Spatially resolved dynamics of high-z star forming galaxies
Abstract
I report on two major programs to study the kinematic properties of galaxies at z ~ 1.5 − 3 with spatially resolved spectroscopy for the first time. Using the adaptive optics assisted, integral field spectrometer SINFONI on the ESO VLT, we have observed more than 70 galaxies and find compelling evidence for large, geometrically thick (turbulent), rotating disk galaxies in a majority of the objects that we can spatially resolve. It appears that these star forming disks are driven by continuous, rapid accretion of gas from their dark matter halos, and that their evolution is strongly influenced by internal, secular evolution. In contrast to the 20 submillimeter galaxies that we have investigated with the IRAM Plateau de Bure millimetre interferometer we find strong evidence for compact, major mergers. I discuss the impact of these new observations on our understanding of galaxy evolution in the early Universe.
- Publication:
-
The Galaxy Disk in Cosmological Context
- Pub Date:
- March 2009
- DOI:
- 10.1017/S174392130802735X
- Bibcode:
- 2009IAUS..254...33G
- Keywords:
-
- galaxies: high-redshift;
- galaxies: formation;
- galaxies: structure;
- galaxies: evolution;
- techniques: high angular resolution