Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2007-11-30
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
30 pages, 28 figures, scheduled to appear as part of the GALEX Special Ap.J.Suppl., December, 2007 (29 papers)
Scientific paper
10.1086/524659
We use the UV-optical color magnitude diagram in combination with spectroscopic and photometric measurements derived from the SDSS spectroscopic sample to measure the distribution of galaxies in the local universe (z<0.25) and their physical properties as a function of specific star formation rate (SSFR) and stellar mass. Throughout this study our emphasis is on the properties of galaxies on and off of a local "star-forming sequence." We discuss how the physical characteristics of galaxies along this sequence are related to scaling relations typically derived for galaxies of different morphological types. We find, among other trends that our measure of the star formation rate surface density is nearly constant along this sequence. We discuss this result and implications for galaxies at higher redshift. For the first time, we report on measurements of the local UV luminosity function versus galaxy structural parameters as well as inclination. We also split our sample into disk-dominated and bulge-dominated subsamples using the i-band Sersic index and find that disk-dominated galaxies occupy a very tight locus in SSFR vs. stellar mass space while bulge-dominated galaxies display a much larger spread of SSFR at fixed stellar mass. A significant fraction of galaxies with SSFR and SF surface density above those on the "star-forming sequence" are bulge-dominated. We can use our derived distribution functions to ask whether a significant fraction of these galaxies may be experiencing a final episode of star formation (possibly induced by a merger or other burst), soon to be quenched, by determining whether this population can explain the growth rate of the non-star-forming galaxies on the "red sequence." (Abridged)
Barlow Tom A.
Bianchi Luciana
Budavari Tamas
Donas Jose
Forster Karl G.
No associations
LandOfFree
The UV-Optical Color Magnitude Diagram II: Physical Properties and Morphological Evolution On and Off of a Star-Forming Sequence 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 UV-Optical Color Magnitude Diagram II: Physical Properties and Morphological Evolution On and Off of a Star-Forming Sequence, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The UV-Optical Color Magnitude Diagram II: Physical Properties and Morphological Evolution On and Off of a Star-Forming Sequence will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-702027