Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2002-05-17
Mon.Not.Roy.Astron.Soc. 342 (2003) 759
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
Accepted in MNRAS, 16 pages, 12 figures, an appendix with 25 additional pages of figures is available at http://www.inaoep.m
Scientific paper
10.1046/j.1365-8711.2003.06560.x
In this paper we apply our Monte-Carlo photometric-redshift technique, introduced in paper I (Hughes et al. 2002), to the multi-wavelength data available for 77 galaxies selected at 850um and 1.25mm. We calculate a probability distribution for the redshift of each galaxy, which includes a detailed treatment of the observational errors and uncertainties in the evolutionary model. The cumulative redshift distribution of the submillimetre galaxy population that we present in this paper, based on 50 galaxies found in wide-area SCUBA surveys, is asymmetric, and broader than those published elsewhere, with a significant high-z tail for some of the evolutionary models considered. Approximately 40 to 90 per cent of the sub-mm population is expected to have redshifts in the interval 2 < z < 4. Whilst this result is completely consistent with earlier estimates for the sub-mm galaxy population, we also show that the colours of many (< 50 per cent) individual sub-mm sources, detected only at 850um with non-detections at other wavelengths, are consistent with those of starburst galaxies that lie at extreme redshifts, z > 4. Spectroscopic confirmation of the redshifts, through the detection of rest-frame FIR--mm wavelength molecular transition-lines, will ultimately calibrate the accuracy of this technique. We use the redshift probability distribution of HDF850.1 to illustrate the ability of the method to guide the choice of possible frequency tunings on the broad-band spectroscopic receivers that equip the large aperture single-dish mm and cm-wavelength telescopes.
Aretxaga Itziar
Chapin Edward L.
Dunlop James S.
Gaztanaga Enrique
Hughes David H.
No associations
LandOfFree
Breaking the "Redshift Deadlock" -- II: The redshift distribution for the submillimetre population of galaxies 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 Breaking the "Redshift Deadlock" -- II: The redshift distribution for the submillimetre population of galaxies, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Breaking the "Redshift Deadlock" -- II: The redshift distribution for the submillimetre population of galaxies will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-598872