Keck Observations of the Most Distant Galaxy: 8C1435+63 at z=4.25

Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

Scientific paper

We present observations made at the W. M. Keck Observatory of the z=4.25 radio galaxy 8C1435+63. The spectrum shows a strong Lyalpha line, a Lyalpha forest continuum break and a continuum break at lambda_ {rest}=912 Angstroms. The Lyalpha emission is spatially extended and roughly aligned with the radio source. The galaxy shows a double structure in the I-band (lambda_ {rest} ~1500 Angstroms) which is aligned with the radio axis; the two I-band components spatially coincide with the nuclear and southern radio components. Some fraction of the I band emission could be due to a nonthermal process such as inverse compton scattering. In the K-band (lambda_ {rest} ~4200 Angstroms), which may be dominated by starlight, the galaxy has a very low surface brightness, diffuse morphology. The K morphology shows little relationship to the radio source structure, although the major axis of the K emission is elongated roughly in the direction of the radio source axis. The galaxian continuum is very red (I-K>4) and, if the K continuum is due to starlight, implies a formation redshift of z_f > 5. We speculate that this galaxy may be the progenitor of a present day cD galaxy. As the most distant galaxy known, the age of the stellar population of 8C1435+63 may place strong constraints on the epoch of galaxy formation.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Keck Observations of the Most Distant Galaxy: 8C1435+63 at z=4.25 does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Keck Observations of the Most Distant Galaxy: 8C1435+63 at z=4.25, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Keck Observations of the Most Distant Galaxy: 8C1435+63 at z=4.25 will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1323252

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.