Gas at Large Distances from Galaxies and QSO Absorption Lines

Abstract

We present the calculations of steady, spherical gas outflows from galaxies in an effort to understand the effects of the galaxy mass on the flow properties such as the size of the outflow regions, the efficiency of radiative cooling, and the fate of the cooled gas. We show that there exist no transonic flows but either subsonic or supersonic flows are obtainable, in an analogy with the stellar wind or accretion problems. Solutions of the supersonic outflows are studied in detail as they are most likely to carry gas to large distances away from galaxies. In case the gas does cool radiatively, the cooled gas is most likely to form clouds via various instabilities. The clouds coast farther away from the galaxy because of the finite kinetic energy they inherit. Depending on the initial energies, the clouds can either leave the galaxy or fall back ballistically. Applications of the calculations to dwarf and normal galaxies are made, and we argue that normal galaxies like our own should have relatively small gaseous halos formed through this mechanism. We discuss the implications of cold clouds from dwarf galaxies on recent observations of the QSO absorption line systems. For massive galaxies, satellites provide alternative ways to form large gaseous halos. We show how dynamical friction can increase tidal stripping of the gas as the satellite spirals in toward the primary, and that the gas ejected from satellites may account for the QSO heavy element absorption lines.