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The discovery of a young radio galaxy at z = 2.390 - Probing initial star formation at z less than approximately 3.0The discovery of a weak radio galaxy from the Leiden Berkeley Deep Survey at a redshift of 2.390 is presented, as well as nine-band photometry for the galaxy and for surrounding objects. The source 53W002 is not variable on the time scales of years. Its rest-frame UV continuum is compared with IUE spectra of various nearby galaxies with relatively recent starbursts, and with nearby AGNs. It is inferred from the C IV/Ly-alpha and N V/Ly-alpha ratios that 53W002 has a Seyfert 1-like AGN, and that the ratios constrain the nonthermal component to about 35 percent of the observed UV continuum. Several independent age estimates yield a consistent value of 0.25-0.32 Gyr. The available data are consistent with 53W002 being a genuinely young galaxy seen at a redshift of 2.390 during its first major starburst. It likely started forming most of its current stars at redshifts between 2.5 and 3.0, suggesting that radio galaxies do not form the bulk of their stars coevally, but start doing so over a lengthy period of cosmic time.
Document ID
19910072236
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Windhorst, Rogier A.
(Arizona State Univ. Tempe, AZ, United States)
Burstein, David
(Arizona State Univ. Tempe, AZ, United States)
Mathis, Doug F.
(Arizona State Univ. Tempe, AZ, United States)
Neuschaefer, Lyman W.
(Arizona State University Tempe, United States)
Bertola, F.
(Padova, Universita Padua, Italy)
Buson, L. M.
(Osservatorio Astronomico Padua, Italy)
Koo, David C.
(Lick Observatory Santa Cruz, CA, United States)
Matthews, Keith
(Palomar Observatory; California Institute of Technology Pasadena, United States)
Barthel, Peter D.
(Groningen Rijksuniversiteit, Netherlands)
Chambers, K. C.
(Leiden Rijksuniversiteit, Sterrewacht, Netherlands)
Date Acquired
August 14, 2013
Publication Date
October 20, 1991
Publication Information
Publication: Astrophysical Journal, Part 1
Volume: 380
ISSN: 0004-637X
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Accession Number
91A56859
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG5-436
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF AST-88-58203
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG5-1172
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF AST-88-21016
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG5-547
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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