Atmospheric Pressure and Molecular Cloud Formation in Early-type Galaxies

Babyk, Iu. V.; McNamara, B.R.; Nulsen, P.E.J.; Russell, H.R.; Edge, A.C.; Blitz, Leo

Abstract

A strong correlation between atmospheric pressure and molecular gas mass is found in central cluster galaxies and early-type galaxies. This trend and a similar trend with atmospheric gas density would naturally arise if the molecular clouds condensed from hot atmospheres. Limits on the ratio of molecular to atomic hydrogen in these systems exceed unity. The data are consistent with ambient pressure being a significant factor in the rapid conversion of atomic hydrogen into molecules as found in normal spiral galaxies.

Citation

Babyk, I. V., McNamara, B., Nulsen, P., Russell, H., Edge, A., & Blitz, L. (2023). Atmospheric Pressure and Molecular Cloud Formation in Early-type Galaxies. Astrophysical Journal, 944(1), Article 69. https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/acb53f

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 19, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Feb 14, 2023
• Publication Date: Feb 10, 2023
• Deposit Date: Jun 21, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 21, 2023
• Journal: Astrophysical Journal
• Print ISSN: 0004-637X
• Electronic ISSN: 1538-4357
• Publisher: American Astronomical Society
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 944
• Issue: 1
• Article Number: 69
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/acb53f
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1170472