Galaxy mergers in the epoch of reionization – II. Merger-triggered star formation and AGN activities at z = 4.5−8.5

ABSTRACT Galaxy mergers are key drivers of galaxy formation and evolution, including triggering active galactic nucleus (AGN) and star formation to a still unknown degree. We thus investigate the impact of galaxy mergers on star formation and AGN activity using 3330 galaxies at $z = 4.5 {\text{-}} 8.5$ from eight James Webb Space Telescope fields (CEERS, JADES GOODS-S, NEP-TDF, NGDEEP, GLASS, El-Gordo, SMACS-0723, and MACS-0416), covering an unmasked area of 189 arcmin$^2$. We focus on star formation rate (SFR) enhancement, AGN fraction, and AGN excess in close pairs defined by $\Delta z < 0.3$ and projected separations $r_p < 100$ kpc, relative to non-merger samples. Close pairs with mass ratios…

• NA
  National Aeronautics and Space Administration

  Award: NAS 5–26555
• ES
  Entomological Society of America
• RS
  Royal Society

  Award: RGF/EA/181016
• CD
  Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior
• SF
  Société Française de Radiologie
• SA
  Science and Technology Facilities Council
• HE
  H2020 European Research Council

  Award: 788113