arXiv subjects

Raghunathan Srianand

Publications and source records attributed to Raghunathan Srianand.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

arXiv2016

Intergalactic Lyman continuum photon budget in the past 5 billion years

We constrain the H I photoionization rate $(Γ_{\rm HI})$ at $z \lesssim 0.45$ by comparing the flux probability distribution function and power spectrum of the Ly-$α$ forest data along 82 QSO sightlines obtained using Cosmic Origins Spectrograph with models generated from smoothed particle hydrodynamic simulations. We have developed a module named "Code for Ionization and Temperature Evolution (CITE)" for calculating the intergalactic medium (IGM) temperature evolution from high to low redshifts by post-processing the GADGET-2 simulation outputs. Our method, that produces results consistent with other simulations, is computationally less expensive thus allowing us to explore a large parameter space. It also allows rigorous estimation of the error covariance matrix for various statistical quantities of interest. We find that the best-fit $Γ_{\rm HI}(z)$ increases with $z$ and follows $(4 \pm 0.1) \times 10^{-14}\:(1+z)^{4.99 \pm 0.12}$ s$^{-1}$. At any given $z$ the typical uncertainties $ΔΓ_{\rm HI} / Γ_{\rm HI}$ are $\sim 25$ per cent which contains not only the statistical errors but also those arising from possible degeneracy with the thermal history of the IGM and cosmological parameters and uncertainties in fitting the QSO continuum. These values of $Γ_{\rm HI}$ favour the scenario where only QSOs contribute to the ionizing background at $z<2$. Our derived $3σ$ upper limit on average escape fraction is $0.008$, consistent with measurements of low-$z$ galaxies.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2016

Implications of an updated ultraviolet background for the ionization mechanisms of intervening Ne VIII absorbers

Ne VIII absorbers seen in QSO spectra are useful tracers of warm ionized gas, when collisional ionization is the dominant ionization process. While photoionization by the ultraviolet background (UVB) is a viable option, it tends to predict large line-of-sight thickness for the absorbing gas. Here, we study the implications of the recently updated UVB at low-z to understand the ionization mechanisms of intervening Ne VIII absorbers. With the updated UVB, one typically needs higher density and metallicity to reproduce the observed ionic column densities under photoionization. Both reduce the inferred line-of-sight thicknesses of the absorbers. We find a critical density of $\geq5\times10^{-5}$ cm$^{-3}$ above which the observed N(Ne VIII)/N(O VI) can be reproduced by pure collisional processes. If the gas is of near solar metallicity (as measured for the low ions) then the cooling timescales will be small (<$10^{8}$ yrs). Therefore, a continuous injection of heat is required in order to enhance the detectability of the collisionally ionized gas. Using photoionization models we find that in almost all Ne VIII systems the inferred low ion metallicity is near solar or supersolar. If we assume the Ne VIII phase to have similar metallicities then photoionization can reproduce the observed N(Ne VIII)/N(O VI) without the line-of-sight thickness being unreasonably large and avoids cooling issues related to the collisional ionization at these metallicities. However the indication of broad Ly$α$ absorption in a couple of systems, if true, suggests that the Ne VIII phase is distinct from the low ion phase having much lower metallicity.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2016

A ghostly damped Ly$α$ system revealed by metal absorption lines

We report the discovery of the first 'ghostly' damped Ly$α$ absorption system (DLA), which is identified by the presence of absorption from strong low-ion species at $z_{\rm abs}=1.70465$ along the line of sight to the quasar SDSSJ113341.29$-$005740.0 with $z_{\rm em}=1.70441$. No Ly$α$ absorption trough is seen associated with these absorptions because the DLA trough is filled with the leaked emission from the broad emission line region of the quasar. By modeling the quasar spectrum and analyzing the metal lines, we derive log$N$(HI)(cm$^{-2}$)$\sim$21.0 $\pm$ 0.3. The DLA cloud is small ($\le$ 0.32 pc) thus not covering entirely the broad line region and is located at $\ge$ 39 pc from the central active galactic nucleus (AGN). Although the DLA is slightly redshifted relative to the quasar, its metallicity ([S/H]=$-$0.41$\pm$0.30) is intermediate between what is expected from infalling and outflowing gas. It could be possible that the DLA is part of some infalling material accreting onto the quasar host galaxy through filaments, and that its metallicity is raised by mixing with the enriched outflowing gas emanating from the central AGN. Current DLA surveys miss these 'ghostly' DLAs, and it would be important to quantify the statistics of this population by searching the SDSS database using metal absorption templates.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2016

The Ly$α$ emission from high-$z$ galaxies hosting strong Damped Ly$α$ systems

We study the average Ly$α$ emission associated with high-$z$ strong (log $N$(H I) $\ge$ 21) damped Ly$α$ systems (DLAs). We report Ly$α$ luminosities ($L_{\rm Lyα}$) for the full as well as various sub-samples based on $N$(H I), $z$, $(r-i)$ colours of QSOs and rest equivalent width of Si II$λ$1526 line (i.e., $W_{1526}$). For the full sample, we find $L_{\rm Lyα}$$< 10^{41} (3σ)\ \rm erg\ s^{-1}$ with a $2.8σ$ level detection of Ly$α$ emission in the red part of the DLA trough. The $L_{\rm Lyα}$ is found to be higher for systems with higher $W_{1526}$ with its peak, detected at $\geq 3σ$, redshifted by about 300-400 $\rm km\ s^{-1}$ with respect to the systemic absorption redshift, as seen in Lyman Break Galaxies (LBGs) and Ly$α$ emitters. A clear signature of a double-hump Ly$α$ profile is seen when we consider $W_{1526} \ge 0.4$ Å and $(r-i) < 0.05$. Based on the known correlation between metallicity and $W_{1526}$, we interpret our results in terms of star formation rate (SFR) being higher in high metallicity (mass) galaxies with high velocity fields that facilitates easy Ly$α$ escape. The measured Ly$α$ surface brightness requires local ionizing radiation that is 4 to 10 times stronger than the metagalactic UV background at these redshifts. The relationship between the SFR and surface mass density of atomic gas seen in DLAs is similar to that of local dwarf and metal poor galaxies. We show that the low luminosity galaxies will contribute appreciably to the stacked spectrum if the size-luminosity relation seen for H I at low-$z$ is also present at high-$z$. Alternatively, large Ly$α$ halos seen around LBGs could also explain our measurements.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2016

Dust-depletion sequences in damped Lyman-α absorbers: a unified picture from low-metallicity systems to the Galaxy

We study metal depletion due to dust in the interstellar medium (ISM) to infer the properties of dust grains and characterize the metal and dust content of galaxies, down to low metallicity and intermediate redshift z. We provide metal column densities and abundances of a sample of 70 damped Lyman-α absorbers (DLAs) towards quasars, observed at high spectral resolution with the Very Large Telescope (VLT) Ultraviolet and Visual Echelle Spectrograph (UVES). This is the largest sample of phosphorus abundances measured in DLAs so far. We use literature measurements for Galactic clouds to cover the high-metallicity end. We discover tight (scatter <= 0.2 dex) correlations between [Zn/Fe] and the observed relative abundances from dust depletion. This implies that grain growth in the ISM is an important process of dust production. These sequences are continuous in [Zn/Fe] from dust-free to dusty DLAs, and to Galactic clouds, suggesting that the availability of refractory metals in the ISM is crucial for dust production, regardless of the star formation history. We observe [S/Zn] up to ~ 0.25 dex in DLAs, which is broadly consistent with Galactic stellar abundances. Furthermore, we find a good agreement between the nucleosynthetic pattern of Galactic halo stars and our observations of the least dusty DLAs. This supports recent star formation in low-metallicity DLAs. The derived depletions of Zn, O, P, S, Si, Mg, Mn, Cr, and Fe correlate with [Zn/Fe], with steeper slopes for more refractory elements. P is mostly not affected by dust depletion. We present canonical depletion patterns, to be used as reference in future studies of relative abundances and depletion. We derive the total (dust-corrected) metallicity, typically -2 <= [M/H]tot <= 0 for DLAs, and scattered around solar metallicity for the Galactic ISM. The dust-to-metal ratio increases with metallicity... [abridged]

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2016

Extended Ly$α$ emission around quasars with eclipsing damped Ly$α$ systems

We present spectroscopic observations of six high redshift ($z_{\rm em}$ $>$ 2) quasars, which have been selected for their Lyman $α$ (Ly$α$) emission region being only partially covered by a strong proximate ($z_{\rm abs}$ $\sim$ $z_{\rm em}$) coronagraphic damped Ly$α$ system (DLA). We detected spatially extended Ly$α$ emission envelopes surrounding these six quasars, with projected spatial extent in the range 26 $\le$ $d_{\rm Lyα}$ $\le$ 51 kpc. No correlation is found between the quasar ionizing luminosity and the Ly$α$ luminosity of their extended envelopes. This could be related to the limited covering factor of the extended gas and/or due to the AGN being obscured in other directions than towards the observer. Indeed, we find a strong correlation between the luminosity of the envelope and its spatial extent, which suggests that the envelopes are probably ionized by the AGN. The metallicity of the coronagraphic DLAs is low and varies in the range $-$1.75 $<$ [Si/H] $<$ $-$0.63. Highly ionized gas is observed to be associated with most of these DLAs, probably indicating ionization by the central AGN. One of these DLAs has the highest AlIII/SiII ratio ever reported for any intervening and/or proximate DLA. Most of these DLAs are redshifted with respect to the quasar, implying that they might represent infalling gas probably accreted onto the quasar host galaxies through filaments.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2016

A giant radio halo in a low-mass SZ-selected galaxy cluster: ACT-CL J0256.5+0006

We present the detection of a giant radio halo (GRH) in the Sunyaev-Zel'dovich (SZ)-selected merging galaxy cluster ACT-CL J0256.5+0006 ($z = 0.363$), observed with the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope at 325 MHz and 610 MHz. We find this cluster to host a faint ($S_{610} = 5.6 \pm 1.4$ mJy) radio halo with an angular extent of 2.6 arcmin, corresponding to 0.8 Mpc at the cluster redshift, qualifying it as a GRH. J0256 is one of the lowest-mass systems, $M_{\rm 500,SZ} = (5.0 \pm 1.2) \times 10^{14} M_\odot$, found to host a GRH. We measure the GRH at lower significance at 325 MHz ($S_{325} = 10.3 \pm 5.3$ mJy), obtaining a spectral index measurement of $α^{610}_{325} = 1.0^{+0.7}_{-0.9}$. This result is consistent with the mean spectral index of the population of typical radio halos, $α= 1.2 \pm 0.2$. Adopting the latter value, we determine a 1.4 GHz radio power of $P_{1.4\text{GHz}} = (1.0 \pm 0.3) \times 10^{24}$ W Hz$^{-1}$, placing this cluster within the scatter of known scaling relations. Various lines of evidence, including the ICM morphology, suggest that ACT-CL J0256.5+0006 is composed of two subclusters. We determine a merger mass ratio of 7:4, and a line-of-sight velocity difference of $v_\perp = 1880 \pm 280$ km s$^{-1}$. We construct a simple merger model to infer relevant time-scales in the merger. From its location on the $P_{\rm 1.4GHz}{-}L_{\rm X}$ scaling relation, we infer that we observe ACT-CL J0256.5+0006 approximately 500 Myr before first core crossing.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2016

Detection of emission lines from z ~ 3 DLAs towards the QSO J2358+0149

Using VLT/X-shooter we searched for emission line galaxies associated to four damped Lyman-$α$ systems (DLAs) and one sub-DLA at 2.73<=z<=3.25 towards QSO J2358+0149. We detect [O III] emission from a "low-cool" DLA at z_abs = 2.9791 (having log N(HI)=21.69+\-0.10, [Zn/H] = -1.83+\-0.18) at an impact parameter of, $ρ$ ~12 kpc. The associated galaxy is compact with a dynamical mass of (1-6)x10^9 M_solar, very high excitation ([O III]/[O II] and [O III]/[H$β$] both greater than 10), 12+[O/H]<=8.5 and moderate star formation rate (SFR <=2 M_solar yr^{-1}). Such properties are typically seen in the low-z extreme blue compact dwarf galaxies. The kinematics of the gas is inconsistent with that of an extended disk and the gas is part of either a large scale wind or cold accretion. We detect Ly$α$ emission from the z_abs = 3.2477 DLA (having log N(HI)=21.12+\-0.10 and [Zn/H]=-0.97+\-0.13).The Ly$α$ emission is redshifted with respect to the metal absorption lines by 320 km s^{-1}, consistent with the location of the red hump expected in radiative transport models. We derive SFR ~0.2-1.7 M_solar yr^{-1} and Ly$α$ escape fraction of >=10 per cent. No other emission line is detected from this system. Because the DLA has a small velocity separation from the quasar (~500 km s^{-1}) and the DLA emission is located within a small projected distance ($ρ<5$ kpc), we also explore the possibility that the Ly$α$ emission is being induced by the QSO itself. QSO induced Ly$α$ fluorescence is possible if the DLA is within a physical separation of 340 kpc to the QSO. Detection of stellar continuum light and/or the oxygen emission lines would disfavor this possibility. We do not detect any emission line from the remaining three systems.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2016

Physical conditions in three high-z H2-bearing DLAs: implications for grain size

We present results of our numerical simulation of three H2-bearing damped Lyman alpha absorbers (DLAs) in the redshift interval ~ 2-3. The systems we have modelled are the DLAs at zabs = 2.3377 towards the quasar LBQS 1232+0815, at zabs = 2.41837 towards SDSS J143912.04+111740.5 and at zabs = 2.6265 towards FBQS J081240.6+320808. We have used the spectral synthesis code CLOUDY to simulate the physical environment of these DLAs, and constrain the density, radiation field, geometry and dust-grain properties of the DLAs self-consistently based on the observed column densities of various atomic and molecular species such as H I, fine structure lines of C I and the rotational level population of H2. In our models, we explore the effect of grain size distribution on the predicted column densities of different species. Within the allowed uncertainties in the inferred dust-to-gas ratio, both models with standard ISM grains and smaller-sized grains reproduce the observations equally well. Improved constraints on dust-to-gas ratio and line-of-sight extinction are important for probing the grain size distribution in high-z DLAs. We find the H2-bearing clouds to have line-of-sight thickness in the range 1-6 pc, consistent with what has been found using partial coverage or 21-cm observations in some high-z DLAs.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2016

The redshift evolution of escape fraction of hydrogen ionizing photons from galaxies

Using our cosmological radiative transfer code, we study the implications of the updated QSO emissivity and star formation history for the escape fraction (f_esc) of hydrogen ionizing photons from galaxies. We estimate the f_esc that is required to reionize the Universe and to maintain the ionization state of the intergalactic medium in the post-reionization era. At z>5.5, we show that a constant f_esc of 0.14 to 0.22 is sufficient to reionize the Universe. At z<3.5, consistent with various observations, we find that f_esc can have values from 0 to 0.05. However, a steep rise in f_esc, of at least a factor of ~3, is required between z=3.5 to 5.5. It results from a rapidly decreasing QSO emissivity at z>3 together with a nearly constant measured H I photoionization rates at 3 4. In addition, a simple extrapolation of the contribution of such QSOs to high-z suggests that QSOs alone can reionize the Universe. This implies, at z>3.5, that either the properties of galaxies should evolve rapidly to increase the f_esc or most of the low-mass galaxies should host massive black holes and sustain accretion over a prolonged period. These results motivate a careful investigation of theoretical predictions of these alternate scenarios that can be distinguished using future observations. Moreover, it is also very important to revisit the measurements of H I photoionization rates that are crucial to the analysis presented here.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2016

A Pair of O VI and Broad Ly-alpha Absorbers Probing Warm Gas in a Galaxy Group Environment at z ~ 0.4

We report on the detection of two O VI absorbers separated in velocity by 710 km/s at z ~ 0.4 towards the background quasar SBS0957+599. Both absorbers are multiphase systems tracing substantial reservoirs of warm baryons. The low and intermediate ionization metals in the first absorber is consistent with an origin in photoionized gas. The O VI has a velocity structure different from other metal species. The Ly-alpha shows the presence of a broad feature. The line widths for O VI and the broad Ly-alpha suggest T = 7.1 x 10^5 K. This warm medium is probing a baryonic column which is an order of magnitude more than the total hydrogen in the cooler photoionized gas. The second absorber is detected only in H I and O VI. Here the temperature of 4.6 x 10^4 K supports O VI originating in a low-density photoionized gas. A broad component is seen in the Ly-alpha, offset from the O VI. The temperature in the broad Ly-alpha is T < 2.1 x 10^5 K. The absorbers reside in a galaxy overdensity region with 7 spectroscopically identified galaxies within ~ 10 Mpc and delta_v ~ 1000 km/s of the first absorber, and 2 galaxies inside a similar separation from the second absorber. The distribution of galaxies relative to the absorbers suggest that the line of sight could be intercepting a large-scale filament connecting galaxy groups, or the extended halo of a sub-L* galaxy. Though kinematically proximate, the two absorbers reaffirm the diversity in the physical conditions of low redshift O VI systems and the galactic environments they inhabit.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2016

On the Covering Fraction Variability in an EUV Mini-BAL Outflow from PG 1206+459

We report on the first detection of extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) absorption variability in the NeVIII 770,780 mini-broad absorption line (mini-BAL) in the spectrum of the quasar (QSO) PG 1206+459. The observed equivalent width (EW) of the NeVIII doublet show a ~4 sigma variation over a timescale of 2.8 months in the QSO's rest-frame. Both members of the NeVIII doublet exhibit non-black saturation, indicating partial coverage of the continuum source. An increase in the NeVIII covering fraction from f_c = 0.59\pm0.05 to 0.72\pm0.03 is observed over the same period. The NeVIII profiles are too highly saturated to be susceptible to changes in the ionization state of the absorbing gas. In fact, we do not observe any significant variation in the EW and/or column density after correcting the spectra for partial coverage. We, thus, propose transverse motions of the absorbing gas being the cause of the observed variability. Using a simple model of a transiting cloud we estimate a transverse speed of ~1800 km/s. For Keplerian motion, this corresponds to a distance between the absorber and the central engine of ~1.3 pc, which places the absorber just outside the BLR region. We further estimate a density of ~5\times10^6 cm^(-3) and a kinetic luminosity of ~10^43 - 10^44 erg/s. Such large kinetic powers suggest that outflows detected via EUV lines are potentially major contributors to AGN feedback.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2016

Mapping kiloparsec-scale structures in the extended HI disc of the galaxy UGC 00439 by HI 21-cm absorption

We study the properties of HI gas in the outer regions (~2r_25) of a spiral galaxy, UGC 00439 (z = 0.01769), using HI 21-cm absorption towards different components of an extended background radio source, J0041$-$0043 (z = 1.679). The radio source exhibits a compact core coincident with the optical quasar and two lobes separated by ~7 kpc, all at an impact parameter ~25 kpc. The HI 21-cm absorption detected towards the southern lobe is found to extend over ~2 kpc^2. The absorbing gas shows sub-kpc-scale structures with the line-of-sight velocities dominated by turbulent motions. Much larger optical depth variations over 4-7 kpc-scale are revealed by the non-detection of HI 21-cm absorption towards the radio core and the northern lobe, and the detection of NaI and CaII absorption towards the quasar. This could reflect a patchy distribution of cold gas in the extended HI disc. We also detect HI 21-cm emission from UGC 00439 and two other galaxies within ~150 kpc to it, that probably form an interacting group. However, no HI 21-cm emission from the absorbing gas is detected. Assuming a linear extent of ~4 kpc, as required to cover both the core and the southern lobe, we constrain the spin temperature <~300 K for the absorbing gas. The kinematics of the gas and the lack of signatures of any ongoing in situ star formation are consistent with the absorbing gas being at the kinematical minor axis and corotating with the galaxy. Deeper HI 21-cm observations would help to map in greater detail both the large- and small-scale structures in the HI gas associated with UGC 00439.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2015

A coronagraphic absorbing cloud reveals the narrow-line region and extended Lyman-$α$ emission of QSO J0823+0529

We report long-slit spectroscopic observations of the quasar SDSS J082303.22+052907.6 ($z_{\rm CIV}$$\sim$3.1875), whose Broad Line Region (BLR) is partly eclipsed by a strong damped Lyman-$α$ (DLA; log$N$(HI)=21.7) cloud. This allows us to study the Narrow Line Region (NLR) of the quasar and the Lyman-$α$ emission from the host galaxy. Using CLOUDY models that explain the presence of strong NV and PV absorption together with the detection of SiII$^*$ and OI$^{**}$ absorption in the DLA, we show that the density and the distance of the cloud to the quasar are in the ranges 180 $<$ $n_{\rm H}$ $<$ 710 cm$^{-3}$ and 580 $>$ $r_0$ $>$230 pc, respectively. Sizes of the neutral($\sim$2-9pc) and highly ionized phases ($\sim$3-80pc) are consistent with the partial coverage of the CIV broad line region by the CIV absorption from the DLA (covering factor of $\sim$0.85). We show that the residuals are consistent with emission from the NLR with CIV/Lyman-$α$ ratios varying from 0 to 0.29 through the profile. Remarkably, we detect extended Lyman-$α$ emission up to 25kpc to the North and West directions and 15kpc to the South and East. We interpret the emission as the superposition of strong emission in the plane of the galaxy up to 10kpc with emission in a wind of projected velocity $\sim$500kms$^{-1}$ which is seen up to 25kpc. The low metallicity of the DLA (0.27 solar) argues for at least part of this gas being in-falling towards the AGN and possibly being located where accretion from cold streams ends up.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2015

Photon underproduction crisis: Are QSOs sufficient to resolve it?

We investigate the recent claim of 'photon underproduction crisis' by Kollmeier et al. (2014) which suggests that the known sources of ultra-violet (UV) radiation may not be sufficient to generate the inferred hydrogen photoionization rate ($Γ_{\rm HI}$) in the low redshift inter-galactic medium. Using the updated QSO emissivities from the recent studies and our cosmological radiative transfer code developed to estimate the UV background, we show that the QSO contribution to $Γ_{\rm HI}$ is higher by a factor ~2 as compared to the previous estimates. Using self-consistently computed combinations of star formation rate density and dust attenuation, we show that a typical UV escape fraction of 4% from star forming galaxies should be sufficient to explain the inferred $Γ_{\rm HI}$ by Kollmeier et al. (2014). Interestingly, we find that the contribution from QSOs alone can explain the recently inferred $Γ_{\rm HI}$ by Shull et al. (2015) which used the same observational data but different simulation. Therefore, we conclude that the crisis is not as severe as it was perceived before and there seems no need to look for alternate explanations such as low luminosity hidden QSOs or decaying dark matter particles.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2015

An HST/COS survey of molecular hydrogen in DLAs & sub-DLAs at z < 1: Molecular fraction and excitation temperature

We present the results of a systematic search for molecular hydrogen (H2) in low redshift ($ 0.05 \lesssim z \lesssim 0.7$) DLAs and sub-DLAs with $N(HI) \gtrsim 10^{19.0}$ cm$^{-2}$, in the archival HST/COS spectra. Our core sample is comprised of 27 systems with a median $\log N(HI) = 19.6$. On the average, our survey is sensitive down to $\log N(H2) = 14.4$ corresponding to a molecular fraction of $\log f_{H2} = -4.9$ at the median $N(HI)$. H2 is detected in 10 cases (3/5 DLAs and 7/22 sub-DLAs) down to this $f_{H2}$ limit. The H2 detection rate of $50^{+25}_{-12}$ percent seen in our sample, is a factor of $\gtrsim 2$ higher than that of the high-$z$ sample of Noterdaeme et al. (2008), for systems with $N(H2) > 10^{14.4}$ cm$^{-2}$. In spite of having $N(HI)$ values typically lower by a factor of 10, low-$z$ H2 systems show molecular fractions ($\log f_{H2}=-1.93\pm0.63$) that are comparable to the high-$z$ sample. The rotational excitation temperatures ($T_{01} = 133\pm55$ K), as measured in our low-$z$ sample, are typically consistent with high-$z$ measurements. Simple photoionization models favour a radiation field much weaker than the mean Galactic ISM field for a particle density in the range 10 - 100 cm$^{-3}$. The impact parameters of the identified host-galaxy candidates are in the range $10 \lesssim ρ$ (kpc) $\lesssim 80$. We, therefore, conjecture that the low-$z$ H2 bearing gas is not related to star-forming disks but stems from self-shielded, tidally stripped or ejected disk-material in the extended halo.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2015

Star formation history, dust attenuation and extragalactic background light

At any given epoch, the Extragalactic Background Light (EBL) carries imprints of integrated star formation activities in the universe till that epoch. On the other hand, in order to estimate the EBL, when direct observations are not possible, one requires an accurate estimation of the star formation rate density (SFRD) and the dust attenuation ($A_ν$) in galaxies. Here, we present a 'progressive fitting method' that determines global average SFRD($z$) and $A_ν(z)$ for any given extinction curve by using the available multi-wavelength multi-epoch galaxy luminosity function measurements. Using the available observations, we determine the best fitted combinations of SFRD($z$) and $A_ν(z)$, in a simple fitting form, up to $z\sim8$ for five well known extinction curves. We find, irrespective of the extinction curve used, the $z$ at which the SFRD($z$) peaks is higher than the $z$ above which $A_ν(z)$ begins to decline. For each case, we compute the EBL from ultra-violet to the far-infrared and optical depth ($τ_γ$) encountered by the high energy $γ$-rays due to pair production upon collisions with these EBL photons. We compare these with measurements of the local EBL, $γ$-ray horizon and $τ_γ$ measurements using Fermi-LAT. All these and the comparison of independent SFRD($z$) and $A_ν(z)$ measurements from the literature with our predictions favor the extinction curve similar to that of Large Magellanic Cloud Supershell.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2014

Galactic nebular lines in the fiber spectra of background QSOs: Reaching a hundred QSO-galaxy pairs with spectroscopic and photometric measurements

We present photometric and spectroscopic measurements of 53 QSO-galaxy pairs from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, where nebular emission lines from a 0<z<0.84 foreground galaxy are detected in the fiber spectra of a background QSO, bringing the overall sample to 103 QSO-galaxy pairs detected in the SDSS. We here study the nature of these systems. Detected foreground galaxies appear at impact parameters between 0.37 kpc and 12.68 kpc. The presence of oxygen and Balmer emission lines allows us to determine the emission line metallicities for our sample, which are on average super-solar in value. Star formation rates for our sample are in the range 0.01-12 M_sol yr^-1. We utilize photometric redshift fitting techniques to estimate the M_stellar values of our galaxies (log M_stellar = 7.34 - 11.54), and extrapolate this relationship to those galaxies with no imaging detections. Where available, we measure the absorption features present in the QSO spectrum due to the foreground galaxy and the relationships between their rest equivalent widths. We report an anti-correlation between impact parameter and E(B-V)_(g-i), as well as a correlation between galaxy color (u-r) and E(B-V)_(g-i). We find that our sample is one of late-type, star forming galaxies comparable to field galaxies in a similar redshift range, providing important clues to better understand absorption systems. These galaxies represent a sample of typical galaxies in the local Universe for which abundances, extinction, morphology, and absorption properties may be measured using background QSOs with great potential for follow-up observations.

astro-ph.GA↗