed. It is suggested that the AGN phase corresponds to the early-type phases of galaxies.

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arXiv2002

Molecular gas in the 3-ringed Seyfert/Liner galaxy NGC 7217

We present CO(1-0) and CO(2-1) maps of the Seyfert galaxy NGC 7217, obtained with the IRAM interferometer, at 3" and 1.5" resolution respectively. The nuclear ring (at r=12"=0.8kpc) is predominant in the CO maps, with a remarkable surface density gradient between the depleted region inside the ring and the inner border of the ring. The CO nuclear ring is significantly broader (500-600pc) than the dust lane ring. The CO(2-1)/CO(1-0) ratio is around 1, typical of optically thick gas with high density. The overall morphology of the ring is quite circular, with no evidence of non-circular velocities. In the CO(2-1) map, a central concentration might be associated with the circumnuclear ring of ionised gas detected inside r=3" and interpreted as a polar ring by Sil'chenko and Afanasiev (2000). Our interpretation is more in terms of a bar/spiral structure, in the same plane as the global galaxy but affected by non-circular motions, which results in a characteristic S-shape of the isovels. This nuclear bar/spiral structure, clearly seen in a V-I HST colour image, is essentially gaseous and might be explained with acoustic waves.

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arXiv2002

Molecular gas in the double-barred Seyfert 2 galaxy NGC 5728

We present CO(1-0) and CO(2-1) maps of the Seyfert galaxy NGC 5728. Although a stellar nuclear bar structure is clearly identified in the near-infrared images in the central 10", inside the ring identified as the ILR of the primary bar, there is no nuclear bar structure in the molecular gas. Instead, the CO emission reveals an elongated structure, 15" in length, beginning at the nucleus (defined by the radio center) aligned with the jet/ionisation cone, at a PA of 127 degrees. This morphology, not frequently observed in Seyfert galaxies, may be interpreted in terms of enhanced CO excitation along the walls of the cone. Kinematical perturbations along the cone support this scenario. At larger-scale, CO emission is tracing the primary bar, and outer ring structure. The total molecular mass, estimated from the CO emission, is M(H2) = 3.1 10^9 Msun.

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arXiv2002

Formation and Evolution of Galactic Black Holes

The main requirements for fueling an active galactic nucleus and to form massive black holes are reviewed. Low-luminosity AGN can be fueled easily from the local star clusters, near the nucleus, and the various stellar processes are described. Above a certain luminosity (and therefore accretion rate) large-scale gas flows from galactic scales are required. These can be driven by gravity torques of non-axisymmetric perturbations, such as bars, spirals, galaxy interactions. Observational evidence that these mechanisms are in action is found for high enough luminosities. It is very frequent that starbursts are also triggered through the same mechanisms, and the dense nuclear star clusters formed provide fuel for the AGN over a longer time-scale. Secular internal evolution and more violent evolution through interactions and mergers contribute to grow both a massive black hole and a bulge, and this could explain the observed proportionality relation between the mass of these two components.

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arXiv2002

Gas accretion on spiral galaxies: bar formation and renewal

The effects of gas accretion on spiral disk dynamics and stability are studied through N-body simulations, including star formation and gas/stars mass exchange. The detailed processes of bar formation, bar destruction and bar re-formation are followed, while in the same time the disk to bulge ratio is varying. The accreted gas might be first prevented to flow inwards to the center by the bar gravity torques, which maintains it to the outer Lindblad resonance. While the first bar is weakening, the accreted gas replenishes the disk, increasing the disk-to-bulge ratio, and the disk self-gravity. A second bar is then unstable, with a higher pattern speed, due both to the increased mass, and shorter bar length. Three or four bar episodes have been followed over a Hubble time. Their strength is decreasing with time, while their pattern speed is increasing. Detailed balance of the angular momentum transfer and evolution can account for these processes. The gas recycled through star formation, and rejected through stellar mass loss plays also a role in the disk dynamics. Implications on the spiral galaxy dynamics and evolution along the Hubble sequence, and as a function of redshift are discussed.

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arXiv2002

Properties of Dark Matter Haloes

An overview is presented of the main properties of dark matter haloes, as we know them from observations, essentially from rotation curves around spiral and dwarf galaxies. Detailed rotation curves are now known for more than a thousand galaxies, revealing that they are not so flat in the outer parts, but rising for late-types, and falling for early-types. A well established result now is that most bright galaxies are not dominated by dark matter inside their optical disks. Only for dwarfs and LSB (Low Surface Brightness galaxies) dark matter plays a dominant role in the visible regions. The 3D-shape of haloes are investigated through several methods, that will be discussed: polar rings, flaring of HI planes, X-ray isophotes. It is not yet possible with rotation curves to know how far haloes extend, but tentatives have been made. It will be shown that the dark matter appears to be coupled to the gas in spirals and dwarfs, suggesting that dark baryons could play the major role in rotation curves. Theories proposing to replace the non-baryonic dark matter by a different dynamical or gravity law, such as MOND, have to take into account the dark baryons, especially since their spatial distribution is likely to be quite different from the visible matter.

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arXiv2002

Formation and evolution of galactic disks with a multiphase numerical model

The formation and evolution of galactic disks are complex phenomena, where gas and star dynamics are coupled through star formation and the related feedback. The physical processes are so numerous and intricate that numerical models focus, in general, on one or a few of them only. We propose here a numerical model with particular attention to the multiphase nature of the interstellar medium; we consider a warm gas phase (> 10^4 K), treated as a continuous fluid by an SPH algorithm, and a cold gas phase (down to 10K), fragmented in clouds, treated by a low-dissipation sticky particles component. The two gas phases do not have the same dynamics, nor the same spatial distribution. In addition to gravity, they are coupled through mass exchanges due to heating/cooling processes, and supernovae feedback. Stars form out of the cold phase, and re-inject mass to the warm phase through SN explosions and stellar winds. The baryons are embedded in a live cold dark matter component. Baryonic disks, initially composed of pure gas, encounter violent instabilities, and a rapid phase of star formation, that slows down exponentially. Stars form in big clumps, that accumulate in the center to build a bulge. Exponential metallicity gradients are obtained. External infall of gas should be included to maintain a star formation rate in the disk comparable to what is observed in present disk galaxies.

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