Age Of Stellar Population Research Articles

Early-type Host Galaxies of Type Ia Supernovae. II. Evidence for Luminosity Evolution in Supernova Cosmology

Abstract The most direct and strongest evidence for the presence of dark energy is provided by the measurement of galaxy distances using SNe Ia. This result is based on the assumption that the corrected brightness of SN Ia through the empirical standardization would not evolve with look-back time. Recent studies have shown, however, that the standardized brightness of SN Ia is correlated with host morphology, host mass, and local star formation rate (SFR), suggesting a possible correlation with stellar population property. To understand the origin of these correlations, we have continued our spectroscopic observations to cover most of the reported nearby early-type host galaxies. From high-quality (signal-to-noise ratio ∼175) spectra, we obtained the most direct and reliable estimates of population age and metallicity for these host galaxies. We find a significant correlation between SN luminosity (after the standardization) and stellar population age at a 99.5% confidence level. As such, this is the most direct and stringent test ever made for the luminosity evolution of SN Ia. Based on this result, we further show that the previously reported correlations with host morphology, host mass, and local SFR are most likely originated from the difference in population age. This indicates that the light-curve fitters used by the SNe Ia community are not quite capable of correcting for the population age effect, which would inevitably cause a serious systematic bias with look-back time. Notably, taken at face values, most of the Hubble residual used in the discovery of the dark energy appears to be affected by the luminosity evolution.

VIS3COS

We present spectroscopic observations of 466 galaxies in and around a superstructure at z ∼ 0.84 targeted by the VIMOS Spectroscopic Survey of a Supercluster in the COSMOS field (VIS3COS). We use [OII]λ3727, Hδ, and Dn4000 to trace recent, medium-, and long-term star formation histories and investigate the effect of stellar mass and local environment on them. By studying trends in individual and composite galaxy spectra, we find that stellar mass and environment play a role in the observed galactic properties. Galaxies with low stellar mass (10 < log10(M⋆/M⊙) < 10.5) in the field show the strongest Hδ absorption. Similarly, the massive population (log10(M⋆/M⊙) > 11) shows an increase in Hδ absorption strengths in intermediate-density environments (e.g. filaments). Galaxies with intermediate stellar mass (10.5 < log10(M⋆/M⊙) < 11) have similar Hδ absorption profiles in all environments, but show an indication of enhanced [OII] emission in intermediate-density environments. This indicates that field galaxies with low stellar mass and filament galaxies with high stellar mass are more likely to have experienced a recent burst of star formation, while galaxies of the intermediate stellar-mass show an increase of star formation at filament-like densities. We also find that the median [OII] equivalent width (|EW[OII]|) decreases from 27 ± 2 Å to 2.0+0.5−0.4 Å and Dn4000 increases from 1.09 ± 0.01 to 1.56 ± 0.03 with increasing stellar mass (from ∼109.25 to ∼1011.35 M⊙). For the dependence on the environment, we find that at fixed stellar mass, |EW[OII]| is tentatively lower in environments with higher density. We find for Dn4000 that the increase with stellar mass is sharper in denser environments, which indicates that these environments may accelerate galaxy evolution. Moreover, we find higher Dn4000 values in denser environments at fixed stellar mass, suggesting that galaxies are on average older and/or more metal rich in these dense environments. This set of tracers depicts a scenario where the most massive galaxies have, on average, the lowest specific star formation rates and the oldest stellar populations (age ≳ 1 Gyr, showing a mass-downsizing effect). We also hypothesize that the observed increase in star formation (higher EW[OII]|, higher specific star formation rate) at intermediate densities may lead to quenching because we find that the quenched fraction increases sharply from the filament to cluster-like regions at similar stellar masses.

Probing the building blocks of galaxies: Sub-galactic scaling relations between X-ray luminosity, SFR and stellar mass

AbstractIt is well known that X-ray luminosity (Lx) originating from high mass X-ray binaries (HMXBs) is tightly correlated with the host galaxy’s star formation rate (SFR). We explore this connection using a sample representative of the star-formation activity in the local Universe (Star-Formation Reference Survey; SFRS) along with a comprehensive set of star-formation (radio, FIR, 24μm, 8 μm, Hα, UV, SED fitting) and stellar mass (K-band, 3.6 μm, SED fitting) indicators, and Chandra observations. We investigate the Lx–SFR and Lx– stellar mass (M*) scaling relations down to sub-galactic scales of ∼lkpc2. This way we extend these relations to extremely low SFR (∼10−6M⊙.yr−1) and M* (∼104M⊙). We also quantify their scatter and their dependence on the age of the local stellar populations as inferred from the different age sensitive SFR indicators. These results are particularly important for setting the benchmark for the formation of X-ray binaries in vigorous, but low SFR objects such as galaxies in the early Universe.

The Formation of Subdwarf A-type Stars

Abstract Subdwarf A-type stars (sdAs) are objects that have hydrogen-rich spectra with surface gravity similar to that of hot subdwarf stars but effective temperature below the zero-age horizontal branch. They are considered to be metal-poor main-sequence (MS) stars or extremely low-mass white dwarfs (ELM WDs). In this work, using the stellar evolution code Modules for Experiments in Stellar Astrophysics, we investigate the sdAs formed both by the evolution of (pre-)ELM WDs in double-degenerate systems and metal-poor MS stars with single evolution models. We find that both of the evolutionary tracks of ELM WDs and metal-poor MS stars can explain the observation properties of sdAs. However, the proportions between these two populations are uncertain. In this work, we adopt the method of binary population synthesis of both ELM WDs in the disk and metal-poor MS stars in the halo to obtain their populations at different stellar population ages and calculate their proportions. We find that the proportion of metal-poor MS stars to sdAs for a stellar population of 10 Gyr is ∼98.5%, which is consistent with the conclusion that most sdAs (>95%) are metal-poor MS stars. And the proportion of ELM WDs (metal-poor MS stars) to sdAs increases (decreases) from 0.1% (99.9%) to 20% (80%) with stellar population ages from 5 to 13.7 Gyr.

The 50–100 pc scale parent stellar populations of Type II supernovae and limitations of single star evolution models

ABSTRACT There is observational evidence of a dearth in core-collapse supernova (ccSN) explosions from stars with zero-age main-sequence (ZAMS) mass M0 ≈ 17–30M⊙, referred to as the ‘red supergiant problem’. However, simulations now predict that above 20 M⊙ we should indeed only expect stars within certain pockets of M0 to produce a visible SN explosion. Validating these predictions requires large numbers of ccSNe of different types with measured M0, which is challenging. In this paper, we explore the reliability of using host galaxy emission lines and the H α equivalent width to constrain the age, and thus the M0 of ccSNe progenitors. We use Binary Population and Spectral Synthesis models to infer a stellar population age from MUSE observations of the ionized gas properties and H α EW at the location of eleven ccSNe with reliable M0 measurements. Comparing our results to published M0 values, we find that models that do not consider binary systems yield stellar ages that are systematically too young (thus M0 too large), whereas accounting for binary system interactions typically overpredict the stellar age (thus underpredict M0). Taking into account the effects of photon leakage bring our M0 estimates in much closer agreement with expectations. These results highlight the need for careful modelling of diffuse environments, such as are present in the vicinity of Type II SNe, before ionized emission line spectra can be used as reliable tracers of progenitor stellar age.

The SLUGGS survey: measuring globular cluster ages using both photometry and spectroscopy

ABSTRACT Globular cluster ages provide both an important test of models of globular cluster formation and a powerful method to constrain the assembly history of galaxies. Unfortunately, measuring the ages of unresolved old stellar populations has proven challenging. Here, we present a novel technique that combines optical photometry with metallicity constraints from near-infrared spectroscopy in order to measure ages. After testing the method on globular clusters in the Milky Way and its satellite galaxies, we apply our technique to three massive early-type galaxies using data from the SAGES Legacy Unifying Globulars and GalaxieS (SLUGGS) survey. The three SLUGGS galaxies and the Milky Way show dramatically different globular cluster age and metallicity distributions, with NGC 1407 and the Milky Way showing mostly old globular clusters, while NGC 3115 and NGC 3377 show a range of globular ages. This diversity implies different galaxy formation histories and that the globular cluster optical colour–metallicity relation is not universal as is commonly assumed in globular cluster studies. We find a correlation between the median age of the metal-rich globular cluster populations and the age of the field star populations, in line with models where globular cluster formation is a natural outcome of high-intensity star formation.

The whole picture of the large-scale structure of the CL1604 supercluster at z ∼ 0.9

Abstract We present the large-scale structure over a more than 50 comoving Mpc scale at $z \sim 0.9$ where the CL1604 supercluster, which is one of the largest structures ever known at high redshifts, is embedded. The wide-field deep imaging survey by the Subaru Strategic Program with the Hyper Suprime-Cam reveals that the already-known CL1604 supercluster is a mere part of larger-scale structure extending to both the north and the south. We confirm that there are galaxy clusters at three slightly different redshifts in the northern and southern sides of the supercluster by determining the redshifts of 55 red-sequence galaxies and 82 star-forming galaxies in total via follow-up spectroscopy with Subaru/FOCAS and Gemini-N/GMOS. This suggests that the structure known as the CL1604 supercluster is the tip of the iceberg. We investigate the stellar population of the red-sequence galaxies using 4000 Å break and Balmer H$\delta$ absorption lines. Almost all of the red-sequence galaxies brighter than $21.5\:$mag in the z band show an old stellar population of $\gtrsim\! 2\:$Gyr. The comparison of composite spectra of the red-sequence galaxies in the individual clusters show that the galaxies at a similar redshift have a similar stellar population age, even if they are located $\sim\! 50\:$Mpc apart from each other. However, there could be a large variation in the star formation history. Therefore, it is likely that galaxies associated with the large-scale structure on a 50 Mpc scale formed at almost the same time, have assembled into the denser regions, and then have evolved with different star formation history along the hierarchical growth of the cosmic web.

Constraining the Metallicities, Ages, Star Formation Histories, and Ionizing Continua of Extragalactic Massive Star Populations∗

Abstract We infer the properties of massive star populations using the far-ultraviolet stellar continua of 61 star-forming galaxies: 42 at low redshift observed with the Hubble Space Telescope and 19 at z ∼ 2 from the MegaSaura sample. We fit each stellar continuum with a linear combination of up to 50 single-age and single-metallicity starburst99 models. From these fits, we derive light-weighted ages and metallicities, which agree with stellar wind and photospheric spectral features, and infer the spectral shapes and strengths of the ionizing continua. Inferred light-weighted stellar metallicities span 0.05–1.5 Z ⊙ and are similar to the measured nebular metallicities. We quantify the ionizing continua using the ratio of the ionizing flux at 900 Å to the non-ionizing flux at 1500 Å and demonstrate the evolution of this ratio with stellar age and metallicity using theoretical single-burst models. These single-burst models only match the inferred ionizing continua of half of the sample, while the other half are described by a mixture of stellar ages. Mixed-age populations produce stronger and harder ionizing spectra than continuous star formation histories, but, contrary to previous studies that assume constant star formation, have similar stellar and nebular metallicities. Stellar population age and metallicity affect the far-UV continua in different and distinguishable ways; assuming a constant star formation history diminishes the diagnostic power. Finally, we provide simple prescriptions to determine the ionizing photon production efficiency (ξ ion) from the stellar population properties. The ξ ion inferred from the observed star-forming galaxies has a range of log(ξ ion) = 24.4–25.7 Hz erg−1 that depends on the stellar population age, metallicity, star formation history, and contributions from binary star evolution. These stellar population properties must be observationally determined to accurately determine the number of ionizing photons generated by massive stars.

Discovery of Strongly Inverted Metallicity Gradients in Dwarf Galaxies at z ∼ 2

Abstract We report the first measurements with sub-kiloparsec spatial resolution of strongly inverted gas-phase metallicity gradients in two dwarf galaxies at z ∼ 2. The galaxies have stellar masses ∼109 , specific star formation rate ∼20 Gyr−1, and global metallicity (1/4 solar), assuming the strong-line calibrations of [O iii]/Hβ and [O ii]/Hβ from Maiolino et al. Their radial metallicity gradients are measured to be highly inverted, i.e., 0.122 ± 0.008 and 0.111 ± 0.017 dex kpc−1, which is hitherto unseen at such small masses in similar redshift ranges. From the Hubble Space Telescope observations of the source nebular emission and stellar continuum, we present two-dimensional spatial maps of star formation rate surface density, stellar population age, and gas fraction, which show that our galaxies are currently undergoing rapid mass assembly via disk inside-out growth. More importantly, using a simple chemical evolution model, we find that the gas fractions for different metallicity regions cannot be explained by pure gas accretion. Our spatially resolved analysis based on a more advanced gas regulator model results in a spatial map of net gaseous outflows, triggered by active central starbursts, that potentially play a significant role in shaping the spatial distribution of metallicity by effectively transporting stellar nucleosynthesis yields outwards. The relation between wind mass loading factors and stellar surface densities measured in different regions of our galaxies shows that a single type of wind mechanism, driven by either energy or momentum conservation, cannot explain the entire galaxy. These sources present a unique constraint on the effects of gas flows on the early phase of disk growth from the perspective of spatially resolved chemical evolution within individual systems.

The VMC survey – XXXIV. Morphology of stellar populations in the Magellanic Clouds

ABSTRACT The Magellanic Clouds are nearby dwarf irregular galaxies whose morphologies show different properties when traced by different stellar populations, making them an important laboratory for studying galaxy morphologies. We study the morphology of the Magellanic Clouds using data from the Visible and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy survey of the Magellanic Clouds system. We used about 10 and 2.5 million sources across an area of ∼105 and ∼42 deg2 towards the Large and Small Magellanic Cloud (LMC and SMC), respectively. We estimated median ages of stellar populations occupying different regions of the near-infrared (J − Ks, Ks) colour–magnitude diagram. Morphological maps were produced and detailed features in the central regions were characterized for the first time with bins corresponding to a spatial resolution of 0.13 kpc (LMC) and 0.16 kpc (SMC). In the LMC, we find that main-sequence stars show coherent structures that grow with age and trace the multiple spiral arms of the galaxy, star-forming regions become dimmer as we progress in age, while supergiant stars are centrally concentrated. Intermediate-age stars, despite tracing a regular and symmetrical morphology, show central clumps and hints of spiral arms. In the SMC, young main-sequence stars depict a broken bar. Intermediate-age populations show signatures of elongation towards the Magellanic Bridge that can be attributed to the LMC–SMC interaction ∼200 Myr ago. They also show irregular central features suggesting that the inner SMC has also been influenced by tidal interactions.

The isolation of luminous blue variables resembles aging B-type supergiants, not the most massive unevolved stars

ABSTRACT Luminous blue variables (LBVs) are suprisingly isolated from the massive O-type stars that are their putative progenitors in single-star evolution, implicating LBVs as binary evolution products. Aadland et al. found that LBVs are, however, only marginally more dispersed than a photometrically selected sample of bright blue stars (BBS) in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), leading them to suggest that LBV environments may not exclude a single-star origin. In both comparisons, LBVs have the same median separation, confirming that any incompleteness in the O-star sample does not fabricate LBV isolation. Instead, the relative difference arises because the photometric BBS sample is far more dispersed than known O-type stars. Evidence suggests that the large BBS separation arises because it traces less massive (∼20 M⊙), aging blue supergiants. Although photometric criteria used by A19 aimed to select only the most massive unevolved stars, visual-wavelength colour selection cannot avoid contamination because O and early B stars have almost the same intrinsic colour. Spectral types confirm that the BBS sample contains many B supergiants. Moreover, the observed BBS separation distribution matches that of spectroscopically confirmed early B supergiants, not O-type stars, and matches predictions for a roughly 10 Myr population, not a 3–4 Myr population. A broader implication for ages of stellar populations is that bright blue stars are not a good tracer of the youngest massive O-type stars. Bright blue stars in nearby galaxies (and unresolved blue light in distant galaxies) generally trace evolved blue supergiants akin to SN 1987A’s progenitor.

Star-forming, rotating spheroidal galaxies in the GAMA and SAMI surveys

ABSTRACT The Galaxy And Mass Assembly (GAMA) survey has morphologically identified a class of ‘Little Blue Spheroid’ (LBS) galaxies whose relationship to other classes of galaxies we now examine in detail. Considering a sample of 868 LBSs, we find that such galaxies display similar but not identical colours, specific star formation rates, stellar population ages, mass-to-light ratios, and metallicities to Sd-Irr galaxies. We also find that LBSs typically occupy environments of even lower density than those of Sd-Irr galaxies, where ∼65 per cent of LBS galaxies live in isolation. Using deep, high-resolution imaging from VST KiDS and the new Bayesian, 2D galaxy profile modelling code profit, we further examine the detailed structure of LBSs and find that their Sérsic indices, sizes, and axial ratios are compatible with those of low-mass elliptical galaxies. We then examine SAMI Galaxy survey integral field emission line kinematics for a subset of 62 LBSs and find that the majority (42) of these galaxies display ordered rotation with the remainder displaying disturbed/non-ordered dynamics. Finally, we consider potential evolutionary scenarios for a population with this unusual combination of properties, concluding that LBSs are likely formed by a mixture of merger and accretion processes still recently active in low-redshift dwarf populations. We also infer that if LBS-like galaxies were subjected to quenching in a rich environment, they would plausibly resemble cluster dwarf ellipticals.

Structure, kinematics, and ages of the young stellar populations in the Orion region

We present a study of the three dimensional structure, kinematics, and age distribution of the Orion OB association, based on the second data release of theGaiasatellite (GaiaDR2). Our goal is to obtain a complete picture of the star formation history of the Orion complex and to relate our findings to theories of sequential and triggered star formation. We selected the Orion population with simple photometric criteria, and we constructed a three dimensional map in galactic Cartesian co-ordinates to study the physical arrangement of the stellar clusters in the Orion region. The map shows structures that extend for roughly 150 pc along the line of sight, divided in multiple sub-clusters. We separated different groups by using the density-based clustering algorithm DBSCAN. We studied the kinematic properties of all the groups found by DBSCAN first by inspecting their proper motion distribution, and then by applying a kinematic modelling code based on an iterative maximum likelihood approach, which we used to derive their mean velocity, velocity dispersion, and isotropic expansion. We derived ages and extinction values for all the groups by using an isochrone fitting procedure. We confirm the presence of an old population (∼15 Myr) towards the 25 Ori region, and we find that groups with ages of 12 − 15 Myr are present also towards the Belt region. We notice the presence of a population of ∼10 Myr also in front of the Orion A molecular cloud. Our findings suggest that star formation in Orion does not follow a simple sequential scenario, but instead consists of multiple events, which caused kinematic and physical sub-structure. To fully explain the detailed sequence of events, specific simulations and further radial velocity data are needed.

Exploring a new definition of the green valley and its implications

ABSTRACT The distribution of galaxies on a colour–magnitude diagram reveals a bimodality, featuring a passively evolving red sequence and a star-forming blue cloud. The region between these two, the green valley (GV), represents a fundamental transition where quenching processes operate. We exploit an alternative definition of the GV using the 4000 Å break strength, an indicator that is more resilient than colour to dust attenuation. We compare and contrast our GV definition with the traditional one, based on dust-corrected colour, making use of data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. Our GV selection – that does not need a dust correction and thus does not carry the inherent systematics – reveals very similar trends regarding nebular activity (star formation, AGN, quiescence) to the standard dust-corrected 0.1(g − r). By use of high-SNR stacked spectra of the quiescent GV subsample, we derive the simple stellar population (SSP) age difference across the GV, a rough proxy of the quenching time-scale (Δt). We obtain an increasing trend with velocity dispersion (σ), from Δt ∼ 1.5 Gyr at σ = 100 km s−1, up to 3.5 Gyr at σ = 200 km s−1, followed by a rapid decrease in the most massive GV galaxies (Δt ∼ 1 Gyr at σ = 250 km s−1), suggesting two different modes of quenching, or the presence of an additional channel (rejuvenation).

Spectroscopy with the JWST Advanced Deep Extragalactic Survey (JADES) - the NIRSpec/NIRCAM GTO galaxy evolution project

AbstractI present an overview of the JWST Advanced Deep Extragalactic Survey (JADES), a joint program of the JWST/NIRCam and NIRSpec Guaranteed Time Observations (GTO) teams involving 950 hours of observation. We will target two well-studied fields with excellent supporting data (e.g., from HST-CANDELS): GOODS-North and South, including the Ultra Deep Field. The science goal of JADES is to chart galaxy evolution at z > 2, and potentially out to z > 10, using the rest-frame optical and near-IR though observations from ≍ 1–5μm. Multi-colour NIRCam imaging with 9 filters will enable photometric redshifts and the application of the Lyman break technique out to unprecedented distances. NIRSpec spectroscopy (with spectral resolving powers of R = 100, 1000 & 2700) will measure secure spectroscopic redshifts of the photometrically-selected population, as well as stellar continuum slopes in the UV rest-frame, and hence study the role of dust, stellar population age, and other effects. Measuring emission lines can constrain the dust extinction, star formation rates, metallicity, chemical abundances, ionization and excitation mechanism in high redshift galaxies. Coupling NIRCam and NIRSpec observations will determine stellar populations (age, star formation histories, abundances) of galaxies and provide the information to correct their broad-band spectral energy distribution for likely line contamination. Potentially we can search for signatures of Population III stars such as HeII. We can address the contribution of star-forming galaxies at z > 7 to reionization by determining the faint end slope of the luminosity function and investigating the escape fraction of ionizing photons by comparing the UV stellar continuum with the Balmer-line fluxes.

The prevalence and physical properties of extremely low-luminosity galaxies in the early universe

AbstractGravitational lensing from galaxy clusters has great potential for deriving the prevalence and physical properties of ultra-faint galaxies at early times, with recent very impressive results from the Hubble Frontier Fields program. Important issues in deriving the most accurate results are accurate constraints on source sizes and a robust treatment of uncertainties in the magnification models. Using > 3300 z = 2 – 10 galaxies behind the 6 Hubble Frontier Fields clusters and a forwards modeling approach, I describe the efforts of my collaborators and me to map out the galaxy luminosity functions at ∼ − 13 mag from z ∼ 9 to z ∼ 2, i.e, a factor of 1000 below Lå and to the typical luminosity of galaxies suspected to drive cosmic reionization. Additionally, I discuss the constraints we can obtain on the properties of faint sources, in particular their stellar masses, mass-to-light ratios, colors, and stellar population ages. I conclude with a prospective on using cluster lenses to study the distant universe with the James Webb Space Telescope.

Outflows, inflows, and young stars in the inner 200 pc of the Seyfert galaxy NGC 2110

ABSTRACT We present a 2D mapping of stellar population age components, emission-line fluxes, gas excitation, and kinematics within the inner ∼200 pc of the Seyfert 2 galaxy NGC 2110. We used the Gemini North Integral Field Spectrograph (NIFS) in the J and K bands at a spatial resolution of ∼22 pc. The unresolved nuclear continuum is originated in combined contributions of young stellar population (SP; age ≤ 100 Myr), a featureless AGN continuum and hot dust emission. The young-intermediate SP (100 < age ≤ 700 Myr) is distributed in a ring-shaped structure at ≈140 pc from the nucleus, which is roughly coincident with the lowest values of the stellar velocity dispersion. In the inner ≈115 pc the old SP (age > 2 Gyr) is dominant. The [Fe ii] $\lambda \, 1.2570\, \mu$m emission-line flux distribution is correlated with the radio emission and its kinematics comprise two components, one from gas rotating in the galaxy plane and another from gas in outflow within a bicone-oriented along north–south. These outflows seem to originate in the interaction of the radio jet with the ambient gas producing shocks that are the main excitation mechanism of the [Fe ii] emission. We estimate: (1) an ionized gas mass outflow rate of ∼0.5 M⊙ yr−1 at ∼70 pc from the nucleus; and (2) a kinetic power for the outflow of only 0.05 per cent of the AGN bolometric luminosity implying weak feedback effect on the galaxy.

Stellar populations in hosts of giant radio galaxies and their neighbouring galaxies

Context. Giant radio galaxies (with projected linear size of radio structure larger than 0.7 Mpc) are very rare and unusual objects. Only ∼5% of extended radio sources reach such sizes. Understanding of the processes responsible for their large sizes is crucial to further our knowledge about the radio source’s evolution. Aims. We check the hypothesis that giants become extremely large due to the specific history of their host galaxy formation, as well as in the context of the cluster or group of galaxies where they evolve. Therefore we study the star formation histories in their host galaxies and in galaxies located in their neighbourhood. Methods. We studied 41 giant-size radio galaxies as well as galaxies located within a radius of 5 Mpc around giants to verify whether the external conditions of the intergalactic medium somehow influence the internal evolution of galaxies in the group/cluster. We compared the results with a control sample of smaller-sized Fanaroff–Riley type II radio galaxies and their neighbouring galaxies. We fit stellar continua in all galaxy spectra using the spectral synthesis code STARLIGHT and provide statistical analysis of the results. Results. We find that hosts of giant radio galaxies have a larger amount of intermediate age stellar populations compared with smaller-sized FRII radio sources. The same result is also visible when we compare neighbouring galaxies located up to 1.5 Mpc around giants and FRIIs. This may be evidence that star formation in groups with giants was triggered due to global processes occurring in the ambient intergalactic medium. These processes may also contribute to mechanisms responsible for the extremely large sizes of giants.

Think Global, Act Local: The Influence of Environment Age and Host Mass on Type Ia Supernova Light Curves

Abstract The reliability of Type Ia Supernovae (SNe Ia) may be limited by the imprint of their galactic origins. To investigate the connection between supernovae and their host characteristics, we developed an improved method to estimate the stellar population age of the host as well as the local environment around the site of the supernova. We use a Bayesian method to estimate the star formation history and mass weighted age of a supernova’s environment by matching observed spectral energy distributions to a synthesized stellar population. Applying this age estimator to both the photometrically and spectroscopically classified Sloan Digital Sky Survey II supernovae (N = 103), we find a 0.114 ± 0.039 mag “step” in the average Hubble residual at a stellar age of ∼8 Gyr; it is nearly twice the size of the currently popular mass step. We then apply a principal component analysis on the SALT2 parameters, host stellar mass, and local environment age. We find that a new parameter, PC1, consisting of a linear combination of stretch, host stellar mass, and local age, shows a very significant (4.7σ) correlation with Hubble residuals. There is a much broader range of PC1 values found in the Hubble flow sample when compared with the Cepheid calibration galaxies. These samples have mildly statistically different average PC1 values, at ∼2.5σ, resulting in at most a 1.3% reduction in the evaluation of H 0. Despite accounting for the highly significant trend in SN Ia Hubble residuals, there remains a 9% discrepancy between the most recent precision estimates of H 0 using SN Ia and the CMB.

Galaxy And Mass Assembly (GAMA): Timescales for galaxies crossing the green valley

We explore the constraints that can be placed on the evolutionary timescales for typical low redshift galaxies evolving from the blue cloud through the green valley and onto the red sequence. We utilise galaxies from the GAMA survey with 0.1 < z < 0.2 and classify them according to the intrinsic (u-r?) colours of their stellar populations, as determined by fits to their multi-wavelength spectral energy distributions. Using these fits to also determine stellar population ages and star formation timescales, we argue that our results are consistent with a green valley population dominated by galaxies that are simply decreasing their star formation (running out of gas) over a timescale of 2-4 Gyr which are seen at a specific epoch in their evolution (approximately 1.6 e-folding times after their peak in star formation). If their fitted star formation histories are extrapolated forwards, the green galaxies will further redden over time, until they attain the colours of a passive population. In this picture, no specific quenching event which cuts-off their star formation is required, though it remains possible that the decline in star formation in green galaxies may be expedited by internal or external forces. However, there is no evidence that green galaxies have recently changed their star formation timescales relative to their previous longer term star formation histories.