Searching for the First Galaxies

TL;DR

This paper reviews the discovery, properties, and significance of Lyman alpha emitting galaxies (LAEs) in understanding the early Universe, highlighting recent findings and future observational prospects.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of LAEs, from theoretical predictions to recent observations and upcoming surveys like HETDEX, emphasizing their evolving complexity.

Findings

LAEs are more diverse and complex than initially thought.

Recent studies show many LAEs are dusty and evolved.

Upcoming surveys aim to detect higher redshift LAEs.

Abstract

As some of the first known objects to exist in the Universe, Lyman alpha emitting galaxies (LAEs) naturally draw a lot of interest. First discovered over a decade ago, they have allowed us to probe the early Universe, as their strong emission line compensates for their faint continuum light. While initially thought to be indicative of the first galaxies forming in the Universe, recent studies have shown them to be increasingly complex, as some fraction appear evolved, and many LAEs appear to be dusty, which one would not expect from primordial galaxies. Presently, much interest resides in discovering not only the highest redshift galaxies to constrain theories of reionization, but also pushing closer to home, as previous ground-based studies have only found LAEs at z > 3 due to observational limitations. In this review talk I will cover everything from the first theoretical predictions of LAEs, to their future prospects for study, including the HETDEX survey here in Texas.