Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2003-11-21
Astrophys.J. 604 (2004) 12-17
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
7 pages, accepted for publication in ApJ
Scientific paper
10.1086/381522
To address the problem concerning the early formation of stars in massive galaxies, we present the results of a semi-analytic model of galaxy formation which includes a physical description of starbursts triggered by galaxy interactions. These originate from the destabilization of cold galactic gas occurring in galaxy encounters, which in part feeds the accretion onto black holes powering quasars, and in part drives circumnuclear starsbursts at redshifts $z\approx 2-4$, preferentially in massive objects. This speeds up the formation of stars in massive galaxies at high redshifts without altering it in low mass galactic halos. Thus, at intermediate $z\approx 1.5-2$ we find that a considerable fraction of the stellar content of massive galaxies is already in place, at variance with the predictions of previous hierarchical models. The resulting high-$z$ star formation rate and B-band luminosity functions, and the luminosity and redshift distribution of galaxies in K-band at $z\lesssim 2$ are all in good agreement with the existing observations concerning the bright galaxy population.
Cavaliere Alfonso
Fontana Adriano
Giallongo Emanuele
Menci Nicola
Poli F.
No associations
LandOfFree
Early Hierarchical Formation of Massive Galaxies Triggered By Interactions 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 Early Hierarchical Formation of Massive Galaxies Triggered By Interactions, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Early Hierarchical Formation of Massive Galaxies Triggered By Interactions will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-112081