The structures of distant galaxies – I. Galaxy structures and the merger rate to z ∼ 3 in the Hubble Ultra-Deep Field

This paper begins a series in which we examine the structures of distant galaxies to directly determine the history of their formation modes. We start this series by examining the structures of zF850LP 10¹0 M₀ undergo 4. 3_+0. 8^-0. 8 major galaxy mergers at z 1.