Extreme-value modelling of the brightest galaxies at z ≳ 9

Abstract

Data from the JWST have revealed an intriguing population of bright galaxies at high redshifts. In this work, we use extreme-value statistics to calculate the distribution [in ultraviolet (UV) magnitude] of the brightest galaxies in the redshift range $9 \lesssim z \lesssim 16$. We combine the generalized extreme-value approach with modelling of the galaxy luminosity function. We obtain predictions of the brightest galaxies for a suite of luminosity functions, including the Schechter and double power-law functions, as well as a model parametrized by the stellar formation efficiency $f_*$. We find that the JWST data are broadly consistent with $f_*$ of $5\!\!-\!\!10{{\ \rm per\, cent}}$, and that the brightest galaxy at $z\sim 16$ will have $M_{\rm UV}\approx -23.5^{0.8}_{0.4}$. If $f_*$ is dependent on halo mass, we predict $M_{\rm UV}\approx -22.5^{0.5}_{1.5}$ for such an object. We show that extreme-value statistics not only predict the magnitude of the brightest galaxies at high redshifts, but may also be able to distinguish between models of star formation in high-redshift galaxies.