The aim of my internship is to examine properties of Lyman-alpha emitters (LAEs) found in the SC4K sample (see here for the SC4K paper). LAEs are typically high redshift galaxies which emit a characteristic peak in Lyman-alpha radiation (hence, the name!), and are extremely interesting as they are currently theorised to be the progenitors (Early versions) of galaxies such as our own Milky Way, and thus by studying them we will be able to grasp a better understanding of how galaxies like the Milky Way come to be. I will be producing stellar mass functions and stellar mass density plots for LAEs, and this will allow us to look at how the distribution by mass of LAEs and how the percentage of galaxies that are LAEs changes over cosmic time.
The first two blog posts are currently up, and a third is being written (so keep tuned!). Blog Posts can be viewed here.
Also, in very exciting news I am currently writing a paper on my work which should be submitted for publishing at some point later this year, which is very exciting! (So watch this space for more news about that).
Also, please enjoy the following gif demonstrating how Lyman-alpha emitters at different redshifts can only be viewed through different spectroscopic filters. I really wish I could take credit for it , but alas the credit goes to my supervisor and XGAL creator David Sobral.
XGAL: Time travelling through the Universe 