arXiv subjects

R. A. A. Bowler

Publications and source records attributed to R. A. A. Bowler.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

MIGHTEE: The Host-Galaxy Associated Catalogue of the Radio Sources in MIGHTEE Continuum Data Release 1

Radio continuum surveys provide samples of active galactic nuclei (AGN) and star forming galaxies (SFGs) to high redshifts, free of biases due to dust obscuration. However, radio detected sources require multi-wavelength counterparts to understand their intrinsic properties (e.g. redshift, stellar mass) and to study the evolution of star formation and AGN activity. In this work we present host galaxy counterparts for the MeerKAT International GHz Tiered Extragalactic Exploration (MIGHTEE) survey continuum Data Release 1 in regions with the best ancillary data (totalling 7.5 sq. deg). We combine statistical cross-matching and visual inspection to identify Ks-band selected host galaxies, and additionally combine multiple radio components into single physical objects, where needed. This results in a combined radio catalogue of ~66 000 sources, with host counterparts and redshifts identified for ~95 per cent of sources in the COSMOS field, ~91 per cent in XMM-LSS and ~90 per cent in CDFS-DEEP. This includes a significant fraction of sources with spectroscopic redshifts within the COSMOS field (~50 per cent), with ~30 and ~20 per cent in the XMM-LSS and CDFS-DEEP fields respectively. Using the cross-matched catalogue, we make an initial identification of radio-excess and star forming galaxies based on comparisons of the radio luminosities to host star formation rates. Using this split as a proxy for radio loud AGN or SFGs, we present expectations for the redshift distributions of these sources, finding broad agreement with those from deep radio luminosity functions and simulated catalogues.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2026

Euclid: Discovery of 31 new quasars at $6.6 < z < 7.8$

We report the discovery of 31 new high-$z$ quasars in the redshift range $6.6 < z < 7.8$. These quasars were selected from approximately 3000 deg$^2$ of sky covered during the first 1.5 years of the Euclid Wide Survey, representing the initial results of the Euclid high-$z$ quasar search. Our candidate selection employed multiple machine-learning and probabilistic techniques applied to the Euclid $I_E$, $Y_E$, $J_E$, and $H_E$ images, supplemented by ancillary $z$-band data when available. Spectroscopic follow-up observations were carried out with Keck, Magellan, and the Large Binocular Telescope (LBT). Among the new discoveries, there are 12 quasars at $z \geq 7$, more than doubling the number of previously known quasars at $z \geq 7$. The newly discovered quasars exhibit $21.2 < J_E < 23.2$ ($-25.5 < M_{1450} < -23.6$), extending quasar studies to the faint end of the quasar luminosity function (QLF) at $z \gtrsim 7$. The quasar with the highest-$z$, EUCL J172902.75+641018.1 at $z \approx 7.77$, sets the new redshift record for the most distant quasar ever reported. These discoveries demonstrate Euclid's transformative role in high-$z$ quasar discovery and set the stage for future follow-up studies of the early galaxies hosting quasars, supermassive black hole growth, and the intergalactic medium in the epoch of reionisation.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2026

Euclid: A UV-faint quasar in a highly luminous star-forming host galaxy at $z \approx 7.7$

Constraining the co-evolution of supermassive black holes and their host galaxies in the first billion years after the Big Bang is essential for understanding the formation of the earliest cosmic structures. Here, we present IRAM/NOrthern Extended Millimeter Array (NOEMA) observations of the $z \approx 7.7$ quasar EUCL\,J125308.55+705432.3, recently discovered in the first data release of the Euclid Wide Survey. We report the most distant detections of [CII] 158$μ\mathrm{m}$ and cold dust emission in a quasar host to date. The [CII] emission line sets the systemic redshift at $z=7.6980\pm0.0004$. The source exhibits luminosities of $L_{\rm FIR}=3.6\times10^{12}\,L_{\odot}$ and $L_{[CII]}=2\times10^9\,L_{\odot}$, respectively, a dust mass of 1.4$\times 10^{8}\,M_{\odot}$, and a dynamical mass in the range 0.33-1.3$\times10^{10}\,M_{\odot}$. Remarkably, despite being nearly two magnitudes fainter in the rest-frame UV ($M_{1450}=-24.06$) than previously known $z\approx7.5$ quasars ( $\sim-$26.5), EUCL\,J125308.55+705432.3 exhibits the brightest [CII] emission among them. This indicates that the host galaxy is actively star-forming, with a star-formation rate $>250\,M_{\odot}\,\mathrm{yr}^{-1}$, consistent with recent findings that UV-faint quasars at $z>6$ preferentially reside in [CII]-luminous galaxies. The UV-faintness likely reflects dust obscuration or sub-Eddington accretion, rather than lower host mass, suggesting these systems are at a different stage in their evolution compared to UV-bright quasars. These IRAM/NOEMA observations highlight the power of combining Euclid's wide-area quasar discovery potential with submillimetre follow-up observations to characterise the host galaxies of early supermassive black holes across a broader redshift and luminosity range than previously accessible.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2026

Euclid. Populating a dark universe with galaxies using SciPIC

High-fidelity galaxy mocks are crucial for validating analysis pipelines and for cosmological inference. In this context, the Science Pipeline at PIC (SciPIC) is a pipeline specifically designed for the fast generation of synthetic galaxy catalogues from the halo properties identified in cosmological simulations. SciPIC delivers galaxy catalogues that aim to reproduce the observed luminosity function and clustering above a given flux detection limit over a wide redshift range. In this work, we introduce SciPICal, an automated pipeline that calibrates the parameters that set the main mock galaxy properties, namely number density, luminosities, colours, and positions. The pipeline is applied to the Euclid Flagship 2 Wide and Deep halo catalogues, specifically built to support the \textit{Euclid} wide and deep surveys. Compared to the recently released Flagship 2 Wide mock, our calibrated version improves the clustering predictions by approximately 50\% based on chi-squared values. Furthermore, we produce the Euclid Deep mock catalogue, which reaches up to $z = 10$ by populating a light-cone and a complementary snapshot at $z = 0$. We validate these catalogues using measurements from spectroscopic and photometric galaxy surveys, as well as with results from a hydrodynamical simulation. The obtained good agreement (within $15\%$ for most of the samples) in the clustering predictions across the different galaxy samples considered, validates our calibration strategy and demonstrates the strong predictive power of the generated mocks. This pipeline will allow us to improve the methodology applied in assigning the galaxy properties and ensures that the galaxy mocks remain up-to-date by incorporating constraints from upcoming observational data in the calibration procedure.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2026

Euclid: Discovery of bright $z\simeq7$ Lyman-break galaxies in UltraVISTA and Euclid COSMOS

We present a search for $z\simeq7$ Lyman-break galaxies using the $1.72 \, \rm{deg}^2$ near-infrared UltraVISTA survey in the COSMOS field, reaching $5\,σ$ depths in $Y$ of 26.2. We incorporate deep optical and Spitzer imaging for a full spectral energy distribution (SED) fitting analysis. We find 289 candidate galaxies at $6.5\leq z \leq 7.5$ covering $-22.6 \leq M_{\rm UV} \leq -20.2$, faint enough to overlap with Hubble Space Telescope studies. We conduct a separate selection by including complementary Euclid performance verification imaging (reaching $5\,σ$ depths of $26.3$), yielding 140 galaxies in $0.65 \, \rm{deg}^2$, with 38 sources unique to this sample. We compute the rest-frame UV luminosity function (UV LF) from our samples, extending below the knee ($M^*=-21.14^{+0.28}_{-0.25}$). We find that the shape of the UV LF is consistent with both a Schechter function and double-power law (DPL) at the magnitudes probed by this sample, with a DPL preferred at $M_{\rm UV}<-22.5$ when bright-end results are included. The UltraVISTA+Euclid sample provides a clean measurement of the LF due to the overlapping near-infrared filters identifying molecular absorption features in the SEDs of ultra-cool dwarf interlopers, and additional faint galaxies are recovered. A comparison with JWST LFs at $z>7$ suggests a gentle evolution in the bright-end slope, although this is limited by a lack of robust bright-end measurements at $z>9$. We forecast that in the Euclid Deep Fields, the removal of contaminant ultra-cool dwarfs as point sources will be possible at $J_{\rm E} < 24.5$. Finally, we present a high-equivalent-width Lyman-$α$ emitter candidate identified by combining HSC, VISTA, and Euclid broadband photometry, highlighting the synergistic power these instruments will have in the Euclid Auxiliary Fields for identifying extreme sources in the Epoch of Reionisation.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2025

Euclid Quick Data Release (Q1): Hunting for luminous z > 6 galaxies in the Euclid Deep Fields -- forecasts and first bright detections

The evolution of the rest-frame ultraviolet luminosity function (UV LF) is a powerful probe of early star formation and stellar mass build-up. At z > 6, its bright end (MUV < -21) remains poorly constrained due to the small volumes of existing near-infrared (NIR) space-based surveys. The Euclid Deep Fields (EDFs) will cover 53 deg^2 with NIR imaging down to 26.5 AB, increasing area by a factor of 100 over previous space-based surveys. They thus offer an unprecedented opportunity to select bright z > 6 Lyman break galaxies (LBGs) and constrain the UV LF's bright end. With NIR coverage extending to 2um, Euclid can detect galaxies out to z = 13. We present forecasts for the number densities of z > 6 galaxies expected in the final EDF dataset. Using synthetic photometry from spectral energy distribution (SED) templates of z = 5--15 galaxies, z = 1--4 interlopers, and Milky Way MLT dwarfs, we explore optimal selection methods for high-z LBGs. A combination of S/N cuts with SED fitting (from optical to MIR) yields the highest-fidelity sample, recovering >76% of input z > 6 LBGs while keeping low-z contamination <10%. This excludes instrumental artefacts, which will affect early Euclid releases. Auxiliary data are critical: optical imaging from the Hyper Suprime-Cam and Vera C. Rubin Observatory distinguishes genuine Lyman breaks, while Spitzer/IRAC data help recover z > 10 sources. Based on empirical double power-law LF models, we expect >100,000 LBGs at z = 6-12 and >100 at z > 12 in the final Euclid release. In contrast, steeper Schechter models predict no z > 12 detections. We also present two ultra-luminous (MUV < -23.5) candidates from the EDF-N Q1 dataset. If their redshifts are confirmed, their magnitudes support a DPL LF model at z > 9, highlighting Euclid's power to constrain the UV LF's bright end and identify the most luminous early galaxies for follow-up.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2025

REBELS-IFU: Steeply rising star formation histories and the importance of dust obscuration in massive $z \simeq7$ galaxies revealed by multi-wavelength observations

Reliable star formation rate (SFR) measurements are essential for understanding early galaxy evolution, yet derived values rely on several assumptions. To address this problem, we investigate the SFRs of 12 massive ($9~<~\log(M_{\star}/{\rm M}_{\odot})~<~10$) Lyman-break galaxies at $z=6.5-7.7$, drawn from the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) Reionization Era Bright Emission Line Survey (REBELS) program. The multi-wavelength data, including JWST NIRSpec IFU spectroscopy and ALMA observations, make this a unique sample for investigating SFR tracers at this epoch. We compare SFRs derived from the rest-UV, H$α$, and far-infrared emission, and from spectral energy distribution (SED) fits. We apply robust dust attenuation corrections, which are crucial since between $50-80$ per cent of the star formation is obscured, and find a stellar-to-nebular attenuation ratio of $f=0.50\pm0.08$, consistent with local star-forming galaxies. The majority of the derived total SFRs (medians $25-120$ ${\rm M}_{\odot}$ yr$^{-1}$) place the REBELS galaxies systematically above $z=7$ literature star-forming main-sequence relations, and our best-fit star formation histories (SFHs) rise more steeply than lower-mass galaxies at the same redshift. We show that these rising SFHs mean commonly used luminosity-to-SFR conversion factors, derived assuming a constant SFH over given timescales, overestimate the SFRs averaged over these timescales for our galaxies. We provide updated luminosity-to-SFR calibrations for $z\simeq7$ galaxies with rising SFHs, showing that commonly assumed rest-UV conversion factors overestimate the $100$ Myr average SFR by a factor of $\simeq3$. Finally, we investigate burstiness indicators in the REBELS-IFU galaxies, finding that the rising SFHs imply that the H$α$-to-UV luminosity ratio is an unreliable probe of bursty star formation.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2025

Evidence for inverse Compton scattering in high-redshift Lyman-break galaxies

Radio continuum emission provides a unique opportunity to study star-formation unbiased by dust obscuration. However, if radio observations are to be used to accurately trace star-formation to high redshifts, it is crucial that the physical processes which affect the radio emission from star-forming galaxies are well understood. While inverse Compton (IC) losses from the cosmic microwave background (CMB) are negligible in the local universe, the rapid increase in the strength of the CMB energy density with redshift [$\sim (1+z)^4$] means that this effect becomes increasingly important at $z\gtrsim3$. Using a sample of ~200,000 high-redshift (3 < z < 5) Lyman-break galaxies selected in the rest-frame ultraviolet (UV), we have stacked radio observations from the MIGHTEE survey to estimate their 1.4-GHz flux densities. We find that for a given rest-frame UV magnitude, the 1.4-GHz flux density and luminosity decrease with redshift. We compare these results to the theoretical predicted effect of energy losses due to inverse Compton scattering off the CMB, and find that the observed decrease is consistent with this explanation. We discuss other possible causes for the observed decrease in radio flux density with redshift at a given UV magnitude, such as a top-heavy initial mass function at high redshift or an evolution of the dust properties, but suggest that inverse Compton scattering is the most compelling explanation.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2025

The ALMA REBELS survey: [OIII]$_{88μ\text{m}}$ line scans of UV-bright $z \gtrsim 7.6$ galaxies

We present the [OIII]$_{88μ\text{m}}$ spectral scan results from the ALMA Large Program REBELS (Reionization Era Bright Emission Line Survey). The generally high luminosity of [OIII]$_{88μ\text{m}}$ and ALMA's Band 7 efficiency motivated its use for line scans of REBELS targets at $z>8$. Spectral scans of four sources covered 326.4-373.0 GHz ($z=8.10$-9.39), reaching [OIII]$_{88μ\text{m}}$ luminosities of $\mathrm{\sim7.6\times10^8\ L_{\odot}}$ ($5σ$) for a FWHM of 400 km s$^{-1}$. No credible lines are detected for the four targets. For REBELS-04, the non-detection is unexpected given the $\geq92\%$ coverage of the redshift likelihood distribution and its estimated SFR of 40 $\text{M}_{\odot}\ \text{yr}^{-1}$. Possible explanations for the faint [OIII]$_{88μ\text{m}}$ emission (assuming a FWHM of 100 km s$^{-1}$) include high ISM densities ($>n_{\text{crit}} \approx 510\ \text{cm}^{-3}$) and low ionization parameters ($\mathrm{log_{10}\ U_{ion}\lesssim -2.5}$). For REBELS-37, a subsequent detection of [CII]$_{158μ\text{m}}$ ($z=7.643$) confirmed it lay outside our scan range. For REBELS-11 and REBELS-13, it remains unclear if the non-detection is due to the depth of the line scan or redshift coverage. REBELS-04 and REBELS-37 show significant ($\geq3.8σ$) dust continuum emission in Band 7. If the photometric redshift of REBELS-04 is accurate, i.e., $z_{\mathrm{phot}}=8.57^{+0.10}_{-0.09}$ or $z_{\mathrm{phot}}=8.43^{+0.10}_{-0.10}$ accounting for additional neutral hydrogen in the circumgalactic medium, REBELS-04 would constitute the most distant dust-detected galaxy identified with ALMA to date. Additional Band 6 dust observations of REBELS-37 constrain the shape of the far-IR SED, ruling out cold dust temperatures ($\lesssim28$ K) at $3σ$. Further insight into these galaxies will require spectroscopic redshifts and deeper multi-band dust observations.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2025

The ALMA-CRISTAL survey: Gas, dust, and stars in star-forming galaxies when the Universe was ~1 Gyr old I. Survey overview and case studies

We present the ALMA-CRISTAL survey, an ALMA Cycle 8 Large Program designed to investigate the physical properties of star-forming galaxies at $4 \lesssim z \lesssim 6$ through spatially resolved, multi-wavelength observations. This survey targets 19 star-forming main-sequence galaxies selected from the ALPINE survey, using ALMA Band 7 observations to study [CII] 158 $μ$m line emission and dust continuum, complemented by JWST/NIRCam and HST imaging to map stellar and UV emission. The CRISTAL sample expanded to 39 after including newly detected galaxies in the CRISTAL fields, archival data, and pilot study targets. The resulting dataset provides a detailed view of gas, dust, and stellar structures on kiloparsec scales at the end of the era of reionization. The survey reveals diverse morphologies and kinematics, including rotating disks, merging systems, [CII] emission tails from potential interactions, and clumpy star formation. Notably, the [CII] emission in many cases extends beyond the stellar light seen in HST and JWST imaging. Scientific highlights include CRISTAL-10, exhibiting an extreme [CII] deficit similar to Arp 220; and CRISTAL-13, where feedback from young star-forming clumps likely causes an offset between the stellar clumps and the peaks of [CII] emission. CRISTAL galaxies exhibit global [CII]/FIR ratios that decrease with increasing FIR luminosity, similar to trends seen in local galaxies but shifted to higher luminosities, likely due to their higher molecular gas content. CRISTAL galaxies also span a previously unexplored range of global FIR surface brightness at high-redshift, showing that high-redshift galaxies can have elevated [CII]/FIR ratios. These elevated ratios are likely influenced by factors such as lower metallicity gas, the presence of significant extraplanar gas, and contributions from shock-excited gas.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2025

JWST PRIMER: A lack of outshining in four normal z =4-6 galaxies from the ALMA-CRISTAL Survey

We present a spatially resolved analysis of four star-forming galaxies at $z = 4.44-5.64$ using data from the JWST PRIMER and ALMA-CRISTAL surveys to probe the stellar and inter-stellar medium properties on the sub-kpc scale. In the $1-5\,μ{\rm m}$ JWST NIRCam imaging we find that the galaxies are composed of multiple clumps (between $2$ and $\sim 8$) separated by $\simeq 5\,{\rm kpc}$, with comparable morphologies and sizes in the rest-frame UV and optical. Using BAGPIPES to perform pixel-by-pixel SED fitting to the JWST data we show that the SFR ($\simeq 25\,{\rm M}_{\odot}/{\rm yr}$) and stellar mass (${\rm log}_{10}(M_{\star}/{\rm M}_{\odot}) \simeq 9.5$) derived from the resolved analysis are in close ($ \lesssim 0.3\,{\rm dex}$) agreement with those obtained by fitting the integrated photometry. In contrast to studies of lower-mass sources, we thus find a reduced impact of outshining of the older (more massive) stellar populations in these normal $z \simeq 5$ galaxies. Our JWST analysis recovers bluer rest-frame UV slopes ($β\simeq -2.1$) and younger ages ($\simeq 100\,{\rm Myr}$) than archival values. We find that the dust continuum from ALMA-CRISTAL seen in two of these galaxies correlates, as expected, with regions of redder rest-frame UV slopes and the SED-derived $A_{\rm V}$, as well as the peak in the stellar mass map. We compute the resolved IRX-$β$ relation, showing that the IRX is consistent with the local starburst attenuation curve and further demonstrating the presence of an inhomogeneous dust distribution within the galaxies. A comparison of the CRISTAL sources to those from the FirstLight zoom-in simulation of galaxies with the same $M_{\star}$ and SFR reveals similar age and colour gradients, suggesting that major mergers may be important in the formation of clumpy galaxies at this epoch.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2024

MIGHTEE: The Continuum Survey Data Release 1

The MeerKAT International GHz Tiered Extragalactic Exploration Survey (MIGHTEE) is one of the large survey projects using the MeerKAT telescope, covering four fields that have a wealth of ancillary data available. We present Data Release 1 of the MIGHTEE continuum survey, releasing total intensity images and catalogues over $\sim$20 deg$^2$, across three fields at $\sim$1.2-1.3 GHz. This includes 4.2 deg$^2$ over the Cosmic Evolution Survey (COSMOS) field, 14.4 deg$^2$ over the XMM Large-Scale Structure (XMM-LSS) field and deeper imaging over 1.5 deg$^2$ of the Extended Chandra Deep Field South (CDFS). We release images at both a lower resolution (7-9 arcsec) and higher resolution ($\sim 5$ arcsec). These images have central rms sensitivities of $\sim$1.3$-$2.7 $μ$Jy beam$^{-1}$ ($\sim$1.2$-$3.6 $μ$Jy beam$^{-1}$) in the lower (higher) resolution images respectively. We also release catalogues comprised of $\sim$144~000 ($\sim$114 000) sources using the lower (higher) resolution images. We compare the astrometry and flux-density calibration with the Early Science data in the COSMOS and XMM-LSS fields and previous radio observations in the CDFS field, finding broad agreement. Furthermore, we extend the source counts at the $\sim$10 $μ$Jy level to these larger areas ($\sim 20$ deg$^2$) and, using the areal coverage of MIGHTEE we measure the sample variance for differing areas of sky. We find a typical sample variance of 10-20 per cent for 0.3 and 0.5 sq. deg. sub-regions at $S_{1.4} \leq 200$ $μ$Jy, which increases at brighter flux densities, given the lower source density and expected higher galaxy bias for these sources.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2024

The ALMA-CRISTAL survey: Dust temperature and physical conditions of the interstellar medium in a typical galaxy at z=5.66

We present new $λ_{\rm rest}=77$ $μ$m dust continuum observations from the ALMA of HZ10 (CRISTAL-22), a dusty main-sequence galaxy at $z$=5.66 as part of the [CII] Resolved Ism in STar-forming Alma Large program, CRISTAL. The high angular resolution of the ALMA Band 7 and new Band 9 data($\sim{0}''.4$) reveals the complex structure of HZ10, which comprises two main components (HZ10-C and HZ10-W) and a bridge-like dusty emission between them (the Bridge). We model the dust spectral energy distribution (SED) to constrain the physical conditions of the interstellar medium (ISM) and its variations among the different components identified in HZ10. We find that HZ10-W (the more UV-obscured component) has an SED dust temperature of $T_{\rm SED}$$\sim$51.2$\pm13.1$ K; this is $\sim$5 K higher (although still consistent) than that of the central component and previous global estimations for HZ10. Our new ALMA data allow us to reduce by a factor of $\sim$2.3 the uncertainties of global $T_{\rm SED}$ measurements compared to previous studies. Interestingly, HZ10-W shows a lower [CII]/FIR ratio compared to the other two components (although still within the uncertainties), suggesting a harder radiation field destroying polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon associated with [CII] emission (e.g., active galactic nuclei or young stellar populations). While HZ10-C appears to follow the tight IRX-$β_{\rm UV}$ relation seen in local UV-selected starburst galaxies and high-$z$ star-forming galaxies, we find that both HZ10-W and the Bridge depart from this relation and are well described by dust-screen models with holes in front of a hard UV radiation field. This suggests that the UV emission (likely from young stellar populations) is strongly attenuated in the more dusty components of the HZ10 system.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2024

JWST PRIMER: A new multi-field determination of the evolving galaxy UV luminosity function at redshifts $\mathbf{z \simeq 9-15}$

We present a new determination of the evolving galaxy UV luminosity function (LF) over the redshift range $8.5 8.5)>0.05$) to undertake a statistical calculation of the UV LF. Our new measurements span $\simeq4$ magnitudes in UV luminosity at $z=9-12.5$, placing new constraints on both the shape and evolution of the LF at early times. Our measurements yield a new estimate of the early evolution of cosmic star-formation rate density ($ρ_{\rm{SFR}}$) confirming the gradual decline deduced from early JWST studies, at least out to $z \simeq 12$. Finally we show that the observed early evolution of the galaxy UV LF (and $ρ_{\rm{SFR}}$) can be reproduced in a ${\rm Λ}$CDM Universe, with no change in dust properties or star-formation efficiency required out to $z \simeq 12$. Instead, a progressive trend towards younger stellar population ages can reproduce the observations, and the typical ages required at $z \simeq$ 8, 9, 10, and 11 all converge on $\simeq 380-330$ Myr after the Big Bang, indicative of a rapid emergence of early galaxies at $z \simeq 12 - 13$. This is consistent with the first indications of a steeper drop-off in $ρ_{\rm{SFR}}$ we find beyond $z \simeq 13$, possibly reflecting the rapid evolution of the halo mass function at earlier times.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2024

The sizes of bright Lyman-break galaxies at $z\simeq3-5$ with JWST PRIMER

We use data from the JWST Public Release IMaging for Extragalactic Research (PRIMER) survey to measure the size scaling relations of 1668 rest-frame UV-bright Lyman-break galaxies (LBGs) at $z=3-5$ with stellar masses $\mathrm{log}_{10}(M_{\star}/M_{\odot}) > 9$. The sample was selected from seeing-dominated ground-based data, presenting an unbiased sampling of the morphology and size distributions of luminous sources. We fit Sérsic profiles to eight NIRCam bands and also measure a non-parametric half-light radius. We find that the size distributions with both measurements are well-fit by a log-normal distribution at all redshifts, consistent with disk formation models where size is governed by host dark-matter halo angular momentum. We find a size-redshift evolution of $R_{e} = 3.51(1+z)^{-0.60\pm0.22}$ kpc, in agreement with JWST studies. When considering the typical (modal) size over $z=3-5$, we find little evolution with bright LBGs remaining compact at $R_{e}\simeq0.7-0.9$ kpc. Simultaneously, we find evidence for a build-up of large ($R_{e} > 2$ kpc) galaxies by $z=3$. We find some evidence for a negatively sloped size-mass relation at $z=5$ when Sérsic profiles are used to fit the data in F200W. The intrinsic scatter in our size-mass relations increases at higher redshifts. Additionally, measurements probing the rest-UV (F200W) show larger intrinsic scatter than those probing the rest-optical (F356W). Finally, we leverage rest-UV and rest-optical photometry to show that disky galaxies are well established by $z=5$, but are beginning to undergo dissipative processes, such as mergers, by $z=3$. The agreement of our size-mass and size-luminosity relations with simulations provides tentative evidence for centrally concentrated star formation at high-redshift.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2024

Euclid preparation. Observational expectations for redshift z<7 active galactic nuclei in the Euclid Wide and Deep surveys

We forecast the expected population of active galactic nuclei (AGN) observable in the Euclid Wide Survey (EWS) and Euclid Deep Survey (EDS). Starting from an X-ray luminosity function (XLF) we generate volume-limited samples of the AGN expected in the survey footprints. Each AGN is assigned an SED appropriate for its X-ray luminosity and redshift, with perturbations sampled from empirical distributions. The photometric detectability of each AGN is assessed via mock observation of the assigned SED. We estimate 40 million AGN will be detectable in at least one band in the EWS and 0.24 million in the EDS, corresponding to surface densities of 2.8$\times$10$^{3}$ deg$^{-2}$ and 4.7$\times$10$^{3}$ deg$^{-2}$. Employing colour selection criteria on our simulated data we select a sample of 4.8$\times$10$^{6}$ (331 deg$^{-2}$) AGN in the EWS and 1.7$\times$10$^{4}$ (346 deg$^{-2}$) in the EDS, amounting to 10% and 8% of the AGN detectable in the EWS and EDS. Including ancillary Rubin/LSST bands improves the completeness and purity of AGN selection. These data roughly double the total number of selected AGN to comprise 21% and 15% of the detectable AGN in the EWS and EDS. The total expected sample of colour-selected AGN contains 6.0$\times$10$^{6}$ (74%) unobscured AGN and 2.1$\times$10$^{6}$ (26%) obscured AGN, covering $0.02 \leq z \lesssim 5.2$ and $43 \leq \log_{10} (L_{bol} / erg s^{-1}) \leq 47$. With this simple colour selection, expected surface densities are already comparable to the yield of modern X-ray and mid-infrared surveys of similar area. The relative uncertainty on our expectation for detectable AGN is 6.7% for the EWS and 12.5% for the EDS, driven by the uncertainty of the XLF.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2024

Euclid: Early Release Observations -- A preview of the Euclid era through a galaxy cluster magnifying lens

We present the first analysis of the Euclid Early Release Observations (ERO) program that targets fields around two lensing clusters, Abell 2390 and Abell 2764. We use VIS and NISP imaging to produce photometric catalogs for a total of $\sim 500\,000$ objects. The imaging data reach a $5\,σ$ typical depth in the range 25.1-25.4 AB in the NISP bands, and 27.1-27.3 AB in the VIS band. Using the Lyman-break method in combination with photometric redshifts, we identify $30$ Lyman-break galaxy (LBG) candidates at $z>6$ and 139 extremely red sources (ERSs), most likely at lower redshift. The deeper VIS imaging compared to NISP means we can routinely identify high-redshift Lyman breaks of the order of $3$ magnitudes, which reduces contamination by brown dwarf stars and low-redshift galaxies. Spectroscopic follow-up campaigns of such bright sources will help constrain both the bright end of the ultraviolet galaxy luminosity function and the quasar luminosity function at $z>6$, and constrain the physical nature of these objects. Additionally, we have performed a combined strong lensing and weak lensing analysis of A2390, and demonstrate how Euclid will contribute to better constraining the virial mass of galaxy clusters. From these data, we also identify optical and near-infrared counterparts of known $z>0.6$ clusters, which exhibit strong lensing features, establishing the ability of Euclid to characterize high-redshift clusters. Finally, we provide a glimpse of Euclid's ability to map the intracluster light out to larger radii than current facilities, enabling a better understanding of the cluster assembly history and mapping of the dark matter distribution. This initial dataset illustrates the diverse spectrum of legacy science that will be enabled by the Euclid survey.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2024

Euclid: ERO -- NISP-only sources and the search for luminous $z=6-8$ galaxies

This paper presents a search for high redshift galaxies from the Euclid Early Release Observations program "Magnifying Lens." The 1.5 deg$^2$ area covered by the twin Abell lensing cluster fields is comparable in size to the few other deep near-infrared surveys such as COSMOS, and so provides an opportunity to significantly increase known samples of rare UV-bright galaxies at $z\approx6-8$ ($M_{\rm UV}\lesssim-22$). Beyond their still uncertain role in reionisation, these UV-bright galaxies are ideal laboratories from which to study galaxy formation and constrain the bright-end of the UV luminosity function. Of the 501994 sources detected from a combined $Y_{\rm E}$, $J_{\rm E}$, and $H_{\rm E}$ NISP detection image, 168 do not have any appreciable VIS/$I_{\rm E}$ flux. These objects span a range in spectral colours, separated into two classes: 139 extremely red sources; and 29 Lyman-break galaxy candidates. Best-fit redshifts and spectral templates suggest the former is composed of both $z\gtrsim5$ dusty star-forming galaxies and $z\approx1-3$ quiescent systems. The latter is composed of more homogeneous Lyman break galaxies at $z\approx6-8$. In both cases, contamination by L- and T-type dwarfs cannot be ruled out with Euclid images alone. Additional contamination from instrumental persistence is investigated using a novel time series analysis. This work lays the foundation for future searches within the Euclid Deep Fields, where thousands more $z\gtrsim6$ Lyman break systems and extremely red sources will be identified.

astro-ph.GA↗