The Dead Sequence: A Clear Bimodality in Galaxy Colors from z=0 to z=2.5

Details The Dead Sequence: A Clear Bimodality in Galaxy Colors from z=0 to z=2.5 The Dead Sequence: A Clear Bimodality in Galaxy Colors from z=0 to z=2.5

2009-10-12

arxiv.org/abs/0910.2227v1

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

Cosmology and Extragalactic Astrophysics

5 pages + 4 figures, emulateapj format. Accepted for publication in ApJ Letters

Scientific paper

We select 25,000 galaxies from the NEWFIRM Medium Band Survey (NMBS) to study the rest-frame U-V color distribution of galaxies at 0 < z < 2.5. The five unique NIR filters of the NMBS enable the precise measurement of photometric redshifts and rest-frame colors for 9,900 galaxies at 1 < z < 2.5. The rest-frame U-V color distribution at all z<~2.5 is bimodal, with a red peak, a blue peak, and a population of galaxies in between (the green valley). Model fits to the optical-NIR SEDs and the distribution of MIPS-detected galaxies indicate that the colors of galaxies in the green valley are determined largely by the amount of reddening by dust. This result does not support the simplest interpretation of green valley objects as a transition from blue star-forming to red quiescent galaxies. We show that correcting the rest-frame colors for dust reddening allows a remarkably clean separation between the red and blue sequences up to z~2.5. Our study confirms that dusty starburst galaxies can contribute a significant fraction to red sequence samples selected on the basis of a single rest-frame color (i.e. U-V), so extra care must be taken if samples of truly "red and dead" galaxies are desired. Interestingly, of galaxies detected at 24 microns, 14% remain on the red sequence after applying the reddening correction.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

The Dead Sequence: A Clear Bimodality in Galaxy Colors from z=0 to z=2.5 does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with The Dead Sequence: A Clear Bimodality in Galaxy Colors from z=0 to z=2.5, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The Dead Sequence: A Clear Bimodality in Galaxy Colors from z=0 to z=2.5 will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-639716