Shocks and complex chemodynamics in the metal-poor starburst galaxy CGCG 007-025 revealed through high-resolution echelle spectroscopy

TL;DR

This study uses high-resolution spectroscopy to analyze the chemodynamical properties of the metal-poor starburst galaxy CGCG 007-025, revealing complex gas dynamics, shock signatures, and detailed chemical abundances.

Contribution

It provides a detailed chemodynamical analysis of a metal-poor starburst galaxy using high-resolution data and Bayesian modeling, highlighting shock effects and complex emission line structures.

Findings

Metallicity of 12+log(O/H)=7.77±0.03 confirms metal-poor nature

Detection of asymmetric, wide HeII emission indicating shocks

Multiple kinematic components in emission lines

Abstract

We use Magellan/MIKE echelle spectroscopy to conduct an in-depth chemodynamical analysis of the most luminous star-forming region within the metal-poor starburst dwarf galaxy CGCG 007-025. Leveraging the exceptional high resolution (R$\sim$50,000) and broad wavelength coverage, we apply Bayesian inference to simultaneously model the fluxes of 30 emission lines spanning the wavelength range 3400-9200\AA. Employing a two-region ionisation model, we characterise various gas properties including electron temperature, electron density, and chemical abundances across different elements. Our direct-method inferred metallicity yields $\rm 12+\log(O/H)=7.77\pm0.03$, placing the galaxy in the metal-poor regime. Furthermore, Metal-to-Oxygen ratios such as log(S/O), log(Ne/O) or log(Ar/O) are in full agreement with the values derived for the Milky Way, consistent with expectations from stellar evolutionary models. The brightest emission lines are kinematically complex, with modelling requiring up to four distinct components. The exceptional resolution and signal-to-noise ratio of the data unveil asymmetric and wide ($\sigma_{HeII} \approx$ 35km/s) HeII$\lambda$4686 emission. The flux ratio of this nebular line, together with the absence of other high ionisation species such as [NeV]$\lambda$3426, indicates the presence of fast radiative shocks. This dataset underscores the capability of echelle spectroscopy in delivering comprehensive chemodynamical analyses of starbursts in the Local Volume.