Protogalaxies Research Articles

Crossing the Rubicon of Reionization with z ∼ 5 QSOs

One of the key open questions in cosmology is the nature of sources that completed cosmological hydrogen reionization at z ∼ 5.2. High-z primeval galaxies have been long considered the main drivers of reionization, with a minor role played by high-z active galactic nuclei (AGN). However, in order to confirm this scenario, it is fundamental to measure the photoionization rate produced by active SMBHs close to the Epoch of Reionization. Given the pivotal role played by spectroscopically complete observations of high-z QSOs, in this paper we present the first results of the RUBICON (Reionizing the Universe with Bright Cosmological Nuclei) survey. It consists of a color-selected sample of bona fide z ∼ 5 QSO candidates from the Hyper Suprime-Cam Subaru Strategic Survey. Our QSO candidates have been validated both by photometric redshifts based on spectral energy distribution fitting and by spectroscopic redshifts, confirming that they lie at 4.5 < z spec < 5.2. A relatively high space density of QSOs (Φ ∼ 1.4 × 10−8 c Mpc−3) is thus confirmed at z ∼ 5 and M 1450 ∼ −27, consistent with a pure density evolution of the AGN luminosity function from z = 4 to z = 5, with a mild density evolution rate of 0.25 dex. This indicates that AGN could play a nonnegligible role in cosmic reionization. The Rubicon of reionization has been crossed.

UM 462, a local green pea galaxy analogue under the MUSE magnifying glass

Context. Stellar feedback in high-redshift galaxies plays an important, if not dominant, role in the re-ionisation epoch of the Universe. Because of their extreme star formation (SF), the relatively closer green pea (GP) galaxies are postulated as favorite local laboratories, and analogues to those high-redshift galaxies. However, at their typical redshift of z ∼ 0.2, the most intimate interaction between stars and the surrounding interstellar medium cannot be disentangled. Detailed studies of blue compact dwarf (BCD) galaxies sharing properties with GP galaxies are necessary to anchor our investigations on them. Aims. We want to study in detail UM 462, which is a BCD with emission line ratios and equivalent widths, stellar mass, and metallicity similar to those observed in GP galaxies, and thus it is ideally suited as a corner stone and reference galaxy. Methods. We use high-quality optical integral field spectroscopy data obtained with MUSE on the ESO Very Large Telescope. Results. The electron density (ne) and temperature (Te) were mapped. Median Te decreases according to the sequence [S III] → [N II] → He I. Furthermore, Te([S III]) values are ∼13 000 K, and uniform within the uncertainties over an area of ∼20″ × 8″ (∼1.4 kpc × 0.6 kpc). The total oxygen abundance by means of the direct method is 12 + log(O/H) ∼ 8.02 and homogenous all over the galaxy within the uncertainties, which is in stark contrast with the metallicities derived from several strong line methods. This result calls for a systematic study to identify the best strategy to determine reliable metallicities at any location within a galaxy. The strong line ratios used in the BPT diagrams and other ratios tracing the ionisation structure were mapped. They are compatible with plasma ionised by massive hot stars. However, there is a systematic excess in the [O I]/Hα ratio, suggesting an additional mechanism or a complex relative configuration of gas and stars. The velocity field for the ionised gas presents receding velocities in the east and approaching velocities in the west and south-west with velocity differences of Δv ∼ 40 km s−1, but it is not compatible with simple rotation. The most striking feature is a velocity stratification in the area towards the north with redder velocities in the high ionisation lines and bluer velocities in the low ionisation lines. This is the only area with velocity dispersions clearly above the MUSE instrumental width, and it is surrounded by two ∼1 kpc-long structures nicknamed ‘the horns’. We interpret the observational evidence in that area as a fragmented super-bubble fruit of the stellar feedback and it may constitute a preferred channel through which Lyman continuum photons from the youngest generation of stars can escape. The galaxy luminosity is dominated by a young (i.e. ∼6 Myr) stellar population that contributes only 10% to the stellar mass, as derived from the modelling of the stellar continuum. The most recent SF seems to propagate from the outer to the inner parts of the galaxy, and then from east to west. We identified a supernova remnant and Wolf-Rayet stars – as traced by the red bump – that support this picture. The direction of the propagation implies the presence of younger Wolf-Rayet stars at the maximum in Hα. These may be detected by deep observations of the blue bump (not covered here). Conclusions. The ensemble of results exemplifies the potential of 2D detailed spectroscopic studies of dwarf star-forming galaxies at high spatial resolution as a key reference for similar studies on primeval galaxies.

Resolving the H I in damped Lyman α systems that power star formation.

Reservoirs of dense atomic gas (primarily hydrogen) contain approximately 90 per cent of the neutral gas at a redshift of 3, and contribute to between 2 and 3 per cent of the total baryons in the Universe1-4. These 'damped Lyman α systems'-so called because they absorb Lyman α photons within and from background sources-have been studied for decades, but only through absorption lines present in the spectra of background quasars and γ-ray bursts5-10. Such pencil beams do not constrain the physical extent of the systems. Here we report integral-field spectroscopy of a bright, gravitationally lensed galaxy at a redshift of 2.7 with two foreground damped Lyman α systems. These systems are greater than 238 kiloparsecs squared in extent, with column densities of neutral hydrogen varying by more than an order of magnitude on scales of less than 3 kiloparsecs. The mean column densities are between 1020.46 and 1020.84 centimetres squared and the total masses are greater than 5.5 × 108-1.4 × 109 times the mass of the Sun, showing that they contain the necessary fuel for the next generation of star formation, consistent with relatively massive, low-luminosity primeval galaxies at redshifts greater than 2.

Thethesanproject: properties of the intergalactic medium and its connection to reionization-era galaxies

ABSTRACTThe high-redshift intergalactic medium (IGM) and the primeval galaxy population are rapidly becoming the new frontier of extragalactic astronomy. We investigate the IGM properties and their connection to galaxies at z ≥ 5.5 under different assumptions for the ionizing photon escape and the nature of dark matter, employing our novel thesan radiation-hydrodynamical simulation suite, designed to provide a comprehensive picture of the emergence of galaxies in a full reionization context. Our simulations have realistic ‘late’ reionization histories, match available constraints on global IGM properties, and reproduce the recently observed rapid evolution of the mean free path of ionizing photons. We additionally examine high-z Lyman-α transmission. The optical depth evolution is consistent with data, and its distribution suggests an even-later reionization than simulated, although with a strong sensitivity to the source model. We show that the effects of these two unknowns can be disentangled by characterizing the spectral shape and separation of Lyman-α transmission regions, opening up the possibility to observationally constrain both. For the first time in simulations, thesan reproduces the modulation of the Lyman-α flux as a function of galaxy distance, demonstrating the power of coupling a realistic galaxy formation model with proper radiation hydrodynamics. We find this feature to be extremely sensitive on the timing of reionization, while being relatively insensitive to the source model. Overall, thesan produces a realistic IGM and galaxy population, providing a robust framework for future analysis of the high-z Universe.

RELICS-DP7: Spectroscopic Confirmation of a Dichromatic Primeval Galaxy at z ∼ 7

Abstract We report the discovery of a spectroscopically confirmed strong Lyα emitter at z = 7.0281 ± 0.0003, observed as part of the Reionization Lensing Cluster Survey (RELICS). This galaxy, dubbed “Dichromatic Primeval Galaxy” at z ∼ 7 (DP7), shows two distinct components. While fairly unremarkable in terms of its ultraviolet (UV) luminosity ( ∼ 0.3 L UV * , where L UV * is the characteristic luminosity), DP7 has one of the highest observed Lyα equivalent widths (EWs) among Lyα emitters at z &gt; 6 (&gt;200 Å in the rest frame). The strong Lyα emission generally suggests a young metal-poor, low-dust galaxy; however, we find that the UV slope β of the galaxy as a whole is redder than typical star-forming galaxies at these redshifts, −1.13 ± 0.84, likely indicating, on average, a considerable amount of dust obscuration, or an older stellar population. When we measure β for the two components separately, however, we find evidence of differing UV colors, suggesting two separate stellar populations. Also, we find that Lyα is spatially extended and likely larger than the galaxy size, hinting to the possible existence of a Lyα halo. Rejuvenation or merging events could explain these results. Either scenario requires an extreme stellar population, possibly including a component of Population III stars, or an obscured active galactic nucleus. DP7, with its low UV luminosity and high Lyα EW, represents the typical galaxies that are thought to be the major contribution to the reionization of the universe, and for this reason DP7 is an excellent target for follow-up with the James Webb Space Telescope.

Stars and gas in the most metal-poor galaxies – I. COS and MUSE observations of SBS 0335−052E

ABSTRACT Among the nearest most metal-poor starburst-dwarf galaxies known, SBS 0335−052E is the most luminous in integrated nebular He ii λ4686 emission. This makes it a unique target to test spectral synthesis models and spectral interpretation tools of the kind that will be used to interpret future rest-frame UV observations of primeval galaxies. Previous attempts to reproduce its He ii λ4686 luminosity found that X-ray sources, shocks, and single Wolf–Rayet stars are not main contributors to the He ii-ionizing budget; and that only metal-free single rotating stars or binary stars with a top-heavy IMF and an unphysically low metallicity can reproduce it. We present new UV (COS) and optical (MUSE) spectra that integrate the light of four super star clusters in SBS 0335−052E. Nebular He ii, [C iii], C iii], C iv, and O iii] UV emission lines with equivalent widths between 1.7 and 5 Å and a C iv λλ1548, 1551 P-Cygni like profile are detected. Recent extremely metal-poor shock + precursor models and binary models fail to reproduce the observed optical emission-line ratios. We use different sets of UV and optical observables to test models of constant star formation with single non-rotating stars that account for very massive stars as blueshifted O v λ1371 absorption is present. Simultaneously fitting the fluxes of all high-ionization UV lines requires an unphysically low metallicity. Fitting the P-Cygni like + nebular components of C iv λλ1548, 1551 does not constrain the stellar metallicity and time since the beginning of star formation. We obtain 12+log(O/H)$\, = 7.45\pm 0.04$ and log(C/O)$\, = -0.45^{+0.03}_{-0.04}$ for the galaxy. Model testing would benefit from higher spatial resolution UV and optical spectroscopy of the galaxy.

Описание сценария развития протогалактик с малыми угловыми моментами через каскадную фрагментацию с образованием протоскоплений и протозвезд на основе теории графов

The process of proto galaxies development is considered in the period of Universe cooling, when their masses are equal to the Jeans values. As a result of further cooling, the proto systems are subjected to the cascade fragmentation mechanism under which the more and more new smaller fragments are formed. Primary fragments are future galaxies (the upper limit of the mass of fragments falls within the mass range of galaxies), the ancestors of future star clusters, stars and sub stars form in the secondary fragmentation wave. In order to describe cascade fragmentation in proto systems with an extremely small angular momentum, a directed graph is constructed based on a general idea about the evolution of stellar systems. Star formation efficiency evaluations are carried out for proto systems, which determined by power-law mass spectra and the probabilities of key events are calculated. The fractional contents of the substance leaving for the formation of a new generation of stars and sub stars are calculated, depending on the μ-th star formation cycle (for its total number N). The dependence of the mass fraction transferred from the proto system to the system is presented in graphical form as a function of the fragments number N. Four options of the evolution of stellar systems such as galaxies are obtained, which are described by mass spectra with different exponents at the first and second stages of evolution. It is shown that, depending on the evolutionary scenario determined by the combination of mass spectra at the first and second stages of evolution, galaxies at the final stage of evolution may have different populations. According to one of the scenarios, galaxies should contain stellar composition limited by the masses of dwarf stars (≤ 0.8 M⊙). For the calculated maximum value Nmax ≈ 70 and the time of one fragmentation cycle, which occurs during one-star star formation in stellar clusters of galaxies ~ 107 years, it is expected that the time of complete gas depletion in stellar systems such as elliptical galaxies will be ~ 7•109 years. Considering that the characteristic time for the beginning of the formation of galaxies is ≈ 12•109 years, the obtained result explains satisfactorily the absence of star formation in elliptical galaxies over the past 5 billion years. Further development of research in this direction shows that it possible to understand the causes of differences in the composition of populations of various types of galaxies.

ALMA witnesses the assembly of first galaxies

AbstractCharacterising primeval galaxies entails the challenging goal of observing galaxies with modest star formation rates (SFR &lt; 100 Mȯyr−1) and approaching the beginning of the reionisation epoch (z &gt; 6). To date a large number of primeval galaxies have been identified thanks to deep near-infrared surveys. However, to further our understanding on the formation and evolution of such primeval objects, we must investigate their nature and physical properties through multi-band spectroscopic observations. Information on dust content, metallicity, interactions with the surrounding environment, and outflows can be obtained with ALMA observations of far-infrared (FIR) lines such as the [Cii] at 158 μm and [Oiii] at 88 μm. Here, we, thus, discuss the recent results unveiled by ALMA observations and present new [Cii] observations of BDF-3299, a star-forming galaxy at z = 7.1 showing a spatial and spectral offset between the rest-frame UV and the FIR lines emission.

Analogs of high redshift galaxies: Disentangling the complexity of the green peas

AbstractYoung low-mass galaxies with extreme emission-line properties are ubiquitous at high redshift. However, a detailed characterisation of their physical properties, key for understanding cosmic reionisation and the early growth of galaxies, will be only possible with JWST and ELT observations. Rare lower-z analogues of these primeval galaxies provide us ideal laboratories to study in larger detail the complex physical mechanisms taking place in these extreme systems. In this talk, I will review key results from these high-z analogues, with an emphasis on lessons learned from deep spectroscopic observations of green pea galaxies at z ⩽ 0.3. New recent results based on high-dispersion Echelle and IFU spectroscopy of green peas will be presented. They illustrate current advantages and limitations of the chemodynamical analysis for a simultaneous study of the ionised gas kinematics, chemical enrichment and the escape of ionising photons in compact low-mass starbursts.

Constraints on the production and escape of ionizing radiation from the emission-lines of metal-poor star-forming galaxies

AbstractTo understand how the nature of the ionizing sources and the leakage of ionizing photons in high-redshift galaxies can be constrained from their emission-line spectra, we compare emission-line models of star-forming galaxies including leakage of ionizing radiation, active galactic nuclei (AGN) and radiative shocks, with observations of galaxies at various redshifts with properties expected to approach those of primeval galaxies.

J1234+3901: an extremely metal-deficient compact star-forming dwarf galaxy at redshift 0.133

We have obtained optical spectroscopy of one of the most metal-poor dwarf star-forming galaxies (SFG) in the local Universe, J1234+3901, with the Large Binocular Telescope (LBT)/Multi-Object Dual Spectrograph (MODS). This blue compact dwarf (BCD) galaxy with a redshift z=0.133 was selected from the Data Release 14 (DR14) of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS). Its properties are extreme in many ways. Its oxygen abundance 12 + log O/H = 7.035+/-0.026 is among the lowest ever observed for a SFG. Its absolute magnitude Mg = -17.35 mag makes it the brightest galaxy among the known BCDs with 12 + log O/H < 7.3. With its low metallicity, low stellar mass M* = 10^7.13 Msun and very low mass-to-light ratio M*/Lg ~ 0.01 (in solar units), it deviates strongly from the mass-metallicity and luminosity-metallicity relations defined by the bulk of the SFGs in SDSS DR14. J1234+3901 has a very high specific star-formation rate sSFR ~ 100 Gyr^-1, indicating very active ongoing star-formation. Its spectrum shows a strong HeII 4686 emission line, with a flux ~ 2.4 per cent that of the Hbeta emission line. The most probable source of ionizing radiation for producing such a strong line is fast radiative shocks. J1234+3901 has a ratio O32 = [OIII]5007/[OII]3727 ~ 15, the highest among the lowest-metallicity SFGs, and is thus likely leaking Lyman continuum radiation. It is a good candidate for being a young dwarf galaxy, with a large fraction of its stars formed recently. As such, it is probably one of the best local counterparts of dwarf primeval galaxies responsible for the reionization of the early Universe.

A case study of hurdle and generalized additive models in astronomy: the escape of ionizing radiation

The dark ages of the Universe end with the formation of the first generation of stars residing in primeval galaxies. These objects were the first to produce ultraviolet ionizing photons in a period when the cosmic gas changed from a neutral state to an ionized one, known as Epoch of Reionization (EoR). A pivotal aspect to comprehend the EoR is to probe the intertwined relationship between the fraction of ionizing photons capable to escape dark haloes, also known as the escape fraction ($f_{esc}$), and the physical properties of the galaxy. This work develops a sound statistical model suitable to account for such non-linear relationships and the non-Gaussian nature of $f_{esc}$. This model simultaneously estimates the probability that a given primordial galaxy starts the ionizing photon production and estimates the mean level of the $f_{esc}$ once it is triggered. The model was employed in the First Billion Years simulation suite, from which we show that the baryonic fraction and the rate of ionizing photons appear to have a larger impact on $f_{esc}$ than previously thought. A naive univariate analysis of the same problem would suggest smaller effects for these properties and a much larger impact for the specific star formation rate, which is lessened after accounting for other galaxy properties and non-linearities in the statistical model.

FirstLight II: Star formation rates of primeval galaxies from z=5-15

In the FirstLight project, we have used ~300 cosmological, zoom-in simulations to determine the star-formation histories of distinct first galaxies with stellar masses between Ms=10^6 and 3 x 10^9 Msun during cosmic dawn (z=5-15). The evolution of the star formation rate (SFR) in each galaxy is complex and diverse, characterized by bursts of star formation. Overall, first galaxies spend 70% of their time in SF bursts. A sample of 1000 of these bursts indicates that the typical burst at z=6 has a specific SFR (sSFR) maximum of 5-15 Gyr^-1 with an effective width of ~100 Myr, one tenth of the age of the Universe at that redshift. A quarter of the bursts populate a tail with very high sSFR maxima of 20-30 Gyr^-1 and significantly shorter timescales of ~40-80 Myr. This diversity of bursts sets the mean and the mass-dependent scatter of the star-forming main sequence. This scatter is driven by a population of low-mass, Ms < 10^8 Msun, quiescent galaxies. The mean sSFR and the burst maximum at fixed mass increase with redshift, with the later always being a factor ~2 higher than the former. This implies sSFR maxima of ~20-60 Gyr^-1 at z=9-10. The SFR histories are publicly available at the FirstLight website.

FM14 Session 2: Communicating Astronomy in our Changing World

AbstractAs the IAU heads towards its second century, many changes have simultaneously transformed Astronomy and the human condition world-wide. Amid the amazing recent discoveries of exoplanets, primeval galaxies, and gravitational radiation, the human condition on Earth has become blazingly interconnected, yet beset with ever-increasing problems of over-population, pollution, and never-ending wars. Fossil-fueled global climate change has begun to yield perilous consequences. And the displacement of people from war-torn nations has reached levels not seen since World War II.

Dark energy constraints on masses and sizes of large scale cosmic structures

The requirement that their gravitational binding self-energy density must at least equal the background repulsive dark energy density for large scale cosmic structures implies a mass-radius relation of M/R^2 ~ 1g/cm^2, as pointed out earlier. This relation seems to hold true for primeval galaxies as well as those at present epoch. This could set constraints on the nature and evolution of dark energy. Besides, we also set constraints on the size of galaxy clusters and superclusters due to the repulsive cosmological dark energy. This could indicate as to why large scale cosmic structures much larger than ~200Mpc are not seen.

Kiloparsec-scale gaseous clumps and star formation at z = 5–7

We investigate the morphology of the [CII] emission in a sample of "normal" star-forming galaxies at $5<z<7.2$ in relation to their UV (rest-frame) counterpart. We use new ALMA observations of galaxies at $z\sim6-7$ as well as a careful re-analysis of archival ALMA data. In total 29 galaxies were analysed, 21 of which are detected in [CII]. For several of the latter the [CII] emission breaks into multiple components. Only a fraction of these [CII] components, if any, is associated with the primary UV systems, while the bulk of the [CII] emission is associated either with fainter UV components, or not associated with any UV counterpart at the current limits. By taking into account the presence of all these components, we find that the L$_{\rm [CII]}$-SFR relation at early epochs is fully consistent with the local relation, but it has a dispersion of 0.48$\pm$0.07 dex, which is about two times larger than observed locally. We also find that the deviation from the local L$_{\rm [CII]}$-SFR relation has a weak anti-correlation with the EW(Ly$\alpha$). The morphological analysis also reveals that [CII] emission is generally much more extended than the UV emission. As a consequence, these primordial galaxies are characterised by a [CII] surface brightness generally much lower than expected from the local ${\rm \Sigma_{[CII}-\Sigma_{SFR}}$ relation. These properties are likely a consequence of a combination of different effects, namely: gas metallicity, [CII] emission from obscured star-forming regions, strong variations of the ionisation parameter, and circumgalactic gas in accretion or ejected by these primeval galaxies.

How the First Stars Regulated Star Formation. II. Enrichment by Nearby Supernovae

Abstract Metals from Population III (Pop III) supernovae led to the formation of less massive Pop II stars in the early universe, altering the course of evolution of primeval galaxies and cosmological reionization. There are a variety of scenarios in which heavy elements from the first supernovae were taken up into second-generation stars, but cosmological simulations only model them on the largest scales. We present small-scale, high-resolution simulations of the chemical enrichment of a primordial halo by a nearby supernova after partial evaporation by the progenitor star. We find that ejecta from the explosion crash into and mix violently with ablative flows driven off the halo by the star, creating dense, enriched clumps capable of collapsing into Pop II stars. Metals may mix less efficiently with the partially exposed core of the halo, so it might form either Pop III or Pop II stars. Both Pop II and III stars may thus form after the collision if the ejecta do not strip all the gas from the halo. The partial evaporation of the halo prior to the explosion is crucial to its later enrichment by the supernova.

Introducing the FirstLight project: UV luminosity function and scaling relations of primeval galaxies

We introduce the FirstLight project that aims to generate a large database of high-resolution, zoom-in simulations of galaxy formation around the epoch of reionisation ($z\geq6$). The first results of this program agree well with recent observational constraints at z=6-8, including the UV luminosity function and galaxy stellar mass function, as well as the scaling relationships between halo mass, stellar mass, and UV magnitude. The UV luminosity function starts to flatten below MUV>-14 due to stellar feedback in halos with maximum circular velocities of V=30-40 km/s. The power-law slope of the luminosity function evolves rapidly with redshift, reaching a value of alpha=-2.5 at z=10. On the other hand, the galaxy stellar mass function evolves slowly with time between z=8-10, in particular at the low-mass end.

Molecular gas on large circumgalactic scales at z = 3.47

We report ALMA observations of the most massive (star forming) galaxy in the redshift range 3<z<4 within the whole GOODS-S field. We detect a large elongated structure of molecular gas around the massive primeval galaxy, traced by the CO(4-3) emission, and extended over 40 kpc. We infer a mass of the large gaseous structure of Mgas~2-6x10^11 Msun. About 60% of this mass is not directly associated with either the central galaxy or its two lower mass satellites. The CO extended structure is also detected in continuum thermal emission. The kinematics of the molecular gas shows the presence of different components, which cannot be ascribed to simple rotation. Furthermore, on even larger scales, we detect nine additional CO systems within a radius of 250 kpc from the massive galaxy and mostly distributed in the same direction as the CO elongated structure found in the central 40 kpc. The stacked images of these CO systems show detections in the thermal continuum and in the X-rays, suggesting that these systems are forming stars at a rate of 30-120 Msun/yr. We suggest that the extended gas structure, combined with its kinematic properties, and the gas rich star forming systems detected on larger scales, are tracing the inner and densest regions of large scale accreting streams, feeding the central massive galaxy. These results corroborate models of galaxy formation, in which accreting streams are clumpy and undergo some star formation (hence enriching the streams with metals) even before accreting onto the central galaxy.

Correction: Corrigendum: Analogues of primeval galaxies two billion years after the Big Bang

Nature Astronomy 1, 0052 (2017); published 2 March 2017; corrected 13 March 2017. In the version of this Letter originally published, in ref. 1 R. J. Bouwens's surname was spelled incorrectly. This has now been corrected in all versions of the Letter.