Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2006-12-05
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
6 pages, 3 figures, To appear in the proceedings of the XLIst Rencontres de Moriond, XXVIth Astrophysics Moriond Meeting: "Fro
Scientific paper
We investigate the redshift and luminosity evolution of the galaxy colour-density relation using the data from the First Epoch VIMOS-VLT Deep Survey (VVDS) on scales of R=5 h^(-1)Mpc up to redshift z ~ 1.5. While at lower redshift we confirm the existence of a steep colour-density relation, with the fraction of the reddest(/bluest) galaxies of the same luminosity increasing(/decreasing) as a function of density, this trend progressively disappears in the highest redshift bins investigated.Our results suggest the existence of an epoch (more remote for brighter galaxies) characterized by the absence of the colour-density relation on the R=5 h^(-1)Mpc scales investigated. The rest frame u*-g' colour-magnitude diagram shows a bimodal pattern in both low and high density environments up to redshift z ~ 1.5. We find that the bimodal distribution is not universal but strongly depends upon environment. Both the colour-density and colour-magnitude-density relations, on the R=5 h^(-1)Mpc scales, appear to be a transient, cumulative product of genetic and environmental factors that have been operating over at least a period of 9 Gyr. These findings support an evolutionary scenario in which star formation/gas depletion processes are accelerated in more luminous objects and in high density environments: star formation activity is progressively shifting with cosmic time towards lower luminosity galaxies (downsizing), and out of high density environments.
Adami Chris
Arnaboldi Magda
Arnouts Stephane
Bardelli Sandro
Bolzonella Micol
No associations
LandOfFree
Witnessing the build-up of the colour-density relation 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 Witnessing the build-up of the colour-density relation, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Witnessing the build-up of the colour-density relation will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-717363