arXiv subjects

Yinghe Zhao

Publications and source records attributed to Yinghe Zhao.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Tracing cosmic star formation history through radio continuum spectral energy distribution and non-thermal emission

As a tracer of massive star formation unaffected by dust, the radio continuum emission provides a unique window into the formation of the first stars and galaxies in the Universe. Recent observations show that the integrated rest-frame mid-radio (~1-10 GHz) luminosity of galaxies serves as one of the most robust tracers of the star formation rate (SFR). These studies further demonstrate that the synchrotron spectral index and the shape of the radio spectral energy distribution (SED) evolves with redshift as a consequence of the cosmic evolution of star formation activity. These findings underscore the importance of deep multi-band radio continuum observations in calibrating the SFR of early galaxies and understanding the astrophysical processes governing their assembly and evolution over cosmic time. This chapter presents recent progress in radio SFR calibrations for star-forming galaxies (SFGs) and reviews radio-continuum studies of the cosmic star formation history (SFH). We highlight the transformative potential of SKA AA4, whose broad frequency coverage and high sensitivity will enable well-constrained radio SEDs for SFGs across a wide redshift range.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2026

Morphology of Optical Changing-Look AGN-host Galaxies: Evidence for an Important Role of Mergers

Optical changing-look active galactic nuclei (CL-AGNs) are characterized by the (dis)appearance of broad emission lines on unexpectedly short timescales. However, the underlying mechanisms and their potential connection to host-galaxy properties are still unclear. In this work, we present an analysis of the morphology for 63 low-redshift CL-AGNs (z < 0.15) selected from the largest CL-AGN catalog (Guo et al. 2025) to date, using images from DESI DR10 and employing both non-parametric methods and visual inspection. We find that CL-AGN hosts exhibit a concentration like late-type spirals, asymmetry like early-type spirals, and smoothness like ellipticals. This is confirmed by their Gini-M20 coefficients, suggesting weak/modest disturbances. Based upon our visual inspection, we further identify that 18 (29%) out of 63 sources are mergers, among which ~56% (10/18) show shell features. Compared to different non-CL-AGN samples, CL-AGN hosts have a higher (~2\times) possibility of being merging systems. Our results indicate that mergers/interactions may play an important role in driving the changing-look behavior.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2026

Radial Profiles of Binary Fraction in Elliptical Galaxies

The radial profile of binary fraction may vary with environment and is of significant importance for studying the formation mechanisms of binary stars and their dynamical evolution within globular clusters (GCs) and galaxies. However, existing studies remain limited to the Milky Way and its neighboring galaxies. Leveraging the method proposed by Zhang et al. for estimating the variation of binary fraction from integrated spectral features, we analyze a sample of 513 elliptical galaxies drawn from the Mapping Nearby Galaxies at Apache Point Observatory (MaNGA) survey to measure their radial binary fraction profiles. Our results show that after accounting for the effect induced by radial variations in the stellar population (SP), the median SP-subtracted binary fraction, $r_{\rm b,sub}^{\rm med}$, becomes approximately flat. For nearly all elliptical galaxies in our sample, the variation in binary fraction relative to the galaxy center at $1R_e$ is less than 5%. No clear correlation is found between the binary fraction gradient and the gradients of SP properties. Moreover, we also compare differences between ultraviolet (UV) upturn and non-UV upturn galaxies. The overall binary fraction profiles and SP properties of the non-UV upturn galaxies in our sample are comparable to those of the UV upturn galaxies. This similarity may arise from the presence of residual star formation (RSF) in the non-UV upturn systems.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2026

AVID: A Near-Major Post-Merger of Late-Type Dwarfs beneath a Regularly Rotating HI Disk (VCC 693)

On the periphery of galaxy clusters, moderately high galaxy densities and velocity dispersions favour interactions and mergers that influence galaxy evolution prior to cluster infall. Observational studies of this phase in dwarfs remain rare. We present a high-resolution study of the merger remnant VCC 693 in the outskirts of Virgo cluster, using observations from the Atomic gas in Virgo Interacting Dwarf galaxies (AVID) project. We explore the origin of VCC 693 and the consequences of the merger on its star formation and structure through a joint analysis of VLA and FAST HI emission line observations, together with complementary optical imaging and spectroscopy. We employ hydrodynamical simulations to help interpret the observations. Our analysis favours a near-major merger between two dwarfs with a stellar mass ratio of 3:1-4:1, with one likely gas-poor progenitor (i.e., a damp merger). The optical appearance of VCC 693 is dominated by complex tidal structures throughout the system, whereas the HI gas has settled to a regular rotating disk. Compared with similar-mass dwarfs, the central star formation and gas-phase metallicity are moderately enhanced. The global star formation rate, HI gas content, and HI-to-optical size ratio of VCC 693 are broadly consistent with those of typical dwarfs of similar mass, albeit somewhat lower. Decomposition of the HI rotation curve into baryonic and dark matter indicates a high halo concentration, suggesting post-merger relaxation into a more centrally peaked configuration. Together with two recent studies of AVID post-merger systems, these results support the view that even major dwarf mergers can produce remnants with overall stellar structures indistinguishable from ordinary dwarfs, and that the environmental effects in cluster outskirts can promote damp or mixed mergers, constituting an integral part of galactic pre-processing.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2026

BayeSED-GALAXIES II. Bayesian full spectrum analysis of galaxies and application in the CSST wide-field slitless spectroscopy survey

The China Space Station Telescope (CSST) will conduct wide-field multiband photometric imaging and slitless spectroscopic surveys, advancing cosmology and galaxy evolution studies. Achieving CSST's cosmological goals requires precise redshifts ($\sigma_{\rm NMAD}\lesssim 0.002-0.005$) from low-resolution ($R\sim200$) and potentially blended slitless spectra. We present BayeSED3, extended for Bayesian full-spectrum analysis, including nebular emission modeling (via \textsc{Cloudy}) and a Bayesian treatment of the model scaling factor, improving reliability over optimization methods for low SNR spectra. Validated on realistic mock data generated with the CESS emulator (median SNR=1.65, including instrumental and self-blending effects), our method achieves excellent redshift precision with three-band (GU+GV+GI) spectroscopy: $\sigma_{\rm NMAD}=0.0008$ ($\sim$80% success) for star-forming and $\sigma_{\rm NMAD}=0.0015$ ($\sim$50% success) for quiescent galaxies. Stellar mass ($\sigma_{\rm NMAD}\approx0.015$ dex for SF, $\approx0.016$ dex for quiescent) and SFR ($\sigma_{\rm NMAD}\approx0.05$ dex for SF, especially at SNR>1) are reliably recovered. Self-blending increases scatter by $\gtrsim30%$, but combining spectroscopy with CSST's seven-band photometry significantly improves accuracy, especially for quiescent galaxies and data-limited cases. Single-band spectroscopy plus photometry yields reasonable redshifts: GU+photometry is limited, GI+photometry gives >60% (SF) and >40% (quiescent) success at $\sigma_{\rm NMAD}\lesssim0.002$, GV+photometry gives >35% (SF) and $\sim$40% (quiescent) at similar precision. The Bayesian framework offers a powerful method for accurate galaxy characterization, enhancing CSST's scientific outcomes despite the challenges of slitless spectroscopy.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2025

Unveiling the nature and fate of the almost-dark cloud AGC 226178 through HI mapping

The origin of extragalactic, almost dark HI clouds with extreme gas-to-stellar mass ratios remains poorly understood. We investigate the nature and fate of the "almost dark" cloud AGC 226178, projected within the Virgo cluster, with an HI-to-stellar mass ratio of ~1000. We present deep single-dish HI mapping from the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST), complemented by high-resolution interferometric data from the Very Large Array (VLA), as part of the Atomic gas in Virgo Interacting Dwarf galaxies (AVID) project. These observations provide the highest-quality HI analysis to date of such a cloud, combining resolution and sensitivity. FAST data reveal a short, low-velocity tail toward the dwarf galaxy VCC 2034, previously proposed as a possible origin for AGC 226178. However, VCC 2034 shows a line-of-sight asymmetric HI feature and cometary morphology indicating a stripping event unrelated to AGC 226178. VLA data reveal a velocity gradient across AGC 226178 and a clumpy internal structure. The velocity dispersion exceeds the thermal linewidth, implying turbulence or unresolved motions. The cloud cannot be gravitationally bound by atomic gas alone. The resolved HI clumps follow standard HI mass-star formation rate and mass-size relations, with those forming stars reaching surface densities above the threshold for self-shielding. We conclude that AGC 226178 is a free-floating HI cloud of unknown origin. The system appears to be in the process of disintegration. It is likely located well outside the Virgo cluster, as the preservation of its extended HI morphology within the cluster environment would otherwise require a substantial reservoir of unseen molecular gas with a mass exceeding that of the observed HI content. While confinement pressure from the hot intracluster medium may aid its stability, it is unlikely to be the dominant factor preventing its disruption.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2025

AVID: Formation and evolution of a coalesced major merger of late-type dwarf galaxies (VCC 479) on the outskirts of the Virgo cluster

Dwarf-dwarf galaxy mergers are among the least explored aspects of dwarf galaxy pre-processing as they fall into clusters. We present the first case study of a coalesced late-type dwarf major merger (VCC 479; stellar mass $\sim\,8\,\times\,10^7\,\rm M_\odot$) that has undergone significant environmental influence, with the aim of exploring dwarf galaxy evolution under the combined effects of galaxy interactions and environmental processes, and understanding its relevance to the diversity of dwarf galaxies in cluster environments. Our analysis is based on VLA and FAST HI emission line mapping from the Atomic gas in Virgo Interacting Dwarf galaxies (AVID) survey. We also perform idealized hydrodynamical simulations of dwarf-dwarf mergers to help interpret the observations. We identify symmetric stellar shell structures in VCC 479, indicative of a coalesced major merger of dwarf galaxies. The galaxy features a central starburst, initiated $\sim$600 Myr ago, embedded within an exponential disk quenched $\sim$1 Gyr ago. The starburst contributes only 2.9$\pm$0.5\% of the total stellar mass, and VCC 479's global star formation rate is 0.3 dex lower than typical dwarfs of similar mass. The galaxy is highly HI deficient, with most HI gas concentrated within the central 1 kpc and little extended HI envelope. The misalignment of the HI velocity field with the stellar body is best explained by merger-triggered gas inflow, as seen in our simulations. Our analysis is consistent with a scenario that the majority of HI gas of the progenitor galaxies was removed by the cluster environment prior to the final coalescence. The merger concentrates the remaining gas toward the galaxy center, triggering a central starburst. The combined effect of environment stripping and galaxy merger has transformed VCC 479 into a blue-core dwarf undergoing morphological transition from a late-type to an early-type galaxy.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2025

A Morphological Study on AGN-host Dwarf Galaxies

The study of morphology in galaxies offers a convenient and quantitative method to measure the shapes and characteristics of galaxy light distribution that reflect the evolutionary history. For AGN-host dwarf galaxies, however, there is a lack of detailed studies on their morphologies. In this work, we compile a relatively large sample ($\sim$400 members) of local AGN-host dwarf ($M_{\star}\leq10^{9.5} M_{\odot}$ and $z<0.055$) galaxies selected via various methods. We use the $grz$ bands images from DESI DR10 and the Python package statmorph to measure non-parametric coefficients. We also carry out visual inspection with the assistance of deep learning to classify these galaxies into early-type (ETGs), late-type (LTGs) galaxies, and mergers, and find that about 37%, 44%, and 13% of the total sample sources are ETGs, LTGs, and mergers, respectively. In comparison to normal dwarf galaxies, AGN-host dwarfs have a higher probability to be LTGs, and a lower merger rate, indicating that mergers/interactions are not the primary driver of AGN activities. Among the subsamples selected with different methods, the BPT sample has the highest fraction of ETGs, the variability sample consists of the largest fraction of LTGs, and the mid-IR sample contains the most mergers.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2025

Properties of Interstellar Medium in the S0 Galaxy NGC 1222: Evidence for Shocked-enhanced Line Emission

In this paper we present a comprehensive study on the properties of the interstellar medium in NGC~1222, a star-forming early-type merging galaxy that forms a triple system, using optical and far-infrared (FIR) spectroscopic, and multiband photometric data. The fit to the spectral energy distribution reveals a high dust content in the galaxy, with a dust-to-stellar mass ratio of $M_\mathrm{dust}/M_\star\sim3.3\times10^{-3}$ that is 40$-$90 larger than the mean value of local S0 galaxies. By comparing the observed optical emission line ratios to shock models, we suggest that a merger-induced shock, which is further supported by the higher-than-average \OI- and \CII-to-PAH ratios, plays a role in heating the gas in NGC~1222. We also show evidence for gas inflow by analysing the kinematic properties of NGC~1222.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2025

Metallicity dependence of the CO-to-H$_2$ and the [CI]-to-H$_2$ conversion factors in galaxies

Understanding the molecular gas content in the interstellar medium (ISM) is crucial for studying star formation and galaxy evolution. The CO-to-H$_2$ ($X_{\rm CO}$) and the [CI]-to-H$_2$ ($X_{\rm CI}$) conversion factors are widely used to estimate the molecular mass content in galaxies. However, these factors depend on many ISM environmental parameters. This work investigates the dependence of $X_{\rm CO}$ and $X_{\rm CI}$ on these parameters, with a focus on the low-metallicity $\alpha$-enhanced ISM ($\rm [C/O]<0$), to provide improved tracers of molecular gas in diverse conditions. We used the PDFchem algorithm, coupled with a database of 3D-PDR models. These account for a wide range of metallicities, dust-to-gas mass ratios, FUV intensities, and cosmic-ray ionization rates. The conversion factors were computed by integrating the PDR properties over log-normal column density distributions ($A_{\rm V}$-PDFs) representing various cloud types. The $X_{\rm CO}$ factor increases significantly with decreasing metallicity, exceeding $\sim\!\!1000$ times the Galactic value at ${\rm [O/H] = -1.0}$ under $\alpha$-enhanced conditions, as opposed to $\sim\!\!300$ times under non-$\alpha$-enhanced conditions (${\rm [C/O]=0}$). In contrast, $X_{\rm CI}$ shows a more gradual variation with metallicity, making it a more reliable tracer of molecular gas in metal-poor environments under most conditions. The fraction of `CO-dark' molecular gas increases dramatically in low-metallicity regions, exceeding 90\% at ${\rm [O/H] = -1.0}$, particularly in diffuse clouds and environments with strong FUV radiation fields. We recommend the use of the $\log_{10}X_{\rm CO}\simeq-2.41Z+41.3$ relation for the CO-to-H$_2$ conversion factor, and the $\log_{10}X_{\rm CI}\simeq-0.99Z+29.7$ relation for the [CI]-to-H$_2$, where $Z=12+\log_{10}({\rm O/H})$.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2024

Ionized Carbon in Galaxies: The [C II] 158 $\mu$m Line as a Total Molecular Gas Mass Tracer Revisited

In this paper we present a statistical study of the [C II] 158 $\mu$m line and the CO(1-0) emission for a sample of $\sim$200 local and high-$z$ (32 sources with $z>1$) galaxies with much different physical conditions. We explore the correlation between the luminosities of [C II] and CO(1-0) lines, and obtain a strong linear relationship, confirming that [C II] is able to trace total molecular gas mass, with a small difference between (U)LIRGs and less-luminous galaxies. The tight and linear relation between [C II] and CO(1-0) is likely determined by the average value of the observed visual extinction $A_V$ and the range of $G_0/n$ in galaxies. Further investigations into the dependence of $L_{\mathrm{[CII]}}/L_{\mathrm{CO(1-0)}}$ on different physical properties show that $L_{\mathrm{[CII]}}/L_{\mathrm{CO(1-0)}}$ (1) anti-correlates with $\Sigma_{\mathrm{IR}}$, and the correlation becomes steeper when $\Sigma_{\mathrm{IR}} \gtrsim 10^{11}$ $L_\odot\,\mathrm{kpc}^{-2}$; (2) correlates positively with the distance from the main sequence $\Delta(\mathrm{MS})$ when $\Delta(\mathrm{MS})\lesssim 0$; and (3) tends to show a systematically smaller value in systems where the [C II] emission is dominated by ionized gas. Our results imply that caution needs to be taken when applying a constant [[C II]-to-$M_{\mathrm{H_2}}$ conversion factor to estimate the molecular gas content in extreme cases, such as galaxies having low-level star formation activity or high SFR surface density.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2024

Stellar Populations of AGN-host Dwarf Galaxies Selected with Different Methods

In this paper we investigate the stellar populations and star formation histories of 235 active galactic nuclei (AGN)-host dwarf galaxies, consisting of four samples identified separately with different methods (i.e., radio, X-ray, mid-IR and variability), utilizing the synthesis code STARLIGHT and spectra from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) Data Release 8. Our results show that the variability sample is the oldest, while the mid-IR sample is the youngest, for which the luminosity at 4020 Å is dominated ($>50\%$) by the young population ($t<10^8$ yr). The light-weighted mean stellar age of the whole sample is in general about 0.7 dex younger than the optical sample studied in Cai et al. We compare the population results between fitting models with and without a power-law (PL) component and find that the neglect of a PL component would lead to an under- and over-estimation by 0.2 and 0.1 dex for the light- and mass-weighted mean stellar age, respectively, for our sample of dwarf galaxies, which has a mean fractional contribution of $\sim$16\% from the AGN. In addition, we obtain further evidence for a possible suppression of star formation in the host galaxy by the central AGN. We also find that there exists an anti-correlation between the extinction-corrected [O\,{\sc iii}] luminosity and light-weighted mean stellar age, confirming our previous finding that there is a physical connection between AGN and star-forming activities in AGN-host dwarfs.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2024

Predicting the future applications of any stoichiometric inorganic material through learning from past literature

Through learning from past literature, artificial intelligence models have been able to predict the future applications of various stoichiometric inorganic materials in a variety of subfields of materials science. This capacity offers exciting opportunities for boosting the research and development (R&D) of new functional materials. Unfortunately, the previous models can only provide the prediction for existing materials in past literature, but cannot predict the applications of new materials. Here, we construct a model that can predict the applications of any stoichiometric inorganic material (regardless of whether it is a new material). Historical validation confirms the high reliability of our model. Key to our model is that it allows the generation of the word embedding of any stoichiometric inorganic material, which cannot be achieved by the previous models. This work constructs a powerful model, which can predict the future applications of any stoichiometric inorganic material using only a laptop, potentially revolutionizing the R&D paradigm for new functional materials

physics.app-ph↗

arXiv2024

A study of the merging dwarf galaxy VCC322

Galaxy interactions and mergers can enhance or reduce star formation, but a complete understanding of the involved processes is still lacking. The effect of dwarf galaxy mergers is even less clear than their massive counterpart. We present a study on a dwarf merger remnant in the Virgo cluster, VCC322, which might form a triple system with VCC334 and VCC319. We identify a prominent long and straight tail-like substructure that has a size comparable to its host galaxy VCC322. By comparing the color-color ($g-r$ vs. $r-H$) distribution with simple stellar population models, we infer that the metallicity and stellar age of this tail are $Z_\star \sim 0.02~Z_\odot$ and $t_\star \sim 10$~Gyr, respectively. In VCC319, we find a sign of isophotal twisting. This suggests that VCC319 may be subject to tidal interaction. An analysis of the SDSS optical spectra of VCC322 indicates mass- and light-weighted ages of about 10$^{9.8}$ yr and 10$^{7.5}$ yr, respectively, indicating an ongoing star formation activity. However, the star formation in VCC322 seems suppressed when compared to other star-forming dwarfs of comparable stellar masses. Our finding of shock excitation of optical emission lines indicates that interaction-induced shock may contribute to the heating of cold gas and suppression of star formation.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2024

An ALMA Spectroscopic Survey of the Brightest Submillimeter Galaxies in the SCUBA-2-COSMOS Field (AS2COSPEC): Physical Properties of z=2-5 Ultra- and Hyperluminous Infrared Galaxies

We report physical properties of the brightest ($S_{870\,μ\rm m}=12.4$-$19.2\,$mJy) and not strongly lensed 18 870$\,μ$m selected dusty star-forming galaxies (DSFGs), also known as submillimeter galaxies (SMGs), in the COSMOS field. This sample is part of an ALMA band$\,$3 spectroscopic survey (AS2COSPEC), and spectroscopic redshifts are measured in 17 of them at $z=2$-$5$. We perform spectral energy distribution analyses and deduce a median total infrared luminosity of $L_{\rm IR}=(1.3\pm0.1)\times10^{13}\,L_{\odot}$, infrared-based star-formation rate of ${\rm SFR}_{\rm IR}=1390\pm150~M_{\odot}\,\rm yr^{-1}$, stellar mass of $M_\ast=(1.4\pm0.6)\times10^{11}\,M_\odot$, dust mass of $M_{\rm dust}=(3.7\pm0.5)\times10^9\,M_\odot$, and molecular gas mass of $M_{\rm gas}= (α_{\rm CO}/0.8)(1.2\pm0.1)\times10^{11}\,M_\odot$, suggesting that they are one of the most massive, ISM-enriched, and actively star-forming systems at $z=2$-$5$. In addition, compared to less massive and less active galaxies at similar epochs, SMGs have comparable gas fractions; however, they have much shorter depletion time, possibly caused by more active dynamical interactions. We determine a median dust emissivity index of $β=2.1\pm0.1$ for our sample, and by combining our results with those from other DSFG samples, we find no correlation of $β$ with redshift or infrared luminosity, indicating similar dust grain compositions across cosmic time for infrared luminous galaxies. We also find that AS2COSPEC SMGs have one of the highest dust-to-stellar mass ratios, with a median of $0.02\pm0.01$, significantly higher than model predictions, possibly due to too strong of a AGN feedback implemented in the model. Finally, our complete and uniform survey enables us to put constraints on the most massive end of the dust and molecular gas mass functions.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2023

The Spatially Resolved Properties of the GW170817 Host Galaxy

GW170817 is the unique gravitational-wave (GW) event that is associated to the electromagnetic (EM) counterpart GRB 170817A. NGC 4993 is identified as the host galaxy of GW170817/GRB 170817A. In this paper, we particularly focus on the spatially resolved properties of NGC 4993. We present the photometric results from the comprehensive data analysis of the high spatial-resolution images in the different optical bands. The morphological analysis reveals that NGC 4993 is a typical early-type galaxy without significant remnants of major galaxy merger. The spatially resolved stellar population properties of NGC 4993 suggest that the galaxy center has passive evolution with the outskirt formed by gas accretion. We derive the merging rate of the compact object per galaxy by a co-evolution scenario of supermassive black hole and its host galaxy. If the galaxy formation is at redshift 1.0, the merging rate per galaxy is $3.2\times 10^{-4}$ to $7.7\times 10^{-5}$ within the merging decay time from 1.0 to 5.0 Gyr. The results provide the vital information for the ongoing GW EM counterpart detections. The HST data analysis presented in this paper can be also applied for the Chinese Space Station Telescope (CSST) research in the future.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2022

The Unusual AGN Host NGC 1266: Evidence for Shocks in a Molecular Gas Rich S0 Galaxy with a Low Luminosity Nucleus

NGC 1266 is a lenticular galaxy (S0) hosting an active galactic nucleus (AGN), and known to contain a large amount of shocked gas. We compare the luminosity ratio of mid-\emph{J} CO lines to IR continuum with star-forming galaxies (SFGs), and then model the CO spectral line energy distribution (SLED). We confirm that in the mid- and high-\emph{J} regions ($J_{\rm up}$ = 4--13), the C-type shock ($v_{\rm s}$ = 25 km s$^{-1}$, $n_{\rm H}$ = $5\times10^{4}$ cm$^{-3}$) can reproduce the CO observations well. The galaxy spectral energy distribution (SED) is constructed and modeled by the code {\tt X-CIGALE} and obtains a set of physical parameters including the star formation rate (SFR, 1.17 $\pm$ 0.47 \emph{M$_{\odot}$}yr$^{-1}$). Also, our work provides SFR derivation of [C\,{\sc ii}] from the neutral hydrogen regions only (1.38 $\pm$ 0.14 $M_{\odot}$yr$^{-1}$). Previous studies have illusive conclusions on the AGN or starburst nature of the NGC 1266 nucleus. Our SED model shows that the hidden AGN in the system is intrinsically low-luminosity, consequently the infrared luminosity of the AGN does not reach the expected level. Archival data from \emph{NuSTAR} hard X-ray observations in the 3--79 keV band shows a marginal detection, disfavoring presence of an obscured luminous AGN and implying that a compact starburst is more likely dominant for the NGC 1266 nucleus.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2021

The Carbon-to-H$_2$, CO-to-H$_2$ Conversion Factors and Carbon Abundance on Kiloparsec Scales in Nearby Galaxies

Using the atomic carbon [CI](1$-$0) and [CI](2$-$1) emission maps observed with the $Herschel\ Space\ Observatory$, and CO(1$-$0), HI, infrared and submm maps from literatures, we estimate the [CI]-to-H$_2$ and CO-to-H$_2$ conversion factors of $α_\mathrm{[CI](1-0)}$, $α_\mathrm{[CI](2-1)}$, and $α_\mathrm{CO}$ at a linear resolution $\sim1\,$kpc scale for six nearby galaxies of M 51, M 83, NGC 3627, NGC 4736, NGC 5055, and NGC 6946. This is perhaps the first effort, to our knowledge, in calibrating both [CI]-to-H$_2$ conversion factors across the spiral disks at spatially resolved $\sim1\,$kpc scale though such studies have been discussed globally in galaxies near and far. In order to derive the conversion factors and achieve these calibrations, we adopt three different dust-to-gas ratio (DGR) assumptions which scale approximately with metallicity taken from precursory results. We find that for all DGR assumptions, the $α_\mathrm{[CI](1-0)}$, $α_\mathrm{[CI](2-1)}$, and $α_\mathrm{CO}$ are mostly flat with galactocentric radii, whereas both $α_\mathrm{[CI](2-1)}$ and $α_\mathrm{CO}$ show decrease in the inner regions of galaxies. And the central $α_\mathrm{CO}$ and $α_\mathrm{[CI](2-1)}$ values are on average $\sim 2.2$ and $1.8$ times lower than its galaxy averages. The obtained carbon abundances from different DGR assumptions show flat profiles with galactocentric radii, and the average carbon abundance of the galaxies is comparable to the usually adopted value of $3 \times 10^{-5}$. We find that both metallicity and infrared luminosity correlate moderately with the $α_\mathrm{CO}$ whereas only weakly with either the $α_\mathrm{[CI](1-0)}$ or carbon abundance, and not at all with the $α_\mathrm{[CI](2-1)}$.

astro-ph.GA↗