The CIViL* Survey: The Discovery of a C iv Dichotomy in the Circumgalactic Medium of L* Galaxies

Abstract

This paper investigates C iv absorption in the circumgalactic medium (CGM) of L⋆ galaxies and its relationship with galaxy star formation rates. We present new observations from the C iv in L⋆ galaxies survey (PID#17076) using the Hubble Space Telescope/Cosmic Origins Spectrograph. By combining these measurements with archival C iv data (46 observations total), we estimate detection fractions for star-forming (sSFR > 10−11 yr−1) and passive galaxies (sSFR ≤ 10−11 yr−1 ) to be 72 % [21/29] and 23 % [3/13], respectively. This indicates a significant dichotomy in C iv presence between L⋆ star-forming and passive galaxies, with over 99% confidence. This finding aligns with J. Tumlinson et al., which noted a similar dichotomy in O vi absorption. Our results imply a substantial carbon reservoir in the CGM of L⋆ galaxies, suggesting a minimum carbon mass of ≳3.03 × 106M⊙ out to 120 kpc. Together, these findings highlight a strong connection between star formation in galaxies and the state of their CGM, providing insight into the mechanisms governing galaxy evolution.