The first VLT FORS1 spectra of Lyman-break candidates in the HDF-S and AXAF deep field

Citation
S. Cristiani et al., The first VLT FORS1 spectra of Lyman-break candidates in the HDF-S and AXAF deep field, ASTRON ASTR, 359(2), 2000, pp. 489-492
Citations number
14
Categorie Soggetti
Space Sciences
Journal title
ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS
ISSN journal
00046361 → ACNP
Volume
359
Issue
2
Year of publication
2000
Pages
489 - 492
Database
ISI
SICI code
0004-6361(200007)359:2<489:TFVFSO>2.0.ZU;2-6
Abstract
We report on low-resolution multi-object spectroscopy of 30 faint targets ( R similar or equal to 24-25) in the HDF-S and AXAF deep field obtained with the VLT Focal Reducer/low dispersion Spectrograph (FORS1). Eight high-reds hift galaxies with 2.75 < z < 4 have been identified. The spectroscopic red shifts are in good agreement with the photometric ones with a dispersion si gma(z) = 0.07 at z < 2 and sigma(z) = 0.16 at z > 2. The inferred star form ation rates of the individual objects are moderate, ranging from a few to a few tens M. yr(-1). Five out of the eight high-z objects do not show promi nent emission lines. One object has a spectrum typical of an AGN. In the AX AF field two relatively close pairs of galaxies have been identified, with separations of 8.7 and 3.1 proper Mpc and mean redshifts of 3.11 and 3.93, respectively.