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Star Formation and Structure Formation between Redshifts 1 < z < 4

Citation

Adelberger, Kurt Ludvig (2002) Star Formation and Structure Formation between Redshifts 1 < z < 4. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/F2SF-4J89. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-09252008-090426

Abstract

The universe of galaxies beyond redshift one has finally become relatively easy to observe. While only a handful of galaxies with redshifts z > 1 were known 10 years ago, more than 2000 have spectroscopic redshifts today. These surveys are beginning to provide us with a detailed view of the first half of cosmic history. Their creation and interpretation is the subject of this thesis. Chapter 1 describes efficient techniques that can be used to locate galaxies at 1 ≾ z ≾ 5 among the numerous foreground and background objects in deep optical images. Chapter 2 characterizes the effects of dust obscuration on the resulting large high-redshift samples. The remainder of the thesis attemtps to place star-forming high-redshift galaxies into a larger cosmological context. Chapter 3 investigates the spatial clustering of galaxies at z ~ 3, finds it to be strong, and shows that this suggests a close link between rapidly star-forming galaxies and massive virialized objects in the underlying distribution of dark matter. Chapter 4 analyses the curious spatial association of high-redshift galaxies with inter-galactic hydrogen and metals, and finds some evidence that the numerous supernova explosions in young galaxies may profoundly affect the evolution of the universe's baryons.

Item Type:Thesis (Dissertation (Ph.D.))
Subject Keywords:Astronomy
Degree Grantor:California Institute of Technology
Division:Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy
Major Option:Astronomy
Thesis Availability:Public (worldwide access)
Research Advisor(s):
  • Steidel, Charles C.
Group:Astronomy Department
Thesis Committee:
  • Sargent, Wallace L. W. (chair)
  • Djorgovski, George
  • Goldreich, Peter Martin
  • Martin, D. Christopher
  • Steidel, Charles C.
Defense Date:22 February 2001
Record Number:CaltechETD:etd-09252008-090426
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-09252008-090426
DOI:10.7907/F2SF-4J89
Default Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:3767
Collection:CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By: Imported from ETD-db
Deposited On:07 Oct 2008
Last Modified:05 Nov 2021 20:13

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