The evolution of galaxies in groups: how galaxy properties are affected by their group properties

Gillone, Melissa (2016). The evolution of galaxies in groups: how galaxy properties are affected by their group properties. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

It has been long known that galaxy properties are strongly connected to their environment; however, a complete picture is still missing. This work's aim is to better understand the role of environment in shaping the galaxy properties, using a sample of 25 redshift-selected galaxy groups at 0.060 < z < 0.063, for which 30 multi-wavelength parameters are available. Given the wide variety of group dynamical states, it was fundamental to try and identify different classes of groups performing a statistical clustering analysis using all the available parameters independently of their physical meaning, which resulted in two classes distinct by their mass. To move beyond mass driven correlations, a new clustering analysis was performed removing the mass dependent properties, this approach provided a categorisation in four classes with distinctive group properties. Based on this, the galaxy properties were investigated and the classes interpreted as follows: a class of field-like galaxies in the early stage of structure formation; a class of low-mass groups either still in formation phase, or evolved, but small because they are isolated; a class of massive groups with no, or very little, ongoing star formation, likely in a more evolved stage of structure formation; and a class of massive groups possibly experiencing merger events. The result obtained have shown that it is possible to distinguish between classes of groups and thus be able to study the property of galaxies in systems with homogeneous properties. The method developed applied to data sets with larger statistics and good data quality could be a powerful tool to study galaxy evolution in galaxy groups.

Type of Work: Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)
Award Type: Doctorates > Ph.D.
Supervisor(s):
Supervisor(s)EmailORCID
Ponman, TrevorUNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIED
McGee, SeanUNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIED
Licence:
College/Faculty: Colleges (2008 onwards) > College of Engineering & Physical Sciences
School or Department: School of Physics and Astronomy
Funders: None/not applicable
Subjects: Q Science > QB Astronomy
Q Science > QC Physics
URI: http://etheses.bham.ac.uk/id/eprint/6855

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