Resolved gas and dust maps in a z=2 quiescent galaxy reveal accreted material from tidal interactions and a past star-formation rejuvenation, indicating that gas content variations are not solely due to consumption timescales.
The JWST EXCELS survey: Outflows in 1.5 < z < 5 quiescent and recently quenched galaxies are likely relics from episodic AGN activity
4 Pith papers cite this work. Polarity classification is still indexing.
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Pith papers citing it
abstract
We investigate the presence and origin of neutral gas outflows and inflows in 13 post-starburst (PSB) and quiescent galaxies at redshifts 1.8 $\leq$ z $\leq$ 4.6, using JWST NIRSpec spectroscopy from the EXCELS survey. NaD absorption profiles reveal that 3 out of 13 exhibit blueshifted absorption indicative of outflows, and a further 2 objects show signs of inflowing gas. Outflow velocities range from $\approx$ 300 - 1200 kms$^{-1}$, and we find gas flows are detected exclusively in objects that quenched $\lt$ 600 Myr ago. This result holds when we include comparable objects from recent literature. We derive mass outflow rates over two orders of magnitude higher than current levels of star formation in our sample, indicating that the winds are unlikely to be driven by supernovae, and likely play a significant role in keeping the galaxies quenched. The majority of the outflow sample have anomalously high energy and momentum outflow rates compared to those predicted for current levels of star formation or AGN activity. We conclude that we are likely observing fossil outflows driven by previous, more luminous AGN activity which has since faded. We then compare with the EAGLE simulation to explore a potential 'outflow cycle', finding that our observations are consistent with a model in which z $\sim$ 3 quiescent galaxies undergo short $\simeq$ 5 Myr periods of AGN activity strong enough to drive outflows, which occur every $\simeq$ 40 Myr on average. This AGN activity drives observable outflows that persist for up to $\simeq$ 10 Myr after the AGN fades, followed by a $\simeq$ 20 Myr lull, and a subsequent short inflow, which eventually re-ignites AGN activity, and the cycle repeats.
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UNVERDICTED 4representative citing papers
A JWST census detects neutral ISM absorption in 76 of 309 galaxies at 0.6<z<4 and outflows in 26, indicating AGN-driven neutral outflows dominate in quiescent systems at cosmic noon.
A z=6.64 LRD host galaxy exhibits a fast AGN-driven outflow with 5500 km/s velocities, dusty gas, and low metallicity, confirming AGN presence in these systems.
Neutral outflows detected in 57% of z~3.5 quiescent galaxies via NaI D, with mass rates that can suppress star formation but suggest short-timescale recycling instead of permanent quenching.
citing papers explorer
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Resolved Maps of Gas and Dust in a Massive Quiescent Galaxy at z=2 from INQUEST-JWST: Evidence of Accretion and Rejuvenation
Resolved gas and dust maps in a z=2 quiescent galaxy reveal accreted material from tidal interactions and a past star-formation rejuvenation, indicating that gas content variations are not solely due to consumption timescales.
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A Census of Na D-traced neutral ISM and outflows at $0.6<z<4$
A JWST census detects neutral ISM absorption in 76 of 309 galaxies at 0.6<z<4 and outflows in 26, indicating AGN-driven neutral outflows dominate in quiescent systems at cosmic noon.
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GLIMPSED: Direct evidence for a fast AGN-driven outflow from a z=6.64 Little Red Dot host galaxy
A z=6.64 LRD host galaxy exhibits a fast AGN-driven outflow with 5500 km/s velocities, dusty gas, and low metallicity, confirming AGN presence in these systems.
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There and back again? Neutral outflows in z~3.5 quiescent galaxies
Neutral outflows detected in 57% of z~3.5 quiescent galaxies via NaI D, with mass rates that can suppress star formation but suggest short-timescale recycling instead of permanent quenching.