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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 307 records · Page 17
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2001

High Resolution Three-Color Imaging of Spirals With Nuclear Star-Forming Rings

Nuclear rings in barred spirals offer an opportunity to study starburst properties in order to develop an understanding of the evolution of star formation in galaxies. To achieve this understanding, a large scale imaging survey in the H alpha line and in the B and I broad bands has been performed. Analysis of all galaxies that reveal nuclear rings in the H alpha line will be compared to numerical models so that the relative ages between the starforming clumps can be estimated. The luminosity function of the starforming regions will be related to the measured properties of the associated star-cluster and the required ionizing flux. Also B - I color index images will be performed to indicate the location of the dust lanes.

Mazzuca, Lisa↗
DOE OSTI2021

NuSTAR broad-band X-ray observation campaign of energetic pulsar wind nebulae in synergy with VERITAS, HAWC and Fermi gamma-ray telescopes

We report recent progress on the on-going NuSTAR observation campaign of 8 TeV-detected middle-aged pulsar wind nebulae (PWNe). This campaign constitutes a major part of our NuSTAR study of some of the most energetic TeV sources in our Galaxy detected by VERITAS and HAWC. NuSTAR is the first focusing X-ray telescope operating above 10 keV in space with sub-arcminute angular resolution. Broad-band X-ray imaging and spectroscopy data, obtained by NuSTAR, allow us to probe sub-PeV electron populations through detecting synchrotron X-ray radiation. Our targets include PeVatron candidates detected by HAWC, the Boomerang nebula, PWNe crushed by supernova remnant shocks (or relic PWNe) and G0.9‚0.1 in the Galactic Center. Combined with Fermi-LAT data and available TeV data, we aim to provide a complete, multi-wavelength view of a diverse class of middle-aged (~10–100 kyrs old) PWNe. Our NuSTAR analysis detected hard X-ray emission from the Eel and Boomerang PWNe and characterized their broad-band X-ray spectra most accurately. We plan to apply both time-evolution and multi-zone PWNe models to multi-wavelength spectral energy distribution (SED) data over the radio, X-ray, GeV and TeV bands. In this proceeding, we will review our observation campaign and discuss the preliminary results for some PWNe.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS2002

X-ray Dips Followed by Superluminal Ejections as Evidence for An Accretion Disc Feeding the Jet in A Radio Galaxy

Accretion onto black holes is thought to power the relativistic jets and other high-energy phenomena in both active galactic nuclei (AGNs) and the "microquasar" binary systems located in our Galaxy. However, until now there has been insufficient multifrequency monitoring to establish a direct observational link between the black hole and the jet in an AGE. This contrasts with the case of microquasars, in which superluminal features appear and propagate down the radio jet shortly after sudden decreases in the X-ray flux. Such an X-ray dip is most likely caused by the disappearance of a section of the inner accretion disc, part of which falls past the event horizon and the remainder of which is injected into the jet. This infusion of energy generates a disturbance that propagates down the jet, creating the appearance of a superluminal bright spot. Here we report the results of three years of intensive monitoring of the X-ray and radio emission of the Seyfert-like radio galaxy 3C 120. As in the case of microquasars, dips in the X-ray emission are followed by ejections of bright superluminal knots in the radio jet. Comparison of the characteristic length and time scales allows us to infer that the rotational states of the black holes in these two objects are different.

Marscher, Alan P.↗
DOE OSTI2020

The Distant, Galaxy Cluster Environment of the Short GRB 161104A at $z\sim 0.8$ and a Comparison to the Short GRB Host Population

We present optical observations of the Swift short-duration gamma-ray burst (GRB) GRB 161104A and its host galaxy at z = 0.793 ± 0.003. We model the multiband photometry and spectroscopy with the stellar population inference code Prospector and explore the posterior using nested sampling. We find a mass-weighted age of $t_m = 2.12^{+0.23}_{-0.21}$ Gyr, stellar mass of log(M/M ⊙ ), metallicity of log(Z/Z ⊙ ), dust extinction of $A_V = 0.08^{+0.08}_{-0.05}$, and low star formation rate of 9.9 × 10 -2 M ⊙ yr -1 . These properties, along with a prominent 4000 Å break and optical absorption lines, classify this host as an early-type, quiescent galaxy. Using Dark Energy Survey galaxy catalogs, we demonstrate that the host of GRB 161104A resides on the outskirts of a galaxy cluster at z ≈ 0.8, situated ≈1 Mpc from the likely brightest cluster galaxy. We also present new modeling for 20 additional short GRB hosts (≈33% of which are early-type galaxies), finding population medians of and $t_m = 1.07^{+1.98}_{-0.67}$ Gyr (68% confidence). We further find that the host of GRB 161104A is more distant, less massive, and younger than the four other short GRB hosts known to be associated with galaxy clusters. Cluster short GRBs have faint afterglows, in the lower ≈11% (≈30%) of observed X-ray (optical) luminosities. We place a lower limit on the fraction of short GRBs in galaxy clusters versus those in the field of ≈5%–13%, consistent with the fraction of stellar mass of ≈10%–20% in galaxy clusters at redshifts 0.1 ≤ z ≤ 0.8. Future studies that take advantage of wider-field and deeper cluster surveys are needed to understand the true rate of short GRBs in clusters and their effect on heavy-element enrichment in the intracluster medium.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Quantifying radial migration in the Milky Way: inefficient over short time-scales but essential to the very outer disc beyond ∼15 kpc

ABSTRACT Stellar radial migration plays an important role in reshaping a galaxy’s structure and the radial distribution of stellar population properties. In this work, we revisit reported observational evidence for radial migration and quantify its strength using the age–[Fe/H] distribution of stars across the Milky Way with APOGEE data. We find a broken age–[Fe/H] relation in the Galactic disc at r > 6 kpc, with a more pronounced break at larger radii. To quantify the strength of radial migration, we assume stars born at each radius have a unique age and metallicity, and then decompose the metallicity distribution function (MDF) of mono-age young populations into different Gaussian components that originated from various birth radii at rbirth < 13 kpc. We find that, at ages of 2 and 3 Gyr, roughly half the stars were formed within 1 kpc of their present radius, and very few stars (<5 per cent) were formed more than 4 kpc away from their present radius. These results suggest limited short-distance radial migration and inefficient long-distance migration in the Milky Way during the last 3 Gyr. In the very outer disc beyond 15 kpc, the observed age–[Fe/H] distribution is consistent with the prediction of pure radial migration from smaller radii, suggesting a migration origin of the very outer disc. We also estimate intrinsic metallicity gradients at ages of 2 and 3 Gyr of −0.061 and −0.063 dex kpc−1, respectively.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Early Results from GLASS-JWST. VII. Evidence for Lensed, Gravitationally Bound Protoglobular Clusters at z = 4 in the Hubble Frontier Field A2744

We investigate the blue and optical rest-frame sizes (λ ≃ 2300–4000 Å) of three compact star-forming regions in a galaxy at z = 4 strongly lensed (×30, ×45, and ×100) by the Hubble Frontier Field galaxy cluster A2744 using GLASS-ERS James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)/NIRISS imaging at 1.15 μm, 1.50 μm, and 2.0 μm with a point-spread function ≲0$_{.}^{"}$1. In particular, the Balmer break is probed in detail for all multiply imaged sources of the system. With ages of a few tens of Myr, stellar masses in the range (0.7–4.0) ×10 6 M⊙ and optical/ultraviolet effective radii spanning the interval 3 < R eff < 20 pc, such objects are currently the highest-redshift (spectroscopically confirmed) gravitationally bound young massive star clusters (YMCs), with stellar mass surface densities resembling those of local globular clusters. Optical (4000 Å, JWST-based) and ultraviolet (1600 Å, Hubble Space Telescope–based) sizes are fully compatible. The contribution to the ultraviolet underlying continuum emission (1600 Å) is ~30%, which decreases by a factor of 2 in the optical for two of the YMCs (~4000 Å rest-frame), reflecting the young ages (<30 Myr) inferred from the spectral energy distribution fitting and supported by the presence of high-ionization lines secured with the Very Large Telescope/MUSE. Such bursty forming regions enhance the specific star formation rate of the galaxy, which is ≃10 Gyr –1 . This galaxy would be among the extreme analogs observed in the local universe having a high star formation rate surface density and a high occurrence of massive stellar clusters in formation.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Physical Properties of the Star-forming Regions in the Interacting Galaxies NGC 3395/NGC 3396

We report long-slit spectroscopy of the early major merger galaxies NGC 3395/NGC 3396. The spectra are consistent with those for star-forming galaxies, but there is some indication of LINER-like active galactic nucleus activity in the center of NGC 3396. The total star formation rate in the regions observed is 2.83 M {sub ⊙} yr{sup −1}, consistent with estimates for the entire galaxies. The highest abundances are in the centers of the galaxies, with the abundances decreasing with distance. There is a correlation between high abundance and high ionization parameter, both of which can be attributed to the presence of massive stars. Modeling with SB 99 indicates the star-forming regions are younger than 10 Myr. There are 1000–2000 WNL stars in the system, along with several thousand O stars, consistent with the ages of the star-forming regions. The highest electron densities are found in young regions with high star formation rates. The electron temperatures are higher than results for non-interacting galaxies, which is probably due to shock waves produced by the galaxy–galaxy interaction, the outflow of gas from massive stars, and/or collisions between gas clouds in the galaxies. There is star formation in the bridge of material between the galaxies. These regions are among the youngest in the system and have low abundances, suggesting the gas was pulled from the outer parts of the galaxies. X-ray point sources, probably high-mass X-ray binaries, are associated with several star-forming regions.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2025

The bulk motion of gas in the core of the Centaurus galaxy cluster

Galaxy clusters contain vast amounts of hot ionized gas known as the intracluster medium (ICM). In relaxed cluster cores, the radiative cooling time of the ICM is shorter than the age of the cluster. However, the absence of line emission associated with cooling suggests heating mechanisms that offset the cooling, with feedback from active galactic nuclei (AGNs) being the most likely source. Turbulence and bulk motions, such as the oscillating (‘sloshing’) motion of the core gas in the cluster potential well, have also been proposed as mechanisms for heat distribution from the outside of the core. Here we present X-ray spectroscopic observations of the Centaurus galaxy cluster with the X-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission satellite. We find that the hot gas flows along the line of sight relative to the central galaxy, with velocities from 130 km s −1 to 310 km s −1 within about 30 kpc of the centre. This indicates bulk flow consistent with core gas sloshing. Although the bulk flow may prevent excessive accumulation of cooled gas at the centre, it could distribute the heat injected by the AGN and bring in thermal energy from the surrounding ICM. The velocity dispersion of the gas is found to be only ≲120 km s −1 in the core, even within about 10 kpc of the AGN. This suggests that the influence of the AGN on the surrounding ICM motion is limited in the cluster.

galaxies and clusters↗
DOE OSTI2022

Radio AGN in nearby dwarf galaxies: the important role of AGN in dwarf galaxy evolution

ABSTRACT We combine deep optical and radio data, from the Hyper Suprime-Cam and the Low-Frequency Array (LOFAR), respectively, to study 78 radio active galactic nuclei (AGN) in nearby (z < 0.5) dwarf galaxies. Comparison to a control sample, matched in stellar mass and redshift, indicates that the AGN and controls reside in similar environments, show similar star formation rates (which trace gas availability) and exhibit a comparable incidence of tidal features (which indicate recent interactions). We explore the AGN properties by combining the predicted gas conditions in dwarfs from a cosmological hydrodynamical simulation with a Monte Carlo suite of simulated radio sources, based on a semi-analytical model for radio-galaxy evolution. In the subset of LOFAR-detectable simulated sources, which have a similar distribution of radio luminosities as our observed AGN, the median jet powers, ages, and accretion rates are ∼1035 W, ∼5 Myr, and ∼10−3.4 M⊙ yr−1, respectively. The median mechanical energy output of these sources is ∼100 times larger than the median binding energy expected in dwarf gas reservoirs, making AGN feedback plausible. Since special circumstances (in terms of environment, gas availability, and interactions) are not necessary for the presence of AGN, and the central gas masses are predicted to be an order of magnitude larger than that required to fuel the AGN, AGN triggering in dwarfs is likely to be stochastic and a common phenomenon. Together with the plausibility of energetic feedback, this suggests that AGN could be important drivers of dwarf galaxy evolution, as is the case in massive galaxies.

Davis, F. (ORCID:0000000285224980)↗
NASA NTRS1995

Spectroscopy of candidate young globular clusters in NGC 1275

We present spectra of the brightest member of the population of compact blue objects discovered in the peculiar galaxy NGC 1275 by Holtzman et al. (1992) using Hubble Space Telescope images. These spectra show strong Balmer absorption lines like those observed in A-type stars, as expected if the object is a young globular cluster. The age estimated from the strength of the Balmer lines is about 0.5 Gyr, although ages ranging from 0.1 Gyr to 0.9 Gyr cannot be confidently excluded given current models of stellar populations. If these estimated ages are adopted for the young cluster population of NGC 1275 as a whole, the fading predicted by stellar populations models gives a luminosity function which is consistent with that of the Galactic globular cluster system convolved with the observational selection function for the NGC 1275 system. We also use the equivalent widths of the Mg b and Fe 5270 features to constrain the metallicity of the young cluster. Combining these absorption-line widths with the age estimates from the Balmer lines and stellar population models, we find a metallicity of roughly solar, based on the Mg b index, and somewhat higher for the Fe 5270 index. The radial velocity of the absorption lines of the cluster spectrum is offset from the emission lines of the galaxy spectrum at the same position by - 130 km/s, providing further evidence for the identification of the object as a global cluster and opening up the future possibility of studying the kinematics of young cluster systems. The discovery of objects with the characteristics of young globular clusters in NGC 1275, which shows evidence of a recent interaction or merger, supports the hypothesis that galaxy interactions and mergers are favorable sites for the formation of globular clusters.

Zepf, Stephen E.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Short-period Variability in the Globular Cluster NGC 419 and the SMC Field

Delta Scuti (δ Sct) stars have been extensively studied in our Galaxy but far less in extragalactic systems. Here we study the population of δ Sct variables in NGC 419, an intermediate-age globular cluster of the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC), using g, r, and i Gemini-S/Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph (GMOS) time-series observations. Our goal is to study the role of such variables in the cluster extended main-sequence turnoff (MSTO). We report the discovery of 54 δ Sct stars and three eclipsing binaries in the NGC 419 field. We find only a handful of the δ Sct stars at the MSTO of NGC 419, while the majority are fainter, indicating that the cluster is younger (≲1.2 Gyr) than previously thought. Considering their radial distribution, we identify only six δ Sct stars as probable members of NGC 419, while the 48 remaining are likely δ Sct stars of the SMC field. Cluster δ Sct stars appear close to the red edge of the MSTO, supporting the idea that the extended MSTO has its origin in an age spread. The 48 field δ Sct stars represent the largest detection of δ Sct stars made in the SMC. The period distribution of these newly detected δ Sct stars (0.04 day ≲ P ≲ 0.15 day) is similar to that detected in other systems. The amplitude distribution (0.05 mag ≲ Δr ≲ 0.60 mag) is likely biased because of the lack of low-amplitude stars. We finally use the δ Sct stars to calculate distances using different period–luminosity relations. The average distance moduli obtained are 18.76 ± 0.14 mag for NGC 419 and 18.86 ± 0.11 mag for the SMC field, which agree with previous measurements.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
NASA NTRS1989

A coasting cosmology

A Friedmann-Robertson-Walker cosmology with energy density decreasing in expansion as 1/R-squared, where R is the Robertson-Walker scale factor, is studied. In such a model the universe expands with constant velocity; hence the term coasting cosmology. Observational consequences of such a model include the age of the universe, the luminosity distance-redshift relation (the Hubble diagram), the angular diameter distance-redshift relation, and the galaxy number count as a function of redshift. These observations are used to limit the parameters of the model. Among the interesting consequences of the model are the possibility of an ever-expanding closed universe, a model universe with multiple images at different redshifts of the same object, a universe with Omega - 1 not equal to 0 stable in expansion, and a closed universe with radius smaller than 1/H(0).

Kolb, Edward W.↗
DOE OSTI2023

A sample of dust attenuation laws for Dark Energy Survey supernova host galaxies

Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) are useful distance indicators in cosmology, provided their luminosity is standardized by applying empirical corrections based on light-curve properties. One factor behind these corrections is dust extinction, which is accounted for in the color–luminosity relation of the standardization. This relation is usually assumed to be universal, which can potentially introduce systematics into the standardization. The “mass step” observed for SN Ia Hubble residuals has been suggested as one such systematic. We seek to obtain a more complete view of dust attenuation properties for a sample of 162 SN Ia host galaxies and to probe their link to the mass step. We inferred attenuation laws toward hosts from both global and local (4 kpc) Dark Energy Survey photometry and composite stellar population model fits. We recovered a relation between the optical depth and the attenuation slope, best explained by differing star-to-dust geometry for different galaxy orientations, which is significantly different from the optical depth and extinction slope relation observed directly for SNe. We obtain a large variation of attenuation slopes and confirm these change with host properties, such as the stellar mass and age, meaning a universal SN Ia correction should ideally not be assumed. Analyzing the cosmological standardization, we find evidence for a mass step and a two-dimensional “dust step”, both more pronounced for red SNe. Although comparable, the two steps are not found to be completely analogous. We conclude that host galaxy dust data cannot fully account for the mass step, using either an alternative SN standardization with extinction proxied by host attenuation or a dust-step approach.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1994

Nuclear Star Formation in the Hot-Spot Galaxy NGC 2903

We present high-resolution near-infrared imaging obtained using adaptive optics and HST/NICMOS and ground-based spectroscopy of the hot-spot galaxy NGC 2903. Our near-infrared resolution imaging enables us to resolve the infrared hot spots into individual young stellar clusters or groups of these. The spatial distribution of the stellar clusters is not coincident with that of the bright H II regions, as revealed by the HST/NICMOS Pace image. Overall, the circumnuclear star formation in NGC 2903 shows a ring-like morphology with an approximate diameter of 625 pc. The SF properties of the stellar clusters and H II regions have been studied using the photometric and spectroscopic information in conjunction with evolutionary synthesis models. The population of bright stellar clusters shows a very narrow range of ages, 4 to 7 x 10(exp 6) yr after the peak of star formation, or absolute ages 6.5 to 9.5 x 10(exp 6) yr (for the assumed short-duration Gaussian bursts), and luminosities similar to the clusters found in the Antennae interacting galaxy. This population of young stellar clusters accounts for some 7 - 12% of the total stellar mass in the central 625 pc of NGC 2903. The H II regions in the ring of star formation have luminosities close to that of the super-giant H II region 30 Doradus, they are younger than the stellar clusters, and will probably evolve into bright infrared stellar clusters similar to those observed today. We find that the star formation efficiency in the central regions of NGC 2903 is higher than in normal galaxies, approaching the lower end of infrared luminous galaxies.

Alonso-Herrero, A.↗
NASA NTRS2022

On the Stellar Populations of Galaxies at z=9–11:The Growth of Metals and Stellar Mass at Early Times

We present a detailed stellar population analysis of 11 bright (H < 26.6) galaxies at z=9−11 (three spectroscopically confirmed) to constrain the chemical enrichment and growth of stellar mass of early galaxies. We use the flexible Bayesian spectral energy distribution (SED) fitting code Prospector with a range of star-formation histories (SFHs), a flexible dust attenuation law and a self-consistent modeling of emission lines. This approach allows us to assess how different priors affect our results, and how well we can break degeneracies between dust attenuation, stellar ages, metallicity and emission lines using data which probe only the rest-frame ultraviolet to optical wavelengths. We measure a median observed ultraviolet spectral slope β= −1.87+0.35−0.43 for relatively massive star-forming galaxies (9 10

Sandro Tacchella↗
NASA NTRS2020

Accretion-Driven Sources in Spatially Resolved Lyα Emitters

Lyα emission is a standard tracer of starburst galaxies at high redshift. However, a number of local Lyα emitters (LAEs) are X-ray sources, suggesting a possible origin of Lyα photons other than young, hot stars, and which may be active at much later ages relative to the parent starburst. Resolved, nearby LAEs offer the opportunity to discriminate between diffuse X-ray emission arising from supernova-heated gas, high-mass X-ray binaries (HMXBs), or low-luminosity active galactic nuclei (LLAGN). We examine archival X-ray imaging from Chandra and XMM-Newton for 11 galaxies with spatially resolved Lyα imaging to determine the luminosity, morphology, and spectral hardness of the X-ray sources. The data are consistent with 9 of the 12, bright Lyα sources being driven by luminous, >1040 erg s-1 X-ray sources. Half of the eight Chandra sources are unresolved. The data suggest that nuclear activity, whether from LLAGN or nuclear starbursts, may play an important role in Lyα emission. Our results also suggest a significant link between Lyα emission and HMXBs, ultraluminous X-ray sources, and/or LLAGN, which would imply that Lyα may be generated over timescales 1–2 orders of magnitude longer than produced by photoionization from OB stars. This highlights a critical need to quantify the relative contributions of different sources across cosmic time, to interpret Lyα observations and the resulting properties of distant galaxies.

Benjamin Dittenber↗
DOE OSTI2022

iMaNGA: mock MaNGA galaxies based on IllustrisTNG and MaStar SSPs – I. Construction and analysis of the mock data cubes

ABSTRACT Galaxy formation and evolution simulations are essential tools to probe poorly known astrophysics processes, but particular care is needed to compare simulations with galaxy observations, as observed data need to be modelled as well. We present a method to generate mock galaxies from the hydro-dynamical IllustrisTNG simulations which are suited to compare with integral field spectroscopic observation of galaxies from the SDSS-IV/Mapping Nearby Galaxies at Apache Point Observatory (MaNGA) survey. First, we include the same instrumental effects and procedures as adopted in the acquisition and analysis of real data. Furthermore, we generate the galaxy spectra from the simulations using new stellar population models based on the MaNGA stellar library (MaStar). In this way, our mock data cubes have the same spatial sampling, cover the same wavelength range (3600–10 300 Å), and share the same spectral resolution (R ≈ 1800) and flux calibration of real MaNGA galaxy spectra. In this first paper, we demonstrate the method over an early- and a late-type simulated galaxy from TNG50. We analyse the correspondent mock MaNGA-like data cubes with the same full spectral fitting code, firefly, which was used for the observed spectra. We find that the intrinsic and recovered age and metallicity gradients are consistent within 1σ, with residuals over all tassels consistent with 0 at the 68 ${{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ confidence level. We also perform the challenging test at comparing intrinsic and recovered star formation histories, finding a close resemblance between input and output. In follow-up papers, we will present a full simulated MaNGA-like catalogue (≈10 000 galaxies) with a comprehensive comparison of TNG50 simulations to MaNGA observational results.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2024

A Study of the Merging Dwarf Galaxy VCC322

Abstract 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−rversusr−H) distribution with simple stellar population models, we infer that the metallicity and stellar age of this tail areZ ⋆ ∼ 0.02Z ⊙ andt ⋆ ∼ 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 Sloan Digital Sky Survey 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.

Astronomy & Astrophysics↗