Intergalactic Pressure and the Maximal Extent of Gaseous Haloes of Field Galaxies

The problem of influence of the ambiental intergalactic pressure on extended gas associated with normal field galaxies is briefly discussed. An empirically established characteristic radius of absorption can not be explained in the context of simple two-phase halo model as a consequence of pressure equilibrium of the hot halo with the smooth intergalactic medium. This conclusion is based upon the stringent constraints on the temperature and density of the intergalactic plasma obtained through the CMBR measurements. On the other hand, ram-pressure stripping caused by peculiar motions of galaxies does present a viable alternative for the hot halo truncation. It is shown that for a particular set of chosen parameters, a simple model is capable of producing the absolute upper limit on the extent of gas associated with the galaxy. The values obtained are compatible with the results of the recent QSO absorption-line studies, and are significantly higher than the radius at which the cooling timescale of the halo gas equates the dynamical timescale.