A New Era in Extragalactic Astrophysics with JWST NIRCam Wide Field Slitless Spectroscopy
by
Open Area (4F-SW)
Tsung-Dao Lee Institute
Host: Dong Lai
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Abstract:
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has transformed our view of galaxy formation in the early Universe. One of its most powerful capabilities is NIRCam wide-field slitless spectroscopy (WFSS). Originally designed as an engineering mode, NIRCam WFSS has evolved into a discovery machine that delivers tens of thousands of spectroscopic redshifts from z=0 to 9. This provides a highly complete and efficient census of galaxies, active galactic nuclei, and large-scale structures across cosmic time.
In this talk, I will present the recent key breakthroughs in extragalactic astrophysics through JWST/NIRCam WFSS. These includes (1) dust-obscured massive galaxy assembly at z≈4–7, (2) “little red dots” as laboratory for early supermassive black hole growth, and (3) extremely metal-poor galaxies near the end of reionization. I will also highlight time-domain applications, including supernovae and microlensed stars at high redshifts, and conclude with prospects for future JWST WFSS surveys and synergies with upcoming facilities including CSST.
Biography:
Fengwu Sun is a postdoctoral researcher at Harvard University. He obtained B.S. degree at Peking University in 2018 and Ph.D. degree at the University of Arizona in 2023. He has a broad research interest with the main focus on galaxy and star formation in the distant Universe. He is a member of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) near-infrared camera (NIRCam) instrument science team. He is leading and participating multiple JWST observing programs as PI / co-PI / co-I, totaling more than 2000 telescope hours.
