Rights statement: This is a pre-copy-editing, author-produced PDF of an article accepted for publication in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society following peer review. The definitive publisher-authenticated version 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 is available online at: https://academic.oup.com/mnras/article/doi/10.1093/mnras/stx2034/4082091/The-Evolutionary-Sequence-of-PostStarburst
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Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - The Evolutionary Sequence of Post-Starburst Galaxies
AU - Wilkinson, C. L.
AU - Pimbblet, K. A.
AU - Stott, J. P.
N1 - This is a pre-copy-editing, author-produced PDF of an article accepted for publication in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society following peer review. The definitive publisher-authenticated version 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 is available online at: https://academic.oup.com/mnras/article/doi/10.1093/mnras/stx2034/4082091/The-Evolutionary-Sequence-of-PostStarburst
PY - 2017/12/1
Y1 - 2017/12/1
N2 - 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 H$\delta$ strong (EW$_{H\delta}$ > 3\AA) post-starburst galaxies from the value-added catalogue in the 7th data release of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS DR7) over a redshift range 0.01 -2.5$\AA) but one having an additional cut on EW$_{H\alpha}$ ($> -3$\AA). We examine the differences in observables and AGN fractions to see what effect the H$\alpha$ 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 H$\delta$ 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 H$\delta$ strong and E+A galaxies. These results suggest that there is an evolutionary sequence in the post-starburst phase from blue disky galaxies with residual star formation to passive red early-types.
AB - 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 H$\delta$ strong (EW$_{H\delta}$ > 3\AA) post-starburst galaxies from the value-added catalogue in the 7th data release of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS DR7) over a redshift range 0.01 -2.5$\AA) but one having an additional cut on EW$_{H\alpha}$ ($> -3$\AA). We examine the differences in observables and AGN fractions to see what effect the H$\alpha$ 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 H$\delta$ 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 H$\delta$ strong and E+A galaxies. These results suggest that there is an evolutionary sequence in the post-starburst phase from blue disky galaxies with residual star formation to passive red early-types.
KW - galaxies: clusters: general
KW - galaxies: evolution
KW - galaxies: interactions
U2 - 10.1093/mnras/stx2034
DO - 10.1093/mnras/stx2034
M3 - Journal article
VL - 472
SP - 1447
EP - 1457
JO - Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
JF - Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
SN - 0035-8711
IS - 2
ER -