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The ALPINE-ALMA [C II] survey: A triple merger at z ∼ 4.56

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Jones, GC 
Béthermin, M 
Fudamoto, Y 
Ginolfi, M 
Capak, P 

Abstract

We report the detection of [CII]158um emission from a system of three closely-separated sources in the COSMOS field at z~4.56, as part of the ALMA Large Program to INvestigate CII at Early times (ALPINE). The two dominant sources are closely associated, both spatially (1.6"~11kpc) and in velocity (~100km/s), while the third source is slightly more distant (2.8"~18kpc, ~300km/s). The second strongest source features a slight velocity gradient, while no significant velocity gradient is seen in the other two sources. Using the observed [CII] luminosities, we derive a total log(SFR_[CII]/[Msol/year])=2.8+/-0.2, which may be split into contributions of 59%, 31%, and 10% from the central, east, and west sources, respectively. Comparison of these [CII] detections to recent zoom-in cosmological simulations suggests an ongoing major merger. We are thus witnessing a system in a major phase of mass build-up by merging, including an on-going major merger and an upcoming minor merger, which is expected to end up in a single massive galaxy by z~2.5.

Description

Keywords

galaxies: evolution, galaxies: high-redshift, galaxies: interactions, galaxies: kinematics and dynamics

Journal Title

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

1745-3925
1745-3933

Volume Title

491

Publisher

Oxford University Press (OUP)

Rights

All rights reserved
Sponsorship
Science and Technology Facilities Council (ST/M001172/1)
European Research Council (695671)
ERC Advanced Grant 695671 “QUENCH"