Galaxy evolution in groups: Transition galaxies in the IllustrisTNG simulations

Fuente: arXiv
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Autores principales: Levis, Selene, Coenda, Valeria, Muriel, Hernán, Rios, Martín de los, Ragone-Figueroa, Cinthia, Martínez, Héctor J., Ruiz, Andrés N.
Formato: Preprint
Publicado: 2025
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author Levis, Selene
Coenda, Valeria
Muriel, Hernán
Rios, Martín de los
Ragone-Figueroa, Cinthia
Martínez, Héctor J.
Ruiz, Andrés N.
author_facet Levis, Selene
Coenda, Valeria
Muriel, Hernán
Rios, Martín de los
Ragone-Figueroa, Cinthia
Martínez, Héctor J.
Ruiz, Andrés N.
contents The evolution of galaxies is significantly influenced by the environments they inhabit. While high-density regions, such as clusters of galaxies have been widely studied, the dynamics and quenching processes in intermediate environments remain less explored. These systems provide a valuable context for understanding the transition of galaxies from active star formation to quiescence. This study aims to characterise the astrophysical properties of galaxies in intermediate-mass galaxy groups $(13.5 \leq \log(M_{200}/M_{\odot}) \leq 13.7)$, with a focus on their evolutionary pathways and the key processes driving their transition through the green valley (GV) and green zone (GZ). Using the Illustris TNG300-1 hydrodynamical cosmological simulations, we classified galaxies based on their trajectories and environment into five categories: group galaxies (GRs), backsplash galaxies (BSs), recent infallers (RINs), infall galaxies (INs), and field galaxies (FGs). We examined their optical colours in the $(u-r)$-stellar mass diagram, specific star formation rates (sSFRs), gas fractions, and stellar mass evolution from $z=0.5$ to $z=0$. At $z=0$, FGs dominate the blue cloud, while GRs show progressive reddening. BSs exhibit the highest fraction of green galaxies, highlighting their transitional nature, whereas RINs show a rapid quenching upon entering $R_{200}$. Our results reveal that the timing of group entry and environmental effects, such as gas depletion, play a critical role in galaxy quenching. Green BS and RINs follow distinct evolutionary tracks, with the latter undergoing more rapid changes due to later infall into more massive systems.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2504_20142
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Galaxy evolution in groups: Transition galaxies in the IllustrisTNG simulations
Levis, Selene
Coenda, Valeria
Muriel, Hernán
Rios, Martín de los
Ragone-Figueroa, Cinthia
Martínez, Héctor J.
Ruiz, Andrés N.
Astrophysics of Galaxies
The evolution of galaxies is significantly influenced by the environments they inhabit. While high-density regions, such as clusters of galaxies have been widely studied, the dynamics and quenching processes in intermediate environments remain less explored. These systems provide a valuable context for understanding the transition of galaxies from active star formation to quiescence. This study aims to characterise the astrophysical properties of galaxies in intermediate-mass galaxy groups $(13.5 \leq \log(M_{200}/M_{\odot}) \leq 13.7)$, with a focus on their evolutionary pathways and the key processes driving their transition through the green valley (GV) and green zone (GZ). Using the Illustris TNG300-1 hydrodynamical cosmological simulations, we classified galaxies based on their trajectories and environment into five categories: group galaxies (GRs), backsplash galaxies (BSs), recent infallers (RINs), infall galaxies (INs), and field galaxies (FGs). We examined their optical colours in the $(u-r)$-stellar mass diagram, specific star formation rates (sSFRs), gas fractions, and stellar mass evolution from $z=0.5$ to $z=0$. At $z=0$, FGs dominate the blue cloud, while GRs show progressive reddening. BSs exhibit the highest fraction of green galaxies, highlighting their transitional nature, whereas RINs show a rapid quenching upon entering $R_{200}$. Our results reveal that the timing of group entry and environmental effects, such as gas depletion, play a critical role in galaxy quenching. Green BS and RINs follow distinct evolutionary tracks, with the latter undergoing more rapid changes due to later infall into more massive systems.
title Galaxy evolution in groups: Transition galaxies in the IllustrisTNG simulations
topic Astrophysics of Galaxies
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2504.20142