Kavli Affiliate: Roberto Maiolino
| First 5 Authors: Paul H. Goubert, Paul H. Goubert, , ,
| Summary:
We present an investigation into the quenching of simulated galaxies across
cosmic time, honing in on the role played by both intrinsic and environmental
mechanisms at different epochs. In anticipation of VLT-MOONRISE, the first
wide-field spectroscopic galaxy survey to target cosmic noon, this work
provides clear predictions to compare to the future observations. We
investigate the quenching of centrals, high-mass satellites, and low-mass
satellites from two cosmological hydrodynamical simulations: IllustrisTNG and
EAGLE. Satellites are split according to bespoke mass thresholds, designed to
separate environmental and intrinsic quenching mechanisms. To determine the
best parameter for predicting quiescence, we apply a Random Forest
classification analysis for each galaxy class at each epoch. The Random Forest
classification determines supermassive black hole mass as the best predictor of
quiescence in centrals and high-mass satellites. Alternatively, the quenching
of low-mass satellites is best predicted by group halo mass, at all epochs.
Additionally, we investigate the evolution in the dependence of the quenched
fraction with various parameters, revealing a more complex picture. There is
strong evidence for the rejuvenation of star formation from z = 2 to z = 0 in
EAGLE, but not in IllustrisTNG. The starkest discrepancy between simulations
rests in the mass threshold analysis. While IllustrisTNG predicts the existence
of environmentally quenched satellites visible within the survey limits of
MOONRISE, EAGLE does not. Hence, MOONRISE will provide critical data that is
needed to evaluate current models, and constrain future models, of quenching
processes.
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