JWST Insights into Narrow-line Little Red Dots
Abstract
Abstract JWST has revealed a population of red and compact objects with unique “V-shaped” spectral energy distributions (SEDs) known as “Little Red Dots” (LRDs). Many LRDs exhibit broad Balmer lines and thus likely host active galactic nuclei (AGNs). Here we present a study of five LRDs without broad H α lines at z ≥ 5. They are selected from 32 LRDs that have NIRSpec high- or medium-resolution grating spectra covering H α , and their H α line widths are around 250 km s −1 . Compared to normal star-forming galaxies, narrow-line LRDs tend to have relatively higher H α line widths and luminosities. If they are dominated by galaxies, our SED modeling suggests that they are dusty, compact star-forming galaxies with high stellar masses and star formation rates. Alternatively, if their SEDs are produced by AGNs, the inferred black hole masses (
Fields of Study & Subjects
Galaxies: Formation
Evolution
Phenomena
Astronomy and Astrophysical Research
Astrophysical Phenomena and Observations
Publication details
- Journal / source
- The Astrophysical Journal
- Publisher
- American Astronomical Society
- Volume
- 998
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 170–170
- Publication date
- 9 February 2026
- Language
- EN