The Formation of Large Galactic Disks Through The Hierarchical Scenario: Further consequences

TL;DR

This study uses deep observations and simulations to show that major mergers played a crucial role in forming large galactic disks, influencing galaxy properties across cosmic time and explaining missing baryons.

Contribution

It demonstrates the importance of hierarchical mergers in galaxy formation, supported by observations, simulations, and implications for local galaxy halos and missing baryons.

Findings

Half of present-day spirals were starbursts 6 billion years ago.

Major mergers match observed galaxy kinematics and morphologies.

Mergers may explain 60% of missing baryons in Milky Way-like galaxies.

Abstract

Using the deepest and most complete observations of distant galaxies, we investigate the progenitors of present-day large spirals. Observations include spatially-resolved kinematics, detailed morphologies and photometry from UV to mid-IR. Six billions years ago, half of the present-day spirals were starbursts experiencing major mergers, evidenced by their anomalous kinematics and morphologies. They are consequently modeled using hydrodynamics models of mergers and it perfectly matches with merger rate predictions by state-of-the-art-{\Lambda}CDM semi-empirical models. Furthermore imprints in the halo of local galaxies such as M31 or NGC5907 are likely caused by major merger relics. This suggests that the hierarchical scenario has played a major role in shaping the massive galaxies of the Hubble sequence. Linking galaxy properties at different epochs is the best way to fully understand galaxy formation processes and we have tested such a link through generated series of simulations of gas-rich mergers. Mergers have expelled material in galactic haloes and beyond, possibly explaining 60% of the missing baryons in Milky-Way (MW) mass galaxies. A past major merger in M31 might affect drastically our understanding of Local Group galaxies, including MW dwarves. We also propose future directions to observationally constrain the necessary ingredients in galaxy simulations.