Document Type
Article
Publication Date
4-10-2013
Publication Title
Letters of the Astrophysical Journal
Department
Department of Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
We report observations of the CO(2-1) emission of SDSSJ1506+54, a compact (r_e~135pc) starburst galaxy at z=0.6. SDSSJ1506+54 appears to be forming stars close to the limit allowed by stellar radiation pressure feedback models: the measured L_IR/L'_CO 1500 is one of the highest measured for any galaxy. With its compact optical morphology but extended low surface brightness envelope, post-starburst spectral features, high infrared luminosity (L_IR>10^12.5 L_Sun), low gas fraction (M_H2/M_stars~15%), and short gas depletion time (tens of Myr), we speculate that this is a feedback- limited central starburst episode at the conclusion of a major merger. Taken as such, SDSSJ1504+54 epitomizes the brief closing stage of a classic model of galaxy growth: we are witnessing a key component of spheroid formation during what we term a 'redline' starburst.
DOI
10.1088/2041-8205/767/1/L17
Dartmouth Digital Commons Citation
Geach, J. E.; Hickox, R. C.; Diamond-Stanic, A. M.; and Krips, M., "A Redline Starburst: Co(2-1) Observations of an Eddington-Limited Galaxy Reveal Star Formation at its Most Extreme" (2013). Dartmouth Scholarship. 1785.
https://digitalcommons.dartmouth.edu/facoa/1785