The colours of QSO host galaxies at z=2 and the evolution of their stellar masses

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Hst Proposal Id #10428 Agn/Quasars

Scientific paper

We propose to use NICMOS imaging to measure the rest-frame optical/UV colours of a complete sample of 10 QSO host galaxies at redshifts between z=1.5 and z=2. From our cycle 11 HST observations {the GEMS project} we know that QSO host galaxies at redshifts of z 1 show blue colours despite having early-type morphologies. This is in excellent agreement with recent SDSS results on low-z AGN hosts, suggesting that QSO-type activity in galaxies correlates strongly with the presence of a young stellar population. Our proposed NICMOS observations will allow us to test the validity of this hypothesis out to z 2, by relating the observed QSO host colours to those of normal galaxies at similar redshifts taken from GOODS. We have already established within GEMS that the QSO hosts in our sample possess substantial UV luminosities, most likely originating from young stars. Knowing rest-frame colours, we can estimate stellar ages and stellar masses. For the first time will it be possible to determine the evolution of stellar masses in QSO host galaxies from z=2, the epoch of maximum QSO activity, to the present. Our results will shed light on the relation between nuclear activity and the star formation history of galaxies, and how these processes may jointly drive the cosmic evolution of QSOs and galaxies.

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