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Abstract We investigate how cosmic web structures affect galaxy quenching in the IllustrisTNG (TNG100) cosmological simulations by reconstructing the cosmic web within each snapshot using the D is P er SE framework. We measure the comoving distance from each galaxy with stellar mass log ( M * / M ⊙ ) ≥ 8 to the nearest node ( d node ) and the nearest filament spine ( d fil ) to study the dependence of both the median specific star formation rate (〈sSFR〉) and the median gas fraction (〈 f gas 〉) on these distances. We find that the 〈sSFR〉 of galaxies is only dependent on the cosmic web environment at z < 2, with the dependence increasing with time. At z ≤ 0.5, 8 ≤ log ( M * / M ⊙ ) < 9 galaxies are quenched at d node ≲ 1 Mpc, and have significantly suppressed star formation at d fil ≲ 1 Mpc, trends driven mostly by satellite galaxies. At z ≤ 1, in contrast to the monotonic drop in 〈sSFR〉 of log ( M * / M ⊙ ) < 10 galaxies with decreasing d node and d fil , log ( M * / M ⊙ ) ≥ 10 galaxies—both centrals and satellites—experience an upturn in 〈sSFR〉 at d node ≲ 0.2 Mpc. Much of this cosmic web dependence of star formation activity can be explained by an evolution in 〈 f gas 〉. Our results suggest that in the past ∼10 Gyr, low-mass satellites are quenched by rapid gas stripping in dense environments near nodes and gradual gas starvation in intermediate-density environments near filaments. At earlier times, cosmic web structures efficiently channeled cold gas into most galaxies. State-of-the-art ongoing spectroscopic surveys such as the Sloan Digital Sky Survey and DESI, as well as those planned with the Subaru Prime Focus Spectrograph, JWST, and Roman, are required to test our predictions against observations.
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Environmental versus intrinsic quenching at cosmic noon: predictions from cosmological hydrodynamical simulations for VLT-MOONRISE
ABSTRACT We present an investigation into the quenching of simulated galaxies across cosmic time, honing in on the role played by both intrinsic and environmental mechanisms at different epochs. In anticipation of VLT-MOONRISE, Very Large Telescope MOONS (Multi-Object Optical and Near-infrared Spectrograph) Redshift-Intensive Survey Experiment, the first wide-field spectroscopic galaxy survey to target cosmic noon, this work provides clear predictions to compare to the future observations. We investigate the quenching of centrals, high-mass satellites, and low-mass satellites from two cosmological hydrodynamical simulations: Illustris The Next Generation and Evolution and Assembly of GaLaxies and their Environment. Satellites are split according to bespoke mass thresholds, designed to separate environmental and intrinsic quenching mechanisms. To determine the best parameter for predicting quiescence, we apply a Random Forest classification analysis for each galaxy class at each epoch. The Random Forest classification determines supermassive black hole mass as the best predictor of quiescence in centrals and high-mass satellites. Alternatively, the quenching of low-mass satellites is best predicted by group halo mass, at all epochs. Additionally, we investigate the evolution in the dependence of the quenched fraction with various parameters, revealing a more complex picture. There is strong evidence for the rejuvenation of star formation from z = 2 to z = 0 in EAGLE, but not in IllustrisTNG. The starkest discrepancy between simulations rests in the mass threshold analysis. While IllustrisTNG predicts the existence of environmentally quenched satellites visible within the survey limits of MOONRISE, EAGLE does not. Hence, MOONRISE will provide critical data that is needed to evaluate current models, and constrain future models, of quenching processes.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2346977
- PAR ID:
- 10645071
- Publisher / Repository:
- Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
- Volume:
- 543
- Issue:
- 3
- ISSN:
- 0035-8711
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 2006 to 2034
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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- Free Publicly Accessible Full Text
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Accepted Manuscript
- Journal Article:
- https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/staf1554
