Unfolding the early Universe with JWST

Pierluigi Rinaldi

Research output: ThesisThesis fully internal (DIV)

54 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

How did galaxies form and evolve into the structures we see in the Local Universe? Answering this question is one of the key goals in modern astronomy. Understanding the Universe as we observe it today requires investigating its origins and evolution across cosmic time.

In this PhD thesis, I made use of space-based telescopes to study how galaxies evolved across cosmic time. In Chapter 2, I show that starburst galaxies played an important role in assembling stellar mass in the early Universe. In Chapter 3, I demonstrate how low-stellar-mass galaxies preferentially grow through bursty episodes of star formation, while massive galaxies build their stellar mass through secular processes as early as one billion years after the Big Bang. Chapter 4 highlights how the advent of JWST has radically transformed our view of the early Universe, enabling an unprecedented study of the Epoch of Reionization. In Chapter 5, I show that young, low-stellar-mass galaxies undergoing violent episodes of star formation were likely primary agents of Cosmic Reionization. Chapter 6 expands on this, indicating that galaxies with bursty star formation contributed more significantly to this process. In Chapter 7, I present the discovery of the first NIRCam-dark source and explore the possible nature of this exotic object. Chapter 8 follows with a unique MIRI extremely red object, discussing potential explanations for its nature. In the final chapter, I summarize my findings and offer perspectives for future research directions.
Original languageEnglish
QualificationDoctor of Philosophy
Awarding Institution
  • University of Groningen
Supervisors/Advisors
  • Caputi, Karina, Supervisor
  • Fraternali, Filippo, Supervisor
Award date10-Dec-2024
Place of Publication[Groningen]
Publisher
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024

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