A bright lensed galaxy at $z=5.4$ with strong Ly$α$ emission [GA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/1706.09428


We present a detailed study of a unusually bright galaxy at $z=5.424$ discovered within the CFHTLS imaging survey. With an observed flux of $i_{\rm AB}=23.0$, J141446.82+544631.9 is one of the brightest galaxies known at $z>5$. It is also one of the strongest Ly$\alpha$-emitting galaxies known, with an observed flux of $f_{{\rm Ly}\alpha} \approx 10^{-15}~{{\rm erg}~{\rm s}^{-1}~{\rm cm}^{-2}}$. A deep optical spectrum from the LBT places strong constraints on NV and CIV emission, disfavoring an AGN source for the emission. However, a detection of the NIV]~$\lambda$1486 emission line indicates a hard ionizing continuum, possibly from hot, massive stars. Resolved imaging from HST deblends the galaxy from a foreground interloper; these observations include narrowband imaging of the Ly$\alpha$ emission, which is marginally resolved on $\sim4$ kpc scales and has EW$_0~\sim$ 260\AA. The Ly$\alpha$ emission extends over $>1000~{{\rm km}~{\rm s}^{-1}}$ and is broadly consistent with expanding shell models. SED fitting that includes Spitzer/IRAC photometry suggests a complex star formation history that include both a recent burst and an evolved population. J1414+5446 lies 30″ from the center of a known lensing cluster in the CFHTLS; combined with the foreground contribution this leads to a highly uncertain estimate for the lensing magnification in the range $5 \leq \mu \leq 25$. Because of its unusual brightness J1414+5446 affords unique opportunities for detailed study of an individual galaxy near the epoch of reionization and a preview of what can be expected from upcoming wide-area surveys that will yield hundreds of similar objects.

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I. McGreer, B. Clement, R. Mainali, et. al.
Fri, 30 Jun 17
9/65

Comments: 19 pages, 13 figures, submitted to MNRAS