skip to main content
US FlagAn official website of the United States government
dot gov icon
Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
https lock icon
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( lock ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Explore Research Products in the PAR
It may take a few hours for recently added research products to appear in PAR search results.


Title: High-redshift JWST predictions from IllustrisTNG: dust modelling and galaxy luminosity functions
ABSTRACT The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) promises to revolutionize our understanding of the early Universe, and contrasting its upcoming observations with predictions of the Λ cold dark matter model requires detailed theoretical forecasts. Here, we exploit the large dynamic range of the IllustrisTNG simulation suite, TNG50, TNG100, and TNG300, to derive multiband galaxy luminosity functions from z = 2 to z = 10. We put particular emphasis on the exploration of different dust attenuation models to determine galaxy luminosity functions for the rest-frame ultraviolet (UV), and apparent wide NIRCam bands. Our most detailed dust model is based on continuum Monte Carlo radiative transfer calculations employing observationally calibrated dust properties. This calibration results in constraints on the redshift evolution of the dust attenuation normalization and dust-to-metal ratios yielding a stronger redshift evolution of the attenuation normalization compared to most previous theoretical studies. Overall we find good agreement between the rest-frame UV luminosity functions and observational data for all redshifts, also beyond the regimes used for the dust model calibrations. Furthermore, we also recover the observed high-redshift (z = 4–6) UV luminosity versus stellar mass relation, the H α versus star formation rate relation, and the H α luminosity function at z = 2. The bright end (MUV > −19.5) cumulative galaxy number densities are consistent with observational data. For the F200W NIRCam band, we predict that JWST will detect ∼80 (∼200) galaxies with a signal-to-noise ratio of 10 (5) within the NIRCam field of view, $$2.2\times 2.2 \, {\rm arcmin}^{2}$$, for a total exposure time of $$10^5\, {\rm s}$$ in the redshift range z = 8 ± 0.5. These numbers drop to ∼10 (∼40) for an exposure time of $$10^4\, {\rm s}$$.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
1814053 1814259
PAR ID:
10104829
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Volume:
492
Issue:
4
ISSN:
0035-8711
Page Range / eLocation ID:
5167 to 5201
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
More Like this
  1. ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; (, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society)
    ABSTRACT We present predictions for high redshift (z = 2−10) galaxy populations based on the IllustrisTNG simulation suite and a full Monte Carlo dust radiative transfer post-processing. Specifically, we discuss the H α and H β + $$[\rm O \,{\small III}]$$ luminosity functions up to z = 8. The predicted H β + $$[\rm O \,{\small III}]$$ luminosity functions are consistent with present observations at z ≲ 3 with $${\lesssim} 0.1\, {\rm dex}$$ differences in luminosities. However, the predicted H α luminosity function is $${\sim }0.3\, {\rm dex}$$ dimmer than the observed one at z ≃ 2. Furthermore, we explore continuum spectral indices, the Balmer break at 4000 Å; (D4000) and the UV continuum slope β. The median D4000 versus specific star formation rate relation predicted at z = 2 is in agreement with the local calibration despite a different distribution pattern of galaxies in this plane. In addition, we reproduce the observed AUV versus β relation and explore its dependence on galaxy stellar mass, providing an explanation for the observed complexity of this relation. We also find a deficiency in heavily attenuated, UV red galaxies in the simulations. Finally, we provide predictions for the dust attenuation curves of galaxies at z = 2−6 and investigate their dependence on galaxy colours and stellar masses. The attenuation curves are steeper in galaxies at higher redshifts, with bluer colours, or with lower stellar masses. We attribute these predicted trends to dust geometry. Overall, our results are consistent with present observations of high-redshift galaxies. Future James Webb Space Telecope observations will further test these predictions. 
    more » « less
  2. ; ; ; ; ; ; ; (, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society)
    ABSTRACT We post-process galaxies in the IllustrisTNG simulations with skirt radiative transfer calculations to make predictions for the rest-frame near-infrared (NIR) and far-infrared (FIR) properties of galaxies at z ≥ 4. The rest-frame K- and z-band galaxy luminosity functions from TNG are overall consistent with observations, despite $${\sim}0.5\, \mathrm{dex}$$ underprediction at z = 4 for MK ≲ −25 and Mz ≲ −24. Predictions for the JWST MIRI observed galaxy luminosity functions and number counts are given. Based on theoretical estimations, we show that the next-generation survey conducted by JWST can detect 500 (30) galaxies in F1000W in a survey area of $$500\, {\rm arcmin}^{2}$$ at z = 6 (z = 8). As opposed to the consistency in the UV, optical, and NIR, we find that TNG, combined with our dust modelling choices, significantly underpredicts the abundance of most dust-obscured and thus most luminous FIR galaxies. As a result, the obscured cosmic star formation rate density (SFRD) and the SFRD contributed by optical/NIR dark objects are underpredicted. The discrepancies discovered here could provide new constraints on the sub-grid feedback models, or the dust contents, of simulations. Meanwhile, although the TNG predicted dust temperature and its relations with IR luminosity and redshift are qualitatively consistent with observations, the peak dust temperature of z ≥ 6 galaxies are overestimated by about $$20\, {\rm K}$$. This could be related to the limited mass resolution of our simulations to fully resolve the porosity of the interstellar medium (or specifically its dust content) at these redshifts. 
    more » « less
  3. ; ; ; ; (, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society)
    ABSTRACT JWST observations have revealed a population of galaxies bright enough that potentially challenge standard galaxy formation models in the Λ cold dark matter (ΛCDM) cosmology. Using a minimal empirical framework, we investigate the influence of variability on the rest-frame ultra-violet (UV) luminosity function of galaxies at z ≥ 9. Our study differentiates between the median UV radiation yield and the variability of UV luminosities of galaxies at a fixed dark matter halo mass. We primarily focus on the latter effect, which depends on halo assembly and galaxy formation processes and can significantly increase the abundance of UV-bright galaxies due to the upscatter of galaxies in lower-mass haloes. We find that a relatively low level of variability, σUV ≈ 0.75 mag, matches the observational constraints at z ≈ 9. However, increasingly larger σUV is necessary when moving to higher redshifts, reaching $$\sigma _{\rm UV} \approx 2.0\, (2.5)\, {\rm mag}$$ at z ≈ 12 (16). This implied variability is consistent with expectations of physical processes in high-redshift galaxies such as bursty star formation and dust clearance during strong feedback cycles. Photometric constraints from JWST at z ≳ 9 therefore can be reconciled with a standard ΛCDM-based galaxy formation model calibrated at lower redshifts without the need for adjustments to the median UV radiation yield. 
    more » « less
  4. ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; et al (, Astronomy & Astrophysics)
    Aims.JWST/NIRCam provides rest-frame near-IR photometry of galaxies up toz = 2.5 with exquisite depth and accuracy. This affords us an unprecedented view of the evolution of the UV/optical/near-IR color distribution and its interpretation in terms of the evolving dust attenuation,AV. Methods.We used the value-added data products (photometric redshift, stellar mass, rest-frameU − VandV − Jcolors, andAV) provided by the public DAWN JWST Archive. These data products derive from fitting the spectral energy distributions obtained from multiple NIRCam imaging surveys, augmented with preexisting HST imaging data. Our sample consists of a stellar-mass-complete sample of ≈28 000M⋆ >  109 M⊙galaxies in the redshift range 0.5 <  z <  2.5. Results.TheV − Jcolor distribution of star-forming galaxies evolves strongly, in particular for high-mass galaxies (M⋆ >  3 × 1010 M⊙), which have a pronounced tail of very red galaxies reachingV − J >  2.5 atz >  1.5 that does not exist atz <  1. Such redV − Jcan only be explained by dust attenuation, with typical values forM⋆ ≈ 1011 M⊙galaxies in the rangeAV ≈ 1.5 − 3.5 atz ≈ 2. This redshift evolution went largely unnoticed before. Today, however, photometric redshift estimates for the reddest (V − J >  2.5), most attenuated galaxies have markedly improved thanks to the new, precise photometry, which is in much better agreement with the 25 available spectroscopic redshifts for such galaxies. The reddest population readily stands out as the independently identified population of galaxies detected at submillimeter wavelengths. Despite the increased attenuation,U − Vcolors across the entire mass range are slightly bluer at higherz. A well-defined and tight color sequence exists at redshifts 0.5 <  z <  2.5 forM⋆ >  3 × 1010 M⊙quiescent galaxies, in bothU − VandV − J, but inV − Jit is bluer rather than redder compared to star-forming galaxies. In conclusion, whereas the rest-frame UV-optical color distribution evolves remarkably little fromz = 0.5 toz = 2.5, the rest-frame optical/near-IR color distribution evolves strongly, primarily due to a very substantial increase with redshift in dust attenuation for massive galaxies. 
    more » « less
  5. ; ; ; (, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society)
    ABSTRACT Both observations and simulations have shown strong evidence for highly time-variable star formation in low-mass and/or high-redshift galaxies, which has important observational implications because high-redshift galaxy samples are rest-ultraviolet (rest-UV) selected and therefore particularly sensitive to the recent star formation. Using a suite of cosmological ‘zoom-in’ simulations at z > 5 from the Feedback in Realistic Environments project, we examine the implications of bursty star formation histories for observations of high-redshift galaxies with JWST. We characterize how the galaxy observability depends on the star formation history. We also investigate selection effects due to bursty star formation on the physical properties measured, such as the gas fraction, specific star formation rate, and metallicity. We find the observability to be highly time-dependent for galaxies near the survey’s limiting flux due to the star formation rate variability: as the star formation rate fluctuates, the same galaxy oscillates in and out of the observable sample. The observable fraction $$f_\mathrm{obs} = 50~{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$$ at z ∼ 7 and M⋆ ∼ 108.5–$$10^{9}\, {\rm M}_{\odot }$$ for a JWST/NIRCam survey reaching a limiting magnitude of $$m^\mathrm{lim}_\mathrm{AB} \sim 29{\!-\!}30$$, representative of surveys such as JADES and CEERS. JWST-detectable galaxies near the survey limit tend to have properties characteristic of galaxies in the bursty phase: on average, they show approximately 2.5 times higher cold, dense gas fractions and 20 times higher specific star formation rates at a given stellar mass than galaxies below the rest-UV detection threshold. Our study represents a first step in quantifying selection effects and the associated biases due to bursty star formation in studying high-redshift galaxy properties. 
    more » « less
  • Citation Formats
  • MLA
  • APA
  • Chicago
  • BibTeX
  • Save / Share this Record
  • Send to Email