The Reddest Objects in the Universe

Computer Science

Scientific paper

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Hst Proposal Id #6598 Cosmology

Scientific paper

Recent deep K-band imaging surveys have discovered a new population of infrared bright, extremely red {R-K gt 6}, objects {EROS}. There are no optical spectra for these bizarre objects on account of their faintness {R gt 24.5}, and therefore their nature and redshift are uncertain. However we do have some intriguing clues which suggest that HST imaging will be decisive in unraveling this engima. The EROS are common: their surface density is similar to that of luminous quasars. They are just spatially resolved in IR Keck images with 0.''4 seeing, and therefore they are almost certainly distant galaxies. IR spectra from Keck of one object suggests z = 1.44. Very red colors would then follow naturally from shifting of the 4000Angstrom break to 1 Mu m. If all the EROS are at moderate redshifts {z 1-2}, their luminosities are several L^* and their volume space density is comparable to that of active galaxies of similar luminosity. The morphology of the EROS will provide a major clue to their nature - are they ellipticals, disks or disturbed system? The EROS are small with sizes of about 0.''5 and only HST offers the spatial resolution necessary provide this information. Therefore, we propose to obtain broad band images using the F814W filter in order to determine the morphologies and surface photometry of these objects. This program will complement an ongoing Keck imaging and spectroscopic study of these objects at near infrared wavelengths.

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