Galaxy formation and evolution

Abstract:

Using deep JWST imaging from JADES, JEMS, and SMILES, we characterize optically faint and extremely red galaxies at z > 3 that were previously missing from galaxy census estimates. The data indicate the existence of abundant, dusty, and poststarburst-like galaxies down to 108 M ⊙, below the sensitivity limit of Spitzer and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). Modeling the NIRCam and Hubble Space Telescope (HST) photometry of these red sources can result in extremely high values for both stellar mass and star formation rate (SFR); however, including seven MIRI filters out to 21 μm results in decreased masses (median 0.6 dex for log10(M∗/M⊙) > 10) and SFRs (median 10× for SFR > 100 M ⊙ yr−1). At z > 6, our sample includes a high fraction of “little red dots” (LRDs; NIRCam-selected dust-reddened active galactic nucleus (AGN) candidates). We significantly measure older stellar populations in the LRDs out to rest-frame 3 μm (the stellar bump) and rule out a dominant contribution from hot dust emission, a signature of AGN contamination to stellar population measurements. This allows us to measure their contribution to the cosmic census at z > 3, below the typical detection limits of ALMA (L IR < 1012 L ⊙). We find that these sources, which are overwhelmingly missed by HST and ALMA, could effectively double the obscured fraction of the star formation rate density at 4 < z < 6 compared to some estimates, showing that prior to JWST, the obscured contribution from fainter sources could be underestimated. Finally, we identify five sources with evidence for Balmer breaks and high stellar masses at 5.5 < z < 7.7. While spectroscopy is required to determine their nature, we discuss possible measurement systematics to explore with future data.

Abstract:

ABSTRACT Given the complex nature of galaxies’ interstellar medium (ISM), multiwavelength data are required to probe the interplay among gas, dust, and stellar populations. Spiral galaxies are ideal laboratories for such a goal as they are rich in gas and dust. Using carbon monoxide (CO) along with GALEX far-ultraviolet (FUV) and Spitzer near-infrared (NIR) data we probe the correlations amongst the properties of stellar populations, gas, and dust over the disc of the spiral galaxy NGC 1055 at multiple angular resolutions, that is, 2, 4, and 17 arcsec corresponding to a linear size of 144, 288, and 1.2 kpc, respectively. Our results indicate an asymmetry in the physical conditions along the galaxy’s disc, that is, the gas is slightly more extended and brighter, and molecular gas mass is higher on the disc’s eastern side than the western side. All physical properties (i.e. molecular gas mass, CO line ratios, stellar mass, and NIR emission) decrease from the centre going outwards in the disc with some exceptions (i.e. the extinction, FUV radiation, and the [3.6]−[4.5] colour). Our analysis indicates that the colour gets bluer (metallicity increases) halfway through the disc, then redder (metallicity decreases) going outwards further in the disc.