arXiv subjects

Yuichi Harikane

Publications and source records attributed to Yuichi Harikane.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

The Roman eXtreme Deep Field (RXDF)

The Roman eXtreme Deep Field (RXDF) program is one of the five General Astrophysics Survey (GAS) programs approved for observing time with the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope in Cycles 1 and 2. It has been allocated 386.41 hours to carry out an imaging survey to AB = 30 mag (5-sigma) over ~140x larger area than the Hubble eXtreme Deep Field (HXDF) full-depth area (ACS+WFC3/IR). The RXDF will cover the full Roman wavelength range with 7 bands, reaching AB = 30 mag in RZYJH, 29 mag in F, and 28 mag in K, over a full-depth area of 678.75 arcmin^2 embedded in a total area of 1,243 arcmin^2, and far exceeding the depths of the Roman Core Community Surveys (CCS). The RXDF is within the Euclid Ultra Deep Field (EUDF) near the North Ecliptic Pole (NEP), a strategic long-term field for generational space facilities, with a wealth of multi-wavelength data including extensive coverage from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) NEXUS Treasury program. The observations will cover 3 epochs at a 1-year cadence, each epoch divided into 3 sub-epochs ~10 days apart, enabling time-domain studies on time baselines from ~10 days to over ~2 years. The RXDF is uniquely positioned to address critical questions in reionization, large scale structure (LSS), growth of supermassive black holes (SMBHs), little red dots (LRDs), and high-z supernovae (SNe); the volumes probed by HST+JWST are too small at these extreme depths, and even the deepest CCS tiers are too shallow. In addition to our key objectives, a wealth of additional science will be enabled by engaging the community with our rapidly released datasets, revolutionizing a wide range of science for a lasting legacy. This short document, which is converted from the approved RXDF proposal, aims to provide the community with a summary of the program.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2026

SERENADE III: Insight into the Origin of the High Dust Temperature and High [O III]/[C II] Ratio at $z\gtrsim6$

We present an analysis of ALMA high-frequency observations of nine bright Lyman-break galaxies at $5.8<z_{\rm spec}<8.3$. Our sample consists of five galaxies at $z\sim6$ newly observed in Band-9 and/or 10, allowing us to better constrain the dust temperature ($T_{\rm dust}$) in a statistical sample of $z\gtrsim6$ galaxies. Our measurements of the dust temperature at $z\sim6-9$ suggest most of the star-forming galaxies show $T_{\rm dust}\sim40\,{\rm K}$ on average, whereas three galaxies show significantly higher $T_{\rm dust}$ ($\gtrsim60\,{\rm K}$). We find a potential negative correlation between $T_{\rm dust}$ and gas-phase metallicity with $T_{\rm dust}\propto Z^{-0.50\pm0.19}$, implying decreased dust shielding and efficient dust heating in low-metallicity environments. Given the systematic offset of $T_{\rm dust}$ between $z\sim0$ and $z\sim6-9$ at fixed metallicity, we find $T_{\rm dust}$ is well described by sSFR as well as $Z$ with $\log T_{\rm dust}=-0.25^{+0.03}_{-0.04}\times(\log Z-0.57\times\log {\rm sSFR})+4.88^{+0.47}_{-0.43}$ across $z\sim0$ to $z\sim6-9$. Simultaneously with the dust continuum, these observations cover the [OI]63$\mu$m emission line for five galaxies, which traces dense neutral gas. We find a lower [CII]/[OI] ratio in $z\gtrsim6$ galaxies than in local samples, suggesting that [CII] becomes fainter due to collisional de-excitation at high gas density. Combining the [OI], [OIII], and [CII] lines and cloudy modeling, our results imply $\log U_{\rm ion}\sim-2$ and $\log n_{\rm H}\,[{\rm cm}^{-3}]\sim2.5$ in $z\gtrsim6$ galaxies, which is $\sim3-10\times$ higher $U_{\rm ion}$ and $\sim2-3\times$ higher $n_{\rm H}$ than the local samples. The combination of these enhanced $U_{\rm ion}$ and $n_{\rm H}$ naturally explains the high [OIII]/[CII] ratio at $z\gtrsim6$.

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arXiv2026

ATLAS. IV. A JWST+MUSE Demographic Study of Ly$\alpha$ Profiles in Little Red Dots

We present an initial demographic study of Ly$\alpha$ profiles in little red dots (LRDs) at $z=3$--9 using $R\sim1000$--4000 spectroscopy. Our sample consists of 8 LRDs observed in the VLT/MUSE Deep and Wide surveys and 23 LRDs observed with JWST/NIRSpec grating spectroscopy from JADES, CANUCS, and GO programs including SPURS. We identify Ly$\alpha$ emission in 5 MUSE LRDs and 9 JWST LRDs. Only two of them exhibit broad Ly$\alpha$ emission (FWHM $>1000\ \mathrm{km\ s^{-1}}$), both reported previously. The other Ly$\alpha$-emitting LRDs show narrow Ly$\alpha$ emission (FWHM $<1000\ \mathrm{km\ s^{-1}}$), with FWHMs mostly in the range 300--600 $\mathrm{km\ s^{-1}}$, comparable to or slightly larger than those of high-redshift star-forming galaxies (100--500 $\mathrm{km\ s^{-1}}$). We measure the fraction of broad Ly$\alpha$ emitters above a broad Ly$\alpha$ luminosity threshold of $L_{\mathrm{Ly}\alpha,\mathrm{broad}}=10^{42}\ \mathrm{erg\ s^{-1}}$, obtaining $0.10^{+0.12}_{-0.07}$ for LRDs, about five times higher than the $2\sigma$ upper limit of $<0.02$ for high-redshift star-forming galaxies. Although we reproduce the broad Ly$\alpha$ component reported in a previous stacking analysis of eight LRDs, albeit with a large uncertainty, we find no evidence for broad Ly$\alpha$ emission in either the larger JWST stack, after excluding the two individually detected broad Ly$\alpha$ emitters, or the higher-resolution MUSE stack. These results suggest that broad Ly$\alpha$ emission is not ubiquitous among LRDs. Instead, LRDs with broad Ly$\alpha$ emission appear to represent a rare population that may correspond to a particular evolutionary stage, potentially associated with unusually strong outflows or other distinctive physical conditions.

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arXiv2026

ALMA observations of pre-JWST z ~ 10 galaxy candidates: A CO(J = 9-8) line from a ULIRG at z = 2.54 and revisit of the photometric redshifts with JWST photometry

We present Atacama Large Millimetre/submillimetre Array (ALMA) observations targeting the [OIII]$88\,\mu$m line for six $z\sim10$ galaxy candidates selected with the Hubble Space Telescope and the Spitzer Space Telescope. We detect a line ($4.5\sigma$) and dust continuum emission ($30\sigma$) in UDS_18697, while detecting neither robust line nor continuum emission in the remaining five objects. The detected line in UDS_18697 is identified as CO($J=9-8$), because follow-up James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) NIRSpec observations have confirmed the redshift as $z=2.54$. UDS_18697 is classified as an ultra luminous infrared galaxy (ULIRG) with far-infrared (FIR) luminosity of $L_\mathrm{FIR}\approx1.1\times10^{12}\,L_\odot$, assuming a dust temperature of $T_\mathrm{d}\approx42\,$K, estimated using a physically-motivated method. We find that UDS_18697 follows the $L_\mathrm{FIR}-L'_\mathrm{CO}$ relation for local and $z>2$ galaxies, albeit being slightly brighter in CO($J=9-8$). Also, based on the follow-up NIRSpec observations and spectral energy distribution fitting using JWST/NIRCam photometry, we found that most of our targets are suggested to be low-$z$ interlopers. Motivated by these redshift misclassifications, we investigate colour--colour selection criteria for high-$z$ galaxies using JWST spectroscopic survey catalogues. We find that elevating a colour threshold tracing the Lyman break is crucial for constructing a robust high-$z$ sample, particularly for wide field surveys such as Euclid Deep Fields and Roman High-Latitude Wide-Area Survey.

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arXiv2026

ATLAS. III. Dust Around Little Red Dots: Hydrogen Line Ratios beyond Dust-free Non-Case B Models

We investigate broad hydrogen line ratios in little red dots (LRDs) using five high-redshift ($z>2$) sources from JWST/NIRSpec medium/high-resolution spectra in the DAWN JWST Archive and fifteen low-redshift sources ($z=0.1$--$0.9$) from the literature, all with broad H$\beta$ detected at $>5\sigma$. After carefully measuring the broad-line fluxes while accounting for absorption features and neighboring emission lines, we find that the broad H$\alpha$/H$\beta$ ratios are very high, ranging from 6 to 30, well above the Case B recombination value. Using plane-parallel \textsc{Cloudy} photoionization models with the total line emission from both sides of the slab, we investigate the physical origin of the broad hydrogen line ratios beyond Case B, jointly modeling the Balmer and Paschen line ratios for the subset of one high-$z$ and two low-$z$ LRDs with detected broad Paschen lines. We find that one low-$z$ LRD is reproduced by a high gas number density ($\log (n_{\mathrm H}/{\rm cm^{-3}})\sim10$--11) on the broad-line H$\alpha$/H$\beta$--Pa$\beta$/Pa$\gamma$ plane, whereas the remaining two LRDs additionally require substantial dust extinction of $E(B-V)\gtrsim0.2$--$1.0$, even after accounting for non-Case B effects. Since the narrow H$\alpha$/H$\beta$ ratios do not indicate such large dust extinction, these results demonstrate that the obscuring dust is spatially associated with the broad-line region. Even without Paschen-line measurements, two and eight LRDs in the high- and low-redshift samples, respectively, exhibit H$\alpha$/H$\beta>13$, which cannot be reproduced by the non-Case B models, suggesting that dust obscuration might be common among LRDs, occurring in at least about half of the population. Such dust may represent a lower-column-density counterpart of the dusty torus in AGNs, reconciling the weak hot-dust emission.

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arXiv2026

ATLAS. II. Extremely High Incidence of Balmer Line Absorption with Predominant Blueshifts in LRDs: Statistical Insights through Comparison with Type 1 AGNs

We present the statistical properties of H$\alpha$ and H$\beta$ line absorption in little red dots (LRDs) at $z\simeq2.5$--7.2 using archival JWST/NIRSpec spectra from the DAWN JWST Archive and complementary NIRSpec/IFU observations. Among 40 LRDs with broad H$\alpha$ and [O~{\sc iii}] obtained with medium- or high-resolution gratings, 14 objects exhibit H$\alpha$ absorption. We find that the incidence of Balmer line absorption is $\sim35$\% ($=14/40$), significantly higher than that in SDSS low-$z$ type 1 AGNs ($\sim0.04$\%), demonstrating that Balmer line absorption occurs approximately 850 times more frequently in LRDs than in type 1 AGNs. We combine our 14 detections with 32 additional LRD Balmer absorbers from the literature, yielding a census of 46 absorbers. Their velocities span $\Delta v_\mathrm{abs}(\mathrm{H\alpha})\sim-430$ to $+140\ {\rm km\,s^{-1}}$, markedly narrower than the $-800$ to $+1600\ {\rm km\,s^{-1}}$ range of Balmer absorption in SDSS type~1 AGNs, for which our simulations confirm that the velocity difference is too large to be explained by detection incompleteness. The lower absolute absorber velocities in LRDs may partly reflect the shallower gravitational potential at their characteristic BLR radii. We also find that 38 of the 46 absorbers (83\%) are blueshifted, with only eight redshifted, indicating that most of Balmer absorbers are moving outward. An analytic model with radiation pressure suggests that most absorbers with $N_{\rm H}\gtrsim10^{24}\ {\rm cm^{-2}}$ remains gravitationally bound. The smaller number of redshifted (i.e., infalling) absorbers may indicate that outbound absorbers lose density: some return to the BLR, whereas others undergo stronger radiative acceleration and escape.

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arXiv2026

Gas-Phase Metallicity and Nitrogen Abundances in Low-Mass Galaxies Down to $M_\star\simeq10^{5.7}\,M_\odot$ at $z\simeq4.5$--$10.1$ from JWST Lensing Cluster Surveys

We analyze 405 deep JWST/NIRSpec spectra of star-forming galaxies at $z=4.5$--$10.1$ from DREAMS and other lensing-cluster surveys to study chemical enrichment in intrinsically faint, low-mass galaxies. The sample covers $M_{\rm UV}\simeq-12$ to $-22$ and reaches $M_\star\simeq10^{5.7}\,M_\odot$, with 50\% of the sources at $M_{\rm UV}>-17.5$ magnified by $\mu>3$. From individual spectra and mass-binned stacks, we derive the gas-phase metallicity together with nitrogen and carbon abundances using the rest-frame UV and optical lines. \Add{We derive new empirical strong-line metallicity calibrations using direct-method measurements from stellar-mass-binned stacks, reaching a representative stellar mass of $M_\star\simeq10^{6.6}\,M_\odot$. Applying these calibrations, we trace the $z\sim6$ mass--metallicity relation down to $M_\star\simeq10^{6.6}\,M_\odot$, where it reaches $12+\log({\rm O/H})\simeq7.2$, with a low-mass slope slightly steeper than the local relation and in broad agreement with hydrodynamical simulations.} In the $M_\star\simeq10^{7.7}\,M_\odot$ stack, N/O from N\,{\sc iv}]\,$\lambda\lambda\,1483,1486$ exceeds that from [N\,{\sc ii}]\,$\lambda6583$ by $\simeq1.4$ dex. The UV--optical difference could indicate a localized, highly ionized N-rich component whose high N/O and subsolar C/O resemble nitrogen-rich globular-cluster populations with $M_\star\lesssim10^6\,M_\odot$. \Add{The combination of these abundance patterns and a He\,{\sc ii}\,\W4686/H$\beta$ ratio of $\simeq0.03$, well above BPASS predictions, suggests that WR stars may contribute both prompt CNO-cycle enrichment and hard ionizing radiation, with the inferred WR population potentially supplying enough nitrogen to account for the excess on globular-cluster scales.

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arXiv2026

VENUS: an ultra-faint galaxy hosting the metal-poor type II supernova at $z=5.13$ Witnessing the initial metal enrichment with extremely frequent core-collapse supernovae?

We present the first characterization of the host galaxy of a recently discovered type IIP SN at $z=5.13$ (SN Eos). SN Eos and its host galaxy are gravitationally lensed and multiply imaged. The total magnification $\mu\sim53$ enables spatially resolving the system, allowing us to localize the core-collapse supernova (CCSN) position and to characterize its local environment within an early galaxy. Our observation reveals that the host is an ultra-faint ($M_{\rm UV}=-14.4\pm0.3$ mag) Lyman-$\alpha$ emitter with a very high equivalent width. The host galaxy also shows very weak [O iii]4959,5007 lines despite an H$\alpha$ line detection ([O iii]5007/H$\beta <0.7$ with case B recombination). Assuming that the weak [O iii] is due to low gas-phase metallicity given the low-metallicity of SN Eos itself, SN Eos plausibly marks the formation and explosion of a metal-poor star in an extremely metal-poor environment ($<1\ \%\ Z_\odot$), facilitating the initial stages of the chemical enrichment of the host. Finding the CCSN in such an ultra-faint galaxy at $z=5.13$ also indicates that the SN rate could be considerably higher in high-$z$, metal-poor environments, potentially implying e.g., a $Z$-dependent IMF, $Z$-dependent massive star explodability, or runaway stellar collisions in dense star clusters. Without lensing, only SN Eos would be detectable and the host would be below the detection limit in any NIRCam surveys ever performed. The Eos host galaxy can thus be representative of the origin of {\it hostless} supernovae frequently found in JWST blank field surveys.

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arXiv2026

FINER: development of the wideband millimeter-wave receiver system and preparations for first light on the Large Millimeter Telescope

The recent discovery of an excess of luminous galaxies in the early Universe necessitates sensitive and wideband millimeter spectroscopy to understand their rapid growth. To address this, we present the development of the Far-Infrared Nebular Emission Receiver (FINER) for the Large Millimeter Telescope (LMT). The FINER frontend comprises two receivers covering 120-350 GHz (corresponding to ALMA Bands 4+5 and 6+7). The warm optics are designed to enable simultaneous two-band observations. Combined with the 10.24-GHz-wide digital spectrometer array, the system aims to deliver an instantaneous bandwidth approximately five times wider than current ALMA capabilities. We report that the 210-350 GHz receiver has already achieved commissioning-level performance, with sideband rejection further enhanced by the digital sideband separation technique. With installation expected in 2026, we discuss parallel preparations, including integrated testing and commissioning plans for first-look targets.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2026

ATLAS. I. A Scaling Relation of LRDs between Broad H$\alpha$ and Bolometric Luminosities: Enhanced Broad H$\alpha$ Emission Relative to Low-$z$ Type 1 AGN

We investigate the demography of little red dots (LRDs) using 37 objects at $z\sim3$-$7$ with JWST/NIRSpec PRISM and grating spectra compiled from various JWST programs. We focus on spectroscopic quantities of the broad H$\alpha$ luminosity $L_\mathrm{H\alpha,broad}$ (and the broad H$\beta$ luminosity $L_\mathrm{H\beta,broad}$ where available) and the bolometric luminosity $L_\mathrm{bol}$ represented by modified blackbody emission, avoiding quantities contaminated by host-galaxy emission (e.g., total H$\alpha$ luminosity). We identifiy a tight scaling relation between $L_\mathrm{H\alpha,broad}$ and $L_\mathrm{bol}$, supporting the interpretation that these emissions are primarily powered by the central engine. Interestingly, the $L_\mathrm{H\alpha,broad}$-$L_\mathrm{bol}$ scaling relation of LRDs is enhanced by a factor of $\sim40$ in $L_\mathrm{H\alpha,broad}$ relative to that of low-$z$ Type 1 AGN. A similar trend is found in the $L_\mathrm{H\beta,broad}$-$L_\mathrm{bol}$ relation, although the enhancement in $L_\mathrm{H\beta,broad}$ is smaller, only by a factor of $\sim10$. We explore the physical origin of these enhancements and find that \textsc{Cloudy} photoionization modeling within the classic locally optimally-emitting cloud (LOC) framework can explain them through an increase in the covering factor from $\sim20$\% (Type 1 AGN) to $\sim100$\% (LRDs), together with an increase in the hydrogen column density from $N_\mathrm{H}\sim10^{23}\,\mathrm{cm}^{-2}$ to $\gtrsim10^{24}\,\mathrm{cm}^{-2}$, with a preferred gas density of $\sim10^{10}\,\mathrm{cm}^{-3}$, successfully reproducing the modified blackbody emission. Such a nearly unity covering factor without requiring a gas density increase may result from a significant increase in the BLR filling factor or size, corresponding to a ``stuffed BLR" or ``giant BLR," respectively.

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arXiv2026

GREX-PLUS Science Book v2

GREX-PLUS (Galaxy Reionization EXplorer and PLanetary Universe Spectrometer) is a mission candidate for a JAXA strategic L-class mission to be launched in the 2030s. Its primary science goals are two-fold: galaxy formation and evolution, and planetary system formation and evolution. The GREX-PLUS spacecraft will carry a telescope with a 1 m primary mirror aperture cooled down to 50 K. The two science instruments will be onboard: a wide-field camera in the 2--8 $\mu$m wavelength band and a high-resolution spectrometer with a wavelength resolution of 30,000 in the 10--18 $\mu$m band. The GREX-PLUS wide-field camera aims to detect the first generation of galaxies at redshift $z>15$. The GREX-PLUS high-resolution spectrometer aims to identify the location of the water ``snowline'' in protoplanetary disks. Both instruments will provide unique datasets for a broad range of scientific topics, including galaxy mass assembly, the origin of supermassive blackholes, infrared background radiation, molecular spectroscopy in the interstellar medium, transit spectroscopy of exoplanet atmospheres, planetary atmospheres in the Solar System, and so on. This document is the second version of a collection of scientific themes that can be achieved with GREX-PLUS. Each section in Chapters~2 and 3 is based on presentations at several GREX-PLUS Science Workshops.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2026

The UV Side of Little Red Dots: Red, Compact, and Iron-Enhanced Rest-UV Emission with a Strong Downturn around Ly$\alpha$

Little Red Dots (LRDs) are candidates for growing supermassive black holes newly discovered by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), characterized by compact rest-optical morphology, V-shaped spectra, and broad Hydrogen Balmer lines. While recently proposed BH-star/envelope models have made progress in explaining their optical features, their rest-UV emission, which is considered to originate from host galaxies, remains poorly investigated. In this paper, we present a comprehensive analysis of the UV emission, including continuum shapes, emission line strengths, and morphology, using $\sim100$ LRDs selected from the JWST spectral archive. Compared to star-forming galaxies at the same redshifts and UV magnitudes, LRDs show systematically redder UV slopes and more compact UV sizes, indicating that their UV emission cannot be explained solely by normal star-forming galaxies and requires a significant contribution from central red and compact emission. From stacked spectra, we find that the Balmer break strength, UV slope, downturn depth around Ly$\alpha$, and $\mathrm{Fe\, II}$ equivalent width are positively correlated, while the UV size is anticorrelated with the Balmer break strength, suggesting that diversity in the UV continuum shape reflects the varying dominance of the central emission relative to its host. We also measure $\mathrm{Fe\, II//Mg\, II}\sim8-10$, higher than in quasars at similar redshifts, further supporting a substantial contribution from the central component. Spectral modeling suggests that the observed red UV continuum cannot be reproduced by host galaxy emission alone, but requires an additional very red continuum source ($\beta_\mathrm{UV}\sim0$), possibly nebular continuum emission leaking from dense ionized gas through a clumpy or porous neutral gas envelope.

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arXiv2026

Assessing the Impact of Source Confusion for GREX-PLUS based on Deep JWST NIRCam Imaging

We investigate the effects of source confusion expected in observations with GREX-PLUS, a JAXA L-class space infrared telescope mission candidate with a wide-field infrared camera covering 2-8 um with a field of view of 0.50 deg$^2$. For the deep imaging band near 4 um, we calculate the GREX-PLUS PSF and ghost based on the latest optical design, and consider two representative imaging performance cases with PSF FWHM values of 0.9 and 1.2 arcsec. We construct simulated GREX-PLUS images at different depths by convolving JWST NIRCam imaging data from JADES, GLASS, CEERS, and COSMOS-Web with the PSF+ghost kernel. Comparing the limiting magnitudes estimated from random aperture photometry using the same aperture sizes, we find that the simulated GREX-PLUS images are shallower than the original JWST images, with larger deviations for deeper original JWST images. This likely reflects unresolved faint sources and extended PSF+ghost wings from bright sources, which elevate background fluctuations in blank regions. Nevertheless, the limiting magnitudes continue to improve with increasing integration time down to ~27 mag, without a clear plateau at depths comparable to the planned GREX-PLUS deep survey, although the improvement becomes progressively less efficient toward longer integrations. Based on Monte Carlo simulations, we estimate detection completeness and correct the number counts for magnitude bias and incompleteness, finding that confusion-induced blending can reduce the completeness even at magnitudes well above the nominal 5-sigma depth. The completeness-corrected number counts agree well with the JWST-based number counts down to around the detection limit. Overall, our results suggest that statistical studies of faint galaxies remain feasible for GREX-PLUS; however, survey planning should account for less efficient depth improvement toward longer integrations due to source confusion.

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arXiv2026

DREAMS. JWST Spectroscopy of a $z=8.3$ Galaxy with an ALMA Dust Continuum Detection: Early Dust, Very High $T_{\rm dust}$, and a Multi-wavelength [OIII] Ratio Discrepancy

We present a deep DREAMS JWST/NIRSpec MSA medium-grating spectrum of MACS0416-Y1, a galaxy at $z=8.312$ with the highest-redshift ALMA dust continuum detection to date, in order to characterize its properties together with archival IFU and ALMA data. The deep NIRSpec spectrum reveals a broad H$\beta$ line with a width of $\sim1100$ km s$^{-1}$. We interpret it as a broad-line AGN whose line diagnostics are consistent with AGN activity across its clumpy structure, given the absence of little red dot signatures. MACS0416-Y1 clearly shows [OIII]4363 emission, suggesting a moderately low metallicity of $12+\log(\mathrm{O/H})=7.86^{+0.09}_{-0.08}$ ($0.15~Z_\odot$). The combination of [CII]158$\mu$m and dust continuum emission indicates low dust mass ratios of $\log (M_{\rm dust}/M_{\rm gas})=-3.60^{+0.29}_{-0.22}$ and $\log (M_{\rm dust}/M_{\rm metal})=-0.95^{+0.29}_{-0.20}$. Because the metallicity of MACS0416-Y1 is around the critical metallicity of $0.1\textrm{-}0.2~Z_\odot$, the system is expected to undergo dust growth, explaining these low dust mass ratios as well as its small dust mass, $M_{\rm dust}\sim10^6~M_\odot$. The intense UV radiation from the AGN may contribute to a high dust temperature of $T_{\rm dust}\simeq 91^{+62}_{-35}$ K, boosting the dust-continuum emission above the ALMA detection limit despite the small $M_{\rm dust}$ at $z>8$. We find a very high total flux ratio of [OIII]88$\mu$m/[OIII]5007 = $0.26 \pm 0.06$ in MACS0416-Y1, above predictions from single ionized nebular models at any electron density. This discrepancy suggests that the [OIII]88$\mu$m and [OIII]5007 trace largely distinct regions, with the optical line suppressed in dusty nebulae, and thus requires careful interpretation when combining optical and infrared emission lines in JWST+ALMA studies.

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arXiv2026

Chemical Abundance Ratios of Nitrogen Rich Galaxies Identified at $z\sim 6-12$: Observational Demographics and Models

We present chemical abundance ratios of 8 nitrogen-rich ([N/O]$>0.3$) galaxies at $z\sim 6-12$ identified by the first 4 years of the JWST observations, and compare these ratios with chemical evolution models. We reanalyze the JWST/NIRSpec data of these galaxies in the self-consistent manner for line fluxes and upper limits including those previously unconstrained. We derive the abundance ratios and constraints of [N/O], [C/O], [Ne/O], [Ne/C], [Ar/O], [S/O] and [Fe/O], characterizing the nebulae in the galaxies with the electron temperatures and densities measured with {\sc[Oiii]}$\lambda4363$ and {\sc[Oii]}$\lambda\lambda3727, 3729$ lines, respectively. We develop the chemical evolution models for the three major scenarios, Wolf-Rayet stars, supermassive stars, and tidal disruption events (TDEs) with the AGB star contribution, integrating the ejecta of the stars and core-collapse supernovae (CCSNe) over the age with yields calculated by numerical simulations. We compare the models with the [N/O] measurements and stellar ages, and find that all of the scenarios reproduce [N/O] as high as those of our galaxies. However, the time-scales of the high [N/O] ratios are too short to explain our galaxies in any of the scenarios, suggestive of very frequent failed supernovae that do not increase oxygen against nitrogen. We find that the three scenarios are distinguished in the plane of [Ne/C] vs. [N/O] due to Ne production outside CNO cycle, and that the observed abundance ratios are explained by the Wolf-Rayet models better than supermassive-star and TDE models. We argue that abundance ratios of various elements and time scales are clues for understanding nitrogen-rich galaxies.

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arXiv2026

A UV-Luminous Galaxy at z=11 with Surprisingly Weak Star Formation Activity

One of the major discoveries by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is the identification of a large population of luminous galaxies at $z>10$, challenging theoretical models for early galaxy formation. The unexpectedly high number density of these systems has triggered intense debate about potential differences in the physical properties of galaxies at such extreme redshifts and those at lower redshift. However, progress has been limited by the lack of rest-frame optical diagnostics, which are critical for constraining the key properties. Here we present deep JWST/MIRI observations of a UV-luminous galaxy at $z=11.04$, CEERS2-588, only 400 Myr after the Big Bang. CEERS2-588 is detected in the MIRI F560W and F770W bands, while deep MIRI/MRS spectroscopy yields no detection of H$\alpha$ or [OIII]$\lambda5007$ line, revealing a prominent Balmer break detected for the first time at $z>10$. Spectral energy distribution (SED) fitting indicates an extended star formation history possibly reaching $z>15$, followed by rapid quenching within the recent $\sim10$ Myr, in stark contrast to other $z>10$ galaxies. The MIRI detections also significantly improve our stellar mass estimate to $\mathrm{log}(M_*/M_\odot)=9.1^{+0.1}_{-0.1}$, making CEERS2-588 the most massive galaxy securely confirmed at $z>10$. Remarkably, the inferred gas-phase metallicity is near solar, exceeding predictions from current theoretical models. These results suggest that efficient starbursts play a key role in producing the abundant luminous galaxy population in the early universe.

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arXiv2026

A New Constraint on the Optical Depth from the Reionization History Independent of CMB Large-Scale E-Mode Polarization

Recent studies report a mild discrepancy between BAO and CMB measurements within the $\Lambda$CDM framework. This discrepancy could be explained if the optical depth $\tau$ inferred from the CMB large-scale E-mode polarization is underestimated, which may be biased by foreground-subtraction or instrumental systematics. In this work, we present a determination of $\tau$ independent of the large-scale E-mode polarization, using the latest measurements of the redshift evolution of the neutral hydrogen fraction $x_\mathrm{HI}(z)$, which is constrained by Lyman-$\alpha$ forest and damping-wing absorption measurements at $z\sim5$--$14$, based on ground-based optical and JWST observations. Combining $x_\mathrm{HI}(z)$ with the Planck CMB power spectra excluding the large-scale E-mode polarization, we obtain $\tau=0.0552^{+0.0019}_{-0.0026}(\mathrm{stat.})^{+0.0075}_{-0.0049}(\mathrm{sys.})$, where the systematic uncertainty accounts for possible absorption-modeling effects in the inference of $x_\mathrm{HI}(z)$. This constraint is consistent with previous CMB results including the large-scale E-mode polarization. With this measurement, we resolve the degeneracy in the $\tau$--$\Omega_{\rm m}$ plane and find a $2.4\sigma$ tension with the DESI DR2 BAO results, thereby confirming the claimed mild discrepancy suggestive of physics beyond $\Lambda$CDM. Finally, we derive an upper limit on the sum of neutrino masses, $\Sigma m_\nu < 0.0550\,(0.0717)\,{\rm eV}$ at the 95\%\,(99\%) confidence level. This limit favors the normal mass ordering and, when combined with the lower limits from neutrino oscillation experiments, yields a further constraint, $\Sigma m_\nu = 0.0594_{-0.0007}^{+0.0113}\,{\rm eV}$. However, the cosmological upper limit and the oscillation-based lower limit show a mild $2.2\sigma$ tension, providing an independent indication of possible physics beyond $\Lambda$CDM.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2026

VENUS: Two Faint Little Red Dots Separated by $\sim70\,\mathrm{pc}$ Hidden in a Single Lensed Galaxy at $z\sim7$

We report the identification of a pair of faint little red dots (LRDs), dubbed Red Eyes, in a strongly-lensed galaxy at $z\sim7$ behind the PLCKG004.5-10.5 cluster, identified from the JWST Treasury program VENUS. Red Eyes are spatially resolved on the image plane with distinct colors, while the critical curve lies far north of Red Eyes, clearly requiring two different LRDs rather than a single LRD. Red Eyes is an extremely close pair of LRDs separated by $\sim70\,\mathrm{pc}$ in the source plane with a magnification of $\mu\sim20$, which consistently explains another counter-image detected to the north-west. Red Eyes is hosted in a typical star-forming galaxy with $M_{\mathrm{UV,int}}\sim -19$, but its own UV emission is very faint ($M_{\mathrm{UV,int}} \gtrsim -16$). Moreover, Red Eyes does not reside at the galaxy center but lies at an offset position of approximately one effective radius $R_{\mathrm{e}}$ away from the galaxy center. If observed without lensing, Red Eyes would appear as a typical star-forming galaxy at $z\sim 7$ with $M_{\mathrm{UV}}\sim -19$, showing no apparent LRD signatures in either morphology or SED. These results suggest that multiple off-center LRDs, similar to Red Eyes, may be commonly hidden in a typical high-$z$ star-forming galaxy. In this case, various plausible scenarios may emerge, one of which is that intermediate-mass black holes (IMBHs) with $M_\mathrm{BH}\sim10^{4\text{--}6}\,M_\odot$ may form in star clusters on a stellar disk and contribute to the growth of the central supermassive black hole via mergers, with some IMBHs detectable as luminous LRDs in a sufficiently active and massive phase.

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