Spectral classification of emission-line galaxies from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. I. An improved classification for high redshift galaxies

We study the spectral classification of emission-line galaxies as star-forming galaxies or Active Galactic Nuclei (AGNs). From the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) high quality data, we define an improved classification to be used for high redshift galaxies. We classify emission-line galaxies of the SDSS according to the latest standard recipe using [Oiii]5007, [Nii]6584, [Sii]6717+6731, H, and H emission lines. We obtain four classes: star-forming galaxies, Seyfert 2, LINERs, and composites. We then examine where these galaxies fall in the blue diagram used at high redshift (i.e. log([Oiii]5007/H) vs. log([Oii]3726+3729/H).We define new improved boundaries in the blue diagram for star-forming galaxies, Seyfert 2, LINERs, SF/Sy2, and SF-LIN/comp classes. We maximize the success rate to 99.7% for the detection of star-forming galaxies, to 86% for the Seyfert 2 (including the SF/Sy2 region), and to 91% for the LINERs. We also minimize the contamination to 16% in the region of star-forming galaxies. We cannot reliably separate composites from star-forming galaxies and LINERs, but we define a SF/LIN/comp region where most of them fall (64%).Comment: 6 pages, accepted for publication in A&

The zCOSMOS 10k-Bright Spectroscopic Sample

We present spectroscopic redshifts of a large sample of galaxies with I_(AB) < 22.5 in the COSMOS field, measured from spectra of 10,644 objects that have been obtained in the first two years of observations in the zCOSMOS-bright redshift survey. These include a statistically complete subset of 10,109 objects. The average accuracy of individual redshifts is 110 km s^(–1), independent of redshift. The reliability of individual redshifts is described by a Confidence Class that has been empirically calibrated through repeat spectroscopic observations of over 600 galaxies. There is very good agreement between spectroscopic and photometric redshifts for the most secure Confidence Classes. For the less secure Confidence Classes, there is a good correspondence between the fraction of objects with a consistent photometric redshift and the spectroscopic repeatability, suggesting that the photometric redshifts can be used to indicate which of the less secure spectroscopic redshifts are likely right and which are probably wrong, and to give an indication of the nature of objects for which we failed to determine a redshift. Using this approach, we can construct a spectroscopic sample that is 99% reliable and which is 88% complete in the sample as a whole, and 95% complete in the redshift range 0.5 < z < 0.8. The luminosity and mass completeness levels of the zCOSMOS-bright sample of galaxies is also discussed

Mass and environment as drivers of galaxy evolution in SDSS and zCOSMOS and the origin of the Schechter function

We explore the inter-relationships between mass, star-formation rate and environment in the SDSS, zCOSMOS and other surveys. The differential effects of mass and environment are completely separable to z ~ 1, indicating that two distinct processes are operating, "mass-quenching" and "environment-quenching". Environment-quenching, at fixed over-density, evidently does not change with epoch to z ~ 1, suggesting that it occurs as large-scale structure develops in the Universe. The observed constancy of the mass-function shape for star-forming galaxies, demands that the mass-quenching of galaxies around and above M*, must be proportional to their star-formation rates at all z < 2. We postulate that this simple mass-quenching law also holds over a much broader range of stellar mass and epoch. These two simple quenching processes, plus some additional quenching due to merging, then naturally produce (a) a quasi-static Schechter mass function for star-forming galaxies with a value of M* that is set by the proportionality between the star-formation and mass-quenching rates, (b) a double Schechter function for passive galaxies with two components: the dominant one is produced by mass-quenching and has exactly the same M* as the star-forming galaxies but an alpha shallower by +1, while the other is produced by environment effects and has the same M* and alpha as the star-forming galaxies, and is larger in high density environments. Subsequent merging of quenched galaxies modifies these predictions somewhat in the denser environments, slightly increasing M* and making alpha more negative. All of these detailed quantitative relationships between the Schechter parameters are indeed seen in the SDSS, lending strong support to our simple empirically-based model. The model naturally produces for passive galaxies the "anti-hierarchical" run of mean ages and alpha-element abundances with mass.Comment: 66 pages, 19 figures, 1 movie, accepted for publication in ApJ. The movie is also available at http://www.exp-astro.phys.ethz.ch/zCOSMOS/MF_simulation_d1_d4.mo

Évolution cosmologique des propriétés physiques des galaxies

The study of galaxy formation and evolution is one of today's hotest topics. Two large surveys (2dFGRS, SDSS), bearing on several million local galaxies, recently allowed important statements in the comprehension of the physical properties of galaxies. In addition, new 8-10m diameter telescopes, equipped with multi-objects spectrographs (VLT/VIMOS, Keick/DEIMOS, Gemini/GMOS, ...), have given the opportunity to start new large surveys dedicated on distant galaxies (VVDS, DEEP2, GDDS, zCOSMOS, ...), therefore located in a younger universe.This thesis work preferentially concerns the study of the mass-metallicity or luminosity-metallicity relations, which are able to establish a bond between the two major processes responsible for the evolution of galaxies: stellar mass assembly (star formation or merging processes) and the chemical enrichment of the interstellar medium by successive generations of stars. We show that the shape of this relation is a very good way to test the models of galaxy formation and evolution. We study the reference of the luminosity-metallicity relation, obtained in the local universe with the 2dFGRS survey. Then we study the evolution, as a function of universe age, of the luminosity-metallicity relation using a small sample (LCL05), and the mass-metallicity relation using the VVDS large survey. Several results obtained with these various samples are evidences in favour of the hierarchical model: the most massive galaxies would be formed by progessive merging of smaller galaxies.The physical properties of a large number of galaxies are estimated using automatic tools specifically developed, or adapted to our needs, during this thesis. As additional results, new calibrations of the spectral classification or the star formation rate of galaxies are obtained with the local universe large surveys (respectively 2dFGRS and SDSS). This work offers many possibilities for new results thanks to the amount of available data and its diversity.L'étude de la formation et de l'évolution des galaxies est une thématique en pleine effeversence. Deux grands relevés (2dFGRS, SDSS), portant sur plusieurs millions de galaxies proches, ont permis récemment des avancées importantes dans la compréhension des propriétés physiques des galaxies. D'autre part l'arrivée des télescopes de 8-10m de diamètre, équipés de spectroscopes multi-objets (VLT/VIMOS, Keick/DEIMOS, Gemini/GMOS, ...), a permis la mise en place de plusieurs nouveaux grands relevés portant cette fois sur les galaxies lointaines (VVDS, DEEP2, GDDS, zCOSMOS, ...), donc situées dans un univers plus jeune.Ce travail de thèse porte préférentiellement sur l'étude des relations masse-métallicité ou luminosité-métallicité qui permettent d'établir un lien entre les deux processus majeurs responsables de l'évolution des galaxies: l'assemblage de la masse stellaire (formation d'étoiles ou fusion de galaxies) et l'enrichissement chimique du milieu interstellaire par les générations d'étoiles successives. Nous montrons que la forme de cette relation est un très bon test des modèles de formation et d'évolution des galaxies. Nous étudions ensuite la relation luminosité-métallicité de référence obtenue à partir du relevé 2dFGRS dans l'Univers local. Puis nous étudions l'évolution en fonction de l'âge de l'univers de la relation luminosité-métallicité à l'aide d'un petit échantillon (LCL05), puis de la relation masse-métallicité à l'aide du grand relevé VVDS. Plusieurs résultats obtenus avec ces différents échantillons sont des indices en faveur du modèle hiérarchique: les galaxies les plus massives se formeraient par fusion progressive de galaxies plus petites.Les propriétés physiques d'un grand nombre de galaxies sont estimées à l'aide d'outils d'analyse automatiques spécifiquement développés, ou adaptés à nos besoins, durant cette thèse. Comme résultats annexes, de nouvelles calibrations de la classification spectrale ou du taux de formation d'étoiles des galaxies sont obtenues à partir des grands relevés de l'univers local (respectivement 2dFGRS et SDSS). Ce travail offre de nombreuses perspectives de par le nombre et la diversité des données disponibles

The VIMOS-VLT deep survey. Color bimodality and the mix of galaxy populations up to z ~ 2

International audienceAims: In this paper we discuss the mix of star-forming and passive galaxies up to z ~ 2, based on the first epoch VIMOS-VLT Deep Survey (VVDS) data. Methods: We compute rest-frame magnitudes and colors and analyse the color-magnitude relation and the color distributions. We also use the multi-band VVDS photometric data and spectral templates fitting to derive multi-color galaxy types. Using our spectroscopic dataset we separate galaxies based on a star-formation activity indicator derived combining the equivalent width of the [OII] emission line and the strength of the D_n(4000) continuum break. Results: In agreement with previous works we find that the global galaxy rest-frame color distribution follows a bimodal distribution at

The cosmic star formation rate evolution from z = 5 to z = 0 from the VIMOS VLT deep survey

International audienceContext: The VIMOS VLT Deep Survey (VVDS) was undertaken to map the evolution of galaxies, large scale structures, and active galaxy nuclei from the redshift spectroscopic measurements of ~105 objects down to an apparent magnitude IAB = 24, in combination with a multi-wavelength acquisition for radio, infrared, optical, ultraviolet, and X-rays data. Aims: We present the evolution of the comoving star formation rate (SFR) density in the redshift range 0 2 in two fields of view, the VVDS-0226-04 and the VVDS-CDFS-0332-27, and the cosmological parameters (Omega_M, OmegaLambda, h)=(0.3, 0.7, 0.7). Methods: We study the multi-wavelength non dust-corrected luminosity densities at 0 Results: They evolve from z=1.2 to z=0.05 according to (1+z)x with x = 2.05, 1.94, 1.92, 1.14, 0.73, 0.42, and 0.30 in the FUV-1500, NUV-2800, U-3600, B-4400, V-5500, R-6500, and I-7900 passbands, respectively. From z=1.2 to z=0.2 the B-band density for the irregular-like galaxies decreases markedly by a factor 3.5 while it increases by a factor 1.7 for the elliptical-like galaxies. We identify several SFR periods; from z=5 to 3.4 the FUV-band density increases by at most 0.5 dex, from z=3.4 to 1.2 it decreases by 0.08 dex, from z=1.2 to z=0.05 it declines steadily by 0.6 dex. For the most luminous MAB(1500 Å

The cosmic star formation rate evolution from z = 5 to z = 0 from the VIMOS VLT deep survey

International audienceContext: The VIMOS VLT Deep Survey (VVDS) was undertaken to map the evolution of galaxies, large scale structures, and active galaxy nuclei from the redshift spectroscopic measurements of ~105 objects down to an apparent magnitude IAB = 24, in combination with a multi-wavelength acquisition for radio, infrared, optical, ultraviolet, and X-rays data. Aims: We present the evolution of the comoving star formation rate (SFR) density in the redshift range 0 2 in two fields of view, the VVDS-0226-04 and the VVDS-CDFS-0332-27, and the cosmological parameters (Omega_M, OmegaLambda, h)=(0.3, 0.7, 0.7). Methods: We study the multi-wavelength non dust-corrected luminosity densities at 0 Results: They evolve from z=1.2 to z=0.05 according to (1+z)x with x = 2.05, 1.94, 1.92, 1.14, 0.73, 0.42, and 0.30 in the FUV-1500, NUV-2800, U-3600, B-4400, V-5500, R-6500, and I-7900 passbands, respectively. From z=1.2 to z=0.2 the B-band density for the irregular-like galaxies decreases markedly by a factor 3.5 while it increases by a factor 1.7 for the elliptical-like galaxies. We identify several SFR periods; from z=5 to 3.4 the FUV-band density increases by at most 0.5 dex, from z=3.4 to 1.2 it decreases by 0.08 dex, from z=1.2 to z=0.05 it declines steadily by 0.6 dex. For the most luminous MAB(1500 Å

The cosmic star formation rate evolution from z = 5 to z = 0 from the VIMOS VLT deep survey

International audienceContext: The VIMOS VLT Deep Survey (VVDS) was undertaken to map the evolution of galaxies, large scale structures, and active galaxy nuclei from the redshift spectroscopic measurements of ~105 objects down to an apparent magnitude IAB = 24, in combination with a multi-wavelength acquisition for radio, infrared, optical, ultraviolet, and X-rays data. Aims: We present the evolution of the comoving star formation rate (SFR) density in the redshift range 0 2 in two fields of view, the VVDS-0226-04 and the VVDS-CDFS-0332-27, and the cosmological parameters (Omega_M, OmegaLambda, h)=(0.3, 0.7, 0.7). Methods: We study the multi-wavelength non dust-corrected luminosity densities at 0 Results: They evolve from z=1.2 to z=0.05 according to (1+z)x with x = 2.05, 1.94, 1.92, 1.14, 0.73, 0.42, and 0.30 in the FUV-1500, NUV-2800, U-3600, B-4400, V-5500, R-6500, and I-7900 passbands, respectively. From z=1.2 to z=0.2 the B-band density for the irregular-like galaxies decreases markedly by a factor 3.5 while it increases by a factor 1.7 for the elliptical-like galaxies. We identify several SFR periods; from z=5 to 3.4 the FUV-band density increases by at most 0.5 dex, from z=3.4 to 1.2 it decreases by 0.08 dex, from z=1.2 to z=0.05 it declines steadily by 0.6 dex. For the most luminous MAB(1500 Å

The cosmic star formation rate evolution from z = 5 to z = 0 from the VIMOS VLT deep survey

International audienceContext: The VIMOS VLT Deep Survey (VVDS) was undertaken to map the evolution of galaxies, large scale structures, and active galaxy nuclei from the redshift spectroscopic measurements of ~105 objects down to an apparent magnitude IAB = 24, in combination with a multi-wavelength acquisition for radio, infrared, optical, ultraviolet, and X-rays data. Aims: We present the evolution of the comoving star formation rate (SFR) density in the redshift range 0 2 in two fields of view, the VVDS-0226-04 and the VVDS-CDFS-0332-27, and the cosmological parameters (Omega_M, OmegaLambda, h)=(0.3, 0.7, 0.7). Methods: We study the multi-wavelength non dust-corrected luminosity densities at 0 Results: They evolve from z=1.2 to z=0.05 according to (1+z)x with x = 2.05, 1.94, 1.92, 1.14, 0.73, 0.42, and 0.30 in the FUV-1500, NUV-2800, U-3600, B-4400, V-5500, R-6500, and I-7900 passbands, respectively. From z=1.2 to z=0.2 the B-band density for the irregular-like galaxies decreases markedly by a factor 3.5 while it increases by a factor 1.7 for the elliptical-like galaxies. We identify several SFR periods; from z=5 to 3.4 the FUV-band density increases by at most 0.5 dex, from z=3.4 to 1.2 it decreases by 0.08 dex, from z=1.2 to z=0.05 it declines steadily by 0.6 dex. For the most luminous MAB(1500 Å