A Complete Understanding of Massive Galaxy Formation into the Epoch of Reionization
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Manchester
Department Name: Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
At the frontier of modern astronomy is the study of first galaxies, when the universe was less than 10% of its current age. It is within this era that the first atoms of 'heavy' elements (such as Carbon, Oxygen, Iron) were created by the first generations of stars, and when the seeds of supermassive black holes were being formed. Despite being extremely distant, it is vital to understand this primordial galaxies, as they are the building-blocks of all subsequent galaxy formation. Remarkably, using telescopes such as the Hubble Space Telescope, it has been possible to detect and study galaxies in this epoch. Despite these advances, one of the most fundamental measurements, the number of the brightest and most massive galaxies, is unknown in the early Universe.
In the coming years, new data-sets from both established ground-based telescopes, and several new space-missions will revolutionise the field, with the capability of detecting many thousands of such galaxies. My previous experience and innovative approach to analysing these new data, by combining information at a range of wavelengths, will provide a full understanding of these galaxies and reveal the detailed astrophysics of galaxy formation at this early time. The result will be the first constraints on when supermassive black-holes became active and on when significant enrichment occurred (leading to obscuration by cosmic dust). I will also determine the role of these galaxies in a crucial phase change in the history of the universe, the 'Epoch of Reionization', where the predominantly neutral Universe became ionised by the first stars and/or active black holes.
In the coming years, new data-sets from both established ground-based telescopes, and several new space-missions will revolutionise the field, with the capability of detecting many thousands of such galaxies. My previous experience and innovative approach to analysing these new data, by combining information at a range of wavelengths, will provide a full understanding of these galaxies and reveal the detailed astrophysics of galaxy formation at this early time. The result will be the first constraints on when supermassive black-holes became active and on when significant enrichment occurred (leading to obscuration by cosmic dust). I will also determine the role of these galaxies in a crucial phase change in the history of the universe, the 'Epoch of Reionization', where the predominantly neutral Universe became ionised by the first stars and/or active black holes.
Publications
Adams N. J.
(2022)
The total rest-frame UV luminosity function from $3 < z < 5$: A simultaneous study of AGN and galaxies from $-28<M_{\rm UV}<-16$
in arXiv e-prints
Bouwens R
(2022)
Reionization Era Bright Emission Line Survey: Selection and Characterization of Luminous Interstellar Medium Reservoirs in the z > 6.5 Universe
in The Astrophysical Journal
Bunker Andrew J.
(2023)
JADES NIRSpec Spectroscopy of GN-z11: Lyman-$\alpha$ emission and possible enhanced nitrogen abundance in a $z=10.60$ luminous galaxy
in arXiv e-prints
Butts J.
(2023)
Extensions of Heterogeneity in Integration and Prediction (HIP) with R Shiny Application
in arXiv e-prints
Cameron Alex J.
(2023)
JADES: Probing interstellar medium conditions at $z\sim5.5-9.5$ with ultra-deep JWST/NIRSpec spectroscopy
in arXiv e-prints
Cullen F.
(2023)
Evidence for the emergence of dust-free stellar populations at z > 10
in arXiv e-prints
Curtis-Lake Emma
(2022)
Spectroscopic confirmation of four metal-poor galaxies at z=10.3-13.2
in arXiv e-prints
Dayal P
(2022)
The ALMA REBELS survey: the dust content of z ~ 7 Lyman break galaxies
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Donnan C
(2023)
The evolution of the galaxy UV luminosity function at redshifts z ? 8 - 15 from deep JWST and ground-based near-infrared imaging
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Description | CRISTAL ALMA large program |
Organisation | European Southern Observatory (ESO) |
Country | Germany |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | Working on data products. |
Collaborator Contribution | Data reduction. |
Impact | JWST proposal. |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | Article in Quanta magazine |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Interview for article. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.quantamagazine.org/astronomers-say-they-have-spotted-the-universes-first-stars-20230130/ |
Description | Lovell Lecture at the Jodrell Bank Observatory |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | 200 members of the public attended a public engagement lecture, followed by questions from the audience and further discussion. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | STEM untapped podcast |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Podcast recorded by STEMuntapped with a focus on women in STEM. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Talk at BlueDot festival |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Talk to attendees of the BlueDot music and science festival, followed by questions and discussion. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Universe Today article |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Interviewed for quote in Universe Today magazine. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.universetoday.com/156987/the-record-for-the-farthest-galaxy-just-got-broken-again-now-ju... |