Abstract
Using the SPectrometer for Infrared Faint Field Imaging on the ESO Very Large Telescope, we have obtained J-, H-, and K-band integral field spectroscopy of the luminous submillimeter galaxy SMM J140110252. z p 2.565 A global spectrum reveals the brighter of this spatially resolved system’s two components as an intense starburst that is remarkably old, massive, and metal-rich for the early epoch at which it is observed. We see a strong Balmer break implying a ≥100 Myr timescale for continuous star formation as well as nebular emission-line ratios implying a supersolar oxygen abundance on large spatial scales. Overall, the system is rapidly converting a large baryonic mass into stars over the course of only a few hundred megayears. Our study thus adds new arguments to the growing evidence that submillimeter galaxies are more massive than Lyman break galaxies and more numerous at high redshift than predicted by current semianalytic models of galaxy evolution. Subject headings: galaxies: abundances — galaxies: evolution — galaxies: formation
Paper version not known (
Free)
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
