Detection of a high-redshift molecular outflow in a primeval hyperstarburst galaxy

Abstract

We report the discovery of a high-redshift, massive molecular outflow in the starburst galaxy SPT0346-52 ($z=5.656$) via the detected absorption of high-excitation water transitions (H${}_2$O $4_{2,3}-4_{1,4}$ and H${}_2$O $3_{3,0}-3_{2,1}$) with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). The host galaxy is one of the most powerful starburst galaxies at high redshift (star formation rate; SFR $\sim 3,600$M${}_{\odot }$year${}^{-1}$), with an extremely compact ($\sim 320$pc) star formation region and a star formation rate surface density (${\Sigma }_{SFR}\sim 5,500$M${}_{\odot }$year${}^{-1}$kpc${}^{-2}$) five times higher than `maximum' (i.e. Eddington-limited) starbursts, implying a highly transient phase. The estimated outflow rate is $\sim 500$M${}_{\odot }$year${}^{-1}$, which is much lower than the SFR, implying that in this extreme starburst the outflow capabilities saturate and the outflow is no longer capable of regulating star formation, resulting in a runaway process in which star formation will use up all available gas in less than 30Myr. Finally, while previous kinematic investigations of this source revealed possible evidence for an ongoing major merger, the coincidence of the hyper-compact starburst and high-excitation water absorption indicates that this is a single starburst galaxy surrounded by a disc.

7 pages, 4 figures, accepted to A&A:Letters

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• Evidence for extended gaseous reservoirs around AGN at cosmic noon from ALMA CO(3-2) observations
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• Gas and Star Formation from HD and Dust Emission in a Strongly Lensed Galaxy
• Gamma-ray Emission from Galaxies Hosting Molecular Outflows
• What powers galactic outflows: nuclear starbursts or AGN?
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• High-Redshift Galactic Outflows: Orientation Effects, Kinematics, and Metallicity in TNG50 and SERRA