Matching the Evolution of the Stellar Mass Function Using Log-Normal Star Formation Histories
Abstract
We show that a model consisting of individual, log-normal star formation histories for a volume-limited sample of z ≈ 0 galaxies reproduces the evolution of the total and quiescent stellar mass functions at z ≲ 2.5 and stellar masses {{M}*}≥slant {{10}10} {{M}⊙ }. This model has previously been shown to reproduce the star formation rate/stellar mass relation (SFR-{{M}*}) over the same interval, is fully consistent with the observed evolution of the cosmic SFR density at z≤slant 8, and entails no explicit “quenching” prescription. We interpret these results/features in the context of other models demonstrating a similar ability to reproduce the evolution of (1) the cosmic SFR density, (2) the total/quiescent stellar mass functions, and (3) the SFR-{{M}*} relation, proposing that the key difference between modeling approaches is the extent to which they stress/address diversity in the (star-forming) galaxy population. Finally, we suggest that observations revealing the timescale associated with dispersion in SFR({{M}*}) will help establish which models are the most relevant to galaxy evolution.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- March 2015
- DOI:
- 10.1088/2041-8205/801/1/L12
- arXiv:
- arXiv:1411.1431
- Bibcode:
- 2015ApJ...801L..12A
- Keywords:
-
- galaxies: evolution;
- galaxies: luminosity function;
- mass function;
- galaxies: star formation;
- Astrophysics - Astrophysics of Galaxies;
- Astrophysics - Cosmology and Nongalactic Astrophysics
- E-Print:
- 5 pages, 2 figures