http://arxiv.org/abs/1604.01767
Using data from the ALFALFA Arecibo HI survey of galaxies and the Virgo cluster X-ray pressure profiles from XMM-Newton, we investigate the possibility that starless dark HI clumps, also known as “dark galaxies”, could be supported by external pressure in the surrounding intercluster medium. We find that the starless HI clump masses, velocity dispersions and positions allow them to be in pressure equilibrium with the X-ray gas near the virial radius of the Virgo cluster. We predict the sizes of these clumps to range from 1kpc to 10kpc, in agreement with the range of sizes found for spatially resolved HI starless clumps outside of Virgo. Based on the predicted HI surface density of the Virgo sources, as well as a sample of other resolved ALFALFA HI dark clumps with follow up optical/radio observations, we predict that most of the HI dark clumps are on the cusp of forming stars. These HI sources therefore mark the transition between starless HI clouds and dwarf galaxies with stars.
B. Burkhart and A. Loeb
Fri, 8 Apr 16
19/54
Comments: submitted to ApJ, comments welcome
You must be logged in to post a comment.