An unparalleled view of (dense) molecular gas in nearby main-sequence galaxies with PHANGS and SWAN
speaker: Sophia Stuber (NAOJ, JSPS fellow)
Abstract:
Star formation is a fundamental process that shapes the secular evolution of galaxies. However, the link between star formation and the larger-scale galactic environment remains poorly understood. A key to unlocking this relationship lies in the molecular gas phase, which serves as the fuel for star formation. In this talk, I present the first of its kind molecular-based catalogue of galaxy morphologies at cloud-scale resolution in nearby main-sequence galaxies, based on the PHANGS survey. I will show that the molecular gas distribution, as traced by CO, is tightly linked to the morphology of a galaxy and provides insights into their secular and environmental history.
Further, I will present the first cloud-scale observations of N2H+ and HCN across multiple environments in the nearby galaxy M51 as part of the SWAN survey. These molecules are rivaling tracers of the dense molecular gas phase and are expected to provide access to the densest star-forming regions within molecular clouds. The SWAN survey reveals significant variations in the emission of those dense gas tracers across M51’s diverse environments and physical conditions. This shows that our understanding on how to access the dense gas phase with such molecules may need to be revised.