PHOENIX — The Emergence of Dust, Obscured Star Formation & ISM Physics
PHOENIX is a 113 hour ALMA Large Program with 26 hours of joint JWST observations targeting a sample of 15 luminous galaxies at z>8 to study their [OIII]88um and dust continuum emission.
Survey Description
With PHOENIX we aim to explore the rapid builduip of early galaxies by observing their [OIII]88um line and dust continuum emission. This complements the current picture from JWST which is predominantly based on rest-UV/optical light. This will enable critical insights into obscured star formation, dust content and ISM conditions. PHOENIX will focus on three major science goals:
Census of Obscured SF
By detecting the dust continuum we will directly measure the fraction of dust-obscured star formation (SF), providing the first robust census of total (UV+IR) SF at z>8.
The Emergence of Dust
Observing galaxies at very early epochs in cosmic history allows us to better constrain the dominant mechanisms of dust production (SN vs. grain growth).
Characterizing ISM conditions
The combined constraints from [OIII]88um and rest-UV/optical emission lines from JWST will enable new insights into the ISM conditions fueling early galaxy growth.
Data Access
PHOENIX will be observed in ALMA Cycle 12 from October 2025 to September 2026. Science data products will be made available to the community after completion of the observations.
The PHOENIX Team
Sander Schouws
Hiddo Algera
Manuel Aravena
Rychard Bouwens
