FIR/Sub-mm Line Emission from the First Objects: Testing the Stellar Feedback
Abstract
We calculate the expected FIR/sub-mm molecular hydrogen line emission from the first galactic objects that formed in the universe. Due to their low masses, the stellar feedback from massive stars is able to blow away their gas content and collect it into a cooling shell where H_2 rapidly forms and IR rotational lines carry away a large fraction of the explosion energy. The expected fluxes from these sources are in the range 10-100 \muJy. The highest number counts are expected in the 60-80 micron band, where about 1000 sources/deg^2 are predicted at the limiting flux of 7 \times 10^2 \muJy. Among the planned FIR/sub-mm facilities, we find that the best detection perspectives are offered by the Multiband Imaging Photometer for SIRTF, which should be able to reveal about 3500 first objects in one hour observation time. Therefore, FIR/sub-mm instruments appear to represent perfect tools to trace star formation and stellar feedback in the very high (z>10) redshift universe.Keywords
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