The z=2.51 Extremely Red Submillimeter Galaxy SMM J04431+0210

July 2003 • 2003AJ....126...73F

Authors • Frayer, D. T. • Armus, L. • Scoville, N. Z. • Blain, A. W. • Reddy, N. A. • Ivison, R. J. • Smail, Ian

Abstract • We report the redshift measurement for the submillimeter selected galaxy SMM J04431+0210 (N4) using the Near Infrared Spectrograph on the Keck II Telescope. The data show Hα, [N II] λλ6583, 6548, and [O III] λ5007 lines at a redshift of z=2.51. The high nuclear [N II]/Hα line ratio is consistent with a LINER or type II active galactic nucleus (AGN). The Hα emission is spatially resolved, suggesting the presence of significant star-forming activity outside the nucleus. From imaging with the Near Infrared Camera on the Keck I Telescope, we find an extremely red near-infrared color of J-K=3.2 for N4. Follow-up redshifted CO(3-->2) observations with the Owens Valley Millimeter Array constrain the mass of molecular gas to be less than 4×10¹⁰ M_solar, after correcting for lensing. The CO-to-submillimeter flux limit, the spectroscopic line ratios, and the spectral energy distribution for N4 are all within the range of properties found in other high-redshift submillimeter sources and local ultraluminous infrared galaxies. After the correction for lensing, N4 is the weakest intrinsic submillimeter-selected source with a known redshift and represents the first redshift for the under 2 mJy 850 μm sources that are responsible for the bulk of the emission from the submillimeter population as a whole. We argue that N4 contains either an AGN or LINER nucleus surrounded by an extended region of active star formation.

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Lee Armus

Senior Scientist