Sub-galactic clumps at a redshift of 2.39 and implications for galaxy formation
Keel, W. C.; Odewahn, S. C.; Windhorst, R. A.; Pascarelle, S. M.
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.