SIMBAD references

2026ApJ..1000L..12Q - Astrophys. J., 1000, L12 (2026/March-3)

Kinematics of H I and O VI Absorbers: Insights into the Turbulence Driver of the Multiphase Circumgalactic Medium.

QU Z., CHEN H.-W., SCHILLER E., WANG J. and GRONKE M.

Abstract (from CDS):

We investigate large-scale gas kinematics in the multiphase circumgalactic medium (CGM) using the observed correlation between line width (Doppler b parameter) and column density (N) for H I and O VI absorbers. Leveraging extensive public galaxy survey data at z ≲ 0.1, we construct a new galaxy sample based on the availability of background quasi-stellar objects with far-ultraviolet spectra from the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE). By combining this FUSE galaxy sample with literature collections, we find that H I absorbers exhibit a clear inverse correlation between Doppler width and column density over nearly 5 orders of magnitude in NHI, from NHI ≈ 1013 cm–2 to NHI ≈ 1018 cm–2, while O VI absorption follows a positive correlation across NOVI ≈ 3 × 1013-1015 cm–2. We develop a model framework to interpret these contrasting trends and show that H I absorbers are best described as systems of approximately constant total column density (NH), whereas O VI traces regions of roughly constant spatial density (nH and n_O VI_). Under the latter scenario, the observed b_O VI_-N_O VI_ relation maps directly to a velocity-size relation consistent with a Kolmogorov-like turbulent spectrum. Together, these findings reveal a coherent physical picture in which H I and O VI trace a continuous turbulent cascade spanning more than 5 orders of magnitude in spatial scale-from cool, photoionized clumps to warm, highly ionized halo gas-with accretion in the halo outskirts likely driving the turbulent energy injection that sustains the multiphase CGM.

Abstract Copyright: © 2026. The Author(s). Published by the American Astronomical Society.

Journal keyword(s): Surveys - Intergalactic medium - Galaxies - Quasars - Double quasars - Quasar absorption line spectroscopy

Status at CDS : Large table(s) will be appraised for possible ingestion in VizieR.

Simbad objects: 122

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