Far-Infrared Surveys of Galaxy Evolution

Abstract

Roughly half of the radiation from evolving galaxies in the early Universe reaches us in the far-infrared and submillimeter wavelength ranges. Recent major advances in observing capabilities, in particular the launch of the Herschel Space Observatory in 2009, have dramatically enhanced our ability to use this information in the context of multiwavelength studies of galaxy evolution. Near its peak, three-quarters of the cosmic infrared background is now resolved into individually detected sources. The use of far-infrared diagnostics of dust-obscured star formation and of interstellar medium conditions has expanded from extreme and rare extreme high-redshift galaxies to more typical main-sequence galaxies and hosts of active galactic nuclei out to z≳2. These studies shed light on the evolving role of steady equilibrium processes and of brief starbursts at and since the peak of cosmic star formation and black hole accretion. This review presents a selection of recent far-infrared studies of galaxy evolution with an emphasis on Herschel results.