Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics – Cosmology and Extragalactic Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2010-12-23
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
Cosmology and Extragalactic Astrophysics
26 pages, 24 figures, 4 tables accepted for publication in MNRAS (30th June 2011)
Scientific paper
We present the first direct and unbiased measurement of the evolution of the dust mass function of galaxies over the past 5 billion years of cosmic history using data from the Science Demonstration Phase of the Herschel-ATLAS. The sample consists of galaxies selected at 250{\mu}m which have reliable counterparts from SDSS at z < 0.5, and contains 1867 sources. Dust masses are calculated using both a single temperature grey-body model for the spectral energy distribution and also using a model with multiple temperature components. The dust temperature for either model shows no trend with redshift. Splitting the sample into bins of redshift reveals a strong evolution in the dust properties of the most massive galaxies. At z = 0.4 - 0.5, massive galaxies had dust masses about five times larger than in the local Universe. At the same time, the dust-to-stellar mass ratio was about 3-4 times larger, and the optical depth derived from fitting the UV-sub-mm data with an energy balance model was also higher. This increase in the dust content of massive galaxies at high redshift is difficult to explain using standard dust evolution models and requires a rapid gas consumption timescale together with either a more top-heavy IMF, efficient mantle growth, less dust destruction or combinations of all three. This evolution in dust mass is likely to be associated with a change in overall ISM mass, and points to an enhanced supply of fuel for star formation at earlier cosmic epochs.
Auld Robbie
Baes Maarten
Bonfield David
Bourne Nathan
Buttiglione Sara
No associations
LandOfFree
Herschel-ATLAS: Rapid evolution of dust in galaxies in the last 5 billion years 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 Herschel-ATLAS: Rapid evolution of dust in galaxies in the last 5 billion years, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Herschel-ATLAS: Rapid evolution of dust in galaxies in the last 5 billion years will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-296629