A Herschel and CARMA view of CO and [C II] in Hickson Compact groups

TL;DR

This study combines Herschel and CARMA observations to explore how shocks in Hickson Compact Groups affect the interstellar medium and star formation, revealing [CII] enhancement and star formation suppression in turbulent systems.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the impact of shocks on galaxy evolution by analyzing [CII] and CO emissions in HCGs using Herschel and CARMA data.

Findings

[CII] is boosted in diffuse shocked gas.

Turbulent HCGs can show suppression of star formation.

Preliminary results highlight the role of shocks in galaxy transitions.

Abstract

Understanding the evolution of galaxies from the starforming blue cloud to the quiescent red sequence has been revolutionized by observations taken with Herschel Space Observatory, and the onset of the era of sensitive millimeter interferometers, allowing astronomers to probe both cold dust as well as the cool interstellar medium in a large set of galaxies with unprecedented sensitivity. Recent Herschel observations of of H2-bright Hickson Compact Groups of galaxies (HCGs) has shown that [CII] may be boosted in diffuse shocked gas. CARMA CO(1-0) observations of these [CII]-bright HCGs has shown that these turbulent systems also can show suppression of SF. Here we present preliminary results from observations of HCGs with Herschel and CARMA, and their [CII] and CO(1-0) properties to discuss how shocks influence galaxy transitions and star formation.