Enrichment of the High-Redshift IGM by Galactic Winds

Details Enrichment of the High-Redshift IGM by Galactic Winds Enrichment of the High-Redshift IGM by Galactic Winds

2001-09-17

arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0109278v1

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

7 pages, 4 ps figures; to appear in "Chemical Enrichment of Intracluster and Intergalactic Medium", Vulcano, Italy, 14-18 May

Scientific paper

This paper discusses a semi-numerical method of investigating the enrichment of the intergalactic medium by galactic winds. We find that most galaxies at z >~ 3 should be driving winds, and that (if these winds are similar to those at low-z) these winds should escape to large distances. Our calculations -- which permit exploration of a large region of model parameter space -- indicate that the wind velocity, the mass of the wind-driving galaxies, the fraction of ambient material entrained, and the available time (between wind launch and the observed redshift) all affect wind propagation significantly; other physical effects can be important but are sub-dominant. We find that under reasonable assumptions, the enrichment by 3 <~ z <~ 6 galaxies could account for the quantity of metals seen in the Ly-alpha forest, though it is presently unclear whether this enrichment is compatible with the intergalactic medium's detailed metal distribution or relative quiescence.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Enrichment of the High-Redshift IGM by Galactic Winds does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Enrichment of the High-Redshift IGM by Galactic Winds, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Enrichment of the High-Redshift IGM by Galactic Winds will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-132342