The Origins of [C II] Emission in Local Star-forming Galaxies

August 2017 • 2017ApJ...845...96C

Authors • Croxall, K. V. • Smith, J. D. • Pellegrini, E. • Groves, B. • Bolatto, A. • Herrera-Camus, R. • Sandstrom, K. M. • Draine, B. • Wolfire, M. G. • Armus, L. • Boquien, M. • Brandl, B. • Dale, D. • Galametz, M. • Hunt, L. • Kennicutt, R., Jr. • Kreckel, K. • Rigopoulou, D. • van der Werf, P. • Wilson, C.

Abstract • The [C II] 158 μm fine-structure line is the brightest emission line observed in local star-forming galaxies. As a major coolant of the gas-phase interstellar medium, [C II] balances the heating, including that due to far-ultraviolet photons, which heat the gas via the photoelectric effect. However, the origin of [C II] emission remains unclear because C⁺ can be found in multiple phases of the interstellar medium. Here we measure the fractions of [C II] emission originating in the ionized and neutral gas phases of a sample of nearby galaxies. We use the [N II] 205 μm fine-structure line to trace the ionized medium, thereby eliminating the strong density dependence that exists in the ratio of [C II]/[N II] 122 μm. Using the FIR [C II] and [N II] emission detected by the KINGFISH (Key Insights on Nearby Galaxies: a Far- Infrared Survey with Herschel) and Beyond the Peak Herschel programs, we show that 60%-80% of [C II] emission originates from neutral gas. We find that the fraction of [C II] originating in the neutral medium has a weak dependence on dust temperature and the surface density of star formation, and has a stronger dependence on the gas-phase metallicity. In metal-rich environments, the relatively cooler ionized gas makes substantially larger contributions to total [C II] emission than at low abundance, contrary to prior expectations. Approximate calibrations of this metallicity trend are provided.

Links

View on ADS

IPAC Authors
(alphabetical)

Lee Armus

Senior Scientist