SIMBAD references

2023A&A...675A..30B - Astronomy and Astrophysics, volume 675A30 (2023/7-1)

The ALPINE-ALMA [CII] survey: Double stellar population and active galactic nucleus activity in a galaxy at z ∼ 5.5.

BARCHIESI L., DESSAUGES-ZAVADSKY M., VIGNALI C., POZZI F., MARQUES-CHAVES R., FELTRE A., FAISST A., BETHERMIN M., CASSATA P., CHARLOT S., FUDAMOTO Y., GINOLFI M., IBAR E., JONES G.C., ROMANO M., SCHAERER D., VALLINI L., VANZELLA E. and YAN L.

Abstract (from CDS):

Context. GDS J033218.92-275302.7 (here GS-14) is a z ∼ 5.5 galaxy with unusual UV spectral features that have been interpreted as signatures of either a double stellar population or of an active galactic nucleus (AGN). GS-14 was detected in [C II] 158 μm as part of the ALPINE survey and was found to be the galaxy with the lowest molecular gas fraction (fmol = Mmolgas/(Mmolgas + M*)∼0.1) of that sample.
Aims. We exploited the multiwavelength coverage of GS-14 to investigate the properties and the origin of its emission.
Methods. We fit the UV-to-near-IR spectral energy distribution (SED) with a single and double stellar population and/or AGN component. We analyzed the latest release of the VIMOS spectrum, which shows highly ionized emission lines (O VI1032 Å, N V1240 Å, and N IV] 1483,1486 Å). The line equivalent widths and line ratios were compared with those observed in galaxies and AGN, as well as with the predictions from radiation transfer models for star-forming galaxies, AGN, and shocks.
Results. The SED-fitting provides a total stellar mass of M* = (4 ± 1)×1010 M⊙, an age of the main stellar population of ∼ 670 Myr, and a recent (∼ 8 Myr) short burst of star formation (SF) of ∼90 M⊙ yr–1. We do not find a significant contribution from an AGN, although we do not have any coverage in the mid-IR, where the dust emission of the AGN would peak. The N V line has a characteristic P Cygni profile. Fitting it with stellar models suggests a ∼ 3 Myr old population of stars with a mass of ∼5 × 107 M⊙, consistent with a second component of young stars, as found in the SED-fitting analysis. The N V profile also shows evidence for an additional component of nebular emission. The comparison of the line ratios (N IV]/N V and O VI/N V) with theoretical models allows us to associate the emission with SF or AGN, but the strong radiation field required to ionize the O VI is more commonly related to AGN activity.
Conclusions. Studying GS-14, we found evidence for an old and already evolved stellar population at z ∼ 5.5, and we show that the galaxy is experiencing a second short burst of SF. In addition, GS-14 carries signatures of obscured AGN activity. The AGN could be responsible for the short depletion time of this galaxy, thus making GS-14 one of the two ALPINE sources with indications of an active nucleus and an interesting target for future follow-ups to understand the connection between SF and AGN activity.

Abstract Copyright: © The Authors 2023

Journal keyword(s): galaxies: high-redshift - galaxies: active - galaxies: evolution

Simbad objects: 17

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