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The clustering evolution of the galaxy distribution

Benson, A.J.; Frenk, C.S.; Baugh, C.M.; Cole, S.; Lacey, C.G.

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Authors

A.J. Benson



Abstract

We follow the evolution of the galaxy population in a ΛCDM cosmology by means of high-resolution N-body simulations in which the formation of galaxies and their observable properties are calculated using a semi-analytic model. We display images of the spatial distribution of galaxies in the simulations that illustrate its evolution and provide a qualitative understanding of the processes responsible for the various biases that develop. We consider three specific statistical measures of clustering at Graphic and Graphic: the correlation length (in both real and redshift space) of galaxies of different luminosity, the morphology–density relation and the genus curve of the topology of galaxy isodensity surfaces. For galaxies with luminosity below L∗, the Graphic correlation length depends very little on the luminosity of the sample, but for brighter galaxies it increases very rapidly, reaching values in excess of 10-h−1Mpc. The ‘accelerated’ dynamical evolution experienced by galaxies in rich clusters, which is partly responsible for this effect, also results in a strong morphology–density relation. Remarkably, this relation is already well-established at Graphic. The genus curves of the galaxies are significantly different from the genus curves of the dark matter, however this is not a result of genuine topological differences but rather of the sparse sampling of the density field provided by galaxies. The predictions of our model at Graphic will be tested by forthcoming data from the 2dF and Sloan galaxy surveys, and those at Graphic by the DEEP and VIRMOS surveys.

Citation

Benson, A., Frenk, C., Baugh, C., Cole, S., & Lacey, C. (2001). The clustering evolution of the galaxy distribution. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 327(4), 1041-1056. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-8711.2001.04824.x

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Nov 11, 2001
Deposit Date Feb 20, 2015
Publicly Available Date Feb 24, 2015
Journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Print ISSN 0035-8711
Electronic ISSN 1365-2966
Publisher Royal Astronomical Society
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 327
Issue 4
Pages 1041-1056
DOI https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-8711.2001.04824.x
Keywords Galaxies: evolution, Galaxies: formation, Dark matter, Large-scale structure of Universe.
Public URL https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1578181

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Copyright Statement
This article has been accepted for publication in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society © 2001 RAS. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Royal Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.






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