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

TL;DR

This study uses JWST/NIRSpec IFU observations to spatially resolve a star-forming galaxy at z=5.7, revealing a complex, merging system with diverse regions of star formation, gas, and dust, within less than 1 billion years after the Big Bang.

Contribution

First detailed spatially resolved spectroscopic analysis of a z=5.7 galaxy, unveiling its complex structure and merger activity with multi-wavelength data.

Findings

Identified three distinct emission regions within 10 kpc.

Detected no strong AGN activity or high-ionisation lines.

Revealed a velocity gradient and signs of tidal features or outflows.

Abstract

We present observations of the $z\sim5.7$ Lyman-break galaxy HZ10 with the JWST/NIRSpec IFU in high and low spectral resolution (G395H, spectral resolving power $R\sim2700$ and PRISM, $R\sim100$, respectively), as part of the GA-NIFS program. By spatially resolving the source (spatial resolution $\sim0.15''$ or $\sim0.9$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 $<10$kpc. The R2700 data features strong detections in H$\beta$, [OIII]$\lambda\lambda4959{,}5007$, [NII]$\lambda\lambda6548{,}6584$, H$\alpha$, and [SII]$\lambda\lambda6716{,}6731$. The R100 data additionally contains a strong detection of the Ly$\alpha$ break, rest-frame UV and optical continuum, and [OII]$\lambda\lambda3726{,}3729$. None of the detected lines present strong evidence for AGN excitation from line diagnostic diagrams, and no high-ionisation lines are detected. Using the detected lines, we constrain the electron density $\left( \rm \log_{10}\left( n_e / cm^{-3}\right)\sim 3\right)$ and metallicity ($\sim0.5-0.7$ 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 ($\beta_{\rm UV}\sim-0.9$) and significant H$\alpha$ emission, suggesting an evolved population and active star formation. A comparison to high resolution ($\sim0.3''$ or $\sim1.8$kpc) [CII]$158\mu$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 $<1$Gyr after the Big Bang.