Year: 1996
Type: article
Abstract: We present a new method to compute the cosmic emissivity ν and background intensity J ν . Our method is based entirely on data from quasar absorption-line studies, namely, the comoving density of H I and the mean metallicity and dust-to-gas ratio in damped Lyα galaxies. These observations, when combined with models of cosmic chemical evolution, are sufficient to determine the comoving rate of star formation as a function of redshift. From this, we compute ν and J ν using stellar population synthesis models. Our method includes a self-consistent treatment of the absorption and reradiation of starlight by dust. In all of our calculations, the near-UV emissivity declines rapidly between z ≈ 1 and z = 0, in agreement with estimates from the Canada-France Redshift Survey. The background intensity is consistent with a wide variety of observational limits and with a tentative detection at far-IR wavelengths.
Source: The Astrophysical Journal
DOI: 10.1086/310081
Authors: S. Michael Fall, Stéphane Charlot, Yichuan C. Pei
Language: English
Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2044101570