Andrew Bunker

Abstract:

Recent progress in measuring the optical depth of neutral hydrogen in distant quasars and that of electron scattering of microwave background photons suggests that most of the sources responsible for cosmic re-ionisation probably lie in the redshift interval 6 to 10. We present two new observational results which, together, provide valuable constraints on the contribution from star-forming sources in this redshift interval. First, using a large sample of v-band dropouts with unconfused Spitzer-IRAC detections, we determine the integrated stellar mass density at z = 5. This provides a valuable integral constraint on past star formation. It seems difficult to reconcile the observed stellar mass at z = 5 with the low abundance of luminous i-z- and J-band dropouts in deep Hubble Space Telescope data. Accordingly, we explore whether less luminous star-forming sources in the redshift interval 6 to 10 might be the dominant cause of cosmic re-ionization. In the second component of our research, we report on the results of two surveys for weak Lyman emitters and z- and J-band dropouts highly-magnified by foreground lensing clusters. Although some promising z = 89 candidates are found, it seems unlikely that low luminosity sources in this redshift interval can dominate cosmic reionization. If our work is substantiated by more extensive and precise surveys, the bulk of the re-ionizing photons may come from yet earlier sources lying at redshifts z>10. © 2007 International Astronomical Union.

Abstract:

We have undertaken a programme on the Gemini 8-m telescopes to demonstrate the power of integral field spectroscopy, using the CIRPASS instrument in the near-infrared. Here, we present some of our results from 3D spectroscopy of extra-galactic objects: mapping the Hα velocity field in a z ≈ 1 disc galaxy; exploring dark matter sub-structure through observations of an Einstein cross gravitational lens; and the star formation time-scales of young massive clusters in a starburst galaxy. © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.