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Title: The SAMI galaxy survey: Mass and environment as independent drivers of galaxy dynamics
ABSTRACT The kinematic morphology–density relation of galaxies is normally attributed to a changing distribution of galaxy stellar masses with the local environment. However, earlier studies were largely focused on slow rotators; the dynamical properties of the overall population in relation to environment have received less attention. We use the SAMI Galaxy Survey to investigate the dynamical properties of ∼1800 early and late-type galaxies with log (M⋆/M⊙) > 9.5 as a function of mean environmental overdensity (Σ5) and their rank within a group or cluster. By classifying galaxies into fast and slow rotators, at fixed stellar mass above log (M⋆/M⊙) > 10.5, we detect a higher fraction (∼3.4σ) of slow rotators for group and cluster centrals and satellites as compared to isolated-central galaxies. We find similar results when using Σ5 as a tracer for environment. Focusing on the fast-rotator population, we also detect a significant correlation between galaxy kinematics and their stellar mass as well as the environment they are in. Specifically, by using inclination-corrected or intrinsic $$\lambda _{R_{\rm {e}}}$$ values, we find that, at fixed mass, satellite galaxies on average have the lowest $$\lambda _{\, R_{\rm {e}},\rm {intr}}$$, isolated-central galaxies have the highest $$\lambda _{\, R_{\rm {e}},\rm {intr}}$$, and group and cluster centrals lie in between. Similarly, galaxies in high-density environments have lower mean $$\lambda _{\, R_{\rm {e}},\rm {intr}}$$ values as compared to galaxies at low environmental density. However, at fixed Σ5, the mean $$\lambda _{\, R_{\rm {e}},\rm {intr}}$$ differences for low and high-mass galaxies are of similar magnitude as when varying Σ5 ($$\Delta \lambda _{\, R_{\rm {e}},\rm {intr}} \sim 0.05$$, with σrandom = 0.025, and σsyst < 0.03). Our results demonstrate that after stellar mass, environment plays a significant role in the creation of slow rotators, while for fast rotators we also detect an independent, albeit smaller, impact of mass and environment on their kinematic properties.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
2009416
PAR ID:
10340273
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Volume:
508
Issue:
2
ISSN:
0035-8711
Page Range / eLocation ID:
2307 to 2328
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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