Abstract
ABSTRACT We present the first study of the large-scale clustering of post-starburst (PSB) galaxies in the high-redshift Universe (0.5 < z < 3.0). We select ∼4000 PSB galaxies photometrically, the largest high-redshift sample of this kind, from two deep large-scale near-infrared surveys: the UKIDSS Ultra Deep Survey Data Release 11 and the Cosmic Evolution Survey. Using angular cross-correlation techniques, we estimate the halo masses for this large sample of PSB galaxies and compare them with quiescent and star-forming galaxies selected in the same fields. We find that low-mass, low-redshift (0.5 < z < 1.0) PSB galaxies preferentially reside in very high mass dark matter haloes (Mhalo > 1014 M⊙), suggesting that they are likely to be infalling satellite galaxies in cluster-like environments. High-mass PSB galaxies are more weakly clustered at low redshifts, but they reside in higher mass haloes with increasing look-back time, suggesting strong redshift-dependent halo downsizing. These key results are consistent with previous results, suggesting that two main channels are responsible for the rapid quenching of galaxies. While high-redshift (z > 1) galaxies appear to be quenched by secular feedback mechanisms, processes associated with dense environments are likely to be the key driver of rapid quenching in the low-redshift Universe (z < 1). Finally, we show that the clustering of photometrically selected PSBs is consistent with them being direct descendants of highly dust-enshrouded submillimetre galaxies, providing tantalizing evidence for the oft-speculated evolutionary pathway from starburst to quiescence.
Highlights
One of the major hurdles in extragalactic astronomy is understanding the origin of bimodality in the galaxy population observed today
Applying the cross-correlation analysis outlined in Section 3, we plot the resulting correlation functions for the Ultra Deep Survey (UDS) and Cosmic Evolution Survey (COSMOS) fields, in Figure 3 and Figure 4, respectively
We find that red-sequence galaxies, on the whole, exhibit stronger clustering amplitudes with respect to their starforming counterparts, at all redshifts and stellar masses considered
Summary
One of the major hurdles in extragalactic astronomy is understanding the origin of bimodality in the galaxy population observed today. Galaxy populations may be addressed by studying galaxies in transition. Some of these transition galaxies, post-starburst (PSB) galaxies ( often known as “k+a” or “E+A” galaxies), are identified by characteristic strong Balmer absorption lines (Dressler & Gunn 1983; Wild et al 2009) and a lack of nebular emission or ultraviolet flux, which indicates the excess of A-type stars and a deficiency of O- and Btype stars, respectively. PSB galaxies are relatively short-lived (< 1 Gyr), while their rarity is emphasised by their observed fractions of up to ∼ 3% of the entire galaxy population (Goto et al 2003; Wild et al 2009, 2016; Alatalo et al 2016a; Rowlands et al 2018)
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