JADES Reveals a JWST view of GN-z11

In two papers, we present JADES data about the remarkable galaxy GN-z11. This is the most luminous z>10 galaxy candidate in the GOODS-N field, discovered originally with HST.

JADES spectroscopy presented in Bunker et al. (2023) shows an amazing infrared NIRSpec spectrum for GN-z11, revealing at least a dozen emission lines and giving a secure redshift of z=10.60. Remarkably, we detect Lyman-alpha in emission, despite the expectation that the IGM should be highly neutral. We also find unusual line ratios seemingly indicative of enhanced nitrogen abundance.

JADES imaging presented in Tacchella et al. (2023) detects GN-z11 at high signal-to-noise ratio in seven filters, showing a classic dropout spectral energy distribution. The galaxy is quite compact, with half the light interior to 100 pc, yet it is not point-like. In addition to the mildly resolved core, there is a haze about 0.4” away that may or may not be associated. We also find that GN-z11 may sit in an overdensity with nine other galaxies out to about 5 comoving Mpc away with photometric redshifts consistent with z=10.6.