Oxford SWIFT IFS and multi-wavelength observations of the Eagle galaxy at z=0.77

TL;DR

This study uses multi-wavelength observations and integral field spectroscopy to analyze the Eagle galaxy at z=0.77, revealing its kinematic properties, star formation activity, and merger status, providing insights into early-stage galaxy evolution.

Contribution

It presents detailed kinematic and multi-wavelength analysis of the Eagle galaxy, highlighting its merger-driven starburst phase at intermediate redshift.

Findings

Eagle shows a velocity dispersion gradient of 35-75 km/s.

It has a rotation velocity of 25 km/s, suggesting early dynamical state.

The galaxy is highly star-forming, blue, and low in metallicity for its size.

Abstract

The `Eagle' galaxy at a redshift of 0.77 is studied with the Oxford Short Wavelength Integral Field Spectrograph (SWIFT) and multi-wavelength data from the All-wavelength Extended Groth strip International Survey (AEGIS). It was chosen from AEGIS because of the bright and extended emission in its slit spectrum. Three dimensional kinematic maps of the Eagle reveal a gradient in velocity dispersion which spans 35-75 +/- 10 km/s and a rotation velocity of 25 +/- 5 km/s uncorrected for inclination. Hubble Space Telescope images suggest it is close to face-on. In comparison with galaxies from AEGIS at similar redshifts, the Eagle is extremely bright and blue in the rest-frame optical, highly star-forming, dominated by unobscured star-formation, and has a low metallicity for its size. This is consistent with its selection. The Eagle is likely undergoing a major merger and is caught in the early stage of a star-burst when it has not yet experienced metal enrichment or formed the mass of dust typically found in star-forming galaxies.