CLASH-VLT: spectroscopic confirmation of a z=6.11 quintuply lensed galaxy in the Frontier Fields Cluster RXC J2248.7-4431

Abstract

We present VIsible Multi-Object Spectrograph (VIMOS) observations of a z 6 galaxy quintuply imaged by the Frontier Fields galaxy cluster RXC J2248.7-4431 (z=0.348). This sub-L^*, high-z galaxy has been recently discovered by Monna et al. (2013) using dropout techniques with the 16-band HST photometry acquired as part of the Cluster Lensing And Supernova survey with Hubble (CLASH). Obtained as part of the CLASH-VLT survey, the VIMOS medium-resolution spectra of this source show a very faint continuum between ~8700A and ~9300A and a prominent emission line at 8643A, which can be readily identified with Lyman-alpha at z=6.110. The emission line exhibits an asymmetric profile, with a more pronounced red wing. The rest-frame equivalent width of the line is EW=79+-10A. After correcting for magnification, the star-formation rate (SFR) estimated from the Lya line is SFR(Lya)=11 M_{sol}/yr and that estimated from the UV data is SFR(UV)=3 M_{sol}/yr. We estimate that the effective radius of the source is R_e<~0.4 kpc, which implies a star formation surface mass density Sigma_{SFR}>6 M_{sol}/yr/kpc^2 and, using the Kennicutt-Schmidt relation, a gas surface mass density Sigma_{gas}>10^3 M_{sol}/pc^2. Our results support the idea that this magnified, distant galaxy is a young and compact object with 0.4 L^* at z=6, with comparable amount of mass in gas and stars. Future follow-up observations with ALMA will provide valuable insight into the SFR and molecular gas content of this source. In the spirit of the Frontier Fields initiative, we also publish the redshifts of several multiply imaged sources and other background objects which will help improving the strong lensing model of this galaxy cluster.

4 pages, 3 figures, 1 table, Accepted for publication in A&A (minor changes, published version)

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Cited by in corpus (44)

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• New Constraints on the Faint-end of the UV Luminosity Function at z~7-8 using the Gravitational Lensing of the Hubble Frontier Fields Cluster A2744
• The MUSIC of CLASH: predictions on the concentration-mass relation
• CLASH-VLT: A Highly Precise Strong Lensing Model of the Galaxy Cluster RXC J2248.7-4431 (Abell S1063) and Prospects for Cosmography
• CLASH-X: A Comparison of Lensing and X-ray Techniques for Measuring the Mass Profiles of Galaxy Clusters
• CLASH-VLT: Dissecting the Frontier Fields Galaxy Cluster MACS J0416.1-2403 with $\sim 800$ Spectra of Member Galaxies
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• The Grism Lens-Amplified Survey from Space (GLASS). XI. Detection of CIV in Multiple Images of $z=6.11$ Ly$\alpha$ Emitter Behind RXCJ2248.7-4431
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• Dissection of the collisional and collisionless mass components in a mini sample of CLASH and HFF massive galaxy clusters at $z\approx 0.4$
• A Free-Form mass model of the Hubble Frontier Fields Cluster AS1063 (RXC J2248.7-4431) with over one hundred constraints
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• A complete census of Herschel-detected infrared sources within the HST Frontier Fields
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• A persistent excess of galaxy-galaxy strong lensing observed in galaxy clusters
• Detection of Lyman-Alpha Emission From a Triple Imaged z=6.85 Galaxy Behind MACS J2129.4-0741
• KMOS LENsing Survey (KLENS) : morpho-kinematic analysis of star-forming galaxies at $z\sim 2$
• An Hα Impression of Lyα Galaxies at $z\simeq 6$ with Deep JWST/NIRCam Imaging
• Joining X-ray to lensing: an accurate combined analysis of MACS J0416.1$-$2403
• Constraints on the Mass, Concentration, and Nonthermal Pressure Support of Six CLASH Clusters from a Joint Analysis of X-ray, SZ, and Lensing Data
• CLUMP-3D: Three-dimensional Shape and Structure of 20 CLASH Galaxy Clusters from Combined Weak and Strong Lensing
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• CLASH: Extending galaxy strong lensing to small physical scales with distant sources highly-magnified by galaxy cluster members
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• Exploring Effects on Magnifications due to Line-of-Sight Galaxies in the Hubble Frontier Fields
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• Infrared Galaxies in the Field of the Massive Cluster Abell S1063: Discovery of a Luminous Kiloparsec-Sized HII Region in a Gravitationally Lensed IR-Luminous Galaxy at $z=0.6$
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