Measuring the Evolution of the Mass-to-Light Ratio from z = 0 to z = 0.6 from the Fundamental Plane

Abstract

Galaxy evolution is probably a complex process. Mergers, infall, and star bursts may change galaxy properties systematically with time. As a result, the interpretation of the luminosity function is ambiguous, and information on the mass evolution of galaxies is needed. Such information can be retrieved from the evolution of the Tully-Fisher relation, Faber-Jackson relation, or the Fundamental Plane with redshift.Observations of this kind have recently become possible. We present the Fundamental Plane relation measured for galaxies in rich clusters out to z = 0.58. The galaxies satisfy a tight Fundamental Plane, with relatively low scatter (17 %). The M/L evolves slowly with redshift, ln M/L v α 0.8z. This resuit is consistent with simple evolutionary models if the bulk of the stellar population formed at high redshift.It is not clear yet how these results can be made consistent with the rapid evolution of galaxies in intermediate redshift clusters as indicated by the Butcher-Oemler effect. Observations of post star burst galaxies (“E+A” galaxies) indicate that these systems are dominated by disks. Some have smooth spiral arms without signs of star formation. The E+A galaxies may evolve into galaxies which are underrepresented in most “normal” Fundamental Plane samples.KeywordsStar FormationRotation CurveHigh RedshiftStellar PopulationLuminosity FunctionThese keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.