scholarly journals New criteria for the selection of galaxy close pairs from cosmological simulations: evolution of the major and minor merger fraction in MUSE deep fields

2019 ◽  
Vol 631 ◽  
pp. A87 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Ventou ◽  
T. Contini ◽  
N. Bouché ◽  
B. Epinat ◽  
J. Brinchmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cosmic Time ◽  
Spatial Separation ◽  
Stellar Mass ◽  
Evolutionary Trend ◽  
Mass Ratio ◽  
Major Merger ◽  
Mass Assembly ◽  
Deep Fields ◽  
Stellar Masses ◽  
Close Pairs

It remains a challenge to assess the merger fraction of galaxies at different cosmic epochs in order to probe the evolution of their mass assembly. Using the ILLUSTRIS cosmological simulation project, we investigate the relation between the separation of galaxies in a pair, both in velocity and projected spatial separation space, and the probability that these interacting galaxies will merge in the future. From this analysis, we propose a new set of criteria to select close pairs of galaxies along with a new corrective term to be applied to the computation of the galaxy merger fraction. We then probe the evolution of the major and minor merger fraction using the latest Multi-Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) deep observations over the Hubble Ultra Deep Field, Hubble Deep Field South, COSMOS-Gr30, and Abell 2744 regions. From a parent sample of 2483 galaxies with spectroscopic redshifts, we identify 366 close pairs spread over a large range of redshifts (0.2 <  z <  6) and stellar masses (107 − 1011M⊙). Using the stellar mass ratio between the secondary and primary galaxy as a proxy to split the sample into major, minor, and very minor mergers, we found a total of 183 major, 142 minor, and 47 very minor close pairs corresponding to a mass ratio range of 1:1–1:6, 1:6–1:100, and lower than 1:100, respectively. Due to completeness issues, we do not consider the very minor pairs in the analysis. Overall, the major merger fraction increases up to z ≈ 2−3 reaching 25% for pairs where the most massive galaxy has a stellar mass M⋆ ≥ 109.5 M⊙. Beyond this redshift, the fraction decreases down to ∼5% at z ≈ 6. The major merger fraction for lower-mass primary galaxies with M⋆ ≤ 109.5 M⊙ seems to follow a more constant evolutionary trend with redshift. Thanks to the addition of new MUSE fields and new selection criteria, the increased statistics of the pair samples allow us to significantly shorten the error bars compared to our previous analysis. The evolution of the minor merger fraction is roughly constant with cosmic time, with a fraction of 20% at z <  3 and a slow decrease to 8−13% in the redshift range 3 ≤ z ≤ 6.

scholarly journals The MUSEHubbleUltra Deep Field Survey

2017 ◽  
Vol 608 ◽  
pp. A9 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Ventou ◽  
T. Contini ◽  
N. Bouché ◽  
B. Epinat ◽  
J. Brinchmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Galaxy Evolution ◽  
High Redshift ◽  
Spectral Energy Distribution ◽  
Cosmic Time ◽  
Spectral Energy ◽  
Close Pair ◽  
Major Merger ◽  
Stellar Masses ◽  
Good Agreement ◽  
Close Pairs

We provide, for the first time, robust observational constraints on the galaxy major merger fraction up toz≈ 6 using spectroscopic close pair counts. Deep Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) observations in theHubbleUltra Deep Field (HUDF) andHubbleDeep Field South (HDF-S) are used to identify 113 secure close pairs of galaxies among a parent sample of 1801 galaxies spread over a large redshift range (0.2 <z< 6) and stellar masses (107−1011M⊙), thus probing about 12 Gyr of galaxy evolution. Stellar masses are estimated from spectral energy distribution (SED) fitting over the extensive UV-to-NIR HST photometry available in these deepHubblefields, addingSpitzerIRAC bands to better constrain masses for high-redshift (z⩾ 3) galaxies. These stellar masses are used to isolate a sample of 54 major close pairs with a galaxy mass ratio limit of 1:6. Among this sample, 23 pairs are identified at high redshift (z⩾ 3) through their Lyαemission. The sample of major close pairs is divided into five redshift intervals in order to probe the evolution of the merger fraction with cosmic time. Our estimates are in very good agreement with previous close pair counts with a constant increase of the merger fraction up toz≈ 3 where it reaches a maximum of 20%. At higher redshift, we show that the fraction slowly decreases down to about 10% atz≈ 6. The sample is further divided into two ranges of stellar masses using either a constant separation limit of 109.5M⊙or the median value of stellar mass computed in each redshift bin. Overall, the major close pair fraction for low-mass and massive galaxies follows the same trend. These new, homogeneous, and robust estimates of the major merger fraction sincez≈ 6 are in good agreement with recent predictions of cosmological numerical simulations.

scholarly journals Towards a consistent framework of comparing galaxy mergers in observations and simulations

2020 ◽  
Vol 644 ◽  
pp. A87
Author(s):  
L. Wang ◽  
W. J. Pearson ◽  
V. Rodriguez-Gomez
Keyword(s):  
Mass Range ◽  
Stellar Mass ◽  
Mass Scale ◽  
Mass Dependence ◽  
Deep Convolutional Neural Networks ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Galaxy ◽  
Major Merger ◽  
Mass Assembly ◽  
Stellar Masses

Aims. We aim to perform consistent comparisons between observations and simulations on the mass dependence of the galaxy major merger fraction at low redshift over an unprecedentedly wide range of stellar masses (∼109 to 1012 M⊙). Methods. We first carry out forward modelling of ideal synthetic images of major mergers and non-mergers selected from the Next Generation Illustris Simulations (IllustrisTNG) to include major observational effects. We then train deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs) using realistic mock observations of galaxy samples from the simulations. Subsequently, we apply the trained CNNs to real the Kilo-Degree Survey (KiDS) images of galaxies selected from the Galaxy And Mass Assembly (GAMA) survey. Based on the major merger samples, which are detected in a consistent manner in the observations and simulations, we determine the dependence of major merger fraction on stellar mass at z ∼ 0.15 and make comparisons between the two. Results. The detected major merger fraction in the GAMA/KiDS observations has a fairly mild decreasing trend with increasing stellar mass over the mass range 109 M⊙ <  M* <  1011.5 M⊙. There is good agreement in the mass dependence of the major merger fraction in the GAMA/KiDS observations and the IllustrisTNG simulations over 109.5 M⊙ <  M* <  1010.5 M⊙. However, the observations and the simulations show some differences at M* >  1010.5 M⊙, possibly due to the supermassive blackhole feedback in its low-accretion state in the simulations which causes a sharp transition in the quenched fractions at this mass scale. The discrepancy could also be due to the relatively small volume of the simulations and/or differences in how stellar masses are measured in simulations and observations.

scholarly journals Comparing galaxy clustering in Horizon-AGN simulated light-cone mocks and VIDEO observations

2019 ◽  
Vol 490 (4) ◽  
pp. 5043-5056 ◽  
Author(s):  
P W Hatfield ◽  
C Laigle ◽  
M J Jarvis ◽  
J Devriendt ◽  
I Davidzon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Light Cone ◽  
Spectral Energy Distribution ◽  
Cosmic Time ◽  
Stellar Mass ◽  
Spectral Energy ◽  
Mass Ratio ◽  
Distribution Fitting ◽  
Low Mass ◽  
Stellar Masses ◽  
Mass Functions

ABSTRACT Hydrodynamical cosmological simulations have recently made great advances in reproducing galaxy mass assembly over cosmic time – as often quantified from the comparison of their predicted stellar mass functions to observed stellar mass functions from data. In this paper, we compare the clustering of galaxies from the hydrodynamical cosmological simulated light-cone Horizon-AGN to clustering measurements from the VIDEO survey observations. Using mocks built from a VIDEO-like photometry, we first explore the bias introduced into clustering measurements by using stellar masses and redshifts derived from spectral energy distribution fitting, rather than the intrinsic values. The propagation of redshift and mass statistical and systematic uncertainties in the clustering measurements causes us to underestimate the clustering amplitude. We then find that clustering and halo occupation distribution (HOD) modelling results are qualitatively similar in Horizon-AGN and VIDEO. However, at low stellar masses, Horizon-AGN underestimates the observed clustering by up to a factor of ∼3, reflecting the known excess stellar mass to halo mass ratio for Horizon-AGN low-mass haloes, already discussed in previous works. This reinforces the need for stronger regulation of star formation in low-mass haloes in the simulation. Finally, the comparison of the stellar mass to halo mass ratio in the simulated catalogue, inferred from angular clustering, to that directly measured from the simulation validates HOD modelling of clustering as a probe of the galaxy–halo connection.

scholarly journals The role of mergers and interactions in driving the evolution of dwarf galaxies over cosmic time

2020 ◽  
Vol 500 (4) ◽  
pp. 4937-4957 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Martin ◽  
R A Jackson ◽  
S Kaviraj ◽  
H Choi ◽  
J E G Devriendt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Dwarf Galaxies ◽  
Large Fraction ◽  
Structural Evolution ◽  
Cosmic Time ◽  
Stellar Mass ◽  
High Mass ◽  
Key Drivers ◽  
Mass Assembly

ABSTRACT Dwarf galaxies (M⋆ &lt; 109 M⊙) are key drivers of mass assembly in high-mass galaxies, but relatively little is understood about the assembly of dwarf galaxies themselves. Using the NewHorizon cosmological simulation (∼40 pc spatial resolution), we investigate how mergers and fly-bys drive the mass assembly and structural evolution of around 1000 field and group dwarfs up to z = 0.5. We find that, while dwarf galaxies often exhibit disturbed morphologies (5 and 20 per cent are disturbed at z = 1 and z = 3 respectively), only a small proportion of the morphological disturbances seen in dwarf galaxies are driven by mergers at any redshift (for 109 M⊙, mergers drive under 20 per cent morphological disturbances). They are instead primarily the result of interactions that do not end in a merger (e.g. fly-bys). Given the large fraction of apparently morphologically disturbed dwarf galaxies which are not, in fact, merging, this finding is particularly important to future studies identifying dwarf mergers and post-mergers morphologically at intermediate and high redshifts. Dwarfs typically undergo one major and one minor merger between z = 5 and z = 0.5, accounting for 10 per cent of their total stellar mass. Mergers can also drive moderate star formation enhancements at lower redshifts (3 or 4 times at z = 1), but this accounts for only a few per cent of stellar mass in the dwarf regime given their infrequency. Non-merger interactions drive significantly smaller star formation enhancements (around two times), but their preponderance relative to mergers means they account for around 10 per cent of stellar mass formed in the dwarf regime.

scholarly journals The stellar mass assembly of low-redshift, massive, central galaxies in SDSS and the TNG300 simulation

2020 ◽  
Vol 497 (4) ◽  
pp. 4262-4275
Author(s):  
Thomas M Jackson ◽  
A Pasquali ◽  
C Pacifici ◽  
C Engler ◽  
A Pillepich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spectral Energy Distribution ◽  
Stellar Mass ◽  
Spectral Energy ◽  
Distribution Fitting ◽  
Stellar Ages ◽  
Mass Assembly ◽  
Galaxy Assembly ◽  
The Times ◽  
Stellar Masses ◽  
Kinetic Mode

ABSTRACT The stellar mass assembly of galaxies can be affected by both secular and environmental processes. In this study, for the first time, we investigate the stellar mass assembly of $\sim 90\, 000$ low-redshift, central galaxies selected from SDSS group catalogues ($M_{\rm Stellar}\gtrsim 10^{9.5}\, \mathrm{M}_{\odot }$, $M_{\rm Halo}\gtrsim 10^{12}\, \mathrm{M}_{\odot }$) as a function of both stellar mass and halo mass. We use estimates of the times at which 10, 50, and 90 per cent of the stellar mass were assembled from photometric spectral energy distribution fitting, allowing a more complete investigation than single stellar ages alone. We consider trends in both stellar mass and halo mass simultaneously, finding dependences of all assembly times on both. We find that galaxies with higher stellar masses (at constant halo mass) have on average older lookback times, similar to previous studies of galaxy assembly. We also find that galaxies at higher halo mass (at constant stellar mass) have younger lookback times, possibly due to a larger reservoir of gas for star formation. An exception to this is a subsample with high stellar-to-halo mass ratios, which are likely massive, field spirals. We compare these observed trends to those predicted by the TNG300 simulation, finding good agreement overall as a function of either stellar mass or halo mass. However, some differences in the assembly times (of up to ∼3 Gyr) appear when considering both stellar mass and halo mass simultaneously, noticeably at intermediate stellar masses (MStellar ∼ 1011 M⊙). These discrepancies are possibly linked to the quenched fraction of galaxies and the kinetic mode active galactic nucleus feedback implemented in TNG300.

scholarly journals Effect of the environment on star formation activity and stellar mass for star-forming galaxies in the COSMOS field

2020 ◽  
Vol 499 (1) ◽  
pp. 948-956
Author(s):  
S M Randriamampandry ◽  
M Vaccari ◽  
K M Hess
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Main Sequence ◽  
Star Formation Rate ◽  
Formation Rate ◽  
Cosmic Time ◽  
Stellar Mass ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
Galaxy Environment ◽  
Stellar Masses ◽  
The Relationship

ABSTRACT We investigate the relationship between the environment and the galaxy main sequence (the relationship between stellar mass and star formation rate), as well as the relationship between the environment and radio luminosity ($P_{\rm 1.4\, GHz}$), to shed new light on the effects of the environment on galaxies. We use the VLA-COSMOS 3-GHz catalogue, which consists of star-forming galaxies and quiescent galaxies (active galactic nuclei) in three different environments (field, filament, cluster) and for three different galaxy types (satellite, central, isolated). We perform for the first time a comparative analysis of the distribution of star-forming galaxies with respect to the main-sequence consensus region from the literature, taking into account galaxy environment and using radio observations at 0.1 ≤ z ≤ 1.2. Our results corroborate that the star formation rate is declining with cosmic time, which is consistent with the literature. We find that the slope of the main sequence for different z and M* bins is shallower than the main-sequence consensus, with a gradual evolution towards higher redshift bins, irrespective of environment. We see no trends for star formation rate in either environment or galaxy type, given the large errors. In addition, we note that the environment does not seem to be the cause of the flattening of the main sequence at high stellar masses for our sample.

scholarly journals Kraken reveals itself – the merger history of the Milky Way reconstructed with the E-MOSAICS simulations

2020 ◽  
Vol 498 (2) ◽  
pp. 2472-2491 ◽  
Author(s):  
J M Diederik Kruijssen ◽  
Joel L Pfeffer ◽  
Mélanie Chevance ◽  
Ana Bonaca ◽  
Sebastian Trujillo-Gomez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Globular Clusters ◽  
Milky Way ◽  
Mass Range ◽  
Stellar Mass ◽  
Host Galaxies ◽  
Stellar Halo ◽  
Major Merger ◽  
Virial Mass ◽  
Minor Mergers ◽  
Stellar Masses

ABSTRACT Globular clusters (GCs) formed when the Milky Way experienced a phase of rapid assembly. We use the wealth of information contained in the Galactic GC population to quantify the properties of the satellite galaxies from which the Milky Way assembled. To achieve this, we train an artificial neural network on the E-MOSAICS cosmological simulations of the co-formation and co-evolution of GCs and their host galaxies. The network uses the ages, metallicities, and orbital properties of GCs that formed in the same progenitor galaxies to predict the stellar masses and accretion redshifts of these progenitors. We apply the network to Galactic GCs associated with five progenitors: Gaia-Enceladus, the Helmi streams, Sequoia, Sagittarius, and the recently discovered ‘low-energy’ GCs, which provide an excellent match to the predicted properties of the enigmatic galaxy ‘Kraken’. The five galaxies cover a narrow stellar mass range [M⋆ = (0.6–4.6) × 108 M⊙], but have widely different accretion redshifts ($\mbox{$z_{\rm acc}$}=0.57\!-\!2.65$). All accretion events represent minor mergers, but Kraken likely represents the most major merger ever experienced by the Milky Way, with stellar and virial mass ratios of $\mbox{$r_{M_\star }$}=1$:$31^{+34}_{-16}$ and $\mbox{$r_{M_{\rm h}}$}=1$:$7^{+4}_{-2}$, respectively. The progenitors match the z = 0 relation between GC number and halo virial mass, but have elevated specific frequencies, suggesting an evolution with redshift. Even though these progenitors likely were the Milky Way’s most massive accretion events, they contributed a total mass of only log (M⋆, tot/M⊙) = 9.0 ± 0.1, similar to the stellar halo. This implies that the Milky Way grew its stellar mass mostly by in-situ star formation. We conclude by organizing these accretion events into the most detailed reconstruction to date of the Milky Way’s merger tree.

scholarly journals A systematic metallicity study of DustPedia galaxies reveals evolution in the dust-to-metal ratios

2019 ◽  
Vol 623 ◽  
pp. A5 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. De Vis ◽  
A. Jones ◽  
S. Viaene ◽  
V. Casasola ◽  
C. J. R. Clark ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Grain Growth ◽  
Stellar Mass ◽  
Mass Ratio ◽  
Local Conditions ◽  
Metal Ratio ◽  
Stellar Masses ◽  
Dust Grain ◽  
Dust Grain Growth ◽  
Metal Ratios

Observations of evolution in the dust-to-metal ratio allow us to constrain the dominant dust processing mechanisms. In this work, we present a study of the dust-to-metal and dust-to-gas ratios in a sub-sample of ~500 DustPedia galaxies. Using literature and MUSE emission line fluxes, we derived gas-phase metallicities (oxygen abundances) for over 10 000 individual regions and determine characteristic metallicities for each galaxy. We study how the relative dust, gas, and metal contents of galaxies evolve by using metallicity and gas fraction as proxies for evolutionary state. The global oxygen abundance and nitrogen-to-oxygen ratio are found to increase monotonically as galaxies evolve. Additionally, unevolved galaxies (gas fraction >60%, metallicity 12 + log(O∕H) < 8.2) have dust-to-metal ratios that are about a factor of 2.1 lower (a factor of six lower for galaxies with gas fraction >80%) than the typical dust-to-metal ratio (Md∕MZ ~ 0.214) for more evolved sources. However, for high gas fractions, the scatter is larger due to larger observational uncertainties as well as a potential dependence of the dust grain growth timescale and supernova dust yield on local conditions and star formation histories. We find chemical evolution models with a strong contribution from dust grain growth describe these observations reasonably well. The dust-to-metal ratio is also found to be lower for low stellar masses and high specific star formation rates (with the exception of some sources undergoing a starburst). Finally, the metallicity gradient correlates weakly with the HI-to-stellar mass ratio, the effective radius and the dust-to-stellar mass ratio, but not with stellar mass.

scholarly journals A contribution of star-forming clumps and accreting satellites to the mass assembly of z ∼ 2 galaxies

2019 ◽  
Vol 489 (2) ◽  
pp. 2792-2818 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Zanella ◽  
E Le Floc’h ◽  
C M Harrison ◽  
E Daddi ◽  
E Bernhard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Star Formation Rate ◽  
Formation Rate ◽  
Stellar Mass ◽  
Mass Ratio ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
Spatially Resolved ◽  
The Galaxy ◽  
Mass Assembly

ABSTRACT We investigate the contribution of clumps and satellites to the galaxy mass assembly. We analysed spatially resolved HubbleSpace Telescope observations (imaging and slitless spectroscopy) of 53 star-forming galaxies at z ∼ 1–3. We created continuum and emission line maps and pinpointed residual ‘blobs’ detected after subtracting the galaxy disc. Those were separated into compact (unresolved) and extended (resolved) components. Extended components have sizes ∼2 kpc and comparable stellar mass and age as the galaxy discs, whereas the compact components are 1.5 dex less massive and 0.4 dex younger than the discs. Furthermore, the extended blobs are typically found at larger distances from the galaxy barycentre than the compact ones. Prompted by these observations and by the comparison with simulations, we suggest that compact blobs are in situ formed clumps, whereas the extended ones are accreting satellites. Clumps and satellites enclose, respectively, ∼20 per cent and ≲80 per cent of the galaxy stellar mass, ∼30 per cent and ∼20 per cent of its star formation rate. Considering the compact blobs, we statistically estimated that massive clumps (M⋆ ≳ 109 M⊙) have lifetimes of ∼650 Myr, and the less massive ones (108 < M⋆ < 109 M⊙) of ∼145 Myr. This supports simulations predicting long-lived clumps (lifetime ≳ 100 Myr). Finally, ≲30 per cent (13 per cent) of our sample galaxies are undergoing single (multiple) merger(s), they have a projected separation ≲10 kpc, and the typical mass ratio of our satellites is 1:5 (but ranges between 1:10 and 1:1), in agreement with literature results for close pair galaxies.

scholarly journals Spatially-resolved SFR in nearby disk galaxies using IFS data

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (S321) ◽  
pp. 273-273
Author(s):  
C. Catalán-Torrecilla ◽  
A. Gil de Paz ◽  
A. Castillo-Morales ◽  
J. Méndez-Abreu ◽  
S. Pascual ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Spatial Information ◽  
Formation Rate ◽  
Cosmic Time ◽  
Stellar Mass ◽  
Massive Galaxies ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
Spatially Resolved ◽  
Open Questions ◽  
Stellar Masses

AbstractExploring the spatial distribution of the star formation rate (SFR) in nearby galaxies is essential to understand their evolution through cosmic time. With this aim in mind, we use a representative sample that contains a variety of morphological types, the CALIFA Integral Field Spectroscopy (IFS) sample. Previous to this work, we have verified that our extinction-corrected Hα measurements successfully reproduce the values derived from other SFR tracers such as Hαobs + IR or UVobs + IR (Catalán-Torrecilla et al. 2015).Now, we go one step further applying 2-dimensional photometric decompositions (Méndez-Abreu et al. (2008), Méndez-Abreu et al. (2014)) over these datacubes. This method allows us to obtain the amount of SFR in the central part (bulge or nuclear source), the bar and the disk, separately. First, we determine the light coming from each component as the ratio between the luminosity in every component (bulge, bar or disk) and the total luminosity of the galaxy. Then, for each galaxy we multiply the IFS datacubes by these previous factors to recover the luminosity in each component. Finally, we derive the spectrum associated to each galaxy component integrating the spatial information in the weighted datacube using an elliptical aperture covering the whole galaxy.2D photometric decomposition applied over 3D datacubes will give us a more detailed understanding of the role that disks play in more massive galaxies. Knowing if the disks in more massive SF galaxies have on average a lower or higher level of star formation activity and how these results are affected by the presence of nuclear bars are still open questions that we can now solve. We describe the behavior of these components in the SFR vs. stellar mass diagram. In particular, we highlight the role of the disks and their contribution to both the integrated SFR for the whole galaxy and the SFR in the disk at different stellar masses in the SFR vs. stellar mass diagram together with their relative position to the star forming Main Sequence.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document