AEGIS: A panchromatic study of IRAC-selected extremely red objects with confirmed spectroscopic redshifts

Journal article

We study 87 extremely red objects (EROs), selected both to have color redder than R - [3.6] = 4.0 and to have confirmed spectroscopic redshifts. Together, these two constraints result in this sample populating a fairly narrow redshift range at 0.76 < z < 1.42. The key new ingredient included here is deep Spitzer Space Telescope Infrared Array Camera (IRAC) data. Based on [3.6] - [8.0] color, we demonstrate that it is possible to classify EROs as early-type galaxies, dusty starburst galaxies, or active galactic nuclei (AGNs; power-law types). We present ultraviolet-to-mid-infrared spectral energy distributions (SEDs) and Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) images, both of which support our simple IRAC color classification. © 2007. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.

Authors: Wilson, G; Huang, J; Fazio, G; Yan, R; Koekemoer, A

• Publisher: Institute of Physics Publishing
• Journal: Astrophysical Journal
• Volume: 660
• Issue: 1 II
• Publication date: 2007-05-01
• DOI: 10.1086/517923
• EISSN: 1538-4357
• ISSN: 0004-637X
• Language: English
• Keywords: Galaxies: evolution; Galaxies: starburst; Galaxies: high-redshift; Infrared: galaxies; Galaxies: elliptical and lenticular, cD