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Sub-galactic clumps at a redshift of 2.39 and implications for galaxy formation

Abstract

A large number of very faint, compact objects have been found at a redshift of 2.39 in optical images of the distant Universe. The objects appear to be star-forming spheroids smaller than the bulge of a spiral galaxy; they are much smaller and fainter than typical galaxies seen today. These objects may be part of a reservoir from which many of today's luminous galaxies were formed through repeated mergers.

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Pascarelle, S., Windhorst, R., Keel, W. et al. Sub-galactic clumps at a redshift of 2.39 and implications for galaxy formation. Nature 383, 45–50 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1038/383045a0

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