deep field

The phrase deep field indicates a survey field used for surveys carrying out lengthy observations (long exposure time) to identify very distant phenomena, e.g., galaxies and quasars at high redshift. Such fields are generally small because the motivation is to reveal more detail (out to greater distances) than would be possible observing a more substantial portion of the sky; the observation time can be days or more, usually focused on a region of no more than a square degree, often much less. Often the field (or a portion of it) is subsequently used for other surveys, to cover more spectra, to add depth, and/or to follow up with spectrography. The 1995 Hubble Deep Field (HDF) is the best known and perhaps the originator of the term. Some such fields, and surveys that use them or portions of them:

The terms deep drilling and deep drilling fields are sometimes used when a survey includes both a relatively wide field to indicate a subset in which longer exposures will be carried out.