THE E-ELT DESIGN REFERENCE MISSION - SCIENCE CASE C10

    Title

    The Physics and Mass Assembly of Galaxies out to z ~ 6

    PI

    P. Rosati

    Abstract

    We propose to obtain ELT spatially resolved spectroscopy of a sample of a thousand massive galaxies at 2 < z < 6, selected from future large area optical/near-IR surveys. These observations will yield direct kinematics of stars and gas in the first generation of massive galaxies (in the range 0.1 < M < 5 × 1011 Msolar), as well as their stellar population properties. One will able to derive dynamical masses, ages, metallicities, star-formation rates, dust exinction maps, to investigate the presence of disk and spheroidal components and the importance of dynamical processes (e.g. merging, in/outflows) which govern galaxy evolution. These data will also allow one to study the onset of well known scaling relations at low redshifts, and to witness the gradual shift of star formation from the most massive galaxies in the highest density regions to less massive galaxies in the field. The whole program is designed to provide the ultimate test of galaxy formation theories.

    Full proposal

    v1

    Report

    Section 15 of the DRM report

    Data

    Various data accompanying the report, including examples of simulations.

    Related presentations

    Very Final DRM update, M. Puech at SWG meeting, 07 Oct 2008
    Simulations, M. Puech at DRM workshop, 20-21 May 2008
    Final DRM update, M. Puech at SWG meeting, 02 Apr 2008
    DRM update, M. Puech at SWG meeting, 09 Oct 2007
    Science case, P. Rosati at SWG DRM workshop, 29-30 May 2007
    DRM update, P. Rosati at SWG meeting, 02 Apr 2007
    DRM plans, P. Rosati at SWG meeting, 19 Jan 2007

    Overview (#6 in a series of popular science level 'pep talks'), J. Liske at TPO meeting, 23 Jul 2008

    Related publications


     


    Title

    High resolution imaging of high redshift galaxies

    PI

    M. Franx

    Abstract

    We propose to take very high resolution imaging of high redshift galaxies to understand their physical conditions. These observations will be taken at the diffraction limit of the telescope (6, 8, 10 milli-arcsec in J, H, K for a 42m telescope). The resolution will be approximately 60 pc in physical length, and will be of comparable quality as 1 arcsec imaging on VIRGO galaxies. They will give typically > 100 resolution elements over the galaxies, and produce detailed information about the morphology, dynamical state, and variations in physical parameters across the galaxy. These observations will image galaxies beyond the Balmer break up to z = 4.5, enabling the separation of old and young stars. High contrast observations of QSOs will produce host morphologies, colors, and physical properties.

    Full proposal

    v1

    Report

    Section 16 of the DRM report

    Related presentations

    Simulations, P. Rosati at SWG meeting, 07 Oct 2008
    Simulations, P. Rosati at DRM workshop, 20-21 May 2008
    DRM input, M. Franx at SWG meeting, 09 Oct 2007
    Simulation tools, P. Rosati at SWG meeting, 09 Oct 2007
    Science case, M. Franx at SWG DRM workshop, 29-30 May 2007


     


    Title

    ELT integrated spectroscopy of early-type galaxies at z > 1

    PI

    A. Cimatti

    Abstract

    Despite early-type galaxies (ETGs) are crucial probes for cosmological and galaxy formation studies, their observation at high redshifts (e.g. z > 1.5) is extremely challenging due to their faintness and lack of emission lines which place them generally beyond the limits of 10m-class telescope spectroscopy. We propose here to obtain ELT spatially integrated spectroscopy of a sample of 500 ETGs at 1.5 < z < 5 selected from future near-IR imaging surveys. Being these galaxies very compact (re ~ 0.1-0.3 arcsec), their spectroscopy does not require "high performance" AO correction. These observations will allow us to derive the redshift, stellar population content, age, metallicity and dynamical masses of these galaxies, and to use them to trace the cosmic history of galaxy mass assembly.

    Full proposal

    v1

    Related presentations

    Science case, A. Cimatti at SWG DRM workshop, 29-30 May 2007