Subjects: Astronomy >> Astrophysical processes submitted time 2023-02-19
Abstract: We conduct a systematic search for protocluster candidates at $z \geq 6$ in the COSMOS field using the recently released COSMOS2020 source catalog. We select galaxies using a number of selection criteria to obtain a sample of galaxies that have a high probability of being inside a given redshift bin. We then apply overdensity analysis to the bins using two density estimators, a Weighted Adaptive Kernel Estimator and a Weighted Voronoi Tessellation Estimator. We have found 15 significant ($>4\sigma$) candidate galaxy overdensities across the redshift range $6\le z\le7.7$. The majority of the galaxies appear to be on the galaxy main sequence at their respective epochs. We use multiple stellar-mass-to-halo-mass conversion methods to obtain a range of dark matter halo mass estimates for the overdensities in the range of $\sim10^{11-13}\,M_{\rm \odot}$, at the respective redshifts of the overdensities. The number and the masses of the halos associated with our protocluster candidates are consistent with what is expected from the area of a COSMOS-like survey in a standard $\Lambda$CDM cosmology. Through comparison with simulation, we expect that all the overdensities at $z\simeq6$ will evolve into a Virgo-/Coma-like clusters at present (i.e., with masses $\sim 10^{14}-10^{15}\,M_{\rm \odot}$). Compared to other overdensities identified at $z \geq 6$ via narrow-band selection techniques, the overdensities presented appear to have $\sim10\times$ higher stellar masses and star-formation rates. We compare the evolution in the total star-formation rate and stellar mass content of the protocluster candidates across the redshift range $6\le z\le7.7$ and find agreement with the total average star-formation rate from simulations.
Peer Review Status:Awaiting Review
Subjects: Astronomy >> Astrophysical processes submitted time 2023-02-19
Abstract: We present the survey design, implementation, and outlook for COSMOS-Web, a
255 hour treasury program conducted by the James Webb Space Telescope in its
first cycle of observations. COSMOS-Web is a contiguous 0.54 deg$^2$ NIRCam
imaging survey in four filters (F115W, F150W, F277W, and F444W) that will reach
5$\sigma$ point source depths ranging $\sim$27.5-28.2 magnitudes. In parallel,
we will obtain 0.19 deg$^2$ of MIRI imaging in one filter (F770W) reaching
5$\sigma$ point source depths of $\sim$25.3-26.0 magnitudes. COSMOS-Web will
build on the rich heritage of multiwavelength observations and data products
available in the COSMOS field. The design of COSMOS-Web is motivated by three
primary science goals: (1) to discover thousands of galaxies in the Epoch of
Reionization ($6
Peer Review Status:Awaiting Review