Probing the Growth of Galaxies with the Bolocam Millimeter-Wave Galaxy Survey

University Of Colorado At Boulder, Boulder CO

Investigators

Abstract

AST-0206158 Glenn This program is a millimeter-wave survey that will directly probe the formation of galaxies in the early universe by detecting thermal dust emission from more than one hundred ultraluminous galaxies at redshifts z > 1. The survey will be uniquely efficient at finding galaxies at the highest redshifts, and is designed to detect extremely luminous galaxies. This will maximize the likelihood of identification with optical, infrared, and X-ray observations, and allow redshifts to be constrained for objects even without optical spectroscopic identifications. The key to the survey is Bolocam, a millimeter-wave bolometer camera with high mapping speed on the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory. The detected galaxies will be followed-up with 350 micron photometry with SHARC II on the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory. The Bolocam galaxy catalog generated by this survey will provide a rich source list for follow-up multi-band observations by many investigators. The science program will be integrated with an education and public outreach program that takes advantage of the unique Fiske Planetarium at the University of Colorado. A two-part, multi-media show suitable for public nights and introductory astronomy lectures will be written. They will showcase our rapidly evolving understanding of the Universe as revealed by microwave and sub/millimeter observations: (I) "Evidence for the Fiery Big Bang" and (II) "The Formation of Galaxies". The award will support a Ph.D. graduate student and provide partial summer salary for the Principle Investigator to carry out the science and outreach programs.