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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

VLT/X-Shooter Spectroscopy of Lyman Break Analogs: Direct-method O/H Abundances and Nitrogen Enhancements

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Author(s):
Loaiza-Agudelo, Maryory [1] ; Overzier, Roderik A. [2, 1] ; Heckman, Timothy M. [3]
Total Authors: 3
Affiliation:
[1] Observ Nacl MCTIC, Rua Gen Jose Cristino 77, BR-20921400 Rio De Janeiro, RJ - Brazil
[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Astron Geophys & Atmospher Sci, Rua Matao 1226, BR-05508090 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil
[3] Johns Hopkins Univ, Dept Phys & Astron, Bloomberg Ctr, 3400 N Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21218 - USA
Total Affiliations: 3
Document type: Journal article
Source: ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL; v. 891, n. 1 MAR 1 2020.
Web of Science Citations: 0
Abstract

We used Very Large Telescope/X-Shooter to target a sample of nearby analogs of Lyman break galaxies (LBGs). These Lyman break analogs are similar to the LBGs in many of their physical properties. We determine electron temperatures using the weak {[}O iii] lambda 4363 emission line and determine the oxygen abundance (O/H) using the direct and strong-line methods. We show that the direct and strong-line abundances are consistent with established relations within similar to 0.2 dex. The analogs have nitrogen-to-oxygen ratios (N/O) and ionization parameters (q) that are, on average, offset with respect to typical local galaxies but similar to galaxies at z similar to 2 and other analogs. The N/O and q excesses correlate with the offsets observed in the strong-line ratios, again similar to z similar to 2. The star formation rate surface densities are consistent with the high electron density and ionization, indicating that the interstellar medium (ISM) pressure is set by feedback from the starbursts. For a given O/H, the apparent N/O excess arises owing to the offset in O/H with respect to the local mass-metallicity relation. This can be explained by recent inflow of relatively metal-poor gas that lowers O/H while leaving N/O unchanged. The difficulties in determining even basic ISM parameters in these nearby analogs illustrate some of the challenges we face at much higher redshifts, where similar rest-frame optical diagnostics for large samples of galaxies can be accessed with the James Webb Space Telescope. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 18/02444-7 - The Dawn of Galaxy Formation.
Grantee:João Evangelista Steiner
Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Visiting Researcher Grant - Brazil