THE MOSFIRE DEEP EVOLUTION FIELD (MOSDEF) SURVEY: REST-FRAME OPTICAL SPECTROSCOPY FOR ∼1500 H -SELECTED GALAXIES AT $1.37\leqslant z\leqslant 3.8$

Abstract

In this paper we present the MOSFIRE Deep Evolution Field (MOSDEF) survey. The MOSDEF survey aims to obtain moderate-resolution (R = 3000 − 3650) rest-frame optical spectra (∼ 3700 − 7000Å) for ∼1500 galaxies at 1.37 ≤ z ≤ 3.80 in three well-studied CANDELS fields: AEGIS, COSMOS, and GOODS-N. Targets are selected in three redshift intervals: 1.37 ≤ z ≤ 1.70, 2.09 ≤ z ≤ 2.61, and 2.95 ≤ z ≤ 3.80, down to fixed H AB (F160W) magnitudes of 24.0, 24.5 and 25.0, respectively, using the photometric and spectroscopic catalogs from the 3D-HST survey. We target both strong nebular emission lines (e.g.,, 6585, and [S ii] λλ6718, 6733) and stellar continuum and absorption features (e.g., Balmer lines, Ca-ii H and K, Mgb, 4000Å break). Here we present an overview of our survey, the observational strategy, the data reduction and analysis, and the sample characteristics based on spectra obtained during the first 24 nights. To date, we have completed 21 masks, obtaining spectra for 591 galaxies. For ∼80% of the targets we derive a robust redshift from either emission or absorption lines. In addition, we confirm 55 additional galaxies, which were serendipitously detected. The MOSDEF galaxy sample includes unobscured star-forming, dusty star-forming, and quiescent galaxies and spans a wide range in stellar mass (∼ 10 9 − 10 11.5 M ⊙ ) and star formation rate (∼ 10 0 − 10 3 M ⊙ yr −1 ). The spectroscopically confirmed sample is roughly representative of an H-band limited galaxy sample at these redshifts. With its large sample size, broad diversity in galaxy properties, and wealth of available ancillary data, MOSDEF will transform our understanding of the stellar, gaseous, metal, dust, and black hole content of galaxies during the time when the universe was most active.

“Super-deblended” Dust Emission in Galaxies. I. The GOODS-North Catalog and the Cosmic Star Formation Rate Density out to Redshift 6

“…We have also cross-matched with spectroscopic redshift catalogs from the literature: Lowenthal et al (1997), Phillips et al (1997), Cohen et al (1996Cohen et al ( , 2000, Cohen (2001), Steidel et al (1996Steidel et al ( , 1999Steidel et al ( , 2003, Dawson et al (2001), Barger et al (2002Barger et al ( , 2008, Wirth et al (2004), Chapman et al (2004Chapman et al ( , 2005, Strolger et al (2004Strolger et al ( , 2005 Kriek et al (2015), and Wirth et al (2015, MOSDEF Survey). Besides, we also use some previously unpublished redshifts from our team (H. Inami et al 2018, in preparation;D.…”

THE MOSDEF SURVEY: DYNAMICAL AND BARYONIC MASSES AND KINEMATIC STRUCTURES OF STAR-FORMING GALAXIES AT 1.4 ≤ z ≤ 2.6

“…When complete, the MOSDEF survey will contain moderate resolution (R = 3000-3650) rest-frame optical spectra for ∼1500 H-band selected galaxies at z 1.4 3.8   in several CANDELS (Grogin et al 2011;Koekemoer et al 2011) fields. A detailed overview of the survey, observations, data reduction, line measurements and sensitivities, success rate, redshift measurements, stellar population properties, and sample characteristics are given in Kriek et al (2015).…”

KINEMATIC DOWNSIZING AT z ∼ 2

“…both the KMOS-3D (Wisnioski et al 2015) and MOS-DEF surveys (Kriek et al 2015), Price et al 2016 investigated the trend of V/σ g with specific star formation rate (sSF R = SF R/M * ) and stellar mass, finding a declining and weakly increasing trend respectively. We find that, when we fix for stellar mass, there is no dependance on SFR.…”

“…Ground based kinematic data for high redshift (z 1) galaxies is rapidly growing, as reviewed in Glazebrook 2013, with several recent and ongoing surveys: e.g., SINS (Förster Schreiber et al 2009), WiggleZ (Wisnioski et al 2011), MAS-SIV , MOSDEF (Kriek et al 2015), KMOS3D (Wisnioski et al 2015) and KROSS (Stott et al 2016).…”