Abstract
We summarise recent progress in understanding the star formation activity in early-type galaxies (ETGs), using recent studies that leverage photometry in the rest-frame ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths. While classically thought to be old, passively-evolving systems, recent UV studies have revealed widespread star formation in ETGs, with ∼20% of the stellar mass in today's ETGs forming at late epochs (z < 1). A strong correlation is found between the presence of morphological disturbances and blue UV colours, suggesting that the star formation is merger-driven. However, the major merger rate at late epochs is far too low to satisfy the number of disturbed ETGs, indicating that minor mergers drive the star formation in these galaxies over the latter half of cosmic time. Together with the recent literature which suggests that minor mergers may drive the size evolution of massive ETGs, these results highlight the significant role of minor mergers in driving the evolution of massive galaxies in the low and intermediate-redshift Universe.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | The Spectral Energy Distribution of Galaxies |
| Editors | Richard J. Tuffs, Cristina C. Popescu |
| Pages | 460-464 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Edition | S284 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2011 Sep 1 |
Publication series
| Name | Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union |
|---|---|
| Number | S284 |
| Volume | 7 |
| ISSN (Print) | 1743-9213 |
| ISSN (Electronic) | 1743-9221 |
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All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Space and Planetary Science
Cite this
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Minor-merger-driven growth of early-type galaxies over the last 8 billion years. / Kaviraj, S.; Crockett, R. M.; Silk, J.; Ellis, R. S.; Yi, Sukyoung; O'Connell, R. W.; Windhorst, R.; Whitmore, B. C.
The Spectral Energy Distribution of Galaxies. ed. / Richard J. Tuffs; Cristina C. Popescu. S284. ed. 2011. p. 460-464 (Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union; Vol. 7, No. S284).Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution
TY - GEN
T1 - Minor-merger-driven growth of early-type galaxies over the last 8 billion years
AU - Kaviraj, S.
AU - Crockett, R. M.
AU - Silk, J.
AU - Ellis, R. S.
AU - Yi, Sukyoung
AU - O'Connell, R. W.
AU - Windhorst, R.
AU - Whitmore, B. C.
PY - 2011/9/1
Y1 - 2011/9/1
N2 - We summarise recent progress in understanding the star formation activity in early-type galaxies (ETGs), using recent studies that leverage photometry in the rest-frame ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths. While classically thought to be old, passively-evolving systems, recent UV studies have revealed widespread star formation in ETGs, with ∼20% of the stellar mass in today's ETGs forming at late epochs (z < 1). A strong correlation is found between the presence of morphological disturbances and blue UV colours, suggesting that the star formation is merger-driven. However, the major merger rate at late epochs is far too low to satisfy the number of disturbed ETGs, indicating that minor mergers drive the star formation in these galaxies over the latter half of cosmic time. Together with the recent literature which suggests that minor mergers may drive the size evolution of massive ETGs, these results highlight the significant role of minor mergers in driving the evolution of massive galaxies in the low and intermediate-redshift Universe.
AB - We summarise recent progress in understanding the star formation activity in early-type galaxies (ETGs), using recent studies that leverage photometry in the rest-frame ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths. While classically thought to be old, passively-evolving systems, recent UV studies have revealed widespread star formation in ETGs, with ∼20% of the stellar mass in today's ETGs forming at late epochs (z < 1). A strong correlation is found between the presence of morphological disturbances and blue UV colours, suggesting that the star formation is merger-driven. However, the major merger rate at late epochs is far too low to satisfy the number of disturbed ETGs, indicating that minor mergers drive the star formation in these galaxies over the latter half of cosmic time. Together with the recent literature which suggests that minor mergers may drive the size evolution of massive ETGs, these results highlight the significant role of minor mergers in driving the evolution of massive galaxies in the low and intermediate-redshift Universe.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84865677646&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84865677646&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1017/S1743921312009623
DO - 10.1017/S1743921312009623
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:84865677646
SN - 9781107019843
T3 - Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union
SP - 460
EP - 464
BT - The Spectral Energy Distribution of Galaxies
A2 - Tuffs, Richard J.
A2 - Popescu, Cristina C.
ER -