The JWST EXCELS survey: Outflows in 1.5 < z < 5 quiescent and recently quenched galaxies are likely relics from episodic AGN activity

TL;DR

This study uses JWST spectroscopy to detect neutral gas outflows and inflows in high-redshift quiescent galaxies, suggesting these are relics of episodic AGN activity that influence galaxy quenching.

Contribution

It provides observational evidence of fossil outflows in distant galaxies and proposes a cyclical model of AGN-driven outflows based on simulation comparisons.

Findings

Outflows detected in 3 of 13 galaxies, with velocities up to 1200 km/s.

Mass outflow rates exceed current star formation rates by over two orders of magnitude.

Evidence supports a model of episodic AGN activity driving observable outflows in quiescent galaxies.

Abstract

We investigate the presence and origin of neutral gas outflows and inflows in 13 post-starburst (PSB) and quiescent galaxies at redshifts 1.8 $\leq$ z $\leq$ 4.6, using JWST NIRSpec spectroscopy from the EXCELS survey. NaD absorption profiles reveal that 3 out of 13 exhibit blueshifted absorption indicative of outflows, and a further 2 objects show signs of inflowing gas. Outflow velocities range from $\approx$ 300 - 1200 kms$^{-1}$, and we find gas flows are detected exclusively in objects that quenched $\lt$ 600 Myr ago. This result holds when we include comparable objects from recent literature. We derive mass outflow rates over two orders of magnitude higher than current levels of star formation in our sample, indicating that the winds are unlikely to be driven by supernovae, and likely play a significant role in keeping the galaxies quenched. The majority of the outflow sample have anomalously high energy and momentum outflow rates compared to those predicted for current levels of star formation or AGN activity. We conclude that we are likely observing fossil outflows driven by previous, more luminous AGN activity which has since faded. We then compare with the EAGLE simulation to explore a potential 'outflow cycle', finding that our observations are consistent with a model in which z $\sim$ 3 quiescent galaxies undergo short $\simeq$ 5 Myr periods of AGN activity strong enough to drive outflows, which occur every $\simeq$ 40 Myr on average. This AGN activity drives observable outflows that persist for up to $\simeq$ 10 Myr after the AGN fades, followed by a $\simeq$ 20 Myr lull, and a subsequent short inflow, which eventually re-ignites AGN activity, and the cycle repeats.