Superbubbles in the multiphase ISM and the loading of galactic winds

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 2017 · Astrophysical Journal

DOI:https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/834/1/25· OSTI ID:22869615

Kim, Chang-Goo; Ostriker, Eve C.; Raileanu, Roberta ^[1]

---

1. Department of Astrophysical Sciences, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544 (United States)

We use numerical simulations to analyze the evolution and properties of superbubbles (SBs), driven by multiple supernovae (SNe), that propagate into the two-phase (warm/cold), cloudy interstellar medium (ISM). We consider a range of mean background densities n{sub avg}=0.1--10 cm{sup −3} and intervals between SNe Δt{sub SN}=0.01--1 Myr, and follow each SB until the radius reaches ∼(1--2)H, where H is the characteristic ISM disk thickness. Except for embedded dense clouds, each SB is hot until a time t{sub sf,m} when the shocked warm gas at the outer front cools and forms an overdense shell. Subsequently, diffuse gas in the SB interior remains at T{sub h}∼10{sup 6}--10{sup 7} K, with an expansion velocity v{sub h}∼10{sup 2}--10{sup 3} km s{sup −1} (both highest for low Δt{sub SN}). At late times, the warm shell gas velocities are several tens to ∼100 km s{sup −1}. While shell velocities are too low to escape from a massive galaxy, they are high enough to remove substantial mass from dwarfs. Dense clouds are also accelerated, reaching a few to tens of km s{sup −1}. We measure the mass in hot gas per SN, M-hat {sub h}, and the total radial momentum of the bubble per SN, p-hat {sub b}. After t{sub sf,m}, M-hat {sub h}∼10--100 M{sub ⊙} (highest for low n{sub avg}), while p-hat {sub b}∼0.7--3×10{sup 5} M{sub ⊙} km s{sup −1} (highest for high Δt{sub SN}). If galactic winds in massive galaxies are loaded by the hot gas in SBs, we conclude that the mass-loss rates would generally be lower than star formation rates. Only if the SN cadence is much higher than usual in galactic disks, as may occur for nuclear starbursts, can SBs breakout while hot and expel up to 10 times the mass locked up in stars. The momentum injection values, p-hat {sub b}, are consistent with requirements to control star formation rates within galaxies at observed levels.

• OSTI ID: 22869615
• Journal Information: Astrophysical Journal, Journal Name: Astrophysical Journal Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 834; ISSN ASJOAB; ISSN 0004-637X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
DENSITY
EXPANSION
GALAXIES
INJECTION
MASS TRANSFER
STELLAR WINDS
SUPERNOVA REMNANTS
SUPERNOVAE
VELOCITY