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GA-NIFS: witnessing the complex assembly of a star-forming system at z = 5.7

Abstract:
We present observations of the Lyman-break galaxy HZ10 with the JWST/NIRSpec integral field unit in high and low spectral resolution (G395H, spectral resolving power and PRISM, , respectively), as part of the GA-NIFS programme. By spatially resolving the source (spatial resolution or kpc), we find three spatially and spectrally distinct regions of line emission along with one region of strong continuum emission, all within a projected distance of kpc. The R2700 data features strong detections in H, [O iii] , [N ii] , H, and [S ii] . The R100 data additionally contain a strong detection of the Ly break, rest-frame UV and optical continuum, and [O ii] . None of the detected lines present strong evidence for active galactic nucleus excitation from line diagnostic diagrams, and no high-ionization lines are detected. Using the detected lines, we constrain the electron density and metallicity ( solar) in each component. Spaxel-by-spaxel fits reveal a strong east-west velocity gradient and significant line asymmetries (possibly indicating tidal features or outflows). The western component features a very red UV slope () and significant H emission, suggesting an evolved population and active star formation. A comparison to high-resolution ( or kpc) [] m imaging obtained with the Atacama Large Millimetre/submillimetre Array (ALMA) reveals areas of dust obscuration. Altogether, these data suggest that HZ10 represents an ongoing merger, with a complex distribution of stars, gas, and dust Gyr after the big bang
Publication status:
Published
Peer review status:
Peer reviewed

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Publisher copy:
10.1093/mnras/staf899

Authors


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Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
MPLS
Department:
Physics
Sub department:
Physics - Central
Role:
Author
ORCID:
0000-0002-0267-9024
More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
MPLS
Department:
Physics
Sub department:
Physics - Central
Role:
Author
More by this author
Role:
Author
ORCID:
0000-0002-7919-245X
More by this author
Role:
Author
ORCID:
0000-0002-6719-380X


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Funder identifier:
https://ror.org/04g2pxh42
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Funder identifier:
https://ror.org/055n47h92
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Funder identifier:
https://ror.org/0472cxd90
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Funder identifier:
https://ror.org/057g20z61


Publisher:
Oxford University Press
Journal:
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society More from this journal
Volume:
540
Issue:
4
Pages:
3311-3329
Publication date:
2025-06-06
Acceptance date:
2025-05-27
DOI:
EISSN:
1365-2966
ISSN:
0035-8711


Language:
English
Keywords:
Source identifiers:
3055279
Deposit date:
2025-06-26
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