TY - JOUR
T1 - A multi-wavelength study of z = 3.15 Lyman-α emitters in the GOODS South Field
AU - Nilsson, K. K.
AU - Møller, P.
AU - Möller, O.
AU - Fynbo, J. P. U.
AU - Michalowski, Michal
AU - Watson, D.
AU - Ledoux, C.
AU - Rosati, P.
AU - Pedersen, K.
AU - Grove, L. F.
PY - 2007/8/1
Y1 - 2007/8/1
N2 - Context: Lyα-emitters have proven to be excellent probes of faint,
star-forming galaxies in the high redshift universe. However, although
the sample of known emitters is increasingly growing, their nature (e.g.
stellar masses, ages, metallicities, star-formation rates) is still
poorly constrained. Aims: We aim to study the nature of
Lyα-emitters, to find the properties of a typical
Lyα-emitting galaxy and to compare these properties with the
properties of other galaxies at similar redshift, in particular
Lyman-break galaxies. Methods: We have performed narrow-band
imaging at the VLT, focused on Lyα at redshift z ≈ 3.15, in the
GOODS-S field. We have identified a sample of Lyα-emitting
candidates, and we have studied their Spectral Energy Distributions
(SEDs). Results: We find that the emitters are best fit by an SED
with low metallicity (Z/Z&sun; = 0.005), low dust extinction
(AV ≈ 0.26) and medium stellar masses of approximately
109 M&sun;. The age is not very well constrained.
One object out of 24 appears to be a high redshift Lyα-emitting
dusty starburst galaxy. We find filamentary structure as traced by the
Lyα-emitters at the 4σ level. The rest-frame UV SED of these
galaxies is very similar to that of Lyman Break Galaxies (LBGs) and
comply with the selection criteria for U-band drop-outs, except they are
intrinsically fainter than the current limit for LBGs. Conclusions: Lyα-emitters are excellent probes of galaxies in
the distant universe, and represent a class of star-forming, dust and
AGN free, medium mass objects.
Based on observations carried out at the European Southern Observatory
(ESO) under prog. ID No. 70.A-0447, 274.A-5029 and LP168.A-0485.
AB - Context: Lyα-emitters have proven to be excellent probes of faint,
star-forming galaxies in the high redshift universe. However, although
the sample of known emitters is increasingly growing, their nature (e.g.
stellar masses, ages, metallicities, star-formation rates) is still
poorly constrained. Aims: We aim to study the nature of
Lyα-emitters, to find the properties of a typical
Lyα-emitting galaxy and to compare these properties with the
properties of other galaxies at similar redshift, in particular
Lyman-break galaxies. Methods: We have performed narrow-band
imaging at the VLT, focused on Lyα at redshift z ≈ 3.15, in the
GOODS-S field. We have identified a sample of Lyα-emitting
candidates, and we have studied their Spectral Energy Distributions
(SEDs). Results: We find that the emitters are best fit by an SED
with low metallicity (Z/Z&sun; = 0.005), low dust extinction
(AV ≈ 0.26) and medium stellar masses of approximately
109 M&sun;. The age is not very well constrained.
One object out of 24 appears to be a high redshift Lyα-emitting
dusty starburst galaxy. We find filamentary structure as traced by the
Lyα-emitters at the 4σ level. The rest-frame UV SED of these
galaxies is very similar to that of Lyman Break Galaxies (LBGs) and
comply with the selection criteria for U-band drop-outs, except they are
intrinsically fainter than the current limit for LBGs. Conclusions: Lyα-emitters are excellent probes of galaxies in
the distant universe, and represent a class of star-forming, dust and
AGN free, medium mass objects.
Based on observations carried out at the European Southern Observatory
(ESO) under prog. ID No. 70.A-0447, 274.A-5029 and LP168.A-0485.
M3 - Article
VL - 471
SP - 71
EP - 82
JO - Astronomy and Astrophysics
JF - Astronomy and Astrophysics
SN - 0004-6361
IS - 1
ER -