SMILES Data Release. II. Probing Galaxy Evolution during Cosmic Noon and Beyond with NIRSpec Medium-resolution Spectra
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: We present the second data release of the Systematic Mid-Infrared Instrument Legacy Extragalactic Survey (SMILES), focusing on JWST/NIRSpec medium-resolution spectroscopy of galaxies across cosmic time. This release includes spectroscopic observations of 166 galaxies spanning 0 < z < 7.5, sampling star-forming galaxies, quiescent systems, and active galactic nuclei (AGNs), with an emphasis on galaxies at cosmic noon ( z ∼ 1–3). We describe the target selection strategy, the observational setup with the G140M/F100LP and G235M/F170LP gratings, and the data calibration process. The final data products include the reduced spectra, redshift catalog, emission-line catalogs produced with GELATO for emission-line galaxies and pPXF fits for quiescent systems, and ancillary spectral energy distribution fit results derived from multiband photometry. The SMILES NIRSpec dataset enables investigations of obscured AGNs, multiphase outflows, ionizing properties, and the role of environment in galaxy evolution. All data products are publicly available through STScI/MAST at https://archive.stsci.edu/hlsp/smiles .
Source: The Astrophysical Journal
Language: English
Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $4,499
Awards: G103270039, G1632446036, G1824424381, G256731684, G3152952368, G5568641063, 1. SCIENCE INVESTIGATION: SUMMARY IN MY ORIGINAL PROPOSAL WRITTEN PRIOR TO THE LAUNCH OF SPITZER I PLANNED A JWST PROGRAM ON ACTIVE GALACTIC NUCLEI (AGN) AND THEIR HOST GALAXIES BUILDING ON THEN-FUTURE SPITZER OBSERVATIONS. TOWARD THE END OF THE SPITZER COLD MISSION AS THE PI FOR THE MIPS INSTRUMENT I HAD LED SUBSTANTIAL PROGRAMS ON BOTH EXTRAGALACTIC OBSERVATIONS AND DEBRIS DISKS SO I PROPOSED TO EXPAND MY JWST EFFORT TO INCLUDE BOTH AN EXPANSION THAT WAS APPROVED BY ED WEILER ON OCTOBER 16 2009. THE FOLLOWING PROGRAM THEREFORE INCLUDES BOTH OF THESE THEMES. SINCE BOTH PROPOSALS WERE WRITTEN MAJOR NEW CAPABILITIES HAVE ANSWERED SOME OF THE PREVIOUS SCIENTIFIC QUESTIONS AND POSED NEW ONES. IN THE EXTRAGALACTIC ARENA THESE INCLUDE SPITZER ITSELF HERSCHEL THE EXPANDED CAPABILITIES OF THE JVLA AND ALMA. FOR DEBRIS DISKS THE MOST IMPORTANT ARE HERSCHEL ALMA AND HIGH PERFORMANCE ADAPTIVE OPTICS. THEREFORE THE MATERIAL IN THIS PROPOSAL IS RE-THOUGHT TO PROVIDE A PROGRAM AT THE CUTTING EDGE OF THE CURRENT PROBLEMS IN THESE AREAS. EACH OF THE INDIVIDUAL INVESTIGATIONS DESCRIBED BELOW IS DESCRIBED IN A DETAILED INTERNAL REPORT AND IS READY FOR DETAILED OBSERVATION PLANNING. THIS PROPOSAL GIVES A SUMMARY OF THE HIGH LEVEL GOALS AND REQUIRED OBSERVATIONS ONLY. IT INTENTIONALLY SOMEWHAT OVERSUBSCRIBES MY TIME ALLOTMENT TO ALLOW FOR COLLABORATIONS AND SHARED TIME AS WELL AS FURTHER OPTIMIZATION. ALTHOUGH THERE ARE A NUMBER OF INVESTIGATIONS MY RESEARCH GROUP HAS BEEN ACTIVE IN ALL OF THEM; I HAVE BOLD-FACED CITATIONS OF OUR RELEVANT WORK IN THE BIBLIOGRAPHY (ATTACHED AS APPENDIX A). IN ADDITION I WAS ASSIGNED AN ADDITIONAL 60 HOURS OF GTO TIME TO BE DISTRIBUTED AMONG (MOSTLY) YOUNG SCIENTISTS IN THE UNITED STATES WHO HAD MADE MAJOR COMMITMENTS IN SUPPORT OF MIRI (ROUGHLY PARALLEL TO THE GTO TIME FOR MIRI SUPPORT BY THE EUROPEAN CONSORTIUM (EC)). APPENDIX C INCLUDES SHORT STATUS REPORTS ON THEIR PLANS.
OpenAlex ID: W7126099035