The 2df SDSS LRG and QSO survey: evolution of the luminosity function of luminous red galaxies to z = 0.6

David Wake, Robert Nichol, Daniel Eisenstein, Jon Loveday, Alastair Edge, Russell Cannon, Ian Smail, Donald Schneider, Ryan Scranton, Daniel Carson, Nic Ross, Robert Brunner, Matthew Colless, Warrwick Couch, Scott Croom, Simon Driver, Jose Angela, Sebastian Jester, Roberto De Propris, Michael DrinkwaterJoss Bland-Hawthorn, Kevin Pimbblet, Isaac Roseboom, Tom Shanks, Robert Sharp, John Brinkmann

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Abstract

We present new measurements of the luminosity function (LF) of luminous red galaxies (LRGs) from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) and the 2dF SDSS LRG and Quasar (2SLAQ) survey. We have carefully quantified, and corrected for, uncertainties in the K and evolutionary corrections, differences in the colour selection methods, and the effects of photometric errors, thus ensuring we are studying the same galaxy population in both surveys. Using a limited subset of 6326 SDSS LRGs (with 0.17 <z <0.24) and 1725 2SLAQ LRGs (with 0.5 <z <0.6), for which the matching colour selection is most reliable, we find no evidence for any additional evolution in the LRG LF, over this redshift range, beyond that expected from a simple passive evolution model.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)537 - 550
Number of pages14
JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Volume372
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2006
Externally publishedYes

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