arXiv subjects

I. Morel

Publications and source records attributed to I. Morel.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Investigating the ionization mechanisms powering the extreme emission lines in metal-poor galaxies

Extreme emission metal-poor galaxies (EEMPGs) are excellent local laboratories for understanding the extreme physical conditions and ionizing radiation fields in the early Universe. However, the exact source of high-ionization emission lines in them, whether from intermediate-mass black holes (IMBHs), ultra-luminous X-ray sources (ULXs), or radiative shocks, remains debated. We characterize the fundamental properties and ionizing radiation field on metal-poor EEMPGs, aiming to identify the dominant sources of the highly ionizing photons that drive these lines. We selected a sample of 11 EEMPGs, among the most metal-poor galaxies with JWST/MIRI observations known so far (12+log(O/H) < 8.0, or Z/Z$_\odot$ < 20%). Using optical and IR diagnostic diagrams for ions of both high and low ionization potential, we constrain the ionization source dominating their spectral features. We detect high-ionization lines, notably He II$λ$4686 in all galaxies and [Ne V] 14.3 $μ$m in 42% of a broader sample of local EEMPGs. The multi-wavelength diagnostic diagrams reveal that our EEMPGs are located in areas that normally are occupied by active galactic nuclei (AGNs) or between the star-formation and AGN sequences. Evaluating the energetics required to produce these lines, we find that radiative shocks and ULXs are not sufficient. Instead, our analysis suggests that a combination of sources with star-formation and a small contribution from an IMBH provide enough high-energy photon budget to explain the emission lines of ions with high-ionization potentials (> 54 eV). Our EEMPG sample, covering various properties, is ideal for studying the first galaxies. Their flux ratios of low- and high-ionization lines suggest stellar radiation as the likely ionization source, with a small contribution from an IMBH (4-8%). Pure shocks fail to explain the observed emission line ratios and ionizing photon budget.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2026

Search for High-Ionization Nebular Emission (SHINE). I. A Systematically Selected [Ne V] Sample at z > 3 with JWST/NIRSpec PRISM

We conduct the first systematic Search for High-Ionization Nebular Emission (SHINE) using [Ne V]$\lambda3426$ in JWST/NIRSpec PRISM spectroscopy at $z>3$. From more than 9,000 galaxies, we identify 25 [Ne V] emitters spanning $z=3.059$-$9.444$ and $\log_{10}(L_{\rm [Ne\,V]}/erg\,s^{-1})=40.70$-$42.86$. Their [Ne V] luminosities overlap with those of local [Ne V]-selected active galactic nuclei (AGNs) and exceed those of local metal-poor [Ne V] emitters, although such low-luminosity systems would fall below our sensitivity. The population is diverse, spanning compact and extended morphologies and a broad range of continuum properties and stellar masses, including very low-mass hosts. It includes sources with broad Balmer emission as well as others whose higher-resolution spectra do not require a broad component. The [Ne V] emitters overlap only partly with conventional AGN diagnostics: most do not satisfy conservative high-redshift AGN criteria based on strong rest-optical narrow-line ratios, and only a minority have adopted broad-line classifications. [Ne V] upper limits for independently selected broad-line AGNs and little red dots are too shallow to establish a population-wide [Ne V] deficit. Six sources have secure Chandra counterparts, showing that X-ray weakness is not universal among luminous [Ne V] emitters. Strong [Ne V]/[Ne III] emission is associated with redder ultraviolet slopes and stronger Balmer breaks, but not with UV luminosity, possibly linking strong high-ionization emission to recent changes in star formation. The observed incidence of luminous [Ne V] emission shows no significant evolution over $z>3$, despite an increasing robust [Ne III] detection fraction. The high [Ne V] luminosities and hard line ratios favor black-hole accretion as the dominant power source, establishing [Ne V] emission as a complementary probe of early black-hole growth.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2026

N-emitters as possible sign-posts of GC formation

Based on the finding of unusual chemical abundance ratios of N-emitters, which resemble those of globular cluster (GC) stars, their compactness, high ISM densities and other properties, it has been suggested that N-emitters could indicate the formation sites of globulars. A recent statistical study of the N-emitter population has quantified the frequency $f_N$ of these rare objects and their redshift evolution (Morel et al. 2025). Using these results we here test if N-emitters trace the formation of GCs and use the observed cosmic star-formation rate density evolution to predict the cosmological evolution of the GC population with time, their age distribution, and the total present-day stellar mass density formed in globulars. The predicted age distribution of GCs strongly resembles the typical asymmetric observed distributions in the Galaxy and ellipiticals, with a peak at $\sim 11.5-12$ Gyr and a longer tail extending to younger ages. We derive a total stellar mass density formed in N-emitters down to redshift zero of $(2-7) \times 10^5$ M$_{\odot}$ Mpc$^{-3}$, which matches within a factor $\sim 2$ the observed fraction of stellar mass found in the GC population at $z=0$. These results provide additional indirect arguments supporting the hypothesis that N-emitters could represent sign-posts of a short phase of GC formation.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2025

Discovery of new N-emitters over a wide redshift range

JWST observations have revealed rare galaxies with UV spectra exhibiting intense lines of nitrogen, indicative of super-solar N/O abundances at low metallicity. To better understand these enigmatic objects and provide new constraints on proposed scenarios, we have undertaken a systematic search for galaxies with UV emission lines of nitrogen. Using public JWST NIRSpec data, we have identified 45 N-emitters with robust NIII] or NIV] detections, including 4 previously known objects. We find N-emitters from redshift $z\sim 3-11$ among a broad diversity of galaxies, in terms of morphology, UV magnitude, stellar mass, SFR, metallicity, and rest-optical line strengths. The UV nitrogen lines show typical equivalent widths between $\sim 5-50$ Å. Carbon lines are generally fainter than the N lines. Using strong line calibrations established at high-redshift, we find metallicities $12+log(O/H)\sim 7.15-8.5$, including thus also high metallicities. The H$β$ equivalent width of N-emitters varies strongly, and sources with low EWs show clear signs of a Balmer break, indicative of composite stellar populations combining both young (< 10 Myr) stars responsible of the UV emission lines and an older population contributing to the rest-optical spectrum. Supersolar N/O ratios are found in all N-emitters. C/O abundances are comparable to those of galaxies at the same metallicity, and all N-emitters show high N/C ratios or lower limits ($\log(N/C) > 0.5$), independently of metallicity. The observed abundance ratios are compatible with ejecta from H-burning and do not show signs of Carbon enhancements, even at higher metallicities. Finally, we find that the fraction of N-emitters increases with redshift, and we quantify this evolution. Our study increases the sample of known N-emitters by a factor $\sim 3$, reveals a diversity of properties among N-emitters, and provides new constraints on their nature.

astro-ph.GA↗