Bibcode
DOI
Azzollini, R.; Trujillo, I.; Beckman, J. E.
Bibliographical reference
The Astrophysical Journal, Volume 684, Issue 2, pp. 1026-1047.
Advertised on:
9
2008
Journal
Citations
51
Refereed citations
43
Description
We have conducted the largest systematic search so far for stellar disk
truncations in disklike galaxies at intermediate redshift (z<1.1),
using the Great Observatories Origins Deep Survey-South (GOODS-S) data
from the Hubble Space Telescope ACS. Focusing on type II galaxies (i.e.,
downbending profiles), we explore whether the position of the break in
the rest-frame B-band radial surface brightness profile (a direct
estimator of the extent of the disk where most of the massive star
formation is taking place) evolves with time. The number of galaxies
under analysis (238 of a total of 505) is an order of magnitude larger
than in previous studies. For the first time, we probe the evolution of
the break radius for a given stellar mass (a parameter well suited to
address evolutionary studies). Our results suggest that, for a given
stellar mass, the radial position of the break has increased with cosmic
time by a factor of 1.3+/-0.1 between z~1 and ~0. This is in agreement
with a moderate inside-out growth of the disk galaxies in the last ~8
Gyr. In the same period of time, the surface brightness level in the
rest-frame B band at which the break takes place has increased by
3.3+/-0.2 mag arcsec-2 (a decrease in brightness by a factor
of 20.9+/-4.2). We have explored the distribution of the scale lengths
of the disks in the region inside the break and how this parameter
relates to the break radius. We also present results of the statistical
analysis of profiles of artificial galaxies, to assess the reliability
of our results.
Related projects
Kinematic, Structural and Composition Studies of the Interstellar and Intergalactic Media
The basic objective of the broject is to investigate the evolution of galaxies by deepening our understanding of the interaction between the insterstellar medium and the stars.The main technique which we use is the two-dimensional kinematic study of whole galaxies observed using our instrument:GHaFaS, a Fabry-Perot interferometer on the William
Prof.
John E. Beckman
Traces of Galaxy Formation: Stellar populations, Dynamics and Morphology
We are a large, diverse, and very active research group aiming to provide a comprehensive picture for the formation of galaxies in the Universe. Rooted in detailed stellar population analysis, we are constantly exploring and developing new tools and ideas to understand how galaxies came to be what we now observe.
Ignacio
Martín Navarro