Environmental Dependence of Star-formation Properties of Galaxies at 0.5 < z < 2

  • Lee, Seong-Kook (Center for the Exploration of the Origin of the Universe, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Seoul National University) ;
  • Im, Myungshin (Center for the Exploration of the Origin of the Universe, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Seoul National University) ;
  • Kim, Jae-Woo (Center for the Exploration of the Origin of the Universe, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Seoul National University)
  • Published : 2015.04.10

Abstract

At local, galaxy properties are well known to be clearly different in different environments. However, it is still an open question how this environment-dependent trend has been shaped. In this presentation, we will show the results of our investigation about the evolution of star-formation properties of galaxies over a wide redshift range, from z~2 to z~0.5, focusing its dependence on their stellar mass and environment. In the UKIDSS/UDS region, we estimated photometric redshifts and stellar population properties, such as stellar masses and star-formation rates, using the deep optical and near-infrared data available in this field. Then, we identified galaxy cluster candidates at z~0.5-2. Through the analysis and comparison of star-formation (SF) properties of galaxies in clusters and in field, we found interesting results regarding the evolution of SF properties of galaxies: (1) regardless of redshifts, stellar mass is a key parameter controlling quenching of star formation in galaxies; (2) At z<1, environmental effects become important at quenching star formation regardless of stellar mass of galaxies; and (3) However, the result of the environmental quenching is prominent only for low mass galaxies (M* < $10^{10}M_{\odot}$) since the star formation in most of high mass galaxies are already quenched at z > 1.

Keywords