arXiv subjects

Niankun Yu

Publications and source records attributed to Niankun Yu.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

The FAST Hundred-Deg$^2$ HI Deep (HD$^2$) Survey: Early Results from the Pilot Survey

The Hundred-deg$^2$ HI Deep (HD$^2$) survey carried out with the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST) is planned to map a contiguous region within the DESI DR1 footprint, achieving an effective integration time of 20 minutes for each pointing and a uniform detection sensitivity of 0.28 mJy beam$^{-1}$ at 4.8 km s$^{-1}$ resolution. We present early results from the pilot HD$^2$ survey: a 10 deg$^2$ field overlapping with HSC-SSP and the DESI EDR SV3, observed with an integration time of 7.3 minutes per beam and the rms of 0.45 mJy beam$^{-1}$ at 4.8 km s$^{-1}$ resolution. We identify 339 HI sources at $z<0.09$, corresponding to $\sim$34 detections per deg$^2$, nearly six times higher than the detection rate of the wide-field surveys. Optical counterparts are primarily identified using DESI redshifts, yielding a matching rate and correctness exceeding 90% for galaxies with $r<19.5$ mag, a substantial improvement over SDSS. Under the constraint of $r < 17.8$ mag and $0.01 < z < 0.05$, nearly 50% of galaxies in the DESI BGS samples have HI detections in this pilot survey. The optical properties of these HI-detected galaxies span nearly the entire parameter range of the DESI sample. The gas fraction scaling relations versus stellar mass, stellar mass surface density, NUV-r, and specific star formation rate are consistent with previous surveys, e.g., ALFALFA, DINGO, and xGASS. These results justify the feasibility of the full HD$^2$ survey, which will build a high-completeness HI census over a contiguous area to probe the cold gas scaling relations of galaxies over different scales.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2026

Insights into the Physical Nature of Polar Ring Galaxies from H I Observations

Polar ring galaxies (PRGs) host an outer ring of gas and stars oriented nearly perpendicular to the main stellar body. They represent extreme examples of misaligned systems and provide valuable insight into galaxy interactions, gas accretion, and peculiar gas dynamics. We compile a complete sample of kinematically confirmed PRGs and collect their H I measurements. Combining literature data with new observations from FAST, we detect H I emission in 22 sources, identify one potential H I absorption feature, and find four non-detections among 40 confirmed PRGs. Compared to galaxies in the ALFALFA and xGASS surveys, PRGs predominantly occupy the green valley or quenched regimes but exhibit higher gas fractions than typical early-type galaxies, suggesting gas accretion. The H I profile asymmetry and shape for PRGs are not consistent with that of the ALFALFA sample with p<0.05. We examine their Tully-Fisher relation (TFR) and baryonic TFR (bTFR), linking the systems' rotation velocities to their masses. The extreme outliers in TFRs for the control sample tend to display single-peaked H I profiles. PRGs do not follow a tight TFR or bTFR if the H I resides primarily in the host galaxy. But the scatter decreases significantly if we assume the gas is mainly distributed in the polar ring. Spatially resolved H I observations are essential to disentangle the gas distribution and kinematics in PRGs, which are key to understanding their formation mechanisms.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2025

Dark matter in ALFALFA galaxies: Investigating galaxy-halo connection

This paper aims to investigate the galaxy-halo connection using a large sample of individual galaxies with $\mathrm{H\,I}$ integrated spectra. We determine their dark matter content by applying a dynamical method based on $\mathrm{H\,I}$ line widths measured with the curve-of-growth technique, together with inclination corrections inferred from optical images. We build a sample of 2453 gas-rich predominantly late-type galaxies spanning a stellar mass range of $10^{8.7}M_\odot$ to $10^{11.4}M_\odot$ by matching them one-to-one with their counterparts from the ALFALFA survey and the TNG100 simulation, ensuring a direct match of stellar mass and $\mathrm{H\,I}$ radius. We generate mock images and mock $\mathrm{H\,I}$ integrated spectra for TNG100 galaxies, and apply the same dynamical method to both ALFALFA and TNG100 mock galaxies to infer their dark matter masses. Across all stellar mass bins, ALFALFA galaxies exhibit lower median dark matter masses than the mock TNG100 simulation results. In each bin, this offset is driven by a tail of galaxies with comparatively low dark matter content, which becomes more prominent toward higher stellar masses. In the highest mass bin ($M_* > 10^{11} M_\odot$), late-type ALFALFA galaxies show a median dark matter mass that is 23% lower than that of their counterparts in the TNG100 dark-matter-only simulation, with 32% of ALFALFA galaxies having $M_\mathrm{DM}(<R_\mathrm{HI})<10^{11.5} M_\odot$, compared to 17% in the mock TNG100 sample. These results suggest that a larger fraction of massive late-type galaxies reside in relatively less massive dark matter haloes than predicted by the TNG100 simulation.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2025

Investigating the Impacts of AGN Activities on Dwarf Galaxies with FAST HI Observations

We present the results of Hi line observations towards 26 Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN)-hosting and one star-forming dwarf galaxies (Mstar < 10^9.5 Msun) with the 19-beam spectral line receiver of FAST at 1.4 GHz. Our FAST observed targets are combined with other AGN-hosting dwarf galaxies covered in the ALFALFA footprint to form a more comprehensive sample. Utilizing the information from optical surveys, we further divide them into isolated and accompanied subsamples by their vicinity of nearby massive galaxies. We compare the Hi gas abundance and star-forming rate (SFR) between the subsamples to assess the role of internal and external processes that may regulate the gas content in dwarf galaxies. As a result, we find that AGN are more commonly identified in accompanied dwarf galaxies than in their isolated counterparts. Meanwhile, AGN-hosting dwarf galaxies have slightly but significant lower Hi mass fraction relatively to the non-AGN control sample in accompanied dwarf galaxies. On the other hand, we find a decreasing SFR in AGN-hosting dwarf galaxies towards denser environments, as well as an extremely low incidence of quenched isolated dwarfs within both AGN and non-AGN subsamples. These results indicate that although these AGN could potentially regulate the gas reservoir of dwarf galaxies, environmental effects are likely the dominant quenching mechanism in the low-mass universe.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2025

Deep Andromeda JCMT-SCUBA2 Observations. The Submillimeter Maps and Giant Molecular Clouds

We have carried out unprecedentedly deep, nearly confusion-limited JCMT-SCUBA2 mapping observations on the nearest spiral galaxy, M31 (Andromeda). The 850 $\mu$m image with a $\sim$50 pc resolution yields a comprehensive catalog of 383 giant molecular clouds (GMCs) that are associated with the spiral arms. In addition, it unveiled a population of 189 compact inter-arm GMCs in M31, which are mostly unresolved or marginally resolved. The masses of all these GMCs are in the range of 2$\times$10$^4$ -- 6$\times$10$^6$ $M_{\odot}$; the sizes are in the range of 30--130 pc. They follow a mass-size correlation, $M$ $\propto$ $R_{c}$$^{2.5}$. The inter-arm GMCs are systematically less massive, more diffuse, colder, and have lower star-forming efficiency (SFE) than on-arm GMCs. Moreover, within individual spatially resolved on-arm and off-arm M31 GMCs, the SFE is considerably lower than the SFE in molecular clouds in main sequence and green valley galaxies. Follow-up investigations on M31 GMCs may provide clues for how star formation may be quenched in galactic environments. Finally, we reconstrained the dust opacity spectral index $\beta$ in the M31 galaxy by combining our new JCMT observations with archival Herschel and Planck data and found that the radial variation of $\beta$ may not be as large as was proposed by previous studies.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2025

Linking Electron Density with Elevated Star Formation Activity from $z=0$ to $z=10$

The interstellar medium (ISM) in high-redshift galaxies exhibits significantly higher electron densities ($n_{\rm e}$) than in the local universe. To investigate the origin of this trend, we analyze a sample of 9590 centrally star-forming galaxies with stellar masses greater than $10^9\,M_\odot$ at redshifts $0.01 < z < 0.04$, selected from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) Data Release 1. We derive electron densities from the [S II] $\lambda\lambda6716,6731$ doublet, measuring values of $n_{\rm e} = 30$-$400~{\rm cm^{-3}}$ at $z \approx 0$. We find a tight correlation between $n_{\rm e}$ and the star formation rate surface density ($\Sigma_{\rm SFR}$), which is well described by a broken power law. Above a threshold of $\log(\Sigma_{\rm SFR} / M_\odot\,{\rm yr^{-1}\,kpc^{-2}}) \ge -1.46$, the relation follows $n_{\rm e} = (233 \pm 13)\,\Sigma_{\rm SFR}^{0.49 \pm 0.02}$. Below this threshold, $n_{\rm e}$ remains approximately constant at $44 \pm 3~{\rm cm^{-3}}$. Remarkably, this relation remains consistent with measurements of galaxies at $z = 0.9$-$10.2$. By converting the observed redshift evolution of $\Sigma_{\rm SFR}$ into $n_{\rm e}$ evolution through our $n_{\rm e}$-$\Sigma_{\rm SFR}$ relation, we obtain $n_{\rm e} = 40(1+z)^{1.4}~{\rm cm^{-3}}$, consistent with previous direct observations. The $n_{\rm e}$-$\Sigma_{\rm SFR}$ relation likely arises because the high $\Sigma_{\rm SFR}$, fueled by dense cold gas or elevated efficiency, enhances radiative and mechanical feedback and produces dense ionized gas whose electron densities are further regulated by ambient pressure. We conclude that the redshift evolution of $n_{\rm e}$ primarily reflects the evolution of cold gas density and star formation activity over cosmic time.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2025

The impact of external gas accretion on the distribution of HI gas in galaxies

Using the data from Mapping Nearby Galaxies at Apache Point Observatory (MaNGA) and HI-MaNGA surveys, we build a sample of 37 gas-star misaligned galaxies with robust HI detections, which are believed to have undergone external gas accretion processes. Both star-forming (SF) and quiescent (QS) misaligned galaxies exhibit narrower HI linewidths compared to their gas-star aligned controls. The HI profiles of SF misaligned galaxies tend to be single-peaked, displaying a slightly higher fraction of single-peaked shape compared to their aligned controls. The QS misaligned galaxies exhibit prominently single-peaked HI profiles, while their aligned controls show distinct double-horned profiles. The shape of HI profiles is expected to change with the HI surface density radial gradients through external gas accretion -- the interaction between the accreted gas and the pre-existing gas leads to the re-distribution of angular momentum and induces gas inflow. It suggests that the progenitors of SF misaligned galaxies are central HI-enriched, in this case, the shape of HI profiles is insensitive to the further increase of central HI surface density. The progenitors of QS misaligned galaxies are central HI-deficient, hence the transition from central HI-deficient to HI-enriched surface density leads to significantly more single-peaked HI profiles.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2024

WALLABY Pilot Survey: the Tully-Fisher relation in the NGC 4808, Vela and NGC 5044 fields

The Tully-Fisher Relation (TFR) is a well-known empirical relationship between the luminosity of a spiral galaxy and its circular velocity, allowing us to estimate redshift independent distances. Here we use high signal-to-noise HI 21-cm integrated spectra from the second pilot data release (PDR2, 180 deg2) of the Widefield ASKAP L-band Legacy All-sky Blind surveY (WALLABY). In order to prepare for the full WALLABY survey, we have investigated the TFR in phase 2 of the pilot survey with a further three fields. The data were obtained with wide-field Phased Array Feeds on the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) and have an angular resolution of 30 arcsec and a velocity resolution of ~4 km/s. Galaxy luminosities have been measured from the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE), and optical galaxy inclinations from the Dark Energy Camera Legacy Survey. We present TFRs for wavelengths from 0.8-3.4{\mu}m. We examine sources of galaxy inclination data and investigate magnitudes from the DECam Local Volume Exploration Survey (DELVE) and DENIS catalogues and the 4HS target catalogue based on the VISTA Hemisphere Survey (VHS). We consider the baryonic TFR. These are all of interest for TFR using the full WALLABY survey of 200,000 galaxies. We demonstrate that WALLABY TFR distances can take their place among state of the art studies of the local velocity field.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2024

The ALMaQUEST Survey XV: The Dependence of the Molecular-to-Atomic Gas Ratios on Resolved Optical Diagnostics

The atomic-to-molecular gas conversion is a critical step in the baryon cycle of galaxies, which sets the initial conditions for subsequent star formation and influences the multi-phase interstellar medium. We compiled a sample of 94 nearby galaxies with observations of multi-phase gas contents by utilizing public H I, CO, and optical IFU data from the MaNGA survey together with new FAST H I observations. In agreement with previous results, our sample shows that the global molecular-to-atomic gas ratio ($R_{\rm mol} \equiv$ log $M_{\rm H_2}/M_{\rm H\ I}$) is correlated with the global stellar mass surface density $\mu_*$ with a Kendall's $\tau$ coefficient of 0.25 and $p < 10^{-3}$, less tightly but still correlated with stellar mass and NUV$-$ r color, and not related to the specific star formation rate (sSFR). The cold gas distribution and kinematics inferred from the H I and CO global profile asymmetry and shape do not significantly rely on $R_{\rm mol}$. Thanks to the availability of kpc-scale observations of MaNGA, we decompose galaxies into H II, composite, and AGN-dominated regions by using the BPT diagrams. With increasing $R_{\rm mol}$, the fraction of H II regions within 1.5 effective radius decreases slightly; the density distribution in the spatially resolved BPT diagram also changes significantly, suggesting changes in metallicity and ionization states. Galaxies with high $R_{\rm mol}$ tend to have high oxygen abundance, both at one effective radius with a Kendall's $\tau$ coefficient of 0.37 ($p < 10^{-3}$) and their central regions. Among all parameters investigated here, the oxygen abundance at one effective radius has the strongest relation with global $R_{\rm mol}$, but the dependence of gas conversion on gas distribution and galaxy ionization states is weak.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2022

Centrally Concentrated H I Distribution Enhances Star Formation in Galaxies

We use a sample of 13,511 nearby galaxies from the ALFALFA and SDSS spectroscopic surveys to study the relation between the spatial distribution of H I 21 cm emission and star formation rate (SFR). We introduce a new non-parametric quantity $K$, measured from the curve-of-growth of the line, to describe the shape of the integrated H I profile. The value of $K$ increases from double-horned to single-peaked profiles, depending on projection effects and the spatial and velocity distribution of the gas. Using carefully chosen samples to control for the competing factors that influence the integrated line profile, we argue that useful inferences can be made on the spatial distribution of the gas. We find that galaxies with a high value of $K$ tend to have more centrally concentrated H I distribution within the optical disk of the galaxy at fixed conditions, and that larger values of $K$ are associated with higher levels of total and central SFR. The results suggest that the global concentration of H I plays an important role in facilitating the conversion of neutral atomic hydrogen to molecular hydrogen gas, which, in turn, affects the star formation activity throughout the optical disk. Our sample is biased against quiescent galaxies, and thus the conclusions may not hold for galaxies with low SFR or low H I content.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2022

Statistical Analysis of H I Profile Asymmetry and Shape for Nearby Galaxies

We present a uniform analysis of the integrated profile of the H I emission line of 29,958 nearby ($z < 0.06$) galaxies extracted from the ALFALFA 21 cm survey. We apply the curve-of-growth technique to derive a database of spectral parameters and robust estimates of their associated uncertainties. Besides the central velocity and total flux, the main catalog provides new measures of line width, profile asymmetry, and profile shape. For a subsample of 13,511 galaxies with optical properties available from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, we compute inclination angle-corrected line widths, rotation velocities empirically calibrated from spatially resolved observations, and dynamical masses based on H I sizes estimated from the H I mass. To facilitate subsequent scientific applications of the database, we also compile a number of ancillary physical properties of the galaxies, including their optical morphology, stellar mass, and various diagnostics of star formation activity. We use the homogeneous catalog of H I parameters to examine the statistical properties of profile asymmetry and shape. Across the full sample, which covers a wide range of stellar masses and environments, statistically significant H I profile asymmetry is detected in $\sim 20\%$ of the galaxy population. The global H I profiles are $35.2 \pm 0.3\%$ single-peaked, $26.9 \pm 0.3\%$ flat-topped, and $37.9 \pm 0.3\%$ double-horned. At a given inclination angle, double-horned profiles are preferentially associated with galaxies of higher stellar mass or optical concentration, while galaxies of lower mass or concentration tend to have single-peaked profiles.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2022

Massive Galaxy Mergers Have Distinctive Global HI Profiles

The global 21 cm HI emission-line profile of a galaxy encodes valuable information on the spatial distribution and kinematics of the neutral atomic gas. Galaxy interactions significantly influence the HI disk and imprint observable features on the integrated HI line profile. In this work, we study the neutral atomic gas properties of galaxy mergers selected from the Great Observatories All-sky LIRG Survey. The HI spectra come from new observations with the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope and from a collection of archival data. We quantify the HI profile of the mergers with a newly developed method that uses the curve-of-growth of the line profile. Using a control sample of non-merger galaxies carefully selected to match the stellar mass of the merger sample, we show that mergers have a larger proportion of single-peaked HI profiles, as well as a greater tendency for the HI central velocity to deviate from the systemic optical velocity of the galaxy. By contrast, the HI profiles of mergers are not significantly more asymmetric than those of non-mergers.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2020

On the Determination of Rotation Velocity and Dynamical Mass of Galaxies Based on Integrated H I Spectra

The integrated 21 cm H I emission profile of a galaxy encodes valuable information on the kinematics, spatial distribution, and dynamical state of its cold interstellar medium. The line width, in particular, reflects the rotation velocity of the galaxy, which, in combination with a size scale, can be used to constrain the dynamical mass of the system. We introduce a new method based on the concept of the curve of growth to derive a set of robust parameters to characterize the line width, asymmetry, and concentration of the integrated H I spectra. We use mock spectra to evaluate the performance of our method, to estimate realistic systematic uncertainties for the proposed parameters, and to correct the line widths for the effects of instrumental resolution and turbulence broadening. Using a large sample of nearby galaxies with available spatially resolved kinematics, we demonstrate that the newly defined line widths can predict the rotational velocities of galaxies to within an accuracy of $\lesssim 30$ km s$^{-1}$. We use the calibrated line widths, in conjunction with the empirical relation between the size and mass of H I disks, to formulate a prescription for estimating the dynamical mass within the H I-emitting region of gas-rich galaxies. Our formalism yields dynamical masses accurate to $\sim 0.3$ dex based solely on quantities that can be derived efficiently and robustly from current and future extragalactic H I surveys. We further extend the dynamical mass calibration to the scale of the dark matter halo.

astro-ph.GA↗