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Creators/Authors contains: "Rupke, David_S N"

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  1. Abstract We report the detection of near- and mid-infrared emission from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) out to ∼35 kpc in the Makani Galaxy, a compact massive galaxy with a record-breaking 100 kpc scale starburst-driven wind at redshiftz= 0.459. The NIRCam and MIRI observations with JWST take advantage of a coincidental match between the PAH spectral features at 3.3, 7.7, and (11.3 + 12.2)μm in Makani and the bandpasses of the MIRI and NIRCam filters. The warm dust is not only detected in the cool-gas tracers of the galactic wind associated with the more recent (7 Myr) starburst episode, but also in the outer warm ionized gas wind produced by the older (0.4 Gyr) episode. The presence of PAHs in the outer wind indicates that the PAHs have survived the long (R/v∼ 108yr) journey to the halo despite the harsh environment of the galactic wind. The measured F1800W/F1130W flux ratios in the unresolved nucleus, inner halo (R= 10–20 kpc), and outer halo (R= 20–35 kpc), tracers of the PAH (11.3 + 12.2)/7.7 ratios, indicate decreasing starlight intensity incident on the PAHs, decreasing PAH sizes, and increasing PAH ionization fractions with increasing distance from the nucleus. These data provide the strongest evidence to date that the ejected dust of galactic winds survives the long journey to the circumgalactic medium, but is eroded along the way. 
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    Free, publicly-accessible full text available August 25, 2026
  2. Abstract The search for dual supermassive black holes (SMBHs) is of immense interest in modern astrophysics. Galaxy mergers may fuel and produce SMBH pairs. Actively accreting SMBH pairs are observed as dual quasars, which are vital probes of SMBH growth. Dual quasars at cosmic noon are not well characterized. Gaia observations have enabled a novel technique to identify dual quasars at kiloparsec scales based on the small jitters of the light centroid as the two quasars vary stochastically. We present the first detailed study of az= 2.17, 0 . 46, 3.8 kpc separation dual quasar, J0749+2255, using JWST/NIRSpec integral field unit spectroscopy. Identified by Gaia, J0749+2255 is one of the most distant small-separation dual quasars known. We detect the faint ionized gas of the host galaxy, traced by the narrow Hαemission. Line ratios indicate ionization from the two quasars and from intense star formation. Spectral analysis of the two quasars suggests that they have similar black hole properties, hinting at the possible synchronized accretion activity or lensed quasar images. Surprisingly, the ionized gas kinematics suggest a rotating disk rather than the disturbed system expected in a major gas-rich galaxy merger. Numerical simulations show that this is a plausible outcome of a major gas-rich galaxy merger several tens of Myr before coalescence. Whether J0749+2255 reflects an interesting phase of dual quasar evolution or is a lensed quasar remains unclear. Thus, this study underscores the challenges in definitively distinguishing between dual and lensed quasars, with observations supporting either scenario. 
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    Free, publicly-accessible full text available March 1, 2026
  3. Abstract The Ovi1032, 1038 Å line is a key probe of cooling gas in the circumgalactic medium (CGM) of galaxies but has been observed to date primarily in absorption along single sight lines. We present deep Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Solar Blind Channel of the Advanced Camera for Surveys observations of the compact, massive starburst Makani. Makani hosts a 100 kpc, [Oii]-emitting galactic wind driven by two episodes of star formation over 400 Myr. We detect Oviand Lyαemission across the [Oii] nebula with similar morphology and extent, out tor≈ 50 kpc. Using differential narrowband imaging, we separate Lyαand Oviand show that the Oviemission is comparable in brightness to [Oii], withLO VI= 4 × 1042erg s−1. The similar hourglass morphology and size of [Oii] and Oviimplicate radiative cooling atT= 105.5K in a hot–cold interface. This may occur as theT> 107K CGM—or the hot fluid driving the wind—exchanges mass with theT≈ 104K clouds entrained in (or formed by) the wind. The optical/UV line ratios may be consistent with shock ionization, although uncertain attenuation and Lyαradiative transfer complicate the interpretation. The detection of Oviin Makani lies at the bleeding edge of the UV imaging capabilities of HST and provides a benchmark for future emission-line imaging of the CGM with a wide-area UV telescope. 
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    Free, publicly-accessible full text available June 9, 2026
  4. Abstract While stellar processes are believed to be the main source of feedback in dwarf galaxies, the accumulating discoveries of active galactic nuclei (AGN) in dwarf galaxies over recent years arouse the interest to also consider AGN feedback in them. Fast, AGN-driven outflows, a major mechanism of AGN feedback, have indeed been discovered in dwarf galaxies and may be powerful enough to provide feedback to their dwarf hosts. In this paper, we search for outflows traced by the blueshifted ultraviolet absorption features in three dwarf galaxies with AGN from the sample examined in our previous ground-based study. We confirm outflows traced by blueshifted absorption features in two objects and tentatively detect an outflow in the third object. In one object where the outflow is clearly detected in multiple species, photoionization modeling suggests that this outflow is located ∼0.5 kpc from the AGN, implying a galactic-scale impact. This outflow is much faster and possesses a higher kinetic energy outflow rate than starburst-driven outflows in sources with similar star formation rates, and is likely energetic enough to provide negative feedback to its host galaxy as predicted by simulations. Much broader (∼4000 km s−1) absorption features are also discovered in this object, which may have the same origin as that of broad absorption lines in quasars. Additionally, strong Heiiλ1640 emission is detected in both objects where the transition falls in the wavelength coverage and is consistent with an AGN origin. In one of these two objects, a blueshifted Heiiλ1640 emission line is clearly detected, likely tracing a highly ionized AGN wind. 
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  5. Abstract High-velocity outflows are ubiquitous in compact, massive (M*∼ 1011M),z∼ 0.5 galaxies with extreme star formation surface densities (ΣSFR∼ 2000Myr−1kpc−2). We have previously detected and characterized these outflows using Mgiiabsorption lines. To probe their full extent, we present Keck/KCWI integral field spectroscopy of the [Oii] and Mgiiemission nebulae surrounding all of the 12 galaxies in this study. We find that [Oii] is more effective than Mgiiin tracing low surface brightness, extended emission in these galaxies. The [Oii] nebulae are spatially extended beyond the stars, with radial extentR90between 10 and 40 kpc. The nebulae exhibit nongravitational motions, indicating galactic outflows with maximum blueshifted velocities ranging from −335 to −1920 km s−1. The outflow kinematics correlate with the bursty star formation histories of these galaxies. Galaxies with the most recent bursts of star formation (within the last <3 Myr) exhibit the highest central velocity dispersions (σ≳ 400 km s−1), while the oldest bursts have the lowest-velocity outflows. Many galaxies exhibit both high-velocity cores and more extended, slower-moving gas indicative of multiple outflow episodes. The slower, larger outflows occurred earlier and have decelerated as they propagate into the circumgalactic medium and mix on timescales ≳50 Myr. 
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    Free, publicly-accessible full text available November 1, 2025