Early results from GLASS-JWST. IV: Spatially resolved metallicity in a low-mass $z\sim 3$ galaxy with NIRISS

Abstract

We report the first gas-phase metallicity map of a distant galaxy measured with the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). We use the NIRISS slitless spectroscopy acquired by the GLASS Early Release Science program to spatially resolve the rest-frame optical nebular emission lines in a gravitationally lensed galaxy at $z=3.06$ behind the Abell 2744 galaxy cluster. This galaxy (dubbed GLASS-Zgrad1) has stellar mass $\sim 10^{8.6}{M}_{\odot }$, instantaneous star formation rate $\sim 8.6$ $M_{\odot }$/yr (both corrected for lensing magnification), and global metallicity one-fourth solar. From its emission line maps ([O III], H$\beta$, H$\gamma$, [Ne III], and [O II]) we derive its spatial distribution of gas-phase metallicity using a well-established forward-modeling Bayesian inference method. The exquisite resolution and sensitivity of JWST/NIRISS, combined with lensing magnification, enable us to resolve this $z\sim 3$ dwarf galaxy in $\gtrsim$50 resolution elements with sufficient signal, an analysis hitherto not possible. We find that the radial metallicity gradient of GLASS-Zgrad1 is strongly inverted (i.e. positive): $\Delta \log (O/H)/\Delta r$ = $0.165\pm 0.023$ $\mathrm{dex}\mathrm{kp}{\mathrm{c}}^{-1}$. This inverted gradient may be due to tidal torques induced by a massive nearby ($\sim$15 kpc projected) galaxy, which can cause inflows of metal-poor gas into the central regions of GLASS-Zgrad1. These first results showcase the power of JWST wide-field slitless spectroscopic modes to resolve the mass assembly and chemical enrichment of low-mass galaxies in and beyond the peak epoch of cosmic star formation ($z\gtrsim 2$). Reaching masses $\lesssim 10^9{M}_{\odot }$ at these redshifts is especially valuable to constrain the effects of galactic feedback and environment, and is possible only with JWST's new capabilities.

Accepted to ApJL. 11 pages, 4 figures, and 1 table

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