The $H_2$ angular momentum -- mass relation of local disc galaxies
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arXiv
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| Format: | Preprint |
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2025
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| _version_ | 1866913833399877632 |
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| author | Geesink, Nikki N. Piña, Pavel E. Mancera Lagos, Claudia del P. Kriek, Mariska |
| author_facet | Geesink, Nikki N. Piña, Pavel E. Mancera Lagos, Claudia del P. Kriek, Mariska |
| contents | We present an analysis of the molecular specific angular momentum-mass ($j_{H_2}-M_{H_2}$) relation using a sample of 51 nearby disc galaxies from the PHANGS-ALMA survey with deep, high-resolution molecular gas rotation curves and surface density profiles. For the very first time, using a statistical sample, we report the discovery of a well-defined $j_{H_2}-M_{H_2}$ relation. We quantify the scaling law by fitting a power-law with a Bayesian framework, finding $j_{H_2} \propto M_{H_2}^{0.53}$. This slope closely resembles the well-known stellar $j_{\ast}$-$M_{\ast}$ (Fall) relation, highlighting the dynamical connection between molecular gas and stars. We show that the $j_{H_2}-M_{H_2}$ relation cannot be fully explained by analytic models of disc stability but instead is well recovered with more complex physics as implemented in the Shark semi-analytical model. These findings demonstrate the power of our novel $j_{H_2}-M_{H_2}$ relation in testing galaxy evolution theories and setting new constraints for models and simulations which aim to reproduce a realistic interstellar medium. Additionally, our findings provide a critical benchmark for upcoming high-redshift studies of molecular gas kinematics, offering a local baseline to study the evolution of cold gas dynamics across cosmic time. |
| format | Preprint |
| id |
arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2503_07715 |
| institution | arXiv |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| record_format | arxiv |
| spellingShingle | The $H_2$ angular momentum -- mass relation of local disc galaxies Geesink, Nikki N. Piña, Pavel E. Mancera Lagos, Claudia del P. Kriek, Mariska Astrophysics of Galaxies We present an analysis of the molecular specific angular momentum-mass ($j_{H_2}-M_{H_2}$) relation using a sample of 51 nearby disc galaxies from the PHANGS-ALMA survey with deep, high-resolution molecular gas rotation curves and surface density profiles. For the very first time, using a statistical sample, we report the discovery of a well-defined $j_{H_2}-M_{H_2}$ relation. We quantify the scaling law by fitting a power-law with a Bayesian framework, finding $j_{H_2} \propto M_{H_2}^{0.53}$. This slope closely resembles the well-known stellar $j_{\ast}$-$M_{\ast}$ (Fall) relation, highlighting the dynamical connection between molecular gas and stars. We show that the $j_{H_2}-M_{H_2}$ relation cannot be fully explained by analytic models of disc stability but instead is well recovered with more complex physics as implemented in the Shark semi-analytical model. These findings demonstrate the power of our novel $j_{H_2}-M_{H_2}$ relation in testing galaxy evolution theories and setting new constraints for models and simulations which aim to reproduce a realistic interstellar medium. Additionally, our findings provide a critical benchmark for upcoming high-redshift studies of molecular gas kinematics, offering a local baseline to study the evolution of cold gas dynamics across cosmic time. |
| title | The $H_2$ angular momentum -- mass relation of local disc galaxies |
| topic | Astrophysics of Galaxies |
| url | https://arxiv.org/abs/2503.07715 |