Impact of stellar radiative feedback on NSC-forming nuclear starbursts

Ascertain how the inclusion of radiative feedback from young stars—specifically photo-ionization and photo-heating—alters the progression and outcome of the major-merger-induced nuclear starburst and the subsequent formation of nuclear star clusters in EDGE dwarf galaxy simulations.

Background

The simulations presented do not include radiative feedback from young stars, although previous studies indicate that photo-ionization and photo-heating can regulate starbursts and make feedback less bursty and explosive in dwarf galaxies. Because radiative feedback acts as soon as stars are born, it could significantly influence the dynamics and intensity of the nuclear starburst that forms NSCs in the EDGE framework.

The authors explicitly state that it remains to be determined how the NSC-forming nuclear starburst behaves when these additional physical effects are included, marking this as a clear unresolved question for future investigation.