Physics

Luminosity

Infrared

Luminous infrared galaxy

Galaxy

Astronomy

Galaxy formation and evolution

Luminosity function

Astrophysics

Redshift

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society

We reduce and analyse the available JWST ERO and ERS NIRCam imaging (SMACS0723, GLASS, CEERS) in combination with the latest deep ground-based near-infrared imaging in the COSMOS field (provided by UltraVISTA DR5) to produce a new measurement of the evolving galaxy UV luminosity function (LF) over the redshift range z = 8 - 15. This yields a new estimate of the evolution of UV luminosity density (rho(UV)), and hence cosmic star formation rate density (rho(SFR)) out to within = 12, one of which appears to set a new redshift record as an apparently robust galaxy candidate at z similar or equal to 16.4, the properties of which we therefore consider in detail. The advances presented here emphasize the importance of achieving high dynamic range in studies of early galaxy evolution, and re-affirm the enormous potential of forthcoming larger JWST programmes to transform our understanding of the young Universe.

The evolution of the galaxy UV luminosity function at redshifts z ≃ 8 – 15 from deep <i>JWST</i> and ground-based near-infrared imaging

The evolution of the galaxy UV luminosity function at redshifts z ≃ 8 – 15 from deep JWST and ground-based near-infrared imaging