Abstract
We present the first detailed integral field spectroscopy study of nine central void galaxies with M* > 1010 M⊙ using the Wide Field Spectrograph to determine how a range of assembly histories manifest themselves in the current day Universe. While the majority of these galaxies are evolving secularly, we find a range of morphologies, merger histories and stellar population distributions, though similarly low Hα-derived star formation rates (<1 M⊙ yr-1). Two of our nine galaxies host active galactic nuclei, and two have kinematic disruptions to their gas that are not seen in their stellar component. Most massive void galaxies are red and discy, which we attribute to a lack of major mergers. Some have disturbed morphologies and may be in the process of evolving to early-type thanks to ongoing minor mergers at present times, likely fed by tendrils leading off filaments. The diversity in our small galaxy sample, despite being of similar mass and environment means that these galaxies are still assembling at present day, with minor mergers playing an important role in their evolution. We compare our sample to a mass and magnitude-matched sample of field galaxies, using data from the Sydney-AAO Multi-object Integral field spectrograph galaxy survey. We find that despite environmental differences, galaxies of mass M* > 1010 M⊙ have similarly low star formation rates (<3 M⊙ yr-1). The lack of distinction between the star formation rates of the void and field environments points to quenching of massive galaxies being a largely mass-related effect.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 754-770 |
| Number of pages | 17 |
| Journal | Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society |
| Volume | 459 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 11 Jun 2016 |
Keywords
- Galaxies: evolution
- Galaxies: general
- Galaxies: kinematics and dynamics
- Galaxies: stellar content
Cite this
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The many assembly histories of massive void galaxies as revealed by integral field spectroscopy. / Fraser McKelvie, Amelia; Pimbblet, Kevin; Penny, Samantha; Brown, Michael.
In: Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, Vol. 459, No. 1, 11.06.2016, p. 754-770.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
TY - JOUR
T1 - The many assembly histories of massive void galaxies as revealed by integral field spectroscopy
AU - Fraser McKelvie, Amelia
AU - Pimbblet, Kevin
AU - Penny, Samantha
AU - Brown, Michael
PY - 2016/6/11
Y1 - 2016/6/11
N2 - We present the first detailed integral field spectroscopy study of nine central void galaxies with M* > 1010 M⊙ using the Wide Field Spectrograph to determine how a range of assembly histories manifest themselves in the current day Universe. While the majority of these galaxies are evolving secularly, we find a range of morphologies, merger histories and stellar population distributions, though similarly low Hα-derived star formation rates (<1 M⊙ yr-1). Two of our nine galaxies host active galactic nuclei, and two have kinematic disruptions to their gas that are not seen in their stellar component. Most massive void galaxies are red and discy, which we attribute to a lack of major mergers. Some have disturbed morphologies and may be in the process of evolving to early-type thanks to ongoing minor mergers at present times, likely fed by tendrils leading off filaments. The diversity in our small galaxy sample, despite being of similar mass and environment means that these galaxies are still assembling at present day, with minor mergers playing an important role in their evolution. We compare our sample to a mass and magnitude-matched sample of field galaxies, using data from the Sydney-AAO Multi-object Integral field spectrograph galaxy survey. We find that despite environmental differences, galaxies of mass M* > 1010 M⊙ have similarly low star formation rates (<3 M⊙ yr-1). The lack of distinction between the star formation rates of the void and field environments points to quenching of massive galaxies being a largely mass-related effect.
AB - We present the first detailed integral field spectroscopy study of nine central void galaxies with M* > 1010 M⊙ using the Wide Field Spectrograph to determine how a range of assembly histories manifest themselves in the current day Universe. While the majority of these galaxies are evolving secularly, we find a range of morphologies, merger histories and stellar population distributions, though similarly low Hα-derived star formation rates (<1 M⊙ yr-1). Two of our nine galaxies host active galactic nuclei, and two have kinematic disruptions to their gas that are not seen in their stellar component. Most massive void galaxies are red and discy, which we attribute to a lack of major mergers. Some have disturbed morphologies and may be in the process of evolving to early-type thanks to ongoing minor mergers at present times, likely fed by tendrils leading off filaments. The diversity in our small galaxy sample, despite being of similar mass and environment means that these galaxies are still assembling at present day, with minor mergers playing an important role in their evolution. We compare our sample to a mass and magnitude-matched sample of field galaxies, using data from the Sydney-AAO Multi-object Integral field spectrograph galaxy survey. We find that despite environmental differences, galaxies of mass M* > 1010 M⊙ have similarly low star formation rates (<3 M⊙ yr-1). The lack of distinction between the star formation rates of the void and field environments points to quenching of massive galaxies being a largely mass-related effect.
KW - Galaxies: evolution
KW - Galaxies: general
KW - Galaxies: kinematics and dynamics
KW - Galaxies: stellar content
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84969961919&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1093/mnras/stw677
DO - 10.1093/mnras/stw677
M3 - Article
VL - 459
SP - 754
EP - 770
JO - Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
JF - Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
SN - 0035-8711
IS - 1
ER -