3D-HST emission line galaxies at z ∼ 2: Discrepancies in the optical/UV star formation rates

Gregory R. Zeimann, Robin Ciardullo, Henry Gebhardt, Caryl Gronwall, Donald P. Schneider, Alex Hagen, Joanna S. Bridge, John Feldmeier, Jonathan R. Trump

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Scopus citations

Abstract

We use Hubble Space Telescope near-IR grism spectroscopy to examine the Hβ line strengths of 260 star-forming galaxies in the redshift range 1.90 < z < 2.35. We show that at these epochs, the Hβ star formation rate (SFR) is a factor of ∼1.8 higher than what would be expected from the systems' rest-frame UV flux density, suggesting a shift in the standard conversion between these quantities and SFR. We demonstrate that at least part of this shift can be attributed to metallicity, as Hβ is more enhanced in systems with lower oxygen abundance. This offset must be considered when measuring the SFR history of the universe. We also show that the relation between stellar and nebular extinction in our z ∼ 2 sample is consistent with that observed in the local universe.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number113
JournalAstrophysical Journal
Volume790
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 1 2014

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of '3D-HST emission line galaxies at z ∼ 2: Discrepancies in the optical/UV star formation rates'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this