Document Type
Article
Publication Date
4-17-2019
Publication Title
The Astrophysical Journal
Abstract
We present the first results from the deep and wide 5 GHz radio observations of the Great Observatories Origins Deep Survey (GOODS)-North (σ = 3.5 μJy beam−1, synthesized beam size θ = 147 × 142, and 52 sources over 109 arcmin2) and GOODS-South (σ = 3.0 μJy beam−1, θ = 098 × 045, and 88 sources over 190 arcmin2) fields using the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array. We derive radio spectral indices α between 1.4 and 5 GHz using the beam-matched images and show that the overall spectral index distribution is broad even when the measured noise and flux bias are considered. We also find a clustering of faint radio sources around α = 0.8, but only within S 5 GHz < 150 μJy. We demonstrate that the correct radio spectral index is important for deriving accurate rest-frame radio power and analyzing the radio–FIR correlation, and adopting a single value of α = 0.8 leads to a significant scatter and a strong bias in the analysis of the radio–FIR correlation, resulting from the broad and asymmetric spectral index distribution. When characterized by specific star formation rates, the starburst population (58%) dominates the 5 GHz radio source population, and the quiescent galaxy population (30%) follows a distinct trend in spectral index distribution and the radio–FIR correlation. Lastly, we offer suggestions on sensitivity and angular resolution for future ultra-deep surveys designed to trace the cosmic history of star formation and AGN activity using radio continuum as a probe.
Keywords
galaxies: active, galaxies: starburst, galaxies: star formation, radio continuum: general, surveys
Volume
875
Issue
80
DOI
doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/ab1011
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Rights
Licensed to Smith College and distributed CC-BY under the Smith College Faculty Open Access Policy.
Recommended Citation
Gim, Hansung B.; Yun, Min S.; Owen, Frazer N.; Momjian, Emmanuel; Miller, Neal A.; Giavalisco, Mauro; Wilson, Grant; Lowenthal, James; Aretxaga, Itziar; Hughes, David H.; Morrison, Glenn E.; and Kawabe, Ryohei, "Nature of Faint Radio Sources in GOODS-North and GOODS-South Fields – I. Spectral Index and Radio-FIR Correlation" (2019). Astronomy: Faculty Publications, Smith College, Northampton, MA.
https://scholarworks.smith.edu/ast_facpubs/9
Comments
Peer reviewed accepted manuscript.