UltraVISTA: A VISTA Public Survey of the Distant Universe

Large samples of distant galaxies covering degree-scale areas are an unparalleled source of information concerning the first sources that ionised the Universe and the origin of cosmic structures. The UltraVISTA public survey, using the unique capabilities of the VISTA telescope, aims to assemble a unique sample of remote, very high-redshift galaxies. The characteristics of the first UltraVISTA data release (DR1) and the upcoming DR2 data products are described. The DR1 data, comprising just a few months of observing time, already equals or exceeds in depth all previous wide-field near-infrared images taken on the COSMOS field in the last decade. The first scientific results from UltraVISTA are presented, including new measurements of the high redshift (z ~ 7) galaxy luminosity function and an accurate determination of the type-dependent galaxy stellar mass function from z ~ 0 to z ~ 4. DR2 will reach one to two magnitudes deeper in all bands and provide our clearest picture of the structure and composition of the Universe at high redshifts.