Detection of new galaxy candidates at z > 11 in the JADES field using JWST NIRCam

TL;DR

This paper reports the discovery of six new galaxy candidates at redshifts greater than 11 using JWST NIRCam data, providing insights into early galaxy formation within the first few hundred million years of the universe.

Contribution

First identification of multiple galaxy candidates at z > 11 in JADES fields using JWST NIRCam photometry and SED fitting techniques, expanding understanding of early universe galaxy properties.

Findings

Galaxies have stellar masses log M*/M_sun = 7.75–8.75.

Galaxies are young with ages 80–240 Myr.

Star formation rates vary with specific SFR between 0.95 and 1.46.

Abstract

We report the detection of six new galaxy candidates with photometric redshifts $z$ $>$ 11 within the JWST Advanced Deep Extragalactic Survey (JADES) GOODS-S and GOODS-N fields. These new candidates are detected through meticulous analysis of NIRCam photometry in eight filters spanning a wavelength range of 0.8-5.0 $\mu$m. Photometric redshifts of these galaxy candidates are independently measured utilizing spectral energy distribution (SED) fitting techniques using \texttt{EAZY} and \texttt{BAGPIPES} codes, followed by visual scrutiny. One of these galaxy candidates is located in GOODS-S field, while the remaining five galaxies are located in GOODS-N field. Our analysis reveals that the stellar masses of these galaxies typically range from log $M_{\ast}$/$M_{\odot}$ = 7.75--8.75. Furthermore, these galaxies are typically young with their mass-weighted ages spanning from 80 to 240 Myr. Their specific star formation rates (sSFR), quantified as $\log (\text{sSFR}/\text{Gyr}$), are measured to vary between $\sim 0.95$ to 1.46. These new galaxy candidates offer a robust sample for probing the physical properties of galaxies within the first few hundred Myr of the history of the Universe. We also analyze the relationship between star formation rate (SFR) and stellar mass ($M_\ast$) within our sample.Continued investigation through spectroscopic analysis using JWST/NIRSpec is needed to spectroscopically confirm these high-redshift galaxy candidates and investigate further into their physical properties. We plan to follow up on these candidates with future NIRSpec observations.