The Abundance and Properties of Barred Galaxies out to $z \sim$ 4 Using $\textit{JWST}$ CEERS Data

Yuchen Guo, Shardha Jogee, Eden Wise, Keith Pritchett Jr., Elizabeth J. McGrath, Steven L. Finkelstein, Kartheik G. Iyer, Pablo Arrabal Haro, Micaela B. Bagley, Mark Dickinson, Jeyhan S. Kartaltepe, Anton M. Koekemoer, Casey Papovich, Nor Pirzkal, L. Y. Aaron Yung, Bren E. Backhaus, Eric F. Bell, Rachana Bhatawdekar, Yingjie Cheng, Luca Costantin, Alexander de la Vega, Mauro Giavalisco, Nimish P. Hathi, Benne W. Holwerda, Peter Kurczynski, Ray A. Lucas, Bahram Mobasher, Pablo G. Pérez-González, Fabio Pacucci

Published 2024-09-09Version 1

We analyze $\textit{JWST}$ CEERS NIRCam images to present {the first estimate} of the observed fraction and properties of bars out to $z \sim 4$. We analyze a sample of 1770 galaxies with stellar mass $M_\star > 10^{10} M_\odot$ at $0.5 \leq z \leq 4$ and identify barred galaxies via ellipse fits and visual classification of both F200W and F444W images. Our results apply mainly to bars with projected semi-major axis $a_{\rm bar}$ $> 1.5 $ kpc ($\sim$ 2 $\times$ PSF in F200W images) that can be robustly traced by ellipse fits. For such bars, the {observed} bar fraction at $z\sim$ 2-4 is low ($\lesssim 10\%$), and they appear to be emerging at least as early as $z\sim 4$ when the Universe was $\sim$ 13\% of its present age. At $z\sim$ 2-4, compared to our results, TNG50 simulations {predict} a significantly larger bar fraction due to a large population of small bars with $a_{\rm bar}$ $< 1.5$ kpc {that we cannot robustly detect}. If such a population exists, the true bar fraction may be significantly higher than our results. At $z \ge 1.5$, many barred galaxies show nearby neighbors, suggesting bars may be tidally triggered. {From $z \sim 4$ to $z \sim 0.5$, the observed bar fraction, average projected bar length, and projected bar strength rise.} Our results highlight the early emergence and evolution of barred galaxies and the rising importance of bar-driven secular evolution from $z \sim$4 to today.