The FORS Deep Field Spectroscopic Survey

The determination of the properties of galaxy populations at different redshifts provides important constraints on current models of galaxy formation and evolution. In order to investigate this evolutionary process systematically, we obtained high S/N spectra for 265 galaxies at redshifts up to 5.0 with the FORS instruments at the VLT telescopes. The galaxies were selected from the photometric redshift catalogue of the FORS Deep Field (FDF). To achieve an optimal reduction of the spectra of these very faint objects special reduction packages were developed. Redshifts and rough spectral types were determined using a library of empirical SEDs derived from FDF mean spectra with very high S/N. The characteristics of the observed galaxy spectra are presented and the distribution of redshifts and spectral types are discussed. A first analysis of the excellent data set was carried out using mean spectra of redshift-selected galaxy subsamples and line strength measurements in individual galaxy spectra. The results show a steeper UV continuum, an increase of the Lya forest, an increase of the frequency and strength of Lya emission and a decrease of the CIV absorption towards higher redshifts. The CIV evolution is explained by a change of the average metallicity.

Level thesis:degree_level

thesis.doctoral

Grantor dc:publisher

Universität Heidelberg

Year

2002

Author dc:creator

• Noll, Stefan

Contributors dc:contributor

• Appenzeller, Immo

Repository record source_url

http://www.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/archiv/3115

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:archiv.ub.uni-heidelberg.de:3115