2025ApJ...989..211K


Query : 2025ApJ...989..211K

2025ApJ...989..211K - Astrophys. J., 989, 211 (2025/August-3)

Using Polarization to Uncover the Lyα Emission Mechanism in Lyα Nebulae.

KIM E., YANG Y., PARK S.-J., ZABLUDOFF A., SMITH P., LEE M.G., JEONG W.-S., JANNUZI B., HWANG N. and PARK B.-G.

Abstract (from CDS):

“Lyα nebulae” are immense (∼100 kpc) glowing gas clouds located in the distant universe, and the origin of their extended Lyα emission remains a mystery. Mapping their polarization offers critical insights, but imaging polarimetry to date has revealed polarization patterns that are difficult to interpret due to differences in the types and spatial configurations of their embedded sources. In this study, we more than double the sample size of polarization observations by targeting four additional Lyα nebulae: 4C41.17, SSA22-Sb3-LAB1, JACKPOT, and MAMMOTH-1, all of which host active galactic nuclei (AGN), from radio-loud to radio-quiet to type-I to type-II. Significant polarization is detected in three of these four nebulae, with polarization vectors distributed across the extended Lyα-emitting gas. In the two Lyα nebulae hosting radio-loud AGN, the polarization vectors exhibit a preferential alignment perpendicular to the radio jet direction, suggesting a scattering origin related to AGN outflows. In 4C41.17, JACKPOT, and MAMMOTH-1 (3/4 cases), the polarization strength shows a possible trend of increasing with radius. While the spatial patterns are complex and most large-radius measurements are upper limits, our results-together with previous work on three other targets-support the idea that scattering plays a key role in shaping the Lyα emission from these nebulae. Full interpretation requires direct comparison of these observations to radiative transfer models over a wide range of parameter space.

Abstract Copyright: © 2025. The Author(s). Published by the American Astronomical Society.

Journal keyword(s): Extragalactic astronomy - High-redshift galaxies - Intergalactic medium - Polarimetry

Simbad objects: 13

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Number of rows : 13
N Identifier Otype ICRS (J2000)
RA
ICRS (J2000)
DEC
Mag U Mag B Mag V Mag R Mag I Sp type #ref
1850 - 2026
#notes
1 NAME Slug Nebula GNe 00 52 02.0 +01 01 29           ~ 34 0
2 PHL 868 QSO 00 52 02.4056270064 +01 01 29.270570160   17.87 17.67     ~ 116 0
3 4C 41.17 rG 06 50 52.098 +41 30 30.53           ~ 349 1
4 [HPC2015] AGN1 AGN 08 41 58.24 +39 21 29.1           ~ 4 0
5 NAME Jackpot Nebula EmO 08 41 58.47 +39 21 21.0           ~ 16 0
6 [VV2006] J084158.5+392121 QSO 08 41 58.4700625584 +39 21 21.004889364   20.15 19.89     ~ 36 0
7 [HPC2015] AGN2 AGN 08 41 58.66 +39 21 14.7           ~ 4 0
8 [HPC2015] AGN3 AGN 08 41 59.10 +39 21 04.6           ~ 4 0
9 NAME LABd05 EmO 14 34 10.988 +33 17 32.71           ~ 34 1
10 NAME MAMMOTH-1 EmO 14 41 24.310 +40 03 11.91           ~ 37 0
11 [CFB2017] BOSS1441 PCG 14 41 26.40 +40 01 12.0           ~ 27 0
12 SDSS J221759.45+003055.4 QSO 22 17 59.452 +00 30 55.41   21.03 20.71     ~ 25 0
13 NVSS J233024+392711 rG 23 30 24.94 +39 27 12.0   24.70 23.97     ~ 56 2

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