Exploring Cosmic Dawn with James Webb Space Telescope

This project aims to utilize the James Webb Space Telescope to investigate the timeline and mechanisms of cosmic reionization and the properties of the first galaxies formed after the Big Bang.

Subsidie
€ 2.086.250
2023

Projectdetails

Introduction

The cosmic dark ages - when the Universe was filled with neutral hydrogen that was opaque to ultraviolet light - are thought to have ended around one billion years after the Big Bang, when first light sources produced enough energetic photons to ionize the neutral hydrogen. This phase is referred to as the epoch of reionization and is also the era of the first galaxies' formation.

Challenges in Understanding

However, this is also one of the least understood epochs in the Universe's evolution. Key questions remain, including:

  1. When did it start/end?
  2. Was it patchy or smooth?
  3. How did galaxies reionize the Universe (if they did)?
  4. What are the properties of the earliest galaxies?

Proposed Research

To answer these questions, this proposal will use deep observations of the largest sample of the most powerful cosmic telescopes that will be observed with the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) right after its launch.

JWST Capabilities

Compared to all previous facilities, JWST's capabilities are dazzling. Its instruments will provide data beyond those yet seen by any astronomer. However, with high power comes great responsibility. Given its limited lifetime, excellent leadership needs to be established.

Unique Position

As a key member of the Near-Infrared Imager and Slitless Spectrograph (NIRISS) team with guaranteed time and a member of the Early Release Science program, I am in a unique position to guarantee the success of this project.

Relocation Proposal

I am proposing to relocate to Europe. JWST's NIRISS instrument is not represented in Europe, and this program will bring immediate and proprietary access to the data.

Objectives

This proposal will:

  1. Determine the timeline of reionization.
  2. Identify the exact role first galaxies played in this process by studying their ionized bubbles.
  3. Determine stellar properties of the earliest galaxies.

Conclusion

With an unprecedented facility, the program will undoubtedly bring many exciting discoveries and allow the first look at the details of the Cosmic Dawn.

Financiële details & Tijdlijn

Financiële details

Subsidiebedrag€ 2.086.250
Totale projectbegroting€ 2.086.250

Tijdlijn

Startdatum1-10-2023
Einddatum30-9-2028
Subsidiejaar2023

Partners & Locaties

Projectpartners

  • UNIVERZA V LJUBLJANIpenvoerder

Land(en)

Slovenia

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