The onset of bar formation in a massive galaxy at <i>z</i> ∼ 3.8

ABSTRACT We examine the morphological and kinematical properties of SPT-2147, a strongly lensed, massive, dusty, star-forming galaxy at $z = 3.762$. Combining data from JWST, Hubble Space Telescope, and ALMA, we study the galaxy’s stellar emission, dust continuum, and gas properties. The imaging reveals a central bar structure in the stars and gas embedded within an extended disc with a spiral arm-like feature. The kinematics confirm the presence of the bar and of the regularly rotating disc. Dynamical modelling yields a dynamical mass, ${M}_{\rm dyn} = (9.7 \pm 2.0) \times 10^{10}$${\rm M}_{\odot }$, and a maximum rotational velocity to velocity dispersion ratio, $V / \sigma = 9.8 \pm 1.2$. From multiband imaging we infer, via spectral energy distribution fitting, a stellar mass, ${M}_{\star } = (6.3 \pm 0.9) \times 10^{10}$$\rm {M}_{\odot }$, and a star formation rate, ${\rm SFR} = 781 \pm 99$${\rm {\rm M}_{\odot } yr^{-1}}$, after correcting for magnification. Combining these measurements with the molecular gas mass, we derive a baryonic-to-total mass ratio of ${M}_{\rm bar} / {M}_{\rm dyn} = 1.1 \pm 0.3$ within 4.0 kpc. This finding suggests that the formation of bars in galaxies begins earlier in the history of the Universe than previously thought and can also occur in galaxies with elevated gas fractions.

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Publication Details

Journal
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Published
2025-01-10
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/staf048
Citations
26
Primary Topic
Astronomy and Astrophysical Research
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
30.98

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article

The onset of bar formation in a massive galaxy at z ∼ 3.8

Qiuhan He, J. S. Lange, Andrew Robertson, R. Massey et al.
26 citations
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Astronomy and Astrophysical Research
30.98
article

The onset of bar formation in a massive galaxy at z ∼ 3.8

Qiuhan He, J. S. Lange, Andrew Robertson, R. Massey, Carlos S. Frenk, J.W Nightingale, Ian Smail, E. Borsato, Francesca Fragkoudi, Shaun Cole, A. M. Swinbank, Dimitri Alexei Gadotti, Xiaoyue Cao, Kyle A. Oman, Aristeidis Amvrosiadis, Rui Li
article en
26 citations

Abstract

ABSTRACT We examine the morphological and kinematical properties of SPT-2147, a strongly lensed, massive, dusty, star-forming galaxy at $z = 3.762$. Combining data from JWST, Hubble Space Telescope, and ALMA, we study the galaxy’s stellar emission, dust continuum, and gas properties. The imaging reveals a central bar structure in the stars and gas embedded within an extended disc with a spiral arm-like feature. The kinematics confirm the presence of the bar and of the regularly rotating disc. Dynamical modelling yields a dynamical mass, ${M}_{\rm dyn} = (9.7 \pm 2.0) \times 10^{10}$${\rm M}_{\odot }$, and a maximum rotational velocity to velocity dispersion ratio, $V / \sigma = 9.8 \pm 1.2$. From multiband imaging we infer, via spectral energy distribution fitting, a stellar mass, ${M}_{\star } = (6.3 \pm 0.9) \times 10^{10}$$\rm {M}_{\odot }$, and a star formation rate, ${\rm SFR} = 781 \pm 99$${\rm {\rm M}_{\odot } yr^{-1}}$, after correcting for magnification. Combining these measurements with the molecular gas mass, we derive a baryonic-to-total mass ratio of ${M}_{\rm bar} / {M}_{\rm dyn} = 1.1 \pm 0.3$ within 4.0 kpc. This finding suggests that the formation of bars in galaxies begins earlier in the history of the Universe than previously thought and can also occur in galaxies with elevated gas fractions.

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical SocietyVol. 537(2)
Jet Propulsion Laboratory (US), University of Padua (IT), Durham University (GB), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CN), Astronomy and Space (AU), Osservatorio Astronomico di Padova (IT), National Astronomical Observatories (CN), University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CN)
National Science Foundation, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, Durham University, Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute, National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, Science and Technology Facilities Council, National Institutes of Natural Sciences
Openalex Percentile: Top 0%
Astronomy and Astrophysical Research
30.98
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