ORCID Profile
0000-0003-1999-2831
Current Organisation
University of Ferrara
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Fluid mechanics and thermal engineering | Turbulent flows |
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 12-2022
Abstract: Wide Field Slitless Spectroscopy (WFSS) provides a powerful tool for detecting strong line emission in star-forming galaxies (SFGs) without the need for target preselection. As part of the GLASS-JWST Early Release Science (ERS) program, we leverage the near-infrared wavelength capabilities of NIRISS (1–2.2 μ m) to observe rest-optical emission lines out to z ∼ 3.4, to a depth and with a spatial resolution higher than ever before (H α to z 2.4 [O iii ]+H β to z 3.4). In this Letter we constrain the rest-frame [O III ] λ 5007 equivalent width (EW) distribution for a s le of 76 1 z 3.4 SFGs in the A2744 Hubble Frontier Field and determine an abundance fraction of extreme emission line galaxies with EW 750Å in our s le to be 12%. We determine a strong correlation between the measured H β and [O III ] λ 5007 EWs, supporting that the high [O III ] λ 5007 EW objects require massive stars in young stellar populations to generate the high-energy photons needed to doubly ionize oxygen. We extracted spectra for objects up to 2 mag fainter in the near-infrared than previous WFSS studies with the Hubble Space Telescope. Thus, this work clearly highlights the potential of JWST/NIRISS to provide high-quality WFSS data sets in crowded cluster environments.
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 05-2023
Abstract: We report the detection of a high density of redshift z ≈ 10 galaxies behind the foreground cluster A2744, selected from imaging data obtained recently with NIRCam on board JWST by three programs—GLASS-JWST, UNCOVER, and DDT#2756. To ensure robust estimates of the lensing magnification μ , we use an improved version of our model that exploits the first epoch of NIRCam images and newly obtained MUSE spectra and avoids regions with μ 5 where the uncertainty may be higher. We detect seven bright z ≈ 10 galaxies with demagnified rest frame −22 ≲ M UV ≲ −19 mag, over an area of ∼37 arcmin 2 . Taking into account photometric incompleteness and the effects of lensing on luminosity and cosmological volume, we find that the density of z ≈ 10 galaxies in the field is about 10× (3×) larger than the average at M UV ≈ −21 ( −20) mag reported so far. The density is even higher when considering only the GLASS-JWST data, which are the deepest and the least affected by magnification and incompleteness. The GLASS-JWST field contains five out of seven galaxies, distributed along an apparent filamentary structure of 2 Mpc in projected length, and includes a close pair of candidates with M UV −20 mag having a projected separation of only 16 kpc. These findings suggest the presence of a z ≈ 10 overdensity in the field. In addition to providing excellent targets for efficient spectroscopic follow-up observations, our study confirms the high density of bright galaxies observed in early JWST observations but calls for multiple surveys along independent lines of sight to achieve an unbiased estimate of their average density and a first estimate of their clustering.
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 08-2022
Abstract: The GLASS-JWST Early Release Science (hereafter GLASS-JWST-ERS) Program will obtain and make publicly available the deepest extragalactic data of the ERS c aign. It is primarily designed to address two key science questions, namely, “what sources ionized the universe and when?” and “how do baryons cycle through galaxies?”, while also enabling a broad variety of first look scientific investigations. In primary mode, it will obtain NIRISS and NIRSpec spectroscopy of galaxies lensed by the foreground Hubble Frontier Field cluster, Abell 2744. In parallel, it will use NIRCam to observe two fields that are offset from the cluster center, where lensing magnification is negligible, and which can thus be effectively considered blank fields. In order to prepare the community for access to this unprecedented data, we describe the scientific rationale, the survey design (including target selection and observational setups), and present pre-commissioning estimates of the expected sensitivity. In addition, we describe the planned public releases of high-level data products, for use by the wider astronomical community.
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 04-2023
Abstract: We present the spectroscopic confirmation of a protocluster at z = 7.88 behind the galaxy cluster Abell 2744 (hereafter A2744-z7p9OD). Using JWST NIRSpec, we find seven galaxies within a projected radius of 60 kpc. Although the galaxies reside in an overdensity around ≳20× greater than a random volume, they do not show strong Ly α emission. We place 2 σ upper limits on the rest-frame equivalent width –28 Å. Based on the tight upper limits to the Ly α emission, we constrain the volume-averaged neutral fraction of hydrogen in the intergalactic medium to be x HI 0.45 (68% C i ). Using an empirical M UV – M halo relation for in idual galaxies, we estimate that the total halo mass of the system is ≳4 × 10 11 M ⊙ . Likewise, the line-of-sight velocity dispersion is estimated to be 1100 ± 200 km s −1 . Using an empirical relation, we estimate the present-day halo mass of A2744-z7p9OD to be ∼2 × 10 15 M ⊙ , comparable to the Coma cluster. A2744-z7p9OD is the highest redshift spectroscopically confirmed protocluster to date, demonstrating the power of JWST to investigate the connection between dark-matter halo assembly and galaxy formation at very early times with medium-deep observations at hr total exposure time. Follow-up spectroscopy of the remaining photometric candidates of the overdensity will further refine the features of this system and help characterize the role of such overdensities in cosmic reionization.
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 10-2022
Abstract: We present the results of a first search for galaxy candidates at z ∼ 9–15 on deep seven-band NIRCam imaging acquired as part of the GLASS-James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) Early Release Science Program on a flanking field of the Frontier Fields cluster A2744. Candidates are selected via two different renditions of the Lyman-break technique, isolating objects at z ∼ 9–11, and z ∼ 9–15, respectively, supplemented by photometric redshifts obtained with two independent codes. We find five color-selected candidates at z 9, plus one additional candidate with photometric redshift z phot ≥ 9. In particular, we identify two bright candidates at M UV ≃ −21 that are unambiguously placed at z ≃ 10.6 and z ≃ 12.2, respectively. The total number of galaxies discovered at z 9 is in line with the predictions of a nonevolving luminosity function. The two bright ones at z 10 are unexpected given the survey volume, although cosmic variance and small number statistics limits general conclusions. This first search demonstrates the unique power of JWST to discover galaxies at the high-redshift frontier. The candidates are ideal targets for spectroscopic follow-up in Cycle-2.
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 2023
Abstract: How passive galaxies form, and the physical mechanisms which prevent star formation over long timescales, are some of the most outstanding questions in understanding galaxy evolution. The properties of quiescent galaxies over cosmic time provide crucial information to identify the quenching mechanisms. Passive galaxies have been confirmed and studied out to z ∼ 4, but all of these studies have been limited to massive systems (mostly with log ( M star / M ⊙ ) 10.8 ). Using JWST-NIRISS grism slitless spectroscopic data from the GLASS-JWST Early Release Science program, we present spectroscopic confirmation of two quiescent galaxies at z spec = 2.650 − 0.006 + 0.004 and z spec = 2.433 − 0.016 + 0.032 (3 σ errors) with stellar masses of log ( M star / M ⊙ ) = 10.59 − 0.05 + 0.11 and log ( M star / M ⊙ ) = 10.07 − 0.03 + 0.06 (corrected for magnification factors of μ = 2.0 and μ = 2.1, respectively). The latter represents the first spectroscopic confirmation of the existence of low-mass quiescent galaxies at cosmic noon, showcasing the power of JWST to identify and characterize this enigmatic population.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2017
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2021
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 17-05-2023
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 2023
Abstract: We present the serendipitous discovery of a late T-type brown dwarf candidate in JWST NIRCam observations of the Early Release Science Abell 2744 parallel field. The discovery was enabled by the sensitivity of JWST at 4 μ m wavelengths and the panchromatic 0.9–4.5 μ m coverage of the spectral energy distribution. The unresolved point source has magnitudes F115W = 27.95 ± 0.15 and F444W = 25.84 ± 0.01 (AB), and its F115W−F444W and F356W−F444W colors match those expected for other known T dwarfs. We can exclude it as a reddened background star, high redshift quasar, or a very high redshift galaxy. Comparison with stellar atmospheric models indicates a temperature of T eff ≈ 650 K and surface gravity log g ≈ 5.25 , implying a mass of 0.03 M ⊙ and age of 5 Gyr. We estimate the distance of this candidate to be 570–720 pc in a direction perpendicular to the Galactic plane, making it a likely thick disk or halo brown dwarf. These observations underscore the power of JWST to probe the very low-mass end of the substellar mass function in the Galactic thick disk and halo.
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 12-2022
Abstract: We investigate the blue and optical rest-frame sizes ( λ ≃ 2300–4000 Å) of three compact star-forming regions in a galaxy at z = 4 strongly lensed (×30, ×45, and ×100) by the Hubble Frontier Field galaxy cluster A2744 using GLASS-ERS James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)/NIRISS imaging at 1.15 μ m, 1.50 μ m, and 2.0 μ m with a point-spread function ≲0.″1. In particular, the Balmer break is probed in detail for all multiply imaged sources of the system. With ages of a few tens of Myr, stellar masses in the range (0.7–4.0) ×10 6 M ⊙ and optical/ultraviolet effective radii spanning the interval 3 R eff 20 pc, such objects are currently the highest-redshift (spectroscopically confirmed) gravitationally bound young massive star clusters (YMCs), with stellar mass surface densities resembling those of local globular clusters. Optical (4000 Å, JWST-based) and ultraviolet (1600 Å, Hubble Space Telescope–based) sizes are fully compatible. The contribution to the ultraviolet underlying continuum emission (1600 Å) is ∼30%, which decreases by a factor of 2 in the optical for two of the YMCs (∼4000 Å rest-frame), reflecting the young ages ( Myr) inferred from the spectral energy distribution fitting and supported by the presence of high-ionization lines secured with the Very Large Telescope/MUSE. Such bursty forming regions enhance the specific star formation rate of the galaxy, which is ≃10 Gyr −1 . This galaxy would be among the extreme analogs observed in the local universe having a high star formation rate surface density and a high occurrence of massive stellar clusters in formation.
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 10-2022
Abstract: We present the first search for z ≥ 7, continuum-confirmed Lyman break sources with NIRISS/WFS spectroscopy over the Abell 2744 Frontier Fields cluster, as part of the GLASS-JWST-ERS survey. With ∼15 hr of preimaging and multiangle grism exposures in the F115W, F150W, and F200W filters, we describe the general data handling (i.e., reduction, cleaning, modeling, and extraction processes) and analysis for the GLASS-JWST survey. We showcase the power of JWST to peer deep into reionization, when most intergalactic hydrogen is neutral, by confirming two galaxies at z = 8.04 ± 0.15 and z = 7.90 ± 0.13 by means of their Lyman breaks. Fainter continuum spectra are observed in both the F150W and F200W bands, indicative of blue (−1.69 and −1.33) UV slopes and moderately bright absolute magnitudes (−20.37 and −19.68 mag). We do not detect strong Ly α in either galaxy, but do observe tentative (∼2.7–3.8 σ ) He ii λ 1640 Å, O iii ] λλ 1661,1666 Å, and N iii ] λλ 1747,1749 Å line emission in one, suggestive of low-metallicity, star-forming systems with possible nonthermal contributions. These novel observations provide a first look at the extraordinary potential of JWST/NIRISS for confirming representative s les of bright z ≥ 7 sources in the absence of strong emission lines, and gain unprecedented insight into their contributions toward cosmic reionization.
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 2023
Abstract: We exploit James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) NIRCam observations from the GLASS-JWST-Early Release Science program to investigate galaxy stellar masses at z 7. We first show that JWST observations reduce the uncertainties on the stellar mass by a factor of at least 5–10, when compared with the highest-quality data sets available to date. We then study the UV mass-to-light ratio, finding that galaxies exhibit a a two orders of magnitude range of M / L UV values for a given luminosity, indicative of a broad variety of physical conditions and star formation histories. As a consequence, previous estimates of the cosmic stellar-mass density—based on an average correlation between UV luminosity and stellar mass—can be biased by as much as a factor of ∼6. Our first exploration demonstrates that JWST represents a new era in our understanding of stellar masses at z 7 and, therefore, of the growth of galaxies prior to cosmic reionization.
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 04-2023
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/202345866
Abstract: The escape fraction of Lyman-continuum (LyC) photons ( f esc ) is a key parameter for determining the sources of cosmic reionization at z ≥ 6. At these redshifts, owing to the opacity of the intergalactic medium, the LyC emission cannot be measured directly. However, LyC leakers during the epoch of reionization could be identified using indirect indicators that have been extensively tested at low and intermediate redshifts. These include a high [O III ]/[O II ] flux ratio, high star-formation surface density, and compact sizes. In this work, we present observations of 29 4.5 ≤ z ≤ 8 gravitationally lensed galaxies in the Abell 2744 cluster field. From a combined analysis of JWST-NIRSpec and NIRCam data, we accurately derived their physical and spectroscopic properties: our galaxies have low masses (log( M ⋆ )∼8.5), blue UV spectral slopes ( β ∼ −2.1), compact sizes ( r e ∼ 0.3 − 0.5 kpc), and high [O III ]/[O II ] flux ratios. We confirm that these properties are similar to those characterizing low-redshift LyC leakers. Indirectly inferring the fraction of escaping ionizing photons, we find that more than 80% of our galaxies have predicted f esc values larger than 0.05, indicating that they would be considered leakers. The average predicted f esc value of our s le is 0.12, suggesting that similar galaxies at z ≥ 6 have provided a substantial contribution to cosmic reionization.
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 05-2023
Abstract: We combine JWST/NIRCam imaging and MUSE data to characterize the properties of galaxies in different environmental conditions in the cluster Abell2744 ( z = 0.3064) and in its immediate surroundings. We investigate how galaxy colors, morphology, and star-forming fractions depend on wavelength and on different parameterizations of environment. Our most striking result is the discovery of a “red excess” population in F200W−F444W colors in both the cluster regions and the field. These galaxies have normal F115W−F150W colors but are up to 0.8 mag redder than red sequence galaxies in F200W−F444W. They also have rather blue rest-frame B − V colors. Galaxies in the field and at the cluster virial radius are overall characterized by redder colors, but galaxies with the largest color deviations are found in the field and in the cluster core. Several results suggest that mechanisms taking place in these regions might be more effective in producing these colors. Looking at their morphology, many cluster galaxies show signatures consistent with ram pressure stripping, while field galaxies have features resembling interactions and mergers. Our hypothesis is that these galaxies are characterized by dust-enshrouded star formation: a JWST/NIRSpec spectrum for one of the galaxies is dominated by a strong PAH at 3.3 μ m, suggestive of dust-obscured star formation. Larger spectroscopic s les are needed to understand whether the color excess is due exclusively to dust-obscured star formation, as well as the role of environment in triggering it.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2023
Start Date: 06-2023
End Date: 06-2026
Amount: $530,000.00
Funder: Australian Research Council
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