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ABSTRACT High-redshift ($$z\sim 1$$) galaxy clusters are the domain where environmental quenching mechanisms are expected to emerge as important factors in the evolution of the quiescent galaxy population. Uncovering these initially subtle effects requires exploring multiple dependencies of quenching across the cluster environment, and through time. We analyse the stellar mass functions (SMFs) of 17 galaxy clusters within the GOGREEN and GCLASS surveys in the range $0.8< z<1.5$, and with $$\log {(M/{\rm {M_\odot }})}>9.5$$. The data are fit simultaneously with a Bayesian model that allows the Schechter function parameters of the quiescent and star-forming populations to vary smoothly with cluster-centric radius and redshift. The model also fits the radial galaxy number density profile of each population, allowing the global quenched fraction to be parametrized as a function of redshift and cluster velocity dispersion. We find the star-forming SMF to not depend on radius or redshift. For the quiescent population however, there is $$\sim 2\sigma$$ evidence for a radial dependence. Outside the cluster core ($$R>0.3\, R_{\rm 200}$$), the quenched fraction above $$\log {(M/{\rm {M_\odot }})}=9.5$$ is $$\sim 40{\rm\,\,per\, cent}$$, and the quiescent SMF is similar in shape to the star-forming field. In contrast, the cluster core has an elevated quenched fraction ($$\sim 70{\rm \,\,per\, cent}$$), and a quiescent SMF similar in shape to the quiescent field population. We explore contributions of ‘early mass-quenching’ and mass-independent ‘environmental-quenching’ models in each of these radial regimes. The core is well described primarily by early mass-quenching, which we interpret as accelerated quenching of massive galaxies in protoclusters, possibly through merger-driven feedback mechanisms. The non-core is better described through mass-independent environmental-quenching of the infalling field population.
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The GOGREEN survey: Dependence of galaxy properties on halo mass at z > 1 and implications for environmental quenching
Abstract We use photometric redshifts and statistical background subtraction to measure stellar mass functions in galaxy group-mass (4.5 − 8 × 1013 M⊙) haloes at 1 < z < 1.5. Groups are selected from COSMOS and SXDF, based on X-ray imaging and sparse spectroscopy. Stellar mass (Mstellar) functions are computed for quiescent and star-forming galaxies separately, based on their rest-frame UVJ colours. From these we compute the quiescent fraction and quiescent fraction excess (QFE) relative to the field as a function of Mstellar. QFE increases with Mstellar, similar to more massive clusters at 1 < z < 1.5. This contrasts with the apparent separability of Mstellar and environmental factors on galaxy quiescent fractions at z ∼ 0. We then compare our results with higher mass clusters at 1 < z < 1.5 and lower redshifts. We find a strong QFE dependence on halo mass at fixed Mstellar; well fit by a logarithmic slope of d(QFE)/dlog (Mhalo) ∼ 0.24 ± 0.04 for all Mstellar and redshift bins. This dependence is in remarkably good qualitative agreement with the hydrodynamic simulation BAHAMAS, but contradicts the observed dependence of QFE on Mstellar. We interpret the results using two toy models: one where a time delay until rapid (instantaneous) quenching begins upon accretion to the main progenitor (“no pre-processing”) and one where it starts upon first becoming a satellite (“pre-processing”). Delay times appear to be halo mass dependent, with a significantly stronger dependence required without pre-processing. We conclude that our results support models in which environmental quenching begins in low-mass (<1014M⊙) haloes at z > 1.
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- Award ID(s):
- 1815475
- PAR ID:
- 10328161
- Author(s) / Creator(s):
- ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; more »
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
- ISSN:
- 0035-8711
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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- Free Publicly Accessible Full Text
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Accepted Manuscript1.0
- Journal Article:
- https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/stab1955
