Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2005-08-23
Ann.Rev.Astron.Astrophys.43:677-725,2005
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
49 pages, 10 figures, to appear Ann. Rev. Ast. & Astrophys. 43 (2005)
Scientific paper
10.1146/annurev.astro.43.051804.
The Early Universe Molecular Emission Line Galaxies (EMGs) are a population of galaxies with only 36 examples that hold great promise for the study of galaxy formation and evolution at high redshift. The classification, luminosity of molecular line emission, molecular mass, far-infrared (FIR) luminosity, star formation efficiency, morphology, and dynamical mass of the currently known sample are presented and discussed. The star formation rates derived from the FIR luminosity range from about 300 to 5000 M(sun)per year and the molecular mass from 4 x 10^9 to 1 x 10^{11} M(sun). At the lower end, these star formation rates, gas masses, and diameters are similar to those of local ultraluminous infrared galaxies, and represent starbursts in centrally concentrated disks, sometimes, but not always, associated with active galactic nuclei. The evidence for large (> 5 kpc) molecular disks is limited. Morphology and several high angular resolution images suggest that some EMGs are mergers with a massive molecular interstellar medium in both components. A critical question is whether the EMGs, in particular those at the higher end of the gas mass and luminosity distribution, represent the formation of massive, giant elliptical galaxies in the early Universe. The sample size is expected to grow explosively in the era of the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA).
Solomon Philip M.
Vanden Bout Paul A.
No associations
LandOfFree
Molecular Gas at High Redshift 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 Molecular Gas at High Redshift, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Molecular Gas at High Redshift will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-165476