ZEN2: a narrow J-band search for z∼ 9 Lyα emitting galaxies directed towards three lensing clusters |
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Authors: | J. P. Willis F. Courbin J.-P. Kneib D. Minniti |
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Affiliation: | Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Victoria, Elliot Building, 3800 Finnerty Road, Victoria, BC, V8P 1A1, Canada;Laboratoire d'Astrophysique, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1290 Sauverny, Switzerland;Laboratoire d'Astrophysique de Marseille, Traverse du Siphon BP8, 13376 Marseille Cedex 12, France;Department of Astronomy, P. Universidad Católica, Av. Vicuña Mackenna 4860, Casilla 306, Santiago 22, Chile |
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Abstract: | We present the results of a continuing survey to detect Lyα 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 Lyα 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, F NB= 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 Lyα emission luminosity of 1043 erg s−1 . We conclude by considering the prospects for detecting z ∼ 9 Lyα emitting galaxies in light of both observed galaxy properties at z < 7 and simulated populations at z > 7 . |
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Keywords: | gravitational lensing galaxies: clusters: general galaxies: high-redshift |
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