A quasar-galaxy merger at $z\sim 6.2$: rapid host growth via accretion of two massive satellite galaxies

TL;DR

This study uses JWST spectroscopy to analyze a high-redshift quasar and its companion galaxies, revealing rapid host galaxy growth through accretion of satellite galaxies and detailed properties of the interstellar medium.

Contribution

First detailed JWST spectroscopic analysis of a $z>6$ quasar with multiple companions, showing host galaxy growth via satellite accretion and interstellar medium properties.

Findings

Host galaxy is highly enriched and obscured.

Companion galaxies show low metallicity and star-formation driven ionization.

The system demonstrates rapid galaxy assembly in the early universe.

Abstract

We present JWST/NIRSpec Integral Field Spectroscopy in the rest-frame optical bands of the system PJ308-21, a quasar at $z=6.2342$ caught as its host galaxy interacts with companion galaxies. We detect spatially extended emission of several emission lines (H$\alpha$, H$\beta$, [OIII], [NII], [SII], HeII), which we use to study the properties of the ionized phase of the interstellar medium: the source and hardness of the photoionizing radiation field, metallicity, dust reddening, electron density and temperature, and star formation. We also marginally detect continuum starlight emission associated with the companion sources. We find that at least two independent satellite galaxies are part of the system. While the quasar host appears highly enriched and obscured, with AGN-like photoionization conditions, the western companion shows minimal dust extinction, low metallicity ($Z\sim0.4$ Z$_\odot$), and star-formation driven photoionization. The eastern companion shows higher extinction and metallicity ($Z\sim0.8$ Z$_\odot$) compared to the western companion, and it is at least partially photoionized by the nearby quasar. We do not find any indication of AGN in the companion sources. Our study shows that while the quasar host galaxy is already very massive ($M_{\rm dyn}>10^{11}$ M$_\odot$), it is still rapidly building up by accreting two relatively massive ($M_{\rm star}\sim 10^{10}$ M$_\odot$) companion sources. This dataset showcases the power of JWST in exposing the build-up of massive galaxies in the first Gyr of the Universe.