A collaborative of professional and amateur astronomers have made an unprecedented discovery. They discovered an ultra-luminous infrared galaxy, or ULIRG, located behind the quadruply-lensed quasar H1413+117, also known as Cloverfield. Natsuki H. Hayatsu was the principal investigator of this landmark experiment, conducted with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). The findings illuminate just how strange these distant celestial objects can be. The finding has been accepted for publication in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society on Sept. 30.
The gravitationally lensed quasar H1413+117 at redshift z~2.56 is an important astronomical object for various reasons, most notably the precision cosmology sample it provides via strong lensing. From the SPIRE data, scientists have found a new ULIRG that is only 6 arcseconds away from the quasar. With a redshift of 3.39, this ULIRG can help us understand what the universe was like in its younger days. This study significantly extends our knowledge of quasar environment. In addition, it offers important clues to understand the formation and evolution of galaxies.
Details of the Discovery
To study H1413+117 and its environment in unprecedented detail, the astronomers used state-of-the-art techniques. With ALMA, they resolved the molecular emissions and made detailed maps of the region. More importantly, this allowed them to make a confident detection of the new ULIRG. This moment-0 map of the CO J=4–3 line allowed astronomers to identify the location of this new-found cosmic galaxy. It also showed some brilliant things about it.
The overall molecular mass of this ULIRG has been estimated to be 40−230 × 109 M☉. Such a huge mass means it is the largest known structure in the observable universe. The black hole at the center of this ULIRG is worth its estimated mass of 0.1 billion solar masses. This huge presence plays an incredibly important role in shaping the dynamic features of the galaxy.
Its total X-ray luminosity of this ULIRG is about 400 tredecillion erg/s, making it one of the most energetic ULIRGs known. Its total infrared luminosity is an astounding 2.8 trillion solar luminosities. This outstanding number puts it far above the boundary for ULIRGs. These galaxies are literally blazing with infrared luminosities in excess of a trillion solar luminosities. It’s that extraordinary luminosity that renders them one of the most energetic star-forming forces to ever exist.
Characteristics of Ultra-Luminous Infrared Galaxies
Additionally, ULIRGs show a bursting star formation activity. Their star formation rates are mind-boggling, between 100 and 1,000 solar masses per year. This detection provides firm support for the identification of ULIRGs as the most vigorously star-forming galaxies in the local Universe. Their “specialness” comes from their interplay between galaxies, external shocks and other cosmic phenomena, resulting in intense starbursts.
The new ULIRG’s high redshift means it was forming stars at a time when the universe was much younger. This find will yield astronomers new clues about what went on in the beginnings of galaxy formation. Studying these galaxies will allow researchers to better fit together the evolutionary path of larger structures in the cosmos.
This makes the Cloverfield quasar, as a quadruply-lensed object, a uniquely valuable backdrop for this kind of study. The gravitational lensing effect not only magnifies distant objects but allows scientists to observe them in greater detail than would otherwise be possible.
Implications for Future Research
The detection of such a young ULIRG lurking behind H1413+117 has opened exciting new pathways for exploration in astrophysics. Researchers are sure to make many more observations with ALMA and other observatories in the future. They hope to get clues about the quasar itself and the medium surrounding the quasar.
This finding underscores the crucial role that cutting-edge observational techniques will play in helping us understand the deeper mysteries of our universe. Ground truth Astronomers have been out to actively investigate these complex systems. Their research is sure to further our understanding of galaxy formation and evolution, and the effects of massive black holes at their centers.