The evolutionary sequence of post-starburst galaxies

Wilkinson, C. L.; Pimbblet, K. A.; Stott, J. P.

Abstract

© 2017 The Authors. There are multiple ways in which to select post-starburst galaxies in the literature. In this work, we present a study into how two well-used selection techniques have consequences on observable post-starburst galaxy parameters, such as colour, morphology and environment, and how this affects interpretations of their role in the galaxy duty cycle. We identify a master sample of Hδ strong (EWHδ> 3Å) post-starburst galaxies from the value-added catalogue in the seventh data release of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS DR7) over a redshift range 0.01 < z < 0.1. From this sample we select two E+A subsets, both having a very little [OII] emission (EW[O II]> -2.5Å) but one having an additional cut onEWHα (> -3Å).We examine the differences in observables and AGN fractions to see what effect the Hα cut has on the properties of post-starburst galaxies and what these differing samples can tell us about the duty cycle of post-starburst galaxies. We find that Hδ strong galaxies peak in the 'blue cloud', E+As in the 'green valley' and pure E+As in the 'red sequence'.We also find that pure E+As have a more early-type morphology and a higher fraction in denser environments compared with the Hδ strong and E+A galaxies. These results suggest that there is an evolutionary sequence in the post-starburst phase from blue discy galaxies with residual star formation to passive red early-types.

Citation

Wilkinson, C. L., Pimbblet, K. A., & Stott, J. P. (2017). The evolutionary sequence of post-starburst galaxies. Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 472(2), 1447-1457. https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/stx2034

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 4, 2017
• Online Publication Date: Aug 12, 2017
• Publication Date: 2017-12
• Deposit Date: Sep 11, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 11, 2017
• Journal: Monthy notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
• Print ISSN: 0035-8711
• Electronic ISSN: 1365-2966
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 472
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 1447-1457
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/stx2034
• Keywords: Space and Planetary Science; Astronomy and Astrophysics
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/454688
• Publisher URL: https://academic.oup.com/mnras/article/472/2/1447/4082091/The-evolutionary-sequence-of-poststarburst
• Additional Information: Copy of article: C. L. Wilkinson, K. A. Pimbblet, J. P. Stott; The evolutionary sequence of post-starburst galaxies, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, Volume 472, Issue 2, 1 December 2017, Pages 1447–1457, https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/stx2034