Supernova Feedback and the Bend of the Tully-Fisher Relation

TL;DR

This study uses hydrodynamical simulations to explore how supernova feedback influences the shape of the Tully-Fisher relation, revealing a bend at around 100 km/s consistent with observations.

Contribution

It demonstrates that supernova feedback naturally causes the Tully-Fisher relation to bend at a specific velocity without needing scale-dependent parameters.

Findings

Smaller galaxies have lower stellar masses than predicted by high-mass galaxy trends.

The Tully-Fisher relation bends at approximately 100 km/s.

Supernova feedback effectively regulates star formation in small galaxies.

Abstract

We have studied the origin of the Tully-Fisher relation by analysing hydrodynamical simulations in a Lambda-CDM universe. We found that smaller galaxies exhibit lower stellar masses than those predicted by the linear fit to high mass galaxies (fast rotators), consistently with observations. In this model, these trends are generated by the more efficient action of Supernova feedback in the regulation of the star formation in smaller galaxies. Without introducing scale-dependent parameters, the model predicts that the Tully-Fisher relation bends at a characteristic velocity of around 100 km/s, in agreement with previous observational and theoretical findings.