A Multiwavelength Survey of Luminous Compact Blue Galaxies from z=3 to z=0

Luminous Compact Blue Galaxies (LCBGs) are small starburst systems that dominate the number density of galaxies at intermediate redshifts. LCBGs have evolved more than any other galaxy class in the last 8 Gyrs and are a major contributor to the observed enhancement of the UV luminosity density of the universe at z < 1. Despite the key role LCBGs may play in galaxy evolution, their statistical properties are still largely unknown. We are currently conducting a multiwavelength study of LCBGs from z = 3 to the present, ranging from FUV to FIR. This study is unique in combining the capabilities of space observatories with ground-based large telescopes and large public databases of galaxy surveys. The main goals of this study are: (i) to characterize the global properties of LCBGs at 0 < z < 3 using statistically representative samples defined using the same selection criteria and over the same rest-frame wavelength range; and (ii) to investigate the role of this important population in galaxy formation and evolution.

Authors and Affiliations

1. Department of Astronomy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-2055, USA

   Rafael Guzmán

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