Physics
Scientific paper
Jul 2007
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2007hst..prop11144b&link_type=abstract
HST Proposal ID #11144. Cycle 16
Physics
Scientific paper
One of the most exciting frontiers in observational cosmology has been to trace the buildup and evolution of galaxies from very early times. While hierarchical theory teaches us that the star formation rate in galaxies likely starts out small and builds up gradually, only recently has it been possible to see evidence for this observationally through the evolution of the LF from z~6 to z~3. Establishing that this build up occurs from even earlier times z~7-8 has been difficult, however, due to the small size of current high-redshift z~7-8 samples -- now numbering in the range of ~4-10 sources. Expanding the size of these samples is absolutely essential, if we are to push current studies of galaxy buildup back to even earlier times. Fortunately, we should soon be able to do so, thanks to ~50 arcmin**2 of deep 26.9 AB mag at 5 sigma NICMOS 1.6 micron data that will be available over the two ACS GOODS fields as a result of one recent 180-orbit ACS backup program and a smaller program. These data will nearly triple the deep near-IR imaging currently available and represent a significant resource for finding and characterizing the brightest high-redshift sources -- since high-redshift candidates can be easily identified in these data from their red z-H colours. Unfortunately, the red z-H colours of these candidates are not sufficient to determine that these sources are at z>=7, and it is important also to have deep photometry at 1.1 microns. To obtain this crucial information, we propose to follow up each of these z-H dropouts with NICMOS at 1.1 microns to determine which are at high redshift and thus significantly expand our sample of luminous, z>=7 galaxies. Since preliminary studies indicate that these candidates occur in only 30% of the NIC3 fields, our follow-up strategy is ~3 times as efficient as without this preselection and 9 times as efficient as a search in a field with no pre-existing data. In total, we expect to identify ~8 luminous z-dropouts and possibly ~2 z~10 J-dropouts as a result of this program, more than tripling the number currently known. The increased sample sizes are important if we are to solidify current conclusions about galaxy buildup and the evolution of the LF from z~8. In addition to the high redshift science, these deep 1.1 micron data would have significant value for many diverse endeavors, including 1 improving our constraints on the stellar mass density at z~7-10 and 2 doubling the number of galaxies at z~6 for which we can estimate dust obscuration.;
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