ZEN2: A narrow J-band search for z ? 9 Ly? emitting galaxies directed towards three lensing clusters

Willis J.P.; Courbin F.; Kneib, J.-P.; Minniti, D

Abstract

We present the results of a continuing survey to detect Ly? emitting galaxies at redshifts z ? 9: the 'z equals nine' (ZEN) survey. We have obtained deep VLT Infrared Spectrometer and Array Camera observations in the narrow J-band filter NB119 directed towards three massive lensing clusters: Abell clusters 1689, 1835 and 114. The foreground clusters provide a magnified view of the distant Universe and permit a sensitive test for the presence of very high redshift galaxies. We search for z ? 9 Ly? emitting galaxies displaying a significant narrow-band excess relative to accompanying J-band observations that remain undetected in Hubble Space Telescope (HST)/Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) optical images of each field. No sources consistent with this criterion are detected above the unlensed 90 per cent point-source flux limit of the narrow-band image, FNB = 3.7 × 10 -18 erg s-1 cm-2. To date, the total coverage of the ZEN survey has sampled a volume at z ? 9 of approximately 1700 comoving Mpc3 to a Ly? emission luminosity of 1043 erg s-1. We conclude by considering the prospects for detecting z ? 9 Ly? emitting galaxies in light of both observed galaxy properties at z < 7 and simulated populations at z > 7. © 2008 RAS.

Más información

Título de la Revista: MONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY
Volumen: 384
Número: 3
Editorial: Oxford Academic
Fecha de publicación: 2008
Página de inicio: 1039
Página final: 1044
URL: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-43049148313&partnerID=q2rCbXpz