A local clue to the reionization of the universe
A local clue to the reionization of the universe
复制标题
宇宙再电离的局部线索
DOI：
10.1126/science.1254214
复制
发表时间：
2014
期刊：
影响因子：
56.9
通讯作者：
R. Overzier
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
S. Borthakur;T. Heckman;C. Leitherer;R. Overzier
确定负责宇宙再电离的星系群是天文学的一个长期探索。我们提出了一个可能的本地模拟，具有逃逸分数的电离通量的21%。我们的探测证实了包围星爆区域的中性气体中存在间隙。候选者包含一个巨大但高度紧凑的恒星形成区。这些间隙很可能是由这个极端物体产生的异常强风和强烈的电离辐射造成的。我们的研究也验证了利用饱和低电离星际吸收线中的剩余通量来识别这种泄漏星系的间接技术。由于直接检测电离通量是不可能的，在时代的再电离，这是一个非常有价值的技术，为未来的研究。一个紧凑的星暴星系被认为是那些用高能星光再电离早期宇宙的星系的类似物。在大爆炸之后，宇宙冷却成一片中性气体之后，第一束星光是如何从黑暗中出现的？Borthakur等人发现了一个泄漏连续辐射的局部星暴星系，这可能会提供一些线索。风在中性气体中产生的间隙使大部分电离辐射逃逸，可能模仿早期宇宙中的过程。《科学》，本期第216页
Identifying the population of galaxies that was responsible for the reionization of the universe is a long-standing quest in astronomy. We present a possible local analog that has an escape fraction of ionizing flux of 21%. Our detection confirms the existence of gaps in the neutral gas enveloping the starburst region. The candidate contains a massive yet highly compact star-forming region. The gaps are most likely created by the unusually strong winds and intense ionizing radiation produced by this extreme object. Our study also validates the indirect technique of using the residual flux in saturated low-ionization interstellar absorption lines for identifying such leaky galaxies. Because direct detection of ionizing flux is impossible at the epoch of reionization, this represents a highly valuable technique for future studies. A compact starburst galaxy is identified as an analog to those that reionized the early universe with energetic starlight. A light leak to transform the universe After the universe had cooled into an expanse of neutral gas after the Big Bang, how did the first starlight emerge from the dark? Borthakur et al. found a local starburst galaxy that leaks continuum radiation, which may provide some clues. Wind-generated gaps in the neutral gas enable large fractions of ionizing radiation to escape, possibly mimicking processes in the early universe. Science, this issue p. 216