Explore the vast range of titles available.

The exceptional spectra of the most luminous z > 10 sources observed so far have challenged our understanding of early galaxy evolution, requiring a new observational benchmark for meaningful interpretation. As such, we construct spectroscopic templates representative of high-redshift, star-forming populations, using 482 confirmed sources at z = 5.0−12.9 with JWST/NIRSpec prism observations, and report on their average properties. We find z = 5−11 galaxies are dominated by blue UV continuum slopes (β = −2.3 to −2.7) and reduced Balmer indices, characteristic of dust-poor and young systems, with a shift towards bluer slopes and younger ages with redshift. The evolution is mirrored by ubiquitous C iii] detections across all redshifts (rest-frame equivalent widths of 5−14 Å), which increase in strength towards early times. Rest-frame optical lines reveal elevated ratios (O32 = 7–31, R23 = 5–8, and Ne3O2 = 1−2) and subsolar metallicities (log(O/H) = 7.3−7.9), typical of ionization conditions and metallicities rarely observed in z ∼ 0 populations. Within our sample, we identify 57 Lyα emitters, which we stack and compare to a matched sample of nonemitters. The former are characterized by more extreme ionizing conditions with enhanced C iii], C iv, and He ii + [O iii] line emission, younger stellar populations from Balmer jumps, and a more pristine interstellar medium seen through bluer UV slopes and elevated rest-frame optical line ratios. The novel comparison illustrates important intrinsic differences between the two populations, with implications for Lyα visibility. The spectral templates derived here represent a new observational benchmark with which to interpret high-redshift sources, lifting our constraints on their global properties to unprecedented heights and extending out to the earliest of cosmic times.

We present a comprehensive search and analysis of high-redshift galaxies in a suite of nine public JWST extragalactic fields taken in Cycle 1, covering a total effective search area of ∼358arcmin2 . Through conservative (8σ) photometric selection, we identify 341 galaxies at 5 < z < 14, with 109 having spectroscopic redshift measurements from the literature, including recent JWST NIRSpec observations. Our regression analysis reveals that the rest-frame UV size–stellar mass relation follows Reff∝M*0.19±0.03 , similar to that of star-forming galaxies at z ∼ 3, but scaled down in size by ∼0.7 dex. We find a much slower rate for the average size evolution over the redshift range, R eff ∝ (1 + z)−0.4±0.2, than that derived in the literature. A fraction (∼13%) of our sample galaxies are marginally resolved even in the NIRCam imaging (≲100 pc), located at ≳1.5σ below the derived size–mass slope. These compact sources exhibit a high star formation surface density ΣSFR > 10 M ⊙ yr−1 kpc−2, a range in which only <0.01% of the local star-forming galaxy sample is found. For those with available NIRSpec data, no evidence of ongoing supermassive black hole accretion is observed. A potential explanation for the observed high [O iii]-to-Hβ ratios could be high shock velocities, likely originating within intense star-forming regions characterized by high ΣSFR. Lastly, we find that the rest-frame UV and optical sizes of our sample are comparable. Our results are consistent with these early galaxies building up their structures inside out and being yet to exhibit the strong color gradient seen at lower redshift.

We spectroscopically confirm the M UV = −20.5 mag galaxy GHZ2/GLASS-z12 to be at redshift z = 12.34. The source was selected via NIRCam photometry in GLASS-JWST Early Release Science data, providing the first evidence of a surprising abundance of bright galaxies at z ≳ 10. The NIRSpec PRISM spectrum shows detections of N iv, C iv, He ii, O iii, C iii, O ii, and Ne iii lines and the first detection at high redshift of the O iii Bowen fluorescence line at 3133 Å rest frame. The prominent C iv line with rest-frame equivalent width (EW) ≈ 46 Å puts GHZ2 in the category of extreme C iv emitters. GHZ2 displays UV lines with EWs that are only found in active galactic nuclei (AGNs) or composite objects at low/intermediate redshifts. The UV line-intensity ratios are compatible with both AGNs and star formation in a low-metallicity environment, with the low limit on the [Ne iv]/[N iv] ratio favoring a stellar origin of the ionizing photons. We discuss a possible scenario in which the high ionizing output is due to low-metallicity stars forming in a dense environment. We estimate a metallicity ≲0.1 Z/Z ⊙, a high ionization parameter log U > −2, a N/O abundance 4–5 times the solar value, and a subsolar C/O ratio similar to the recently discovered class of nitrogen-enhanced objects. Considering its abundance patterns and the high stellar mass density (104 M ⊙ pc−2), GHZ2 is an ideal formation site for the progenitors of today's globular clusters. The remarkable brightness of GHZ2 makes it a “Rosetta stone” for understanding the physics of galaxy formation within just 360 Myr after the Big Bang.

We present deep JWST NIRSpec observations in the sight line of MACS J1149.5+2223, a massive cluster of galaxies at z = 0.54. We report the spectroscopic redshift of 28 sources at 3 < z < 9.1, including nine sources with the detection of the OIIIλ4363 auroral line. Combining these with 16 OIIIλ4363 -detected sources from publicly available JWST data, our sample consists of 25 galaxies with robust gas-phase metallicity measurements via the direct method. We observe a positive correlation between stellar mass and metallicity, with an ∼0.5 dex offset down below the local relation. Interestingly, we find a larger-than-expected scatter of ∼0.3 dex around the relation, which cannot be explained by redshift evolution among our sample or other third parameters. The scatter increases at higher redshift, and we tentatively attribute this to the enrichment process having higher stochasticity, due to shallower potential wells, more intense feedback processes, and a higher galaxy merger rate. Despite reaching a considerably low-mass regime ( logM*/M⊙∼7.3 ), our samples have metallicity of log(O/H) +12 ≳ 7, i.e., comparable to the most metal-poor galaxies in the local Universe. The search for primordial galaxies may be accomplished by extending toward a lower mass and/or by investigating inhomogeneities at smaller spatial scales. Lastly, we investigate potential systematics caused by the limitation of JWST’s Micro-Shutter Assembly observations. Caution is warranted when the target exceeds the slit size, as this situation could allow an overestimation of global metallicity, especially under the presence of a strong negative metallicity gradient.

We present a new high-precision, JWST-based, strong-lensing model for the galaxy cluster Abell 2744 at z = 0.3072. By combining the deep, high-resolution JWST imaging from the Grism Lens Amplified Survey from Space–JWST and Ultradeep NIRSpec and NIRCam Observations before the Epoch of Reionization programs and a Director’s Discretionary Time program, with newly obtained Very Large Telescope/Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) data, we identify 32 multiple images from 11 background sources lensed by two external subclusters at distances of ∼160″ from the main cluster. The new MUSE observations enable the first spectroscopic confirmation of a multiple-image system in the external clumps. Moreover, the reanalysis of the spectrophotometric archival and JWST data yields 27 additional multiple images in the main cluster. The new lens model is constrained by 149 multiple images (∼66% more than in our previous model) covering an extended redshift range between 1.03 and 9.76. The subhalo mass component of the cluster includes 177 member galaxies down to m F160W = 21, of which 163 are spectroscopically confirmed. Internal velocity dispersions are measured for 85 members. The new lens model is characterized by a remarkably low scatter between the predicted and observed positions of the multiple images (0.″43). This precision is unprecedented given the large multiple-image sample, the complexity of the cluster mass distribution, and the large modeled area. The improved precision and resolution of the cluster total mass distribution provides a robust magnification map over a ∼30 arcmin2 area, which is critical for inferring the intrinsic physical properties of the highly magnified, high-z sources. The lens model and the new MUSE redshift catalog are released with this publication.

We report the detection of a high density of redshift z ≈ 10 galaxies behind the foreground cluster A2744, selected from imaging data obtained recently with NIRCam on board JWST by three programs—GLASS-JWST, UNCOVER, and DDT#2756. To ensure robust estimates of the lensing magnification μ, we use an improved version of our model that exploits the first epoch of NIRCam images and newly obtained MUSE spectra and avoids regions with μ > 5 where the uncertainty may be higher. We detect seven bright z ≈ 10 galaxies with demagnified rest frame −22 ≲ M UV ≲ −19 mag, over an area of ∼37 arcmin2. Taking into account photometric incompleteness and the effects of lensing on luminosity and cosmological volume, we find that the density of z ≈ 10 galaxies in the field is about 10× (3×) larger than the average at M UV ≈ −21 ( −20) mag reported so far. The density is even higher when considering only the GLASS-JWST data, which are the deepest and the least affected by magnification and incompleteness. The GLASS-JWST field contains five out of seven galaxies, distributed along an apparent filamentary structure of 2 Mpc in projected length, and includes a close pair of candidates with M UV < −20 mag having a projected separation of only 16 kpc. These findings suggest the presence of a z ≈ 10 overdensity in the field. In addition to providing excellent targets for efficient spectroscopic follow-up observations, our study confirms the high density of bright galaxies observed in early JWST observations but calls for multiple surveys along independent lines of sight to achieve an unbiased estimate of their average density and a first estimate of their clustering.

We present the spectroscopic confirmation of a protocluster at z = 7.88 behind the galaxy cluster Abell 2744 (hereafter A2744-z7p9OD). Using JWST NIRSpec, we find seven galaxies within a projected radius of 60 kpc. Although the galaxies reside in an overdensity around ≳20× greater than a random volume, they do not show strong Lyα emission. We place 2σ upper limits on the rest-frame equivalent width <16–28 Å. Based on the tight upper limits to the Lyα emission, we constrain the volume-averaged neutral fraction of hydrogen in the intergalactic medium to be x HI > 0.45 (68% C i). Using an empirical M UV–M halo relation for individual galaxies, we estimate that the total halo mass of the system is ≳4 × 1011 M ⊙. Likewise, the line-of-sight velocity dispersion is estimated to be 1100 ± 200 km s−1. Using an empirical relation, we estimate the present-day halo mass of A2744-z7p9OD to be ∼2 × 1015 M ⊙, comparable to the Coma cluster. A2744-z7p9OD is the highest redshift spectroscopically confirmed protocluster to date, demonstrating the power of JWST to investigate the connection between dark-matter halo assembly and galaxy formation at very early times with medium-deep observations at <20 hr total exposure time. Follow-up spectroscopy of the remaining photometric candidates of the overdensity will further refine the features of this system and help characterize the role of such overdensities in cosmic reionization.

We present measurements of the gas-phase oxygen and nitrogen abundances obtained by applying the direct method to JWST NIRspec R ∼ 1000 spectroscopy for six galaxies at redshift greater than 3. Our measurements are based on rest-frame optical nitrogen [N ii]λλ6548,6583 lines and are complemented by six additional objects from the literature at 3 ≤ z ≤ 6. We find that 9 out of 12 objects have values of log(N/O) that are compatible with those found for low-redshift, metal-poor, dwarf galaxies and for H ii regions of more luminous local galaxies. However, 3 out of 12 objects have log(N/O) values that are overabundant compared to what is expected on the basis of their oxygen abundance. We explore a few standard scenarios to explain the observations and conclude that, within the limited statistics available to us, none of them can be definitely excluded even though we prefer dilution by pristine gas infall in between star formation bursts, as this is predicted by simulations to take place as a natural part of bursty star formation.

We report the identification of two galaxy overdensities at z ∼ 5.7 in the sightline of the galaxy cluster A2744. These overdensities consist of 25 and 17 member galaxies, spectroscopically confirmed with JWST NIRSpec micro-shutter assembly and NIRCam/WFSS. Each overdensity has a total stellar mass of ∼2 × 1010 M⊙ and a star formation rate of ∼200 M⊙ yr−1 within a central region of radius R = 2 Mpc (physical). The sensitive PRISM spectra allow us to identify six galaxies that show weak Hα + [N ii] emissions within the overdensities (25% ± 7%), whereas the fraction of such galaxies is found significantly lower (6% ± 2%) in field samples of the equivalent redshift range. These weak emission line galaxies, dubbed as wELGs, exhibit a strong continuum break at the 4000 Å rest frame, a characteristic feature of evolved stellar populations. The high observed fraction of wELGs in the two overdensities is consistent with the idea that high-density environments are an ideal site where galaxies can accelerate their evolutionary pace compared to field analogs. Our study pinpoints an early onset of environmental effects, already important within one billion years after the Big Bang, and provides a complementary perspective on the emergence of quenched, massive galaxies at lower redshifts. Potential contributions from black hole accretion feedback to the reduction in star formation activity are discussed, but the connection to the local environments remains unclear.

We report the spectroscopic discovery of a massive quiescent galaxy at zspec = 7.29 ± 0.01, just ∼700 Myr after the big bang. RUBIES-UDS-QG-z7 was selected from public JWST/NIRCam and MIRI imaging from the PRIMER survey and observed with JWST/NIRSpec as part of RUBIES. The NIRSpec/PRISM spectrum reveals one of the strongest Balmer breaks observed thus far at z > 6, with no emission lines but tentative Balmer and Ca absorption features, as well as a Lyman break. Simultaneous modeling of the NIRSpec/PRISM spectrum and NIRCam and MIRI photometry (spanning 0.9–18 μm) shows that the galaxy formed a stellar mass of log (M*/M⊙)=10.23−0.04+0.04 before z ∼ 8 and ceased forming stars 50–100 Myr prior to the time of observation, resulting in log(sSFR/Gyr−1)<−1 . We measure a small physical size of 209−24+33pc , which implies a high stellar-mass surface density within the effective radius of log(Σ*,e/M⊙kpc−2)=10.85−0.12+0.11 , comparable to the highest densities measured in quiescent galaxies at z ∼ 2–5. The 3D stellar-mass density profile of RUBIES-UDS-QG-z7 is remarkably similar to the central densities of local massive ellipticals, suggesting that at least some of their cores may have already been in place at z > 7. The discovery of RUBIES-UDS-QG-z7 has strong implications for galaxy formation models: the estimated number density of quiescent galaxies at z ∼ 7 is >100 × larger than predicted from any model to date, indicating that quiescent galaxies have formed earlier than previously expected.