The redshift distribution of SUB-MM galaxies

I Aretxaga, D H Hughes, E L Chapin, E Gaztanaga, J S Dunlop

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract / Description of output

Ground-based sub-mm. (SCUBA) and mm-wavelength (MAMBO) blank-field surveys have identified more than 100 sources, the majority of which are believed to be dusty optically-obscured starburst galaxies. Colours derived from various combinations of FIR, submillimetre, millimetre, and radio fluxes provide the only currently available means to determine the redshift distribution of this new galaxy population.

In this paper we apply a Monte-Carlo photometric-redshift technique to the multi-wavelength data available for 50 galaxies selected at 850mum in wide-area SCUBA surveys. We calculate a probability distribution for the redshift of each galaxy, which includes a detailed treatment of the observational errors and uncertainties in the priors. The cumulative redshift distribution for this population is asymmetric, and broader than those published elsewhere, with a significant high-z tail. Approximately 40 to 90% of the sub-mm population is expected to have redshifts in the interval 2 less than or equal to z less than or equal to 4. We also show, however, that the colours of many (50%) individual sub-mm sources are consistent with those of starburst galaxies that lie at extreme redshifts, z > 4.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationGALAXY EVOLUTION: THEORY AND OBSERVATIONS
EditorsV AvilaReese, C Firmani, CS Frenk, YC Allen
Place of PublicationMEXICO CITY
PublisherUNIVERSIDAD NACIONAL AUTONOMA MEXICO INSTITUTO ASTRONOMIA
Pages222-223
Number of pages2
ISBN (Print)970-32-0609-3
Publication statusPublished - 2003
EventSymposium on Galaxy Evolution - COZUMEL
Duration: 8 Apr 200212 Apr 2002

Conference

ConferenceSymposium on Galaxy Evolution
CityCOZUMEL
Period8/04/0212/04/02

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