Counter-evolution of faint field galaxies

Abstract

We adopt a new approach to explore the puzzling nature of faint blue field galaxies. Instead of assuming that the local luminosity function is well defined, we first determine whether any non-evolving set of luminosity functions for different spectral types of galaxies is compatible with the observed marginal distributions in optical and near-infrared counts, B - R colors, and redshifts. Exploiting a non-negative least squares method, we derive a new no-evolution model that is found to fit all the observations surprisingly well. We conclude that models more exotic than mild luminosity evolution, such as those requiring rapid evolution in star formation rates, disappearing dwarf galaxy populations, high values of the cosmological constant, rapid mergers, or substantial non-conservation of galaxy numbers with time, are no longer as compelling.