Galaxy formation and evolution

Abstract:

Galaxy number counts probe the evolution of galaxies over cosmic time and serve as a valuable comparison point to theoretical models of galaxy formation. We present new galaxy number counts in eight photometric bands between 5 and 25 μm from the Systematic Mid-infrared Instrument Legacy Extragalactic Survey and the JWST Advanced Deep Extragalactic Survey deep MIRI parallel, extending to unprecedented depth. By combining our new MIRI counts with existing data from Spitzer and AKARI, we achieve counts across 3–5 orders of magnitude in flux in all MIRI bands. Our counts diverge from predictions from recent semianalytical models of galaxy formation, likely due to their treatment of mid-IR aromatic features. Finally, we integrate our combined JWST−Spitzer counts at 8 and 24 μm to measure the cosmic infrared background (CIB) light at these wavelengths; our measured CIB fluxes are consistent with those from previous mid-IR surveys but larger than predicted by models based on TeV blazar data.

Abstract:

We present James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) NIRCam and NIRSpec observations of a Type Ic supernova (SN Ic) and its host galaxy (JADES-GS+53.13533-27.81457) at z = 2.83. This SN (named SN 2023adta) was identified in deep JWST/NIRCam imaging from the JWST Advanced Deep Extragalactic Survey (JADES) program. Follow-up observations with JWST/NIRSpec provided a spectroscopic redshift of z = 2.83 and the classification as an SN Ic-BL. The light curve of SN 2023adta matches well with other stripped-envelope SNe, and we find a high peak luminosity, M V = −19.0 ± 0.2 mag, based on the distribution of best-fit SNe. The broad absorption features in its spectrum are consistent with other SNe Ic-BL 1–3 weeks after peak brightness. We measure a Ca ii near-IR triplet expansion velocity of 29,000 ± 2000 km s−1. The host galaxy of SN 2023adta is irregular, and modeling of its spectral energy distribution indicates a metallicity of Z=0.35−0.08+0.16Z⊙ . This environment is consistent with the population of low-z SNe Ic-BL that prefer lower metallicities relative to other stripped-envelope SNe and track long-duration γ-ray burst environments. We do not identify any γ-ray bursts that are coincident with SN 2023adta. Given the rarity of SNe Ic-BL in the local Universe, the detection of an SN Ic-BL at z = 2.83 could indicate that their rates are enhanced at high redshift.