TY - JOUR
T1 - Revealing components of the galaxy population through non-parametric techniques
AU - Bamford, Steven P.
AU - Rojas, Alex L.
AU - Nichol, Robert C.
AU - Miller, Christopher J.
AU - Wasserman, Larry
AU - Genovese, Christopher R.
AU - Freeman, Peter E.
PY - 2008
Y1 - 2008
N2 - The distributions of galaxy properties vary with environment, and are often multimodal, suggesting that the galaxy population may be a combination of multiple components. The behaviour of these components versus environment holds details about the processes of galaxy development. To release this information we apply a novel, non-parametric statistical technique, identifying four components present in the distribution of galaxy Hα emission-line equivalent widths. We interpret these components as passive, star forming and two varieties of active galactic nuclei. Independent of this interpretation, the properties of each component are remarkably constant as a function of environment. Only their relative proportions display substantial variation. The galaxy population thus appears to comprise distinct components which are individually independent of environment, with galaxies rapidly transitioning between components as they move into denser environments.
AB - The distributions of galaxy properties vary with environment, and are often multimodal, suggesting that the galaxy population may be a combination of multiple components. The behaviour of these components versus environment holds details about the processes of galaxy development. To release this information we apply a novel, non-parametric statistical technique, identifying four components present in the distribution of galaxy Hα emission-line equivalent widths. We interpret these components as passive, star forming and two varieties of active galactic nuclei. Independent of this interpretation, the properties of each component are remarkably constant as a function of environment. Only their relative proportions display substantial variation. The galaxy population thus appears to comprise distinct components which are individually independent of environment, with galaxies rapidly transitioning between components as they move into denser environments.
U2 - 10.1111/j.1365-2966.2008.13963.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1365-2966.2008.13963.x
M3 - Article
SN - 0035-8711
VL - 391
SP - 607
EP - 616
JO - Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
JF - Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
IS - 2
ER -