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Vianney Lebouteiller

Publications and source records attributed to Vianney Lebouteiller.

58 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Infrared Spectra and Spectral Energy Distributions for Dusty Starbursts and AGN

We present spectroscopic results for all galaxies observed with the Spitzer Infrared Spectrograph (IRS) which also have total infrared fluxes f(ir) measured with the Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS), also using AKARI photometry when available. Infrared luminosities and spectral energy distributions (SEDs) from 8 um to 160 um are compared to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) emission from starburst galaxies or mid-infrared dust continuum from AGN at rest frame wavelengths ~ 8 um. A total of 301 spectra are analyzed for which IRS and IRAS include the same unresolved source, as measured by the ratio fv(IRAS 25 um)/fv(IRS 25 um). Sources have 0.004 < z < 0.34 and 42.5 < log L(IR) < 46.8 (erg per s) and cover the full range of starburst galaxy and AGN classifications. Individual spectra are provided electronically, but averages and dispersions are presented. We find that log [L(IR)/vLv(7.7 um)] = 0.74 +- 0.18 in starbursts, that log [L(IR)/vLv(7.7 um)] = 0.96 +- 0.26 in composite sources (starburst plus AGN), that log [L(IR)/vLv(7.9 um)] = 0.80 +- 0.25 in AGN with silicate absorption, and log [L(IR)/vLv(7.9 um)] = 0.51 +- 0.21 in AGN with silicate emission. L(IR) for the most luminous absorption and emission AGN are similar and 2.5 times larger than for the most luminous starbursts. AGN have systematically flatter SEDs than starbursts or composites, but their dispersion in SEDs overlaps starbursts. Sources with the strongest far-infrared luminosity from cool dust components are composite sources, indicating that these sources may contain the most obscured starbursts.

astro-ph.CO↗

ISM enrichment and local pollution in dwarf galaxies

The fate of metals after they are released in starburst episodes is still unclear. What phases of the interstellar medium are involved, in which timescales? Evidence has grown over the past few years that the neutral phase of blue compact dwarf (BCD) galaxies may be metal- deficient as compared to the ionized gas of their HII regions. These results have strong implications for our understanding of the chemical evolution of galaxies. We review here the main results and the main caveats in the abundance determination from far-UV absorption-lines. We also discuss possible scenarios concerning the journey of metals into the interstellar medium, or even their ejection from the galaxy into the intergalactic medium.

astro-ph.CO↗

Dust in the Extremely Metal-Poor Blue Compact Dwarf Galaxy IZw18: The Spitzer Mid-Infrared View

IZw18, a blue compact dwarf (BCD) galaxy with the 2nd lowest metallicity measured in a star-forming object, has been observed with all three instruments on board the Spitzer Space Telescope. We present the deepest 5-36 micron mid-infrared (mid-IR) spectrum of this galaxy as yet obtained, as well as 3.6 to 70 micron imaging results. As with SBS0335-052E, another BCD with similar metallicity, IZw18 shows no detectable emission from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). However, the continuum emission, from 15 to 70 micron, of IZw18 has a much steeper slope, more characteristic of a typical starburst galaxy of solar abundance. The neon abundance as measured from the infrared fine-structure lines is ~1/23 Z_sun, and the sulfur abundance is ~ 1/35 Z_sun, generally consistent with the nebular oxygen abundance of 1/30 Z_sun derived from optical lines. This suggests that the extinction to the infrared emitting regions of this galaxy is low, also in agreement with the optical Balmer line ratios.

astro-ph↗

Is the interstellar gas of starburst galaxies well mixed?

The extent to which the ISM in galaxies is well mixed is not yet settled. Measured metal abundances in the diffuse neutral gas of star--forming gas--rich dwarf galaxies are deficient with respect to that of the ionized gas. The reasons, if real, are not clear and need to be based on firm grounds. Far-UV spectroscopy of giant HII regions such as NGC604 in the spiral galaxy M33 using FUSE allows us to investigate possible systematic errors in the metallicity derivation. We still find underabundances of nitrogen, oxygen, argon, and iron in the neutral phase by a factor of~6. This could either be explained by the presence of less chemically evolved gas pockets in the sightlines or by dense clouds out of which HIIregions form. Those could be more metallic than the diffuse medium.

astro-ph↗