Saying Hallo to M94's Stellar Halo: Investigating the Accretion History of the Largest Pseudobulge Host in the Local Universe
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Our modern understanding of cosmological structure formation posits that small matter density fluctuations present in the early Universe, as traced by the cosmic microwave background, grow via gravitational instability to form extended haloes of dark matter. A theoretical understanding of the structure, evolution and formation of dark matter haloes is an essential step towards unravelling the intricate connection between halo and galaxy formation, needed to test our cosmological model against data from upcoming galaxy surveys. Physical understanding of the process of dark matter halo formation is made difficult by the highly non-linear nature of the haloes' evolution. I describe a new approach to gain physical insight into cosmological structure formation based on machine learning. This approach combines the ability of machine learning algorithms to learn non-linear relationships, with techniques that enable us to physically interpret the learnt mapping. I describe applicatio ns of th e method, with the aim of investigating which aspects of the early universe density field impact the later formation of dark matter haloes. First I present a case where the process of halo formation is turned into a binary classification problem; the algorithm predicts whether or not dark matter `particles' in the initial conditions of a simulation will collapse into haloes of a given mass range. Second, I present its generalization to regression, where the algorithm infers the final mass of the halo to which each particle will later belong. I show that the initial tidal shear does not play a significant role compared to the initial density field in establishing final halo masses. Finally, I demonstrate that extending the framework to deep learning algorithms such as convolutional neural networks allows us to explore connections between the early universe and late time haloes beyond those studied by existing analytic approximations of halo collapse.
This work is part of a larger project in which we want to determine the shapes of dark halos around spiral galaxies. Rotation curves 'probe' the halos in the radial direction. The derived halo mass distributions are badly constrained. The local halo densities fully determine the width of the gas distribution once the gaseous velocity dispersion is known. There where the dark halo dominates, the Full Width at Half Maximum (FWHM) of the gas layer is proportional to (rho(sub halo))(exp -0.5). Therefore, measuring the width of the gas layer probes the halo density directly. In a dark halo dominated potential, the FWHM of the gas layer increases linearly with radius. This increase of the thickness of the gas layer is known as 'flaring'. Flaring has been found inside the stellar disk. Beyond the edge of the stellar disk, the analysis is hampered by the onset of the warp. Since the galaxy we are studying, NGC 4244, has no significant warp we hope to extend Rupen's analysis into the halo dominated regime. The usual method to derive a rotation curve from an observed 2-dimensional velocity field is to assume that the hydrogen is distributed in infinitely thin rings. For a flaring disk, any line of sight samples many different parts of the galaxy, all having different densities and projected velocities. In order to fully exploit the information contained in the gas distribution, we have to understand the effects of flaring on the observables (the spectrum for each point of the galaxy). We have investigated the effects of a flaring disk on the observed velocity field. It is obvious that the largest (kinematical) effects are to be expected for low density dark halos at large inclinations. For low mass galaxies we expect that the flaring of the H1 layer will have a major effect on the observed kinematics. For galaxy with intermediate V(sub max,halo) seen at intermediate inclinations, one overestimates Vsin(i) typically by a few percent. For more massive galaxies, any effects arising from the flaring H1 layer are minuscule unless the inclination is not too far from 90 deg.
ABSTRACT We use the IllustrisTNG cosmological, hydrodynamical simulations to test fundamental assumptions of the mass-based halo occupation distribution (HOD) approach to modelling the galaxy–halo connection. By comparing the clustering of galaxies measured in the 300 Mpc TNG box (TNG300) with that predicted by the standard (basic) HOD model, we find that, on average, the ‘basic’ HOD model underpredicts the real-space correlation function in the TNG300 box by ∼15 per cent on scales of $1 \,\,\lt\,\, r \,\,\lt\,\, 20 \ {\rm Mpc}\, h^{-1}$, which is well beyond the target precision demanded of next-generation galaxy redshift surveys. We perform several tests to establish the robustness of our findings to systematic effects, including the effect of finite box size and the choice of halo finder. In our exploration of ‘secondary’ parameters with which to augment the ‘basic’ HOD, we find that the local environment of the halo, the velocity dispersion anisotropy, β, and the product of the half-mass radius and the velocity dispersion, σ2Rhalfmass, are the three most effective measures of assembly bias that help reconcile the ‘basic’ HOD-predicted clustering with that in TNG300. In addition, we test other halo properties such as halo spin, formation epoch, and halo concentration. We also find that at fixed halo mass, galaxies in one type of environment cluster differently from galaxies in another. We demonstrate that a more complete model of the galaxy–halo connection can be constructed if we combine both mass and local environment information about the halo.
Most of the upcoming cosmological information will come from analyzing the clustering of the Large Scale Structures (LSS) of the universe through LSS or CMB observations. It is therefore essential to be able to understand their behavior with exquisite precision. The Effective Field Theory of Large Scale Structures (EFTofLSS) provides a consistent framework to make predictions for LSS observables in the mildly non-linear regime. Herein we focus on biased tracers. We argue that in calculations at a given order in the dark matter perturbations, highly biased tracers will underperform because of their larger higher derivative biases. A natural prediction of the EFTofLSS is therefore that by simply adding higher derivative biases, highly massive tracers should perform comparably well. We implement this prediction for the halo-halo and the halo-matter power spectra at one loop, and the halo-halo-halo, halo-halo-matter, and halo-matter-matter bispectra at tree-level, and compare with simulations. We find good agreement with the prediction: at $z$ = 0, for all tracers, we are able to match the power spectra up to $k ≃$ 0.28$h$ Mpc -1 , as well as a small set of about 10 2 bispectra triangles up to $k ≃$ 0.17$h$ Mpc -1 . We also discuss the limitations of our study and some avenues to pursue to further establish these findings.
One of the frontiers for advancing what is known about dark matter lies in using strong gravitational lenses to characterize the population of the smallest dark matter haloes. There is a large volume of information in strong gravitational lens images – the question we seek to answer is to what extent we can refine this information. To this end, we forecast the detectability of a mixed warm and cold dark matter scenario using the anomalous flux ratio method from strong gravitational lensed images. The halo mass function of the mixed dark matter scenario is suppressed relative to cold dark matter but still predicts numerous low-mass dark matter haloes relative to warm dark matter. Since the strong lensing signal receives a contribution from a range of dark matter halo masses and since the signal is sensitive to the specific configuration of dark matter haloes, not just the halo mass function, degeneracies between different forms of suppression in the halo mass function, relative to cold dark matter, can arise. Here, we find that, with a set of lenses with different configurations of the main deflector and hence different sensitivities to different mass ranges of the halo mass function, the different forms of suppression of the halo mass function between the warm dark matter model and the mixed dark matter model can be distinguished with 40 lenses with Bayesian odds of 30:1.
ABSTRACT The stellar mass assembly of galaxies can be affected by both secular and environmental processes. In this study, for the first time, we investigate the stellar mass assembly of $\sim 90\, 000$ low-redshift, central galaxies selected from SDSS group catalogues ($M_{\rm Stellar}\gtrsim 10^{9.5}\, \mathrm{M}_{\odot }$, $M_{\rm Halo}\gtrsim 10^{12}\, \mathrm{M}_{\odot }$) as a function of both stellar mass and halo mass. We use estimates of the times at which 10, 50, and 90 per cent of the stellar mass were assembled from photometric spectral energy distribution fitting, allowing a more complete investigation than single stellar ages alone. We consider trends in both stellar mass and halo mass simultaneously, finding dependences of all assembly times on both. We find that galaxies with higher stellar masses (at constant halo mass) have on average older lookback times, similar to previous studies of galaxy assembly. We also find that galaxies at higher halo mass (at constant stellar mass) have younger lookback times, possibly due to a larger reservoir of gas for star formation. An exception to this is a subsample with high stellar-to-halo mass ratios, which are likely massive, field spirals. We compare these observed trends to those predicted by the TNG300 simulation, finding good agreement overall as a function of either stellar mass or halo mass. However, some differences in the assembly times (of up to ∼3 Gyr) appear when considering both stellar mass and halo mass simultaneously, noticeably at intermediate stellar masses (MStellar ∼ 1011 M⊙). These discrepancies are possibly linked to the quenched fraction of galaxies and the kinetic mode active galactic nucleus feedback implemented in TNG300.
We present new constraints on the halo masses and matter density profiles of DESI galaxy groups by cross-correlating samples of luminous red galaxies (LRGs) and bright galaxy survey (BGS) galaxies with the publicly available CMB lensing convergence map from ACT DR6. This provides an independent, lensing-based calibration of halo masses, complementary to methods relying on clustering or dynamics. We derive constraints on the mean halo mass for three DESI-selected samples, finding log(𝑀 halo /(𝑀 ⊙ /ℎ)) ≈ 13.18, 13.03 and 13.02 for the main LRG, extended LRG, and BGS samples, respectively. Using a halo model approach, we also compare the projected galaxy-matter density profiles with previously reported gas profiles inferred from measurements of the kinematic Sunyaev-Zel’dovich (kSZ) effect. This work addresses one of the key uncertainties in interpreting kSZ signals—the unknown host halo mass distribution—by providing an independent and consistent mass calibration. The agreement between the gas and total mass profiles at large aperture suggests that sufficiently far from the group center (2–3 virial radii), we recover all the baryons, offering a resolution to the missing baryon problem. We further study the cumulative gas fractions for all galaxies as well as for the most massive galaxy groups in the sample [log(𝑀 halo /(𝑀 ⊙ /ℎ)) ≈ 13.5], finding values that are physically sensible and in agreement with previous findings using kSZ and x-ray data: compared to the TNG300 simulation, the observed gas fractions are systematically lower at fixed radius by ≳ 4𝜎, providing compelling, independent evidence for stronger baryonic feedback in the real Universe. These findings highlight the power of combining CMB lensing with galaxy surveys to probe the interplay between baryons and dark matter in group-sized halos.
The beryllium (Be) main chamber wall interaction during a 5 MA/1.8 T upward, unmitigated VDE scenario, first analysed in [J. Coburn et al., Phys. Scr. T171 (2020) 014076] for ITER, has been re-evaluated using the latest energy deposition analysis software. Updates to the DINA disruption model are summarized, including an improved numerical convergence for the 0D power balance, limitations on the safety factor within the plasma core, and the choice to maintain a constant plasma +halo poloidal cross-section. Such updates result in a broad halo region and higher radiated power fractions compared to previous models. The new scenario lasts for ~75 ms and deposits ~29 MJ of energy, with the radial distribution of parallel heat flux q‖(r)resembling an exponential falloff with an effective λ_q=75-198 mm. A maximum halo width w_h of 0.52 m at the outboard midplane is observed. SMITER field line tracing and energy deposition simulations calculate a q_{⊥,max} of ~83 MW/m^2 on the upper first wall panels (FWP). Heat transfer calculations with the MEMOS-U code show that the FWP surface temperature reaches ~1000 K, well below the Be melt threshold. Variations of this 5 MA scenario with Be im-purity densities from 0 to 3∙10^19 m^-3 also remain below the melt threshold despite differences in energy deposition and duration. These results are in contrast to the early study which predicted melt damage to the first wall [J. Coburn et al., Phys. Scr. T171 (2020) 014076], and emphasize the importance of accurate models for the halo width w_h and the heat flux distribution q‖(r)within that halo width. The 2020 halo model in DINA has been compared with halo current experiments on COMPASS, JET, and Alcator C-Mod, and the preliminary results build confidence in the broad halo width predictions. Results for the 5 MA VDE are compared with those for a 15 MA equivalent, generated using the new DINA model. At the higher current, significant melting of the upper FWP is to be expected.
Recent studies suggest that galaxies can oscillate in normal modes with essentially no damping over a Hubble time. These modes may play an important role in the structure and evolution of disk/halo systems. Motivated by the possibility that normal mode oscillations exist in real galaxies, we are investigating the response of galactic disks to halo oscillations. The goal of these investigations is to ascertain whether or not observational signatures exist for such oscillations. Our approach is to perform numerical experiments on the response of a self-gravitating disk to a time-varying halo potential. We assume that a significant fraction of the mass in a galaxy is in a dark halo. The halo oscillates and the luminous disk material responds to these oscillations. Preliminary results are reported for disks embedded in a radially oscillating gravitational potential. The equilibrium initial disk is represented by an exponential density profile. Considerable care was taken to build an initial disk model that was "stable" over long time scales. A control experiment was run with the disk in a static halo potential. The disk responds to the time-varying potential by developing a ring structure, which forms and disappears during each halo oscillation cycle. The density of stars becomes depressed in an annular region at the radius where the disk epicycle frequency is equal to the halo oscillation period. This pattern of response persists over time periods approaching a Hubble time. In the oscillating potential, a bar develops in the inner disk. This bar is absent when the halo remains static. Specific targets of this study include the implications for large-scale disk structure, the gas dynamical response of the interstellar medium in such systems, and the inflow of material into the central regions of the galaxy.
ABSTRACT Building accurate and flexible galaxy–halo connection models is crucial in modelling galaxy clustering on non-linear scales. Recent studies have found that halo concentration by itself cannot capture the full galaxy assembly bias effect and that the local environment of the halo can be an excellent indicator of galaxy assembly bias. In this paper, we propose an extended halo occupation distribution (HOD) model that includes both a concentration-based assembly bias term and an environment-based assembly bias term. We use this model to achieve a good fit (χ2/degrees of freedom = 1.35) on the 2D redshift-space two-point correlation function (2PCF) of the Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (BOSS) CMASS galaxy sample. We find that the inclusion of both assembly bias terms is strongly favoured by the data and the standard five-parameter HOD model is strongly rejected. More interestingly, the redshift-space 2PCF drives the assembly bias parameters in a way that preferentially assigns galaxies to lower mass haloes. This results in galaxy–galaxy lensing predictions that are within 1σ agreement with the observation, alleviating the perceived tension between galaxy clustering and lensing. We also showcase a consistent 3σ–5σ preference for a positive environment-based assembly bias that persists over variations in the fit. We speculate that the environmental dependence might be driven by underlying processes such as mergers and feedback, but might also be indicative of a larger halo boundaries such as the splashback radius. Regardless, this work highlights the importance of building flexible galaxy–halo connection models and demonstrates the extra constraining power of the redshift-space 2PCF.
Which galaxies in the general population turn into active galactic nuclei (AGNs) is a keystone of galaxy formation and evolution. Thanks to SRG/eROSITA’s contiguous 140 square degree pilot survey field, we constructed a large, complete, and unbiased soft X-ray flux-limited (FX > 6.5 × 10 -15 erg s -1 cm -2 ) AGN sample at low redshift, 0.05 < z < 0.55. Two summary statistics, the clustering using spectra from SDSS-V and galaxy-galaxy lensing with imaging from HSC, are measured and interpreted with halo occupation distribution and abundance matching models. Both models successfully account for the observations. We obtain an exceptionally complete view of the AGN halo occupation distribution. The population of AGNs is broadly distributed among halos with a mean mass of 3.9 -2.4 +2.0 × 10 12 M ⊙ . This corresponds to a large-scale halo bias of b(z = 0.34) = 0.99 -0.10 +0.08 . The central occupation has a large transition parameter, σ log 10 (M) = 1.28 ± 0.2. The satellite occupation distribution is characterized by a shallow slope, α sat = 0.73 ± 0.38. We find that AGNs in satellites are rare, with f sat < 20%. Most soft X-ray-selected AGNs are hosted by central galaxies in their dark matter halo. A weak correlation between soft X-ray luminosity and large-scale halo bias is confirmed (3.3σ). We discuss the implications of environmental-dependent AGN triggering. This study paves the way toward fully charting, in the coming decade, the coevolution of X-ray AGNs, their host galaxies, and dark matter halos by combining eROSITA with SDSS-V, 4MOST, DESI, LSST, and Euclid data.
The Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument Milky Way Survey (DESI MWS) will explore the assembly history of the Milky Way by characterizing remnants of ancient dwarf galaxy accretion events and improving constraints on the distribution of dark matter in the outer halo. We present mock catalogues that reproduce the selection criteria of MWS and the format of the final MWS data set. These catalogues can be used to test methods for quantifying the properties of stellar halo substructure and reconstructing the Milky Way’s accretion history with the MWS data, including the effects of halo-to-halo variance. The mock catalogues are based on a phase-space kernel expansion technique applied to star particles in the Auriga suite of six high-resolution lambda-cold dark matter magnetohydrodynamic zoom-in simulations. They include photometric properties (and associated errors) used in DESI target selection and the outputs of the MWS spectral analysis pipeline (radial velocity, metallicity, surface gravity, and temperature). They also include information from the underlying simulation, such as the total gravitational potential and information on the progenitors of accreted halo stars. We discuss how the subset of halo stars observable by MWS in these simulations corresponds to their true content and properties. These mock Milky Ways have rich accretion histories, resulting in a large number of substructures that span the whole stellar halo out to large distances and have substantial overlap in the space of orbital energy and angular momentum.
The evolution of linear initial conditions present in the early Universe into extended halos of dark matter at late times can be computed using cosmological simulations. However, a theoretical understanding of this complex process remains elusive; in particular, the role of anisotropic information in the initial conditions in establishing the final mass of dark matter halos remains a long-standing puzzle. Here, we build a deep learning framework to investigate this question. We train a three-dimensional convolutional neural network to predict the mass of dark matter halos from the initial conditions, and quantify in full generality the amounts of information in the isotropic and anisotropic aspects of the initial density field about final halo masses. We find that anisotropies add a small, albeit statistically significant amount of information over that contained within spherical averages of the density field about final halo mass. However, the overall scatter in the final mass predictions does not change qualitatively with this additional information, only decreasing from 0.9 dex to 0.7 dex. Given such a small improvement, our results demonstrate that isotropic aspects of the initial density field essentially saturate the relevant information about final halo mass. Therefore, instead of searching for information directly encoded in initial conditions anisotropies, a more promising route to accurate, fast halo mass predictions is to add approximate dynamical information based e.g. on perturbation theory. More broadly, our results indicate that deep learning frameworks can provide a powerful tool for extracting physical insight into cosmological structure formation. Published by the American Physical Society 2024