The MOSDEF survey: The dependence of Hα-to-UV SFR ratios on SFR and size at z ∼ 2
Abstract We perform an aperture-matched analysis of dust-corrected Hα and UV SFRs using 303 star-forming galaxies with spectroscopic redshifts 1.36 < zspec < 2.66 from the MOSFIRE Deep Evolution Field (MOSDEF) survey. By combining Hα and Hβ emission line measurements with multi-waveband resolved CANDELS/3D-HST imaging, we directly compare dust-corrected Hα and UV SFRs, inferred assuming a fixed attenuation curve shape and constant SFHs, within the spectroscopic aperture. Previous studies have found that Hα and UV SFRs inferred with these assumptions generally agree for typical star-forming galaxies, but become increasingly discrepant for galaxies with higher SFRs (≳100 M⊙ yr−1), with Hα-to-UV SFR ratios being larger for these galaxies. Our analysis shows that this trend persists even after carefully accounting for the apertures over which Hα and UV-based SFRs (and the nebular and stellar continuum reddening) are derived. Furthermore, our results imply that Hα SFRs may be higher in the centers of large galaxies (i.e. where there is coverage by the spectroscopic aperture) compared to their outskirts, which could be indicative of inside-out galaxy growth. Overall, we suggest that the persistent difference between nebular and stellar continuum reddening and high Hα-to-UV SFR ratios at the centers of large galaxies may be indicative of a patchier distribution of dust in galaxies with high SFRs.