NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2009B-0262
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2009B-0262 |
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PI: Linhua Jiang, University of Arizona, ljiang@as.arizona.edu
Address: Department of Astronomy, 933 N Cherry Ave, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
CoI: Xiaohui Fan, University of Arizona
CoI: James Annis, FNAL
CoI: Sebastian Jester, MPIA
CoI: Huan Lin, FNAL
CoI: Robert H. Lupton, Princeton
CoI: Gordon T. Richards, Drexel University
CoI: Michael A. Strauss, Princeton
Title: \boldmath Identifying Faint Quasars at Redshift ~6 in the SDSS Deep Stripe: Improve i-band Photometry of i-dropout Objects
Abstract: We propose to use OPTIC on the KP 3.5m WIYN telescope to improve the i-band photometry of i-band dropout objects (i_AB-z_AB\ge2.2) in 300 deg^2 of the SDSS deep stripe. This deep stripe has been repeatedly scanned over 60 times; the co-added imaging data are more than two mag deeper than the single-run data. Quasar candidates at z~6 are selected as i-dropout objects with blue z_AB-J colors. While J-band photometry will be conducted in the future, the proposed observations will significantly improve the i-band photometry, and thus increase our quasar selection efficiency. We have discovered 12 quasars (z_AB\le21.8) at z~6 in this deep area. With the latest co-added data, we are able to reach >0.5 mag deeper. We expect to discover 5~10 more quasars based on the proposed and follow-up observations. The new quasars combined with the existing brighter quasars will be used to determine the quasar luminosity function at z~6, measure the quasar contribution to the ionizing background, and constrain models of the early black hole growth.
National Optical Astronomy Observatory, 950 North Cherry Avenue, P.O. Box 26732, Tucson, Arizona 85726, Phone: (520) 318-8000, Fax: (520) 318-8360
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2009B-0262 |
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