2024/09/17 by Yongda Zhu, Marcia Rieke, Zhu, Yongda +43 · 2 citations
Engineering · Physics and Astronomy · #Astronomical Observations and Instrumentation #Astronomy and Astrophysical Research #Astrophysical Phenomena and Observations #Astrophysics of Galaxies (astro-ph.GA) #Cosmology and Nongalactic Astrophysics (astro-ph.CO) #FOS: Physical sciences
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2409.11464
openalex publication_date 2024/09/17 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/30
For the first time, we present a systematic search for galaxies with extended emission line and potential outflow features using JWST medium-band images in the GOODS-S field. This is done by comparing the morphology in medium-band images to adjacent continuum and UV bands. We look for galaxies that have a maximum extent 50% larger, an excess area 30% greater, or an axis ratio difference of more than 0.3 in the medium band compared to the reference bands. After visual inspection, we find 326 candidate galaxies at 1.4 < z < 8.4, with a peak in the population near cosmic noon, benefiting from the good coverage of the medium-band filters. By fitting their SEDs, we find that the candidate galaxies are at least 20% more bursty in their star-forming activity and have 50% more young stellar populations compared to a control sample selected based on the continuum band flux. Additionally, these candidates exhibit a significantly higher production rate of ionizing photons. We further find that candidates hosting known AGN produce extended emission that is more anisotropic compared to non-AGN candidates. A few of our candidates have been spectroscopically confirmed to have prominent outflow signatures through NIRSpec observations, showcasing the robustness of the photometric selection. Future spectroscopic follow-up will better help verify and characterize the kinematics and chemical properties of these systems.