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Abstract
We derive deep I-band luminosity functions and colour-magnitude diagrams from Hubble Space Telescope imaging for eleven 0.2 <z <0.6 clusters observed at various stages of merging, and a comparison sample of five more relaxed clusters at similar redshifts. The characteristic magnitude M* evolves passively out to z = 0.6, while the faint-end slope of the luminosity function is alpha similar to -1 at all redshifts. Cluster galaxies must have been completely assembled down to M-I similar to -18 out to z = 0.6. We observe tight colour-magnitude relations over a luminosity range of up to 8 mag., consistent with the passive evolution of ancient stellar populations. This is found in all clusters, irrespective of their dynamical status (involved in a collision or not, or even within subclusters for the same object), and suggests that environment does not have a strong influence on galaxy properties. A red sequence luminosity function can be followed to the limits of our photometry: we see no evidence of a weakening of the red sequence to z = 0.6. The blue galaxy fraction rises with redshift, especially at fainter absolute magnitudes. We observe bright blue galaxies in clusters at z > 0.4 that are not encountered locally. Surface brightness selection effects preferentially influence the detectability of faint red galaxies, accounting for claims of evolution at the faint end.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 3469-3486 |
Number of pages | 18 |
Journal | Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society |
Volume | 434 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Oct 2013 |
Keywords
- galaxies: dwarf
- galaxies: formation
- galaxies: luminosity function, mass function
- EXTRAGALACTIC LEGACY SURVEY
- SIMILAR-TO 1
- RED-SEQUENCE
- STAR-FORMATION
- DARK-MATTER
- SCHECHTER FUNCTION
- COMA CLUSTER
- ABELL 2744
- FAINT-END
- X-RAY
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Dive into the research topics of 'Deep luminosity functions and colour-magnitude relations for cluster galaxies at 0.2 <z <0.6'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
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Research in planetary physics, astrophysics and cosmology at Bristol
Birkinshaw, M. (Principal Investigator)
1/04/12 → 1/04/15
Project: Research