Search arXiv⌕ Search
Home/Archive/arXiv

arXiv · 1403.0732

Diffuse Lyman-alpha Halos around Galaxies at z=2.2-6.6: Implications for Galaxy Formation and Cosmic Reionization

Rieko Momose·Masami Ouchi·Kimihiko Nakajima·Yoshiaki Ono·Takatoshi Shibuya·Kazuhiro Shimasaku·Suraphong Yuma·Masao Mori·Masayuki Umemura
View original source ↗Read source document ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

We present diffuse Lyman-alpha halos (LAHs) identified in the composite Subaru narrowband images of 100-3600 Lyman-alpha emitters (LAEs) at z=2.2, 3.1, 3.7, 5.7, and 6.6. First, we carefully examine potential artifacts mimicking LAHs that include a large-scale point-spread function (PSF) made by instrumental and atmospheric effects. Based on our critical test with composite images of non-LAE samples whose narrowband-magnitude and source-size distributions are the same as our LAE samples, we confirm that no artifacts can produce a diffuse extended feature similar to our LAHs. After this test, we measure the scale lengths of exponential profile for the LAHs estimated from our z=2.2-6.6 LAE samples of L(Lyman-alpha) > 2 x 10^42 erg s^-1. We obtain the scale lengths of ~ 5-10 kpc at z=2.2-5.7, and find no evolution of scale lengths in this redshift range beyond our measurement uncertainties. Combining this result and the previously-known UV-continuum size evolution, we infer that the ratio of LAH to UV-continuum sizes is nearly constant at z=2.2-5.7. The scale length of our z=6.6 LAH is larger than 5-10 kpc just beyond the error bar, which is a hint that the scale lengths of LAHs would increase from z=5.7 to 6.6. If this increase is confirmed by future large surveys with significant improvements of statistical and systematical errors, this scale length change at z > 6 would be a signature of increasing fraction of neutral hydrogen scattering Lyman-alpha photons, due to cosmic reionization.

Explore related subjects

astro-ph.CO

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

Rieko Momose, Masami Ouchi, Kimihiko Nakajima, Yoshiaki Ono, Takatoshi Shibuya, Kazuhiro Shimasaku, Suraphong Yuma, Masao Mori, Masayuki Umemura. 2014-05-02. Diffuse Lyman-alpha Halos around Galaxies at z=2.2-6.6: Implications for Galaxy Formation and Cosmic Reionization. https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras%2Fstu825

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related papers

arXiv2026

Angular BAO Measurements with the DESI DR1 BGS Sample

We employ a model-independent approach in both the correlation function estimation and the angular BAO feature estimation by computing the angular two-point correlation function. First, we conducted a series of tests to the available DESI tracers to check their representativeness to angular clustering; the result was that, considering the completeness of the first data release across the footprint, we could only make use of the BGS sample for the effective redshifts 0.21 (BGS1) and 0.25 (BGS2). For a reliable analysis in such low redshift, we use the bootstrap of the data itself to construct a covariance matrix that accounts for systematics. We use a purely statistical method to correct the projection effects and find that our results show reasonable agreement with the $θ_{\rm BAO}$ expected by the CPL parameters obtained by DESI DR1, being BGS1 $12.77 \pm 1.15$ degrees and BGS2 $11.70 \pm 1.21$ degrees. This means a tension at the $2.4σ$ ($2.7σ$) level for BGS1 (BGS2) CPL parametrization, while a $2.84σ$ ($3.02σ$) discrepancy within the predicted by $Λ$CDM. We conclude that, with the current sample available, the use of an angular correlation function serving as the BAO probe, although prefers the CPL parametrization, does not provide conclusive results regarding the best cosmological model.

astro-ph.CO↗
arXiv2026

Dispersion Measure Distribution of Unlocalized Fast Radio Bursts as a Probe of the Hubble Constant

We present constraints on the Hubble constant ($H_0$) derived from the observed dispersion measure (DM) distribution of unlocalized fast radio bursts (FRBs). While localized FRBs with redshift measurements have been used to investigate the Hubble tension, their sample remains limited. Here we demonstrate that unlocalized FRBs---which are far more numerous---can independently constrain $H_0$ without requiring redshift information, as cosmic expansion imprints itself on their DM distribution. Analyzing a selected sample of 2124 unlocalized FRBs from the CHIME Catalog II, we obtain $H_0 = 69^{+17}_{-15}~\mathrm{km\,s^{-1}\,Mpc^{-1}}$ at the $1σ$ confidence level, corresponding to an uncertainty of about 22\%. Disentangling the parametric degeneracy among $H_0$, the FRB spectral index $α$, and the characteristic cutoff energy $E_*$ of the FRB energy distribution would reduce the fractional uncertainty in $H_0$ to 9\%. This work constitutes the first $H_0$ measurement derived solely from the DM distribution of unlocalized FRBs, highlighting their potential as a new cosmological probe. Future joint analyses with localized FRBs promise even tighter constraints.

astro-ph.CO↗
arXiv2026

Illuminating the Local Universe: Large-Scale Structure from ZTF Type Ia Supernovae

Within the volume-limited subsample at $z<0.06$ of the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) DR2 sample, we confirm a statistically significant excess of Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) around $z \simeq 0.02-0.04$, previously reported but not explained by survey selection effects. Forward simulations assuming a uniform volumetric SN Ia rate and realistic ZTF detection efficiencies fail to reproduce the feature, rejecting this hypothesis at a $12.2σ$ level for the volume-limited sample. We further detect excesses in the rates compared to our survey simulations at $z \simeq 0.08$ and $0.14$, increasing the significance to $14σ$ when extending the redshift range up to $0.12$. To investigate the origin of these inhomogeneities, we compare the observed SN Ia distribution to constrained reconstructions of the local matter density field from the Manticore project, based on Bayesian forward modelling of the 2M++ galaxy catalogue. While SN overdensities are spatially associated with prominent nearby structures such as the Perseus, Coma, and Hercules superclusters, the amplitude of the SN excesses significantly exceeds that expected from local matter overdensities alone. By reconstructing a redshift-dependent volumetric SN Ia rate, we find that local enhancements can reach factors of three to eight within specific clusters, while the sample-averaged rate remains consistent with previous low-redshift measurements. These results indicate that the SN Ia rate is not a linear tracer of the underlying matter density and suggest a strong environmental dependence in dense structures. We discuss possible physical origins and highlight the implications for low-redshift SN cosmology, including correlated peculiar velocities and additional covariance beyond standard linear corrections.

astro-ph.CO↗