GMU Space Sciences Seminar

November 2, 2005

Dr. Duilia de Mello
Catholic University, NASA-Goddard Space Flight Center

"Census of the Star-forming Galaxy Population at Intermediate Redshifts"

TALK ABSTRACT:
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A key question in galaxy evolution is the physical nature of the intermediate 
redshift galaxies and their present-day counterparts.  It is known that the 
star formation rate density increases rapidly from z=0 to z=1-2.  However, the 
type of galaxies that contribute to the rise of the star formation density 
is still debatable.  In principle, a steep luminosity function where most of 
the star formation is in newly-formed dwarf galaxies or a population of 
massive galaxies undergoing modest but continuous star formation can produce 
similar star formation rate density at a given redshift.  Therefore, a census 
of the star-forming galaxy population as a function of time is needed in order
to help us better understand how galaxies acquired their present morphology. 
In this talk, I will discuss the physical properties of a sample of UV-bright
galaxies at intermediate redshifts which was compiled using GOODS/ACS data 
and the deepest U-band images ever obtained with HST using WFPC2 as part of 
the parallel observations of the UDF.  I will conclude by showing that galaxies
of all types, sizes and shapes are forming stars at intermediate z.