Ejective Feedback as a Quenching Mechanism in the First 1.5 Billion Years of the Universe: Detection of Neutral Gas Outflow in a z = 4 Recently Quenched Galaxy

Abstract

The confirmation of massive quiescent galaxies emerging within the first billion years of the Universe poses intriguing questions about the mechanisms of galaxy formation. There must be highly efficient processes at work to shut down star formation in galaxies at cosmic dawn. I present the detection of neutral outflowing gas in a massive recently quenched galaxy at z = 4, showing ejective back as a quenching mechanism. Based on James Webb Space Telescope spectrum, the star formation rate (SFR) of this has been declining with a rapid e -folding timescale of ∼50 Myr. The current specific SFR is 5 × 10 ^−11 yr ^−1 , roughly 40 times lower than that of the star-forming main sequence at comparable redshifts. Emission-line ratios of [Ne iii ]/[O ii ] and [O iii ]/H β are similar to active galactic nuclei (AGNs) at comparable redshifts. A series of Fe ii and Mg ii absorption lines appear blueshifted by ∼250 km s ^−1 relative to the stellar continuum, suggesting an outflow of neutral gas. The estimated mass outflow rate is approximately 7 times greater than the SFR derived from the stellar continuum, implying that the suppression of star formation is likely due to gas being depleted by the outflow. If the emission lines are AGN-driven, the AGN can also provide sufficient energy to launch the outflow observed. This galaxy represents the most distant example of its kind known to date. This study offers a compelling explanation for the existence of massive quiescent galaxies in the first billion years of the Universe.

Keywords

• Galaxy evolution
• Post-starburst galaxies
• AGN host galaxies
• Interstellar medium
• Galaxy quenching
• Quenched galaxies