The Dark Side of Reionization: Probing Cooling in the Early Universe

Details The Dark Side of Reionization: Probing Cooling in the Early Universe The Dark Side of Reionization: Probing Cooling in the Early Universe

2009-03-10

arxiv.org/abs/0903.1839v1

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

Cosmology and Extragalactic Astrophysics

White Paper submitted to the 2010 Decadal Review

Scientific paper

Probing the growth of structure from the epoch of hydrogen recombination to the formation of the first stars and galaxies is one of the most important uncharted areas of observational cosmology. Far-IR spectroscopy covering $\lambda$ 100-500 microns from space, and narrow partial transmission atmospheric bands available from the ground, opens up the possibility of probing the molecular hydrogen and metal fine-structure lines from primordial clouds from which the first stars and galaxies formed at 6 < z $<$ 15. Building on Spitzer observations of unexpectedly powerful H2 emission from shocks, we argue that next-generation far-IR space telescopes may open a new window into the main cloud cooling processes and feedback effects which characterized this vital, but unexplored epoch. Without this window, we are essential blind to the dominant cloud cooling which inevitably led to star formation and cosmic reionization.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

The Dark Side of Reionization: Probing Cooling in the Early Universe 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 The Dark Side of Reionization: Probing Cooling in the Early Universe, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The Dark Side of Reionization: Probing Cooling in the Early Universe will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-187738