1
Return

Galaxy size and mass build-up in the first 2 Gyr of cosmic history from multi-wavelength JWST NIRCam imaging

delete2025-05-23
delete0
PRE
AI
DOI:10.1051/0004-6361/202452690delete
deleteOriginal
deleteOriginal request for help
deleteShare
deleteSave
Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
The evolution of galaxy sizes in different wavelengths provides unique insights on galaxy build-up across cosmic epochs. Such measurements can now finally be done at z > 3 thanks to the James Webb Space Telescope's (JWST) exquisite spatial resolution and multi-wavelength capability. With the public data from the CEERS, PRIMER-UDS, and PRIMER-COSMOS surveys, we measure the sizes of similar to 3500 star-forming galaxies at 3 <= z < 9, in seven NIRCam bands using the multi-wavelength model fitting code GalfitM. The size-mass relation is measured in four redshift bins, across all NIRCam bands. We find that the slope and intrinsic scatter of the rest-optical size-mass relation are constant across this redshift range and consistent with previous studies at low-z with the Hubble Space Telescope. When comparing the relations across different wavelengths, the average rest-optical and rest-UV relations are consistent with each other up to z = 6, but the intrinsic scatter is largest in rest-UV wavelengths compared to rest-optical and redder bands. This behaviour is independent of redshift and we speculate that it is driven by bursty star formation in z > 4 galaxies. Additionally, for 3 <= z < 4 star-forming galaxies at M-& lowast; > 10(10) M-circle dot, we find smaller rest-1 mu m sizes in comparison to rest-optical (and rest-UV) sizes, suggestive of colour gradients. When comparing to simulations, we find agreement over M-& lowast; approximate to 10(9) - 10(10) M-circle dot but beyond this mass, the observed size-mass relation is significantly steeper. Our results show the power of JWST/NIRCam to provide new constraints on galaxy formation models.
Keywords:
galaxies: evolution
galaxies: general
galaxies: high-redshift
galaxies: statistics
galaxies: structure

Journal

Astronomy and Astrophysics cover
Astronomy and Astrophysics
IF:
5.8
Papers:
5.0W
Citations:
18.3W

Organization

No organization information available
Cited Papers

Cited Papers

Citing Papers

Citing Papers