scholarly journals Finding High-redshift Galaxies with JWST

2021 ◽  
Vol 923 (1) ◽  
pp. 8
Author(s):  
Charles L. Steinhardt ◽  
Christian Kragh Jespersen ◽  
Nora B. Linzer

Abstract One of the primary goals for the upcoming James Webb Space Telescope is to observe the first galaxies. Predictions for planned and proposed surveys have typically focused on average galaxy counts, assuming a random distribution of galaxies across the observed field. The first and most-massive galaxies, however, are expected to be tightly clustered, an effect known as cosmic variance. We show that cosmic variance is likely to be the dominant contribution to uncertainty for high-redshift mass and luminosity functions, and that median high-redshift and high-mass galaxy counts for planned observations lie significantly below average counts. Several different strategies are considered for improving our understanding of the first galaxies, including adding depth, area, and independent pointings. Adding independent pointings is shown to be the most efficient both for discovering the single highest-redshift galaxy and also for constraining mass and luminosity functions.

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (S341) ◽  
pp. 226-230
Author(s):  
Christian Binggeli ◽  
Erik Zackrisson ◽  
Xiangcheng Ma ◽  
Akio K. Inoue ◽  
Anton Vikaeus ◽  
...  

AbstractRecently, spectroscopic detections of O[III] 88 μm and Ly-α emission lines from the z ≍ 9.1 galaxy MACS1149-JD1 have been presented, and with these, some interesting properties of this galaxy were uncovered. One such property is that MACS1149-JD1 exhibits a significant Balmer break at around rest-frame 4000 Å, which may indicate that the galaxy has experienced large variations in star formation rate prior to z ∼ 9, with a rather long period of low star formation activity. While some simulations predict large variations in star formation activity in high-redshift galaxies, it is unclear whether the simulations can reproduce the kind of variations seen in MACS1149-JD1. Here, we utilize synthetic spectra of simulated galaxies from two simulation suites in order to study to what extent these can accurately reproduce the spectral features (specifically the Balmer break) observed in MACS1149-JD1. We show that while the simulations used in this study produce galaxies with varying star formation histories, galaxies such as MACS1149-JD1 would be very rare in the simulations. In principle, future observations with the James Webb Space Telescope may tell us if MACS1149-JD1 represents something rare, or if such galaxies are more common than predicted by current simulations.


2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (S341) ◽  
pp. 299-301
Author(s):  
Raphael Sadoun ◽  
Emilio Romano-Daz ◽  
Isaac Shlosman ◽  
Zheng Zheng

AbstractWe present results from high-resolution, zoom-in cosmological simulations to study the effect of feedback from galactic outflows on the physical and Lyα properties of high-redshift galaxies in highly overdense and normal environments at z >∼6. The Lyα properties have been obtained by post-processing the simulations with a Monte-Carlo radiative transfer (RT) code. Our results demonstrate that galactic outflows play an important role in regulating the growth of massive galaxies in overdense regions as well as the temperature and metallicity of the intergalactic medium. In particular, we find that galactic outflows are necessary to reproduce the observed Lyα luminosity functions as well as the apparent Lyα luminosity, line width and equivalent width distributions of luminous Lyα emitters at z ∼ 6.


2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (S352) ◽  
pp. 69-69
Author(s):  
Anne Hutter

AbstractReionization represents an important epoch in the history in the Universe, when the first stars and galaxies gradually ionize the neutral hydrogen in the intergalactic medium (IGM). Understanding the nature of the ionizing sources, the associated ionization of the IGM, and its impact on subsequent structure formation and galaxy evolution by means of radiative feedback effects, represent key outstanding questions in current astrophysics. High-redshift galaxy observations and simulations have significantly extended our knowledge on the nature of high-redshift galaxies. However, essential properties such as the escape fraction of ionizing photons from galaxies into the IGM and their dependency on galactic properties remain essentially unknown, but determine significantly the distribution and time evolution of the ionized regions during reionization. Analyzing this ionization topology by means of the neutral hydrogen sensitive 21cm signal with radio interferometers such as SKA offers a complementary and unique opportunity to determine the nature of these first galaxies. I will show results from a self-consistent semi-numerical model of galaxy evolution and reionization, and discuss the potential of inferring galactic properties with the 21cm signal as well as the impact of reionization on the high-redshift galaxy population and its evolution.


2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (S352) ◽  
pp. 348-348
Author(s):  
Simon Mutch

AbstractDwarf galaxies are thought to be dominant contributors of ionizing photons during the Epoch of Reionisation (EoR). Our knowledge of the statistics of these high redshift galaxies is constantly improving and will take yet another important step forward with the launch of JWST. At the same time, the upper limits on the EoR 21cm power spectrum are continually falling, with a firm measurement from SKA-low being a certainty in coming years. In order to maximise what we can learn from these two complimentary observational datasets, we need to be able to model them together, self-consistently. In this talk, I will present insights into the connection between galaxy formation and the EoR gained from the DRAGONS suite of semi-analytic and hydrodynamic galaxy formation simulations. Using these we find that the steep faint end slope of the high- redshift galaxy UV luminosity function extends well beyond current observational limits, indicating that only ∼ 50% of the ionising photons available for reionisation have been observed at z < 7. I will also discuss the relative contribution of quasars to reionisation and present constraints on ionising escape fraction models.


2019 ◽  
Vol 488 (2) ◽  
pp. 1941-1959 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madeline A Marshall ◽  
Simon J Mutch ◽  
Yuxiang Qin ◽  
Gregory B Poole ◽  
J Stuart B Wyithe

Abstract We study the sizes, angular momenta, and morphologies of high-redshift galaxies, using an update of the meraxes semi-analytic galaxy evolution model. Our model successfully reproduces a range of observations from redshifts z = 0–10. We find that the effective radius of a galaxy disc scales with ultraviolet (UV) luminosity as $R_\mathrm{ e}\propto L_{\textrm{UV}}^{0.33}$ at z = 5–10, and with stellar mass as $R_e\propto M_\ast ^{0.24}$ at z = 5 but with a slope that increases at higher redshifts. Our model predicts that the median galaxy size scales with redshift as Re ∝ (1 + z)−m, where m = 1.98 ± 0.07 for galaxies with (0.3–1)$L^\ast _{z=3}$ and m = 2.15 ± 0.05 for galaxies with (0.12–0.3)$L^\ast _{z=3}$. We find that the ratio between stellar and halo specific angular momentum is typically less than 1 and decreases with halo and stellar mass. This relation shows no redshift dependence, while the relation between specific angular momentum and stellar mass decreases by ∼0.5 dex from z = 7 to z = 2. Our model reproduces the distribution of local galaxy morphologies, with bulges formed predominantly through galaxy mergers for low-mass galaxies, disc-instabilities for galaxies with M* ≃ 1010–$10^{11.5}\, \mathrm{M}_\odot$, and major mergers for the most massive galaxies. At high redshifts, we find galaxy morphologies that are predominantly bulge-dominated.


2020 ◽  
Vol 495 (4) ◽  
pp. 4747-4768 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuejian Shen ◽  
Mark Vogelsberger ◽  
Dylan Nelson ◽  
Annalisa Pillepich ◽  
Sandro Tacchella ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT We present predictions for high redshift (z = 2−10) galaxy populations based on the IllustrisTNG simulation suite and a full Monte Carlo dust radiative transfer post-processing. Specifically, we discuss the H α and H β + $[\rm O \,{\small III}]$ luminosity functions up to z = 8. The predicted H β + $[\rm O \,{\small III}]$ luminosity functions are consistent with present observations at z ≲ 3 with ${\lesssim} 0.1\, {\rm dex}$ differences in luminosities. However, the predicted H α luminosity function is ${\sim }0.3\, {\rm dex}$ dimmer than the observed one at z ≃ 2. Furthermore, we explore continuum spectral indices, the Balmer break at 4000 Å; (D4000) and the UV continuum slope β. The median D4000 versus specific star formation rate relation predicted at z = 2 is in agreement with the local calibration despite a different distribution pattern of galaxies in this plane. In addition, we reproduce the observed AUV versus β relation and explore its dependence on galaxy stellar mass, providing an explanation for the observed complexity of this relation. We also find a deficiency in heavily attenuated, UV red galaxies in the simulations. Finally, we provide predictions for the dust attenuation curves of galaxies at z = 2−6 and investigate their dependence on galaxy colours and stellar masses. The attenuation curves are steeper in galaxies at higher redshifts, with bluer colours, or with lower stellar masses. We attribute these predicted trends to dust geometry. Overall, our results are consistent with present observations of high-redshift galaxies. Future James Webb Space Telecope observations will further test these predictions.


2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (S341) ◽  
pp. 240-244
Author(s):  
Hidenobu Yajima ◽  
Shohei Arata ◽  
Makito Abe ◽  
Kentaro Nagamine

AbstractRecent discoveries of high-redshift galaxies have revealed the diversity of their physical properties, from normal star-forming galaxies to starburst galaxies. To understand the properties of these observed galaxies, it is crucial to understand the star formation (SF) history, and the radiation properties associated with the SF activity. Here we present the results of cosmological hydrodynamic simulations with zoom-in initial conditions, and show the formation of the first galaxies and their evolution towards observable galaxies at z = 6. In addition, we show their multi-wavelength radiative properties. We find that star formation occurs intermittently due to supernova (SN) feedback at z > 10, and their radiation properties rapidly change with time. We suggest that the first galaxies are bright at UV wavelengths just after the starburst phase, and become extended Lyman-alpha sources. We also show that massive galaxies cause dusty starburst and become bright at infrared wavelengths.


2011 ◽  
Vol 83 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles Jose ◽  
Saumyadip Samui ◽  
Kandaswamy Subramanian ◽  
Raghunathan Srianand

2006 ◽  
Vol 2 (S235) ◽  
pp. 341-344
Author(s):  
Casey Papovich

AbstractI discuss current observational constraints on the star-formation and stellar-assembly histories of galaxies at high redshifts. The data on massive galaxies at z < 1 implies that their stellar populations formed at z>2, and that their morphological configuration was in place soon thereafter. Spitzer Space Telescope 24 μ observations indicate that a substantial fraction of massive galaxies at z ~ 1.5–3 have high IR luminosities, suggesting they are rapidly forming stars, accreting material onto supermassive black holes, or both. I compare how observations of these IR–active phases in the histories of massive galaxies constrain current galaxy–formation models.


2009 ◽  
Vol 5 (S262) ◽  
pp. 248-256
Author(s):  
J. Devriendt ◽  
A. Slyz ◽  
L. Powell ◽  
C. Pichon ◽  
R. Teyssier

AbstractWe present results from a high resolution cosmological galaxy formation simulation called Mare Nostrum and a ultra-high resimulation of the first 500 million years of a single, Milky Way (MW) sized galaxy. Using the cosmological run, we measure UV luminosity functions and assess their sensitivity to both cosmological parameters and dust extinction. We find remarkably good agreement with the existing data over the redshift range 4 < z < 7 provided we adopt the favoured cosmology (WMAP 5 year parameters) and a self-consistent treatment of the dust. Cranking up the resolution, we then study in detail a z = 9 protogalaxy sitting at the intersection of cold gas filaments. This high-z MW progenitor grows a dense, rapidly spinning, thin disk which undergoes gravitational fragmention. Star formation in the resulting gas clumps rapidly turns them into globular clusters. A far reaching galactic wind develops, co-powered by the protogalaxy and its cohort of smaller companions populating the filaments. Despite such an impressive blow out, the smooth filamentary material is hardly affected at these redshifts.


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