In the past decade, submillimeter surveys have been employed to define samples of gravitationally-lensed dusty star-forming galaxies (DSFGs) at z ∼ 1 − 4. These extreme objects () appear to form ...stars prodigiously at rates of . Using all-sky Planck and WISE surveys, and wide-area Herschel surveys, we have identified the PASSAGES sample, with some of the rarest hyper-luminous IR galaxies ever discovered. We have found that their globally-averaged star formation surface densities are always sub-Eddington, typically by an order of magnitude. This may suggest that our understanding of how radiation pressure from massive stars disrupts the collapse of molecular clouds (thereby quenching star formation) is flawed—or simply that smaller physical resolutions are necessary. With the aid of lensing, we can now capture the source-plane distribution of star formation at ∼ 100pc scales, letting us identify isolated super-Eddington regions where quenching is occurring.
Abstract
The PASSAGES (Planck All-Sky Survey to Analyze Gravitationally-lensed Extreme Starbursts) collaboration has recently defined a sample of 30 gravitationally lensed dusty star-forming galaxies ...(DSFGs). These rare, submillimeter-selected objects enable high-resolution views of the most extreme sites of star formation in galaxies at cosmic noon. Here, we present the first major compilation of strong lensing analyses using
lenstool
for PASSAGES, including 15 objects spanning
z
= 1.1–3.3, using complementary information from 0.″6-resolution 1.1 mm Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array and 0.″4 5 cm Jansky Very Large Array continuum imaging, in tandem with 1.6
μ
m Hubble and optical imaging with Gemini-S. Magnifications range from
μ
= 2 to 28 (median
μ
= 7), yielding intrinsic infrared luminosities of
L
IR
= 0.2–5.9 × 10
13
L
⊙
(median 1.4 × 10
13
L
⊙
) and inferred star formation rates of 170–6300
M
⊙
yr
−1
(median 1500
M
⊙
yr
−1
). These results suggest that the PASSAGES objects comprise some of the most extreme known starbursts, rivaling the luminosities of even the brightest unlensed objects, further amplified by lensing. The intrinsic sizes of far-infrared continuum regions are large (
R
e
= 1.7–4.3 kpc; median 3.0 kpc) but consistent with
L
IR
–
R
e
scaling relations for
z
> 1 DSFGs, suggesting a widespread spatial distribution of star formation. With modestly high angular resolution, we explore if these objects might be maximal starbursts. Instead of approaching Eddington-limited surface densities, above which radiation pressure will disrupt further star formation, they are safely sub-Eddington—at least on global, galaxy-integrated scales.
ABSTRACT
Hyperluminous infrared galaxies (HyLIRGs) are the most extreme star-forming systems observed in the early Universe, and their properties still elude comprehensive understanding. We have ...undertaken a large XMM–Newton observing programme to probe the total accreting black hole population in three HyLIRGs at z = 2.12, 3.25, and 3.55, gravitationally lensed by foreground galaxies. Selected from the Planck All-Sky Survey to Analyse Gravitationally lensed Extreme Starbursts (PASSAGES), these HyLIRGs have apparent infrared luminosities >1014 L⊙. Our observations revealed X-ray emission in each of them. PJ1336+49 appears to be dominated by high-mass X-ray binaries (HMXBs). Remarkably, the luminosity of this non-AGN X-ray emission exceeds by a factor of about 3 the value obtained by calibration with local galaxies with much lower star formation rates. This enhanced X-ray emission most likely highlights the efficacy of dynamical HMXB production within compact clusters, which is an important mode of star formation in HyLIRGs. The remaining two (PJ0116−24 and PJ1053+60) morphologically and spectrally exhibit a compact X-ray component in addition to the extended non-AGN X-ray emission, indicating the presence of Active Galactic Nuclei (AGNs). The AGN appears to be centrally located in the reconstructed source plane images of PJ0116−24, which manifests its star-forming activity predominantly within an extended galactic disc. In contrast, the AGN in the field of PJ1053+60 is projected 60 kpc away from the extreme star-forming galaxy and could be ejected from it. These results underline the synergistic potential of deep X-ray observations with strong lensing for the study of high-energy astrophysical phenomena in HyLIRGs.
Abstract
A Type Ia supernova (SN) at
z
= 1.78 was discovered in James Webb Space Telescope Near Infrared Camera imaging of the galaxy cluster PLCK G165.7+67.0 (G165;
z
= 0.35). The SN is situated ...1.5–2 kpc from the host-galaxy nucleus and appears in three different locations as a result of gravitational lensing by G165. These data can yield a value for Hubble’s constant using time delays from this multiply imaged SN Ia that we call “SN H0pe.” Over the cluster, we identified 21 image multiplicities, confirmed five of them using the Near-Infrared Spectrograph, and constructed a new lens model that gives a total mass within 600 kpc of (2.6 ± 0.3) × 10
14
M
⊙
. The photometry uncovered a galaxy overdensity coincident with the SN host galaxy. NIRSpec confirmed six member galaxies, four of which surround the SN host galaxy with relative velocity ≲900 km s
−1
and projected physical extent ≲33 kpc. This compact galaxy group is dominated by the SN host galaxy, which has a stellar mass of (5.0 ± 0.1) × 10
11
M
⊙
. The group members have specific star formation rates of 2–260 Gyr
−1
derived from the H
α
-line fluxes corrected for stellar absorption, dust extinction, and slit losses. Another group centered on a strongly lensed dusty star-forming galaxy is at
z
= 2.24. The total (unobscured and obscured) SFR of this second galaxy group is estimated to be (≳ 100
M
⊙
yr
−1
), which translates to a supernova rate of ∼1 SNe yr
−1
, suggesting that regular monitoring of this cluster may yield additional SNe.
Abstract
We report the results of James Webb Space Telescope/NIRCam observations of 19 (sub)millimeter sources detected by the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA). The accurate ALMA positions ...allowed unambiguous identifications of their NIRCam counterparts. Taking gravitational lensing into account, these represent 16 distinct galaxies in three fields and constitute the largest sample of its kind to date. The counterparts’ spectral energy distributions cover from rest-frame ultraviolet to near-IR and provide photometric redshifts (1 <
z
< 4.5) and stellar masses (
M
*
> 10
10.5
M
⊙
), which are similar to submillimeter galaxies (SMGs) studied previously. However, our sample is fainter in (sub)millimeter than the classic SMG samples are, and our sources exhibit a wider range of properties. They have dust-embedded star formation rates as low as 10
M
⊙
yr
−1
, and the sources populate both the star-forming main sequence and the quiescent categories. The deep NIRCam data allow us to study the rest-frame near-IR morphologies. Excluding two multiply imaged systems and one quasar, the majority of the remaining sources are disk-like and show either little or no disturbance. This suggests that secular growth is a potential route for the assembly of high-mass disk galaxies. While a few objects have large disks, the majority have small disks (median half-mass radius of 1.6 kpc). At this time, it is unclear whether this is due to the prevalence of small disks at these redshifts or some unknown selection effects of deep ALMA observations. A larger sample of ALMA sources with NIRCam observations will be able to address this question.
Abstract
Gradients in the mass-to-light ratio of distant galaxies impede our ability to characterize their size and compactness. The long-wavelength filters of JWST’s NIRCam offer a significant step ...forward. For galaxies at Cosmic Noon (
z
∼ 2), this regime corresponds to the rest-frame near-infrared, which is less biased toward young stars and captures emission from the bulk of a galaxy’s stellar population. We present an initial analysis of an extraordinary lensed dusty star-forming galaxy at
z
= 2.3 behind the El Gordo cluster (
z
= 0.87), named El Anzuelo (“The Fishhook”) after its partial Einstein-ring morphology. The far-UV to near-IR spectral energy distribution suggests an intrinsic star formation rate of
81
−
2
+
7
M
⊙
yr
−
1
and dust attenuation
A
V
≈ 1.6, in line with other DSFGs on the star-forming main sequence. We develop a parametric lens model to reconstruct the source-plane structure of dust imaged by the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array, far-UV to optical light from Hubble, and near-IR imaging with 8 filters of JWST/NIRCam, as part of the Prime Extragalactic Areas for Reionization and Lensing Science program. The source-plane half-light radius is remarkably consistent from ∼1 to 4.5
μ
m, despite a clear color gradient where the inferred galaxy center is redder than the outskirts. We interpret this to be the result of both a radially decreasing gradient in attenuation and substantial spatial offsets between UV- and IR-emitting components. A spatial decomposition of the SED reveals modestly suppressed star formation in the inner kiloparsec, which suggests that we are witnessing the early stages of inside-out quenching.
Abstract
We identify 71 distant stars in James Webb Space Telescope/NIRCam early release observations (ERO) images of the field of galaxy cluster SMACS J0723.3-7327 (SMACS 0723). Given the relatively ...small (∼10°) angular separation between SMACS 0723 and the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), it is likely that these stars are associated with the LMC outskirts or the Leading Arm. This is further bolstered by a spectral energy distribution (SED) analysis, which suggests an excess of stars at a physical distance of 40–100 kpc, consistent with being associated with or located behind the Magellanic system. In particular, we find that the overall surface density of stars brighter than 27.0 mag in the field of SMACS 0723 is ∼2.3 times that of stars in a blank field with similar Galactic latitude (the North Ecliptic Pole Time Domain Field), and that the density of stars in the SMACS 0723 field with SED-derived distances consistent with the Magellanic system is ∼6.1 times larger than that of the blank field. The candidate stars at these distances are consistent with a stellar population at the same distance modulus with Fe/H = −1.0 and an age of ∼5.0 Gyr. On the assumption that all of the 71 stars are associated with the LMC, then the stellar density of the LMC at the location of the SMACS 0723 field is ∼740 stars kpc
−3
, which helps trace the density of stars in the LMC outskirts.
Abstract
We give an overview and describe the rationale, methods, and first results from NIRCam images of the JWST “Prime Extragalactic Areas for Reionization and Lensing Science” (PEARLS) project. ...PEARLS uses up to eight NIRCam filters to survey several prime extragalactic survey areas: two fields at the North Ecliptic Pole (NEP); seven gravitationally lensing clusters; two high redshift protoclusters; and the iconic backlit VV 191 galaxy system to map its dust attenuation. PEARLS also includes NIRISS spectra for one of the NEP fields and NIRSpec spectra of two high-redshift quasars. The main goal of PEARLS is to study the epoch of galaxy assembly, active galactic nucleus (AGN) growth, and First Light. Five fields—the JWST NEP Time-Domain Field (TDF), IRAC Dark Field, and three lensing clusters—will be observed in up to four epochs over a year. The cadence and sensitivity of the imaging data are ideally suited to find faint variable objects such as weak AGN, high-redshift supernovae, and cluster caustic transits. Both NEP fields have sightlines through our Galaxy, providing significant numbers of very faint brown dwarfs whose proper motions can be studied. Observations from the first spoke in the NEP TDF are public. This paper presents our first PEARLS observations, their NIRCam data reduction and analysis, our first object catalogs, the 0.9–4.5
μ
m galaxy counts and Integrated Galaxy Light. We assess the JWST sky brightness in 13 NIRCam filters, yielding our first constraints to diffuse light at 0.9–4.5
μ
m. PEARLS is designed to be of lasting benefit to the community.
Abstract
The first deep field images from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) of the galaxy cluster SMACS J0723.3-7327 reveal a wealth of new lensed images at uncharted infrared wavelengths, with ...unprecedented depth and resolution. Here we securely identify 14 new sets of multiply imaged galaxies totaling 42 images, adding to the five sets of bright and multiply imaged galaxies already known from Hubble Space Telescope data. We find examples of arcs crossing critical curves, allowing detailed community follow-up, such as JWST spectroscopy for precise redshift determinations, and measurements of the chemical abundances and of the detailed internal gas dynamics of very distant, young galaxies. One such arc contains a pair of compact knots that are magnified by a factor of hundreds, and features a microlensed transient. We also detect an Einstein cross candidate only visible thanks to JWST’s superb resolution. Our parametric lens model is available through the following link (
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/gwup2lvks0jsqe5/AAC2RRSKce0aX-lIFCc9vhBXa?dl=0
) and will be regularly updated using additional spectroscopic redshifts. The model is constrained by 16 of these sets of multiply imaged galaxies, three of which have spectroscopic redshifts, and reproduces the multiple images to better than an rms of 0.″5, allowing for accurate magnification estimates of high-redshift galaxies. The intracluster light extends beyond the cluster members, exhibiting large-scale features that suggest a significant past dynamical disturbance. This work represents a first taste of the enhanced power JWST will have for lensing-related science.
Abstract We present the molecular gas content and interstellar medium conditions of MACS J0717_Az9, a strong gravitationally lensed z = 4.273, M * ≃ 2 × 10 9 M ⊙ star-forming galaxy with an unusually ...high (∼80%) obscured star formation fraction. We detect CO (4–3) in two independent lensed images, as well as N ii 205 μ m, with the Atacama Large Millimeter Array. We derive a molecular gas mass of log 10 M H 2 ( M ⊙ ) = 9.77 , making it moderately deficient in molecular gas compared to the lower-redshift gas fraction scaling relation. Leveraging photodissociation region (PDR) models, we combine our CO (4–3) measurements with existing measurements of the C ii 158 μ m line and total infrared luminosity to model the PDR conditions. We find PDR conditions similar to those in local star-forming galaxies, with a mean hydrogen density log 10 n H cm −3 = 4.80 ± 0.39 and a mean radiation field strength log 10 G 0 Habing = 2.83 ± 0.26. Based on Band 3 continuum data, we derive an upper limit on the intrinsic dust mass of log 10 M dust ( M ⊙ ) < 7.73, consistent with existing estimates. We use the 3D tilted-ring model fitting code 3D-Barolo to determine the kinematic properties of the CO (4–3) emitting gas. We find that it is rotationally dominated, with a V / σ = 4.6 ± 1.7, consistent with the kinematics of the C ii . With PDR conditions remarkably similar to those in normal dusty star-forming galaxies at z < 0.2 and a stable molecular disk, our observations of Az9 suggest that the dust-obscured phase for a low-mass galaxy at z ∼ 4 is relatively long. Thus, Az9 may be representative of a more widespread population that has been missed owing to insufficiently deep existing millimeter surveys.
