2041-8205_806_1_L20.pdf (558.87 kB)
A direct constraint on the gas content of a massive, passively evolving elliptical galaxy at z = 1.43
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-08, 21:08 authored by Mark Sargent, E Daddi, F Bournaud, M Onodera, C Feruglio, M Martig, R Gobat, H Dannerbauer, E SchinnererGas and dust in star-forming galaxies at the peak epoch of galaxy assembly are presently the topic of intense study, but little is known about the interstellar medium (ISM) of distant, passively evolving galaxies. We report on a deep 3 mm-band search with IRAM/PdBI for molecular (H2) gas in a massive (M?~6×1011M?) elliptical galaxy at z=1.4277, the first observation of this kind ever attempted. We place a 3s upper limit of 0.32 Jy km/s on the flux of the CO(J=2?1) line or L'CO<8.8×109 K km/s pc2, assuming a disk-like CO-morphology and a circular velocity scaling with the stellar velocity dispersion as in local early-type galaxies (ETGs). This translates to an H2 mass of <3.9×1010(aCO/4.4)M? or a gas fraction of ?6% assuming a Salpeter initial mass function (IMF) and an ISM dominated by H2, as observed in many local, high-mass ellipticals. This low value approaches that of local ETGs, suggesting that the low star formation activity in massive, high-z passive galaxies reflects a true dearth of gas and a lesser role for inhibitive mechanisms like morphological quenching.
History
Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Published version
Journal
Astrophysical Journal LettersISSN
2041-8205Publisher
American Astronomical SocietyExternal DOI
Issue
1Volume
806Page range
L20Department affiliated with
- Physics and Astronomy Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2015-06-18First Open Access (FOA) Date
2015-06-18First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2015-06-17Usage metrics
Categories
No categories selectedKeywords
Licence
Exports
RefWorks
BibTeX
Ref. manager
Endnote
DataCite
NLM
DC