Simulations of ram-pressure stripping in galaxy-cluster interactions

TL;DR

This study uses hydrodynamical simulations to explore how ram-pressure stripping affects galaxy quenching in clusters, revealing complex gas dynamics and star formation patterns that differ from simplified models.

Contribution

It provides detailed hydrodynamical insights into ram-pressure stripping effects, challenging existing semi-analytic models and highlighting the importance of gas redistribution and partial stripping.

Findings

RPS overpredicts mass loss in models

Gas redistribution occurs after pericentre passage

Partial RPS can enhance star formation temporarily

Abstract

Observationally, the quenching of star-forming galaxies appears to depend both on their mass and environment. The exact cause of the environmental dependence is still poorly understood, yet semi-analytic models (SAMs) of galaxy formation need to parameterise it to reproduce observations of galaxy properties. In this work, we use hydrodynamical simulations to investigate the quenching of disk galaxies through ram-pressure stripping (RPS) as they fall into galaxy clusters with the goal of characterising the importance of this effect for the reddening of disk galaxies. Our set-up employs a live model of a galaxy cluster that interacts with infalling disk galaxies on different orbits. We use the moving-mesh code AREPO, augmented with a special refinement strategy to yield high resolution around the galaxy on its way through the cluster in a computationally efficient way. Our direct simulations differ substantially from stripping models employed in current SAMs, which in most cases overpredict the mass loss from RPS. Furthermore, after pericentre passage, as soon as ram pressure becomes weaker, gas that remains bound to the galaxy is redistributed to the outer parts, an effect that is not captured in simplified treatements of RPS. Star formation in our model galaxies is quenched mainly because the hot gas halo is stripped, depriving the galaxy of its gas supply. The cold gas disk is only stripped completely in extreme cases, leading to full quenching and significant reddening on timescale of ~200 Myr. On the other hand, galaxies experiencing only mild ram pressure actually show an enhanced star formation rate that is consistent with observations and are quenched on timescales > 1 Gyr. Stripped gas in the wake is mixed efficiently with intracluster gas already a few tens of kpc behind the disk, and this gas is free of residual star formation.