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Molecular CO(1-0) gas in the z~2 radio galaxy MRC 0152-209
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-17, 09:52 authored by Emonts, BHC, Feain, I, Mao, MY, Norris, RP, Miley, G, Ekers, RD, Villar-Martin, M, Rottgering, HJA, Sadler, EM, G Rees, Morganti, R, Saikia, DJ, Oosterloo, TA, Stevens, JB, Tadhunter, CNWe report the detection of molecular CO(1-0) gas in the high-z radio galaxy MRC 0152-209 (z = 1.92) with the Australia Telescope Compact Array Broadband Backend (ATCA/CABB). This is the third known detection of CO(1-0) in a high-z radio galaxy to date. CO(1-0) is the most robust tracer of the overall molecular gas content (including the widespread, low-density, and sub-thermally excited component), hence observations of CO(1-0) are crucial for studying galaxy evolution in the early universe. We derive L'CO = 6.6 ¡À 2.0 ¡Á 1010 K km s¨C1 pc2 for MRC 0152-209, which is comparable to that derived from CO(1-0) observations of several high-z submillimeter and star-forming BzK galaxies. The CO(1-0) traces a total molecular hydrogen mass of $M_{\rm H_2}$ = 5 ¡Á 1010 (¦Áx/0.8) M¨‘. MRC 0152-209 is an infrared bright radio galaxy, in which a large reservoir of cold molecular gas has not (yet) been depleted by star formation or radio source feedback. Its compact radio source is reliably detected at 40 GHz and has a steep spectral index of ¦Á = ¨C1.3 between 1.4 and 40 GHz (4-115 GHz in the galaxy's rest frame). MRC 0152-209 is part of an ongoing systematic ATCA/CABB survey of CO(1-0) in high-z radio galaxies between 1.7 < z < 3.
History
Publication title
The Astrophysical Journal LettersVolume
734Pagination
EJISSN
2041-8205Department/School
School of Natural SciencesPublisher
Institute of Physics Publishing LtdPlace of publication
United KingdomRights statement
Copyright 2010 2011. The American Astronomical Society.Repository Status
- Restricted