The ISM in the z = 6.9 Interacting Galaxies of SPT0311-58

Katrina C. Litke*, Daniel P. Marrone, Manuel Aravena, Melanie Archipley, Matthieu Béthermin, James Burgoyne, Jared Cathey, Scott C. Chapman, Anthony H. Gonzalez, Thomas R. Greve, Gayathri Gururajan, Christopher C. Hayward, Matthew A. Malkan, Kedar A. Phadke, Cassie A. Reuter, Kaja M. Rotermund, Justin S. Spilker, Antony A. Stark, Nikolaus Sulzenauer, Joaquin D. VieiraDavid Vizgan, Axel Weiß

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

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Abstract

SPT0311-58, a system of two interacting galaxies in the Epoch of Reionization, exists in one of the rarest, most massive dark matter halos theoretically possible in that era. Studying the interstellar medium (ISM) in these galaxies can illuminate the process of galaxy formation in the early Universe. In this work, we explore the multiphase ISM in this system, using ALMA observations of the [C ii] 158, [O i] 146, [N ii] 122, and [O iii] 88 fine-structure lines and dust continuum. We find wide variations in line ratios between the eastern and western galaxies, as well as across the western galaxy.  
Original languageEnglish
Article number87
JournalAstrophysical Journal
Volume949
Issue number2
Number of pages9
ISSN0004-637X
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023

Keywords

  • Interstellar medium
  • High-redshift galaxies

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