SubsidieMeestersJWST Breakthrough in Galaxy Formation: Mass Build-up Efficiency at Cosmic Dawn
SFEER aims to revolutionize our understanding of early galaxy formation by utilizing JWST to analyze the physical properties of massive galaxies during the Epoch of Reionization.
Projectdetails
Introduction
We present SFEER (Star Formation Efficiency in the Epoch of Reionization), an ambitious project to enable one of the most significant and long-lasting leaps in our understanding of early galaxy formation. The discovery of exceptionally massive galaxies in the distant Universe has confronted us with puzzling questions about how galaxies could assemble so efficiently at early cosmic times. Unfortunately, significant instrumental limitations have prevented us from robustly reconstructing their physical properties.
The Role of JWST
The recent launch of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has ignited a revolution. Its exquisite sensitivity and spatial resolution are going to provide dramatically new information on massive galaxies in the Epoch of Reionization (EoR) and beyond. SFEER is set to play a dominant role in this process.
Core Program
At its core is a cycle 1 JWST/NIRSpec program I am leading which will obtain spatially resolved spectroscopy for 12 exceptionally bright galaxies in the EoR. Remarkably, estimates of the interstellar medium (ISM) reservoirs of this sample are already in our hands thanks to recent Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) observations. These observations provide information on:
- Molecular gas and dust content
- The fraction of obscured star formation
This joint dataset clearly stands out in the panorama of current JWST programs and constitutes an important benchmark.
Objectives of SFEER
SFEER will enable us to probe the assembly history of these tantalizing objects through the characterization of their:
- Ages
- Stellar mass
- Energy-balanced star-formation rates
- Metallicity
- Merging fractions
- Gas kinematics
- Relationship with the host dark matter halos
Future Prospects
Taking advantage of complementary JWST programs and wide-area multi-wavelength data from ground and Euclid, we will extend our results to higher and lower masses, and probe galaxy formation from the earliest points in cosmic time.
Financiële details & Tijdlijn
Financiële details
| Subsidiebedrag | € 1.979.422 |
| Totale projectbegroting | € 1.979.422 |
Tijdlijn
| Startdatum | 1-12-2023 |
| Einddatum | 30-11-2028 |
| Subsidiejaar | 2023 |
Partners & Locaties
Projectpartners
- UNIVERSITAT DE VALENCIApenvoerder
Land(en)
Vergelijkbare projecten binnen European Research Council
| Project | Regeling | Bedrag | Jaar | Actie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
ReIonization and Signatures of Early StarsThe RISES project aims to analyze JWST data to understand the formation of early galaxies and the reionization process, enhancing our knowledge of the universe's evolution. | ERC Starting... | € 1.499.478 | 2025 | Details |
A new View of Young galaxies with ALMA and JWSTThis project aims to uncover hidden stellar populations and map molecular gas in dusty young galaxies using JWST and ALMA data, enhancing our understanding of early galaxy formation. | ERC Consolid... | € 1.997.345 | 2023 | Details |
Unveiling the Formation of Massive Galaxies with the James Webb Space TelescopeThis project aims to investigate the quenching of star formation in massive galaxies using JWST observations to identify distinct fast and slow quenching mechanisms across different conditions. | ERC Starting... | € 1.270.668 | 2023 | Details |
Exploring Cosmic Dawn with James Webb Space TelescopeThis project aims to utilize the James Webb Space Telescope to investigate the timeline and mechanisms of cosmic reionization and the properties of the first galaxies formed after the Big Bang. | ERC Advanced... | € 2.086.250 | 2023 | Details |
Young galaxies as tracers and agents of cosmic reionizationThis project aims to leverage JWST to identify and analyze early galaxies, assessing their role in reionization and shaping the Universe's structure during its first 3 Gyr. | ERC Starting... | € 1.498.216 | 2023 | Details |
ReIonization and Signatures of Early Stars
The RISES project aims to analyze JWST data to understand the formation of early galaxies and the reionization process, enhancing our knowledge of the universe's evolution.
A new View of Young galaxies with ALMA and JWST
This project aims to uncover hidden stellar populations and map molecular gas in dusty young galaxies using JWST and ALMA data, enhancing our understanding of early galaxy formation.
Unveiling the Formation of Massive Galaxies with the James Webb Space Telescope
This project aims to investigate the quenching of star formation in massive galaxies using JWST observations to identify distinct fast and slow quenching mechanisms across different conditions.
Exploring Cosmic Dawn with James Webb Space Telescope
This project aims to utilize the James Webb Space Telescope to investigate the timeline and mechanisms of cosmic reionization and the properties of the first galaxies formed after the Big Bang.
Young galaxies as tracers and agents of cosmic reionization
This project aims to leverage JWST to identify and analyze early galaxies, assessing their role in reionization and shaping the Universe's structure during its first 3 Gyr.