114 research outputs found
Substructure within the SSA22 protocluster at
We present the results of a densely sampled spectroscopic survey of the SSA22
protocluster at . Our sample with Keck/LRIS spectroscopy
includes 106 Ly Emitters (LAEs) and 40 Lyman Break Galaxies (LBGs) at
. These galaxies are contained within the region in
which the protocluster was discovered, which also hosts the maximum galaxy
overdensity in the SSA22 region. The redshift histogram of our spectroscopic
sample reveals two distinct peaks, at (blue, 43 galaxies) and
(red, 103 galaxies). Furthermore, objects in the blue and red peaks
are segregated on the sky, with galaxies in the blue peak concentrating towards
the western half of the field. These results suggest that the blue and red
redshift peaks represent two distinct structures in physical space. Although
the double-peaked redshift histogram is traced in the same manner by LBGs and
LAEs, and brighter and fainter galaxies, we find that nine out of 10 X-ray AGNs
in SSA22, and all seven spectroscopically-confirmed giant Ly "blobs,"
reside in the red peak. We combine our dataset with sparsely sampled
spectroscopy from the literature over a significantly wider area, finding
preliminary evidence that the double-peaked structure in redshift space extends
beyond the region of our dense spectroscopic sampling. In order to fully
characterize the three-dimensional structure, dynamics, and evolution of
large-scale structure in the SSA22 overdensity, we require the measurement of
large samples of LAE and LBG redshifts over a significantly wider area, as well
as detailed comparisons with cosmological simulations of massive cluster
formation.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures, Accepted to ApJ Letter
Understanding large-scale structure in the SSA22 protocluster region using cosmological simulations
We investigate the nature and evolution of large-scale structure within the
SSA22 protocluster region at using cosmological simulations. A
redshift histogram constructed from current spectroscopic observations of the
SSA22 protocluster reveals two separate peaks at (blue) and (red). Based on these data, we report updated overdensity and mass
calculations for the SSA22 protocluster. We find ,
for the blue and red peaks, respectively, and
for the entire region. These overdensities
correspond to masses of , , and
for the red, blue, and
total peaks, respectively. We use the Small MultiDark Planck (SMDPL) simulation
to identify comparably massive protoclusters, and uncover the
underlying structure and ultimate fate of the SSA22 protocluster. For this
analysis, we construct mock redshift histograms for each simulated
protocluster, quantitatively comparing them with the observed SSA22 data. We
find that the observed double-peaked structure in the SSA22 redshift histogram
corresponds not to a single coalescing cluster, but rather the proximity of a
protocluster and at least one cluster progenitor. Such associations in the SMDPL simulation are
easily understood within the framework of hierarchical clustering of dark
matter halos. We finally find that the opportunity to observe such a phenomenon
is incredibly rare, with an occurrence rate of 7.4h^3 \mbox{ Gpc}^{-3}.Comment: 13 pages, 8 figures, Accepted to Ap
JWST/NIRSpec Measurements of the Relationships Between Nebular Emission-line Ratios and Stellar Mass at z~3-6
We analyze the rest-optical emission-line ratios of star-forming galaxies at
2.7<=z<6.5 drawn from the Cosmic Evolution Early Release Science (CEERS)
Survey, and their relationships with stellar mass (M_*). Our analysis includes
both line ratios based on the [NII]6583 feature -- [NII]6583/Ha,
([OIII]5007/Hb)/([NII]6583/Ha) (O3N2), and [NII]6583/[OII]3727 -- and those
those featuring alpha elements -- [OIII]5007/Hb, [OIII]5007/[OII]3727 (O_32),
([OIII]4959,5007+[OII]3727)/Hb (R_23), and [NeIII]3869/[OII]3727. Given the
typical flux levels of [NII]6583 and [NeIII]3869, which are undetected in the
majority of individual CEERS galaxies at 2.7<=z<6.5, we construct composite
spectra in bins of M_* and redshift. Using these composite spectra, we compare
the relationships between emission-line ratios and M_* at 2.7<=z<6.5 with those
observed at lower redshift. While there is significant evolution towards higher
excitation (e.g., higher [OIII]5007/Hb, O_32, O3N2), and weaker nitrogen
emission (e.g., lower [NII]6583/Ha and [NII]6583/[OII]3727) between z~0 and
z~3, we find in most cases that there is no significant evolution in the
relationship between line ratio and M_* beyond z~3. The [NeIII]3869/[OII]3727
ratio is anomalous in showing evidence for significant elevation at 4.0<=z<6.5
at fixed mass, relative to z~3.3. Collectively, however, our empirical results
suggest that there is no significant evolution in the mass-metallicity
relationship at 2.7<=z<6.5. Representative galaxy samples and metallicity
calibrations based on existing and upcoming JWST/NIRSpec observations will be
required to translate these empirical scaling relations into ones tracing
chemical enrichment and gas cycling, and distinguish among the descriptions of
star-formation feedback in simulations of galaxy formation at z>3.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figures, ApJL, in pres
JWST/NIRSpec Balmer-line Measurements of Star Formation and Dust Attenuation at z~3-6
We present an analysis of the star-formation rates (SFRs) and dust
attenuation properties of star-forming galaxies at drawn from
the Cosmic Evolution Early Release Science (CEERS) Survey. Our analysis is
based on {\it JWST}/NIRSpec Micro-Shutter Assembly (MSA)
spectroscopic observations covering approximately m. Our primary
rest-frame optical spectroscopic measurements are H/H Balmer
decrements, which we use as an indicator of nebular dust attenuation. In turn,
we use Balmer decrements to obtain dust-corrected H-based SFRs (i.e.,
SFR(H)). We construct the relationship between SFR(H) and
stellar mass () in three bins of redshift (, , and ), which represents the first time the star-forming
main sequence has been traced at these redshifts using direct spectroscopic
measurements of Balmer emission as a proxy for SFR. In tracing the relationship
between SFR(H) and back to such early times (), it is
essential to use a conversion factor between H and SFR that accounts
for the subsolar metallicity prevalent among distant galaxies. We also use
measured Balmer decrements to investigate the relationship between dust
attenuation and stellar mass out to . The lack of significant redshift
evolution in attenuation at fixed stellar mass, previously confirmed using
Balmer decrements out to , appears to hold out to . Given
the rapidly evolving gas, dust, and metal content of star-forming galaxies at
fixed mass, this lack of significant evolution in attenuation provides an
ongoing challenge to explain.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures, ApJ, in pres
Searching for Extremely Blue UV Continuum Slopes at in JWST/NIRCam Imaging: Implications for Stellar Metallicity and Ionizing Photon Escape in Early Galaxies
The ultraviolet (UV) continuum slope ( where f) of galaxies is sensitive to a variety of properties, from the
metallicity and age of the stellar population to the attenuation from dust
through the galaxy. Considerable attention has focused on identifying
reionization-era galaxies with very blue UV slopes (). Not only do
such systems provide a signpost of low metallicity stars, but they also
identify galaxies that likely have ionizing photons leaking from their HII
regions as such blue UV slopes can only be seen if the reddening effect of
nebular continuum has been diminished. In this paper we present a search for
reionization-era galaxies with very blue UV colors in recent JWST/NIRCam
imaging of the EGS field. We characterize UV slopes for a large sample of
galaxies, finding a median value of . Three of the
lower luminosity (M) and lower stellar mass
(5-6M) systems exhibit both extremely blue UV slopes
( to ) and rest-optical photometry indicating weak nebular
line emission. Each system is very compact (r260 pc) with very high star
formation rate surface densities. We model the SEDs with a suite of BEAGLE
models with varying levels of ionizing photon escape. The SEDs cannot be
reproduced with our fiducial (f=0) or alpha enhanced
(Z) models. The combined blue UV slopes and weak nebular
emission are best-fit by models with significant ionizing photon escape from
HII regions (f=0.6-0.8) and extremely low metallicity massive
stars (Z=0.01-0.06 Z). The discovery of these galaxies highlights
the potential for JWST to identify large numbers of candidate Lyman Continuum
leaking galaxies in the reionization era and suggests low metallicity stellar
populations may be veryComment: 11 pages, 8 figures, 2 tables; Submitted to Ap
A JWST/NIRCam Study of Key Contributors to Reionization: The Star-forming and Ionizing Properties of UV-faint Galaxies
Spitzer/IRAC imaging has revealed that the brightest galaxies
often exhibit young ages and strong nebular line emission, hinting at high
ionizing efficiency among early galaxies. However, IRAC's limited sensitivity
has long hindered efforts to study the fainter, more numerous population often
thought largely responsible for reionization. Here we use CEERS JWST/NIRCam
data to characterize 116 UV-faint (median M)
galaxies. The SEDs are typically dominated by young (10-50 Myr), low-mass
() stellar populations, and we find no need for
extremely high stellar masses (). Considering previous
studies of UV-bright (M) galaxies, we find evidence
for a strong (5-10) increase in specific star formation rate toward
lower luminosities (median sSFR=103 Gyr in CEERS). The larger sSFRs
imply a more dominant contribution from OB stars in the relatively numerous
UV-faint population, perhaps suggesting that these galaxies are very efficient
ionizing agents (median erg Hz). In spite of their
much larger sSFRs, we find no significant increase in [OIII]H EWs
towards fainter M (median 780 ). If confirmed,
this may indicate that a substantial fraction of our CEERS galaxies possess
extremely low metallicities (3% ) where [OIII] emission is
suppressed. Alternatively, high ionizing photon escape fractions or bursty star
formation histories can also weaken the nebular lines in a subset of our CEERS
galaxies. While the majority of our objects are very blue (median
), we identify a significant tail of very dusty galaxies
() at 0.5 which may contribute significantly
to the star formation rate density.Comment: Accepted in MNRAS. Updated to use the most recent NIRCam zeropoints.
There are no significant changes to the conclusions relative to v
Searching for z > 6.5 Analogs Near the Peak of Cosmic Star Formation
Strong [OIII]4959,5007+H emission appears to be
typical in star-forming galaxies at z > 6.5. As likely contributors to cosmic
reionization, these galaxies and the physical conditions within them are of
great interest. At z > 6.5, where Ly is greatly attenuated by the
intergalactic medium, rest-UV metal emission lines provide an alternative
measure of redshift and also constraints on the physical properties of
star-forming regions and massive stars. We present the first statistical sample
of rest-UV line measurements in z 2 galaxies selected as analogs of
those in the reionization era based on [OIII]4959,5007 EW or
rest-frame U-B color. Our sample is drawn from the 3D-HST Survey and spans the
redshift range 1.36 z 2.49. We find that the median
Ly and CIII]1907,1909 EWs of our sample are
significantly greater than those of z 2 UV-continuum-selected
star-forming galaxies. Measurements from both individual and composite spectra
indicate a monotonic, positive correlation between CIII] and [OIII], while a
lack of trend is observed between Ly and [OIII] at [OIII] EW <
1000\unicode{x212B}. At higher [OIII] EW, extreme Ly emission starts
to emerge. Using stacked spectra, we find that Ly and CIII] are
significantly enhanced in galaxies with lower metallicity. Two objects in our
sample appear comparable to z > 6.5 galaxies with exceptionally strong rest-UV
metal line emission. These objects have significant
CIV1548,1550, HeII1640, and
OIII]1661,1665 emission in addition to intense Ly or
CIII]. Detailed characterization of these lower-redshift analogs provides
unique insights into the physical conditions in z > 6.5 star-forming regions,
motivating future observations of reionization-era analogs at lower redshifts.Comment: 22 pages, 9 figures, accepted for publication in Ap
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