MAMMOTH-LyC: Investigating the Role of Galaxy Mergers in a Strong Lyman Continuum Leaker at z=2.39
The MAMMOTH-LyC survey discovered J1244-LyC1, a strong Lyman continuum (LyC) leaker at z=2.39 showing clear merger signs. This is the first confirmed high-redshift LyC-leaking merger and the most massive LyC emitter found. The study suggests tidal interactions in mergers disrupt gas, creating pathways for ionizing photons to escape into space, providing evidence for mergers driving cosmic reionization.