Beasts in the Bubbles: Remarkably UV-bright Galaxies at z=9-10
VLT/XSHOOTER | 25.7hrs | PI - S. Fuijimoto
We propose X-shooter observations for four UV-bright (H=24.5-25.4 mag) novel candidates at z=9-10 from the brand new COSMOS2020 catalogue, now benefitting from homogeneous near-IR and ultra-deep optical coverage. All candidates have clear Lyman-break features, IRAC detection, tight distributions in PDF(z) at z=9-10, the inconsistency with any stellar templates and lower-z galaxy, and are confirmed at z>9 with four independent redshift estimates. The volume density of these four candidates is also consistent with the bright-end of the latest UV luminosity function (UVLF) studies at z=9-10. We will 1) confirm the redshift and the power-law nature of the UVLF at z=9-10; and test if UV-bright galaxies at z=9-10 2) reside in ionized bubbles; and 3) host AGN via the Nv1243 line. Our targets will provide essential constraints on the bright/massive-end of luminosity/mass function at z>9 and the CDM scenario for the formation of early galaxies, once at least one is confirmed.
John R. Weaver
Postdoctoral Research Associate
My research interests lie almost exclusively within the realm of extragalactic astrophysics and cosmology. I use state-of-the-art optical and infrared observatories and surveys to study the lives of galaxies, and how their properties change over cosmic time. This includes detailed case studies of individual galaxies, as well as statistical analyses of large survey catalogs.