Trumpeting the Vuvuzela: UltraDeep HI observations with MeerKAT

TL;DR

The MeerKAT UltraDeep HI Survey aims to study the evolution of neutral hydrogen in galaxies up to redshift 1+ using deep 21 cm observations, addressing key questions in galaxy evolution and cosmic gas content.

Contribution

This paper presents the design and goals of the MeerKAT UltraDeep HI Survey, including its observational strategy and scientific objectives.

Findings

Plans to observe two deep fields for 1000 hours each.

Expected to measure the HI mass function and cosmic neutral gas density.

Aims to investigate galaxy evolution through multiple relations.

Abstract

The MeerKAT UltraDeep HI Survey aims to observe the 21 cm emission line of neutral hydrogen gas out to a redshift of z=1 and beyond. From both direct detections and stacked signal, we will address the HI mass function, the cosmic neutral gas density of the Universe (Omega_HI) and their evolution over cosmic times, as well as galaxy evolution via e.g., the Tully-Fisher relation, the relation between HI mass and Hubble Type or stellar mass, and the Schmidt-Kennicutt star-formation law. We propose to observe two fields, the COSMOS and Chandra Deep Field South (CDF-S) for 1000 hours each, adding an additional 4000 hours to one of these fields in 2015 when the full instantaneous bandwidth of MeerKAT (0.58-2.5 GHz) will be realised.