In:
The Astrophysical Journal Letters, American Astronomical Society, Vol. 938, No. 2 ( 2022-10-01), p. L16-
Abstract:
We report the first gas-phase metallicity map of a distant galaxy measured with the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). We use the NIRISS slitless spectroscopy acquired by the GLASS Early Release Science program to spatially resolve the rest-frame optical nebular emission lines in a gravitationally lensed galaxy at z = 3.06 behind the A2744 galaxy cluster. This galaxy (dubbed GLASS-Zgrad1) has stellar mass ∼10 8.6 M ⊙ , instantaneous star formation rate ∼8.6 M ⊙ yr −1 (both corrected for lensing magnification), and global metallicity one-fourth solar. From its emission-line maps ([O iii ], H β , H γ , [Ne iii ], and [O ii ]), we derive its spatial distribution of gas-phase metallicity using a well-established forward-modeling Bayesian inference method. The exquisite resolution and sensitivity of JWST/NIRISS, combined with lensing magnification, enable us to resolve this z ∼ 3 dwarf galaxy in ≳50 resolution elements with sufficient signal, an analysis hitherto not possible. We find that the radial metallicity gradient of GLASS-Zgrad1 is strongly inverted (i.e., positive): Δ log ( O / H ) / Δ r = 0.165 ± 0.023 dex kpc −1 . This measurement is robust at ≳ 4 − σ confidence level against known systematics. This positive gradient may be due to tidal torques induced by a massive nearby (∼15 kpc projected) galaxy, which can cause inflows of metal-poor gas into the central regions of GLASS-Zgrad1. These first results showcase the power of JWST wide-field slitless spectroscopic modes to resolve the mass assembly and chemical enrichment of low-mass galaxies in and beyond the peak epoch of cosmic star formation ( z ≳ 2). Reaching masses ≲ 10 9 M ⊙ at these redshifts is especially valuable to constrain the effects of galactic feedback and environment and is possible only with JWST’s new capabilities.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
2041-8205
,
2041-8213
DOI:
10.3847/2041-8213/ac959e
Language:
Unknown
Publisher:
American Astronomical Society
Publication Date:
2022
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2207648-7
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2006858-X
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