A redline starburst: CO(2-1) observations of an Eddington-limited galaxy reveal star formation at its most extreme
Abstract
We report observations of the CO(2-1) emission of SDSSJ1506+54, a compact (re~135pc) starburst galaxy at z=0.6. SDSSJ1506+54 appears to be forming stars close to the limit allowed by stellar radiation pressure feedback models: the measured LIR/L'CO 1500 is one of the highest measured for any galaxy. With its compact optical morphology but extended low surface brightness envelope, post-starburst spectral features, high infrared luminosity (LIR>1012.5 LSun), low gas fraction (MH2/Mstars~15%), and short gas depletion time (tens of Myr), we speculate that this is a feedback- limited central starburst episode at the conclusion of a major merger. Taken as such, SDSSJ1504+54 epitomizes the brief closing stage of a classic model of galaxy growth: we are witnessing a key component of spheroid formation during what we term a 'redline' starburst.
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