Measuring the stellar masses of z ∼ 7 galaxies with the spitzer ultrafaint survey program (Surfs up)

  • R. E. Ryan
  • , R. E. Ryan
  • , A. H. Gonzalez
  • , B. C. Lemaux
  • , M. Bradač
  • , S. Casertano
  • , S. Allen
  • , B. Cain
  • , M. Gladders
  • , N. Hall
  • , H. Hildebradt
  • , J. Hinz
  • , K. H. Huang
  • , L. Lubin
  • , T. Schrabback
  • , M. Stiavelli
  • , T. Treu
  • , A. Von Der Linden
  • , D. Zaritsky

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

We present Spitzer/IRAC observations of nine z′-band dropouts highly magnified (2 ≲ μ ≲ 12) by the Bullet Cluster. We combine archival imaging with our Exploratory program (SURFS UP), which results in a total integration time of ∼30 hr per Infrared Array Camera (IRAC) band. We detect (≳ 3σ) in both IRAC bands the brightest of these high-redshift galaxies, with [3.6] = 23.80 ± 0.28 mag, [4.5] = 23.78 ± 0.25 mag, and (H-[3.6]) = 1.17 ± 0.32 mag. The remaining eight galaxies are undetected to [3.6] ∼ 26.4 mag and [4.5] ∼ 26.0 mag with stellar masses of ∼5 × 107 M·. The detected galaxy has an estimated magnification of μ = 12 ± 4, which implies this galaxy has an ultraviolet luminosity of-the lowest-luminosity individual source detected in IRAC at z ≳ 7. By modeling the broadband photometry, we estimate the galaxy has an intrinsic star formation rate (SFR) of SFR ∼ 1.3 M· yr-1 and stellar mass of M ∼ 2.0 × 109 M·, which gives a specific star formation rate of sSFR ∼ 0.7 Gyr-1. If this galaxy had sustained this SFR since z ∼ 20, it could have formed the observed stellar mass (to within a factor of ∼2). We also discuss alternate star formation histories and argue that the exponentially increasing model is unlikely. Finally, based on the intrinsic SFR, we estimate that this galaxy has a likely [C II] flux of 〈f [C II]〉 = 1.6 mJy.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numberL4
JournalAstrophysical Journal Letters
Volume786
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - May 1 2014

Keywords

  • galaxies: evolution
  • galaxies: formation
  • galaxies: high-redshift

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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