Globular Clusters in the Galaxy Cluster MACS0416 at <i>z</i> = 0.397
Abstract We present a photometric analysis of globular clusters (GCs) in the massive galaxy cluster MACS J0416.1−2403 ( z = 0.397) using deep JWST/NIRCam imaging from the PEARLS program. Point-spread function photometry was performed in the short wavelength filters, F090W, F115W, F150W, and F200W, yielding a catalog of ∼3 × 10 3 unresolved, point-like sources consistent with a GC population. Artificial-star tests indicate 80% completeness at F200W ≃ 30.36 mag. The color–magnitude diagrams show a narrow GC sequence well reproduced by PARSEC single-stellar-population models spanning ages of 5–9 Gyr and metallicities from [M/H] ≈ −2.0 to +0.2, consistent with evolved GC systems at this redshift. The GC luminosity function follows a log-normal form truncated by incompleteness at the faint end. The brightest sources extend slightly beyond the locus of classical GCs, suggesting a small number of ultracompact dwarf-like systems or stripped nuclei, while the bulk of the population exhibits the luminosities and colors expected for mature GCs at z ≃ 0.4.
Authors
- Ray A. Lucas (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1581-7825)
- Jake Summers (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7265-7920)
- Kate Hartman (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5290-6275)
- Massimo Ricotti (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4223-7324)
- Rogier A. Windhorst (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8156-6281)
- Clayton Robertson (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5404-1372)
- Rolf A. Jansen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1268-5230)
- William E. Harris (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8762-5772)
- Norman A. Grogin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9440-8872)
- Patrick S. Kamieneski (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9394-6732)
- Russell E. Ryan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0894-1588)
- Timothy Carleton (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6650-2853)
- Madeline A. Marshall (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6434-7845)
- Christopher J. Conselice (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1949-7638)
- Seth H. Cohen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3329-1337)
- Anton M. Koekemoer (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6610-2048)
- Dan Coe (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7410-7669)
- Simon P. Driver (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9491-7327)
- Benne W. Holwerda (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4884-6756)
- Haojing Yan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7592-7714)
- Brenda Frye (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1625-8009)
- Nor Pirzkal (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3382-5941)
- Jessica Berkheimer (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6265-0541)
- Christopher N. A. Willmer (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9262-9997)
- William C. Keel (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6131-9539)
- M. Nonino (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6342-9662)
- J. M. Diego (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9065-3926)
- A. S. G. Robotham (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0429-3579)
- Tyler R. Hinrichs (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-0376-3771)
- Kaitlyn E. Keatley (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-7599-1967)
Institutions
- Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics (CA)
- Space Telescope Science Institute (US)
- University of Arizona (US)
- University of Louisville (US)
- University of Alabama (US)
- The University of Western Australia (AU)
- Trieste Astronomical Observatory (IT)
- University of Manchester (GB)
- Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté (FR)
- Instituto de Física de Cantabria (ES)
- International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (AU)
- Arizona State University (US)
- University of Maryland, College Park (US)
- University of Missouri (US)
- McMaster University (CA)
Publication Details
- Journal
- The Astronomical Journal
- Published
- 2025-12-19
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-3881/ae209a
- Primary Topic
- Galaxies: Formation, Evolution, Phenomena
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00