arXiv subjects

Ze-Zhong Liang

Publications and source records attributed to Ze-Zhong Liang.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

FEASTS and MHONGOOSE: HI Column Density Distribution at $z=0$ for $N_\mathrm{HI}>10^{17.8}\, \mathrm{cm}^{-2}$

We present the first $z=0$ HI column density distribution function, $f(N_\mathrm{HI})$, extending down to $\log (N_\mathrm{HI}/\mathrm{cm}^{-2})=17.8$. This was derived from high-sensitivity 21-cm emission-line imaging at $\sim$1 kpc resolution. At high-column-densities (19.8$< \log (N_\mathrm{HI}/\mathrm{cm}^{-2}) <$21.3), our results align with earlier $z=0$ studies but benefit from 100 times greater sensitivity. Comparisons with $z\sim3$ quasar absorption-line studies reveal that $f(N_\mathrm{HI})$ at $z=0$ is systematically lower by 0.1-0.4 dex for $19.2< \log (N_\mathrm{HI}/\mathrm{cm}^{-2}) <21$. However, the distributions become comparable at $17.8< \log (N_\mathrm{HI}/\mathrm{cm}^{-2}) <19.2$, suggesting weak evolution in this regime. Extrapolating the length incidence ($\mathrm{d}N/\mathrm{d}X$) for $\log (N_\mathrm{HI}/\mathrm{cm}^{-2}) >17.5$ implies a covering fraction ($f_\mathrm{cov}$) of $\sim0.7$ within 1-kpc-scale HI-detected pixels at $z=0$. Notably, for $17.8< \log (N_\mathrm{HI}/\mathrm{cm}^{-2}) <20$, impact parameters at a given $N_\mathrm{HI}$ are significantly lower than previous $z\sim0$ absorption-line results and TNG50 simulation predictions. This discrepancy indicates challenges in identifying galaxy counterparts for absorbers and in recovering low-column-density HI within cosmological simulations. Finally, we derive a covering fraction of 0.006 for $\log (N_\mathrm{HI}/\mathrm{cm}^{-2}) >17.8$ gas within the virial radius around Milky-Way-like galaxies. These findings provide new constraints on the baryonic flows and gaseous dynamics governing galaxy evolution.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2024

Connection between Non-Axisymmetric Structures and Neutral Gas Distribution in Disk Galaxies

Non-axisymmetric structures, such as bars and spiral arms, are known to concentrate molecular gas and star formation in galaxy centers, actively building up the pseudo-bulges. However, a direct link between the neutral (i.e., molecular and atomic) gas distribution and the exerted torque forces over a broader radial range of galactic disks still remains to be explored. In the present work, we investigate this link by carefully evaluating the torque force field using the $3.6\, \mathrm{μm}$ images for 17 The H I Nearby Galaxy Survey (THINGS) galaxies, and measuring neutral gas distribution on resolved atomic and molecular line maps. We find that galaxies with stronger torque forces show a more concentrated neutral gas distribution over the disk-scale, defined as half the isophotal radius at $25.5\, \mathrm{mag\, arcsec^{-2}}$. The correlation holds regardless of whether the neutral gas fraction, or the effective stellar mass surface density is controlled for. In addition, $\mathrm{kpc}$-scale neutral gas over-densities tend to be located close to the local maxima of torque forces. Most of these correlations involving the torque forces are comparatively stronger than those using the traditional Fourier amplitudes to quantify the non-axisymmetric structures. These results are consistent with the scenario that non-axisymmetric structures exert torque forces, and trigger dissipative processes to transport gas inward, not only to build the pseudo-bulges, but also fuel the inner disk growth. In this regard, non-axisymmetric structures inducing stronger torque forces appear to be more efficient in these processes.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2023

FAST-ASKAP Synergy: Quantifying Coexistent Tidal and Ram Pressure Strippings in the NGC 4636 Group

Combining new HI data from a synergetic survey of ASKAP WALLABY and FAST with the ALFALFA data, we study the effect of ram pressure and tidal interactions in the NGC 4636 group. We develop two parameters to quantify and disentangle these two effects on gas stripping in HI-bearing galaxies: the strength of external forces at the optical-disk edge, and the outside-in extents of HI-disk stripping. We find that gas stripping is widespread in this group, affecting 80% of HI-detected non-merging galaxies, and that 41% are experiencing both types of stripping. Among the galaxies experiencing both effects, the two types of strengths are independent, while two HI-stripping extents moderately anticorrelate with each other. Both strengths are correlated with HI-disk shrinkage. The tidal strength is related to a rather uniform reddening of low-mass galaxies ($M_*<10^9\,\text{M}_\odot$) when tidal stripping is the dominating effect. In contrast, ram pressure is not clearly linked to the color-changing patterns of galaxies in the group. Combining these two stripping extents, we estimate the total stripping extent, and put forward an empirical model that can describe the decrease of HI richness as galaxies fall toward the group center. The stripping timescale we derived decreases with distance to the center, from $\mathord{\sim}1\,\text{Gyr}$ beyond $R_{200}$ to $\mathord{\lesssim}10\,\text{Myr}$ near the center. Gas-depletion happens $\mathord{\sim}3\,\text{Gyr}$ since crossing $2R_{200}$ for HI-rich galaxies, but much quicker for HI-poor ones. Our results quantify in a physically motivated way the details and processes of environmental-effects-driven galaxy evolution, and might assist in analyzing hydrodynamic simulations in an observational way.

astro-ph.GA↗