Abstract
Using a sample of ∼28,000 sources selected at 3.6-4.5 μm with Spitzer observations of the Hubble Deep Field North, the Chandra Deep Field South, and the Lockman Hole (surveyed area ∼664 arcmin2), we study the evolution of the stellar mass content of the universe at 0 < z < 4. We calculate stellar masses and photometric redshifts, based on ∼2000 templates built with stellar population and dust emission models fitting the ultraviolet to mid-infrared spectral energy distributions of galaxies with spectroscopic redshifts. We estimate stellar mass functions for different redshift intervals. We find that 50% of the local stellar mass density was assembled at 0 < z < 1 (average star formation rate [SFR] 0.048 M⊙ yr-1 Mpc-3), and at least another 40% at 1 < z < 4 (average SFR 0.074 M⊙ yr-1 Mpc-3). Our results confirm and quantify the "downsizing" scenario of galaxy formation. The most massive galaxies (M > 1012.0 M⊙ ) assembled the bulk of their stellar content rapidly (in 1-2 Gyr) beyond z ∼ 3 in very intense star formation events (producing high specific SFRs). Galaxies with 10 11.5 < M < 1012.0 M⊙ assembled half of their stellar mass beforez ∼ 1.5, and more than 90% of theirmass was already in place atz ∼ 0.6. Galaxies with M < 1011.5M⊙ evolved more slowly (presenting smaller specific SFRs), assembling half of their stellar mass below z ∼ 1. About 40% of the local stellar mass density of 10 9.0 < M < 1011.0 M⊙ galaxies was assembled below z ∼ 0.4, most probably through accretion of small satellites producing little star formation. The cosmic stellar mass density atz > 2.5 is dominated by optically faint (R ≳ 25) red galaxies (distant red galaxies or BzK sources), which account for ∼30% of the global population of galaxies, but contribute at least 60% of the cosmic stellar mass density. Bluer galaxies (e.g., Lyman break galaxies) are more numerous but less massive, contributing less than 50% of the global stellar mass density at high redshift.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 234-261 |
| Number of pages | 28 |
| Journal | Astrophysical Journal |
| Volume | 675 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Mar 1 2008 |
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Keywords
- Galaxies: evolution
- Galaxies: high-redshift
- Galaxies: photometry
- Galaxies: starburst
- Infrared: galaxies
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Space and Planetary Science
Cite this
The stellar mass assembly of galaxies from z = 0 to z = 4 : Analysis of a sample selected in the rest-frame near-infrared with Spitzer. / Pérez-González, Pablo G.; Rieke, George H.; Villar, Victor; Barro, Guillermo; Blaylock, Myra; Egami, Eiichi; Gallego, Jesús; De Paz, Armando Gil; Pascual, Sergio; Zamorano, Jaime; Donley, Jennifer L.
In: Astrophysical Journal, Vol. 675, No. 1, 01.03.2008, p. 234-261.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - The stellar mass assembly of galaxies from z = 0 to z = 4
T2 - Analysis of a sample selected in the rest-frame near-infrared with Spitzer
AU - Pérez-González, Pablo G.
AU - Rieke, George H.
AU - Villar, Victor
AU - Barro, Guillermo
AU - Blaylock, Myra
AU - Egami, Eiichi
AU - Gallego, Jesús
AU - De Paz, Armando Gil
AU - Pascual, Sergio
AU - Zamorano, Jaime
AU - Donley, Jennifer L.
PY - 2008/3/1
Y1 - 2008/3/1
N2 - Using a sample of ∼28,000 sources selected at 3.6-4.5 μm with Spitzer observations of the Hubble Deep Field North, the Chandra Deep Field South, and the Lockman Hole (surveyed area ∼664 arcmin2), we study the evolution of the stellar mass content of the universe at 0 < z < 4. We calculate stellar masses and photometric redshifts, based on ∼2000 templates built with stellar population and dust emission models fitting the ultraviolet to mid-infrared spectral energy distributions of galaxies with spectroscopic redshifts. We estimate stellar mass functions for different redshift intervals. We find that 50% of the local stellar mass density was assembled at 0 < z < 1 (average star formation rate [SFR] 0.048 M⊙ yr-1 Mpc-3), and at least another 40% at 1 < z < 4 (average SFR 0.074 M⊙ yr-1 Mpc-3). Our results confirm and quantify the "downsizing" scenario of galaxy formation. The most massive galaxies (M > 1012.0 M⊙ ) assembled the bulk of their stellar content rapidly (in 1-2 Gyr) beyond z ∼ 3 in very intense star formation events (producing high specific SFRs). Galaxies with 10 11.5 < M < 1012.0 M⊙ assembled half of their stellar mass beforez ∼ 1.5, and more than 90% of theirmass was already in place atz ∼ 0.6. Galaxies with M < 1011.5M⊙ evolved more slowly (presenting smaller specific SFRs), assembling half of their stellar mass below z ∼ 1. About 40% of the local stellar mass density of 10 9.0 < M < 1011.0 M⊙ galaxies was assembled below z ∼ 0.4, most probably through accretion of small satellites producing little star formation. The cosmic stellar mass density atz > 2.5 is dominated by optically faint (R ≳ 25) red galaxies (distant red galaxies or BzK sources), which account for ∼30% of the global population of galaxies, but contribute at least 60% of the cosmic stellar mass density. Bluer galaxies (e.g., Lyman break galaxies) are more numerous but less massive, contributing less than 50% of the global stellar mass density at high redshift.
AB - Using a sample of ∼28,000 sources selected at 3.6-4.5 μm with Spitzer observations of the Hubble Deep Field North, the Chandra Deep Field South, and the Lockman Hole (surveyed area ∼664 arcmin2), we study the evolution of the stellar mass content of the universe at 0 < z < 4. We calculate stellar masses and photometric redshifts, based on ∼2000 templates built with stellar population and dust emission models fitting the ultraviolet to mid-infrared spectral energy distributions of galaxies with spectroscopic redshifts. We estimate stellar mass functions for different redshift intervals. We find that 50% of the local stellar mass density was assembled at 0 < z < 1 (average star formation rate [SFR] 0.048 M⊙ yr-1 Mpc-3), and at least another 40% at 1 < z < 4 (average SFR 0.074 M⊙ yr-1 Mpc-3). Our results confirm and quantify the "downsizing" scenario of galaxy formation. The most massive galaxies (M > 1012.0 M⊙ ) assembled the bulk of their stellar content rapidly (in 1-2 Gyr) beyond z ∼ 3 in very intense star formation events (producing high specific SFRs). Galaxies with 10 11.5 < M < 1012.0 M⊙ assembled half of their stellar mass beforez ∼ 1.5, and more than 90% of theirmass was already in place atz ∼ 0.6. Galaxies with M < 1011.5M⊙ evolved more slowly (presenting smaller specific SFRs), assembling half of their stellar mass below z ∼ 1. About 40% of the local stellar mass density of 10 9.0 < M < 1011.0 M⊙ galaxies was assembled below z ∼ 0.4, most probably through accretion of small satellites producing little star formation. The cosmic stellar mass density atz > 2.5 is dominated by optically faint (R ≳ 25) red galaxies (distant red galaxies or BzK sources), which account for ∼30% of the global population of galaxies, but contribute at least 60% of the cosmic stellar mass density. Bluer galaxies (e.g., Lyman break galaxies) are more numerous but less massive, contributing less than 50% of the global stellar mass density at high redshift.
KW - Galaxies: evolution
KW - Galaxies: high-redshift
KW - Galaxies: photometry
KW - Galaxies: starburst
KW - Infrared: galaxies
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=40249102151&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=40249102151&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1086/523690
DO - 10.1086/523690
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:40249102151
VL - 675
SP - 234
EP - 261
JO - Astrophysical Journal
JF - Astrophysical Journal
SN - 0004-637X
IS - 1
ER -