Abstract
We describe the completed VIMOS VLT Deep Survey, and the final data release of 35016 galaxies and type-I AGN with measured spectroscopic redshifts up to redshift z~6.7, in areas 0.142 to 8.7 square degrees, and volumes from 0.5x10^6 to 2x10^7h^-3Mpc^3. We have selected samples of galaxies based solely on their i-band magnitude reaching i_{AB}=24.75. Spectra have been obtained with VIMOS on the ESO-VLT, integrating 0.75h, 4.5h and 18h for the Wide, Deep, and Ultra-Deep nested surveys. A total of 1263 galaxies have been re-observed independently within the VVDS, and from the VIPERS and MASSIV surveys. They are used to establish the redshift measurements reliability, to assess completeness, and to provide a weighting scheme taking into account the survey selection function. We describe the main properties of the VVDS samples, and the VVDS is compared to other spectroscopic surveys. In total we have obtained spectroscopic redshifts for 34594 galaxies, 422 type-I AGN, and 12430 Galactic stars. The survey has enabled to identify galaxies up to very high redshifts with 4669 redshifts in 1<=z_{spec}<=2, 561 in 2<=z_{spec}<=3 and 468 with z_{spec}>3, and specific populations like LAE have been identified out to z=6.62. We show that the VVDS occupies a unique place in the parameter space defined by area, depth, redshift coverage, and number of spectra. The VVDS provides a comprehensive survey of the distant universe, covering all epochs since z, or more than 12 Gyr of cosmic time, with a uniform selection, the largest such sample to date. A wealth of science results derived from the VVDS have shed new light on the evolution of galaxies and AGN, and their distribution in space, over this large cosmic time. A final public release of the complete VVDS spectroscopic redshift sample is available at http://cesam.lam.fr/vvds.
Highlights
A fundamental goal of observational cosmology is to understand the formation and evolution of galaxies and their distribution in space, in the cosmological framework of an evolving universe
Based on observations obtained with MegaPrime/MegaCam, a joint project of CFHT and CEA/DAPNIA, at the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT) which is operated by the National Research Council (NRC) of Canada, the Institut National des Sciences de l’Univers of the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) of France, and the University of Hawaii
When the emphasis is on a particular high-redshift range, additional selection must be added to a magnitude limit, with colour-colour selection used at z ∼ 1 (e.g. DEEP2, VIPERS) or, at higher redshifts, using the BzK criterion (Daddi et al 2004) to select populations with 1.4 < z < 2.5 or the Lyman-break technique to select populations at z > 2 (Steidel et al 1996 1999, etc.)
Summary
A fundamental goal of observational cosmology is to understand the formation and evolution of galaxies and their distribution in space, in the cosmological framework of an evolving universe. When the emphasis is on a particular high-redshift range, additional selection must be added to a magnitude limit, with colour-colour selection used at z ∼ 1 (e.g. DEEP2, VIPERS) or, at higher redshifts, using the BzK criterion (Daddi et al 2004) to select populations with 1.4 < z < 2.5 (e.g. zCOSMOS-deep) or the Lyman-break technique to select populations at z > 2 (Steidel et al 1996 1999, etc.) Another powerful selection method is the use of narrow-band imaging to preselect Lyman-α emitters (LAE) followed by multi-slit spectroscopy The VIMOS VLT Deep Survey (VVDS) has been conceived to provide a major contribution to deep spectroscopic galaxy redshift surveys It is based on a pure i-band magnitude selection, enabling a wide range in redshift and a large sample of objects with spectroscopic redshifts for detailed statistical studies of the high-redshift galaxy and AGN population.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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.
