The evolution of the colour-magnitude relation and of the star formation activity in galaxy clusters since z~0.8

TL;DR

This paper studies how galaxy clusters' color-magnitude relation and star formation activity have evolved since redshift 0.8, using data from the ESO Distant Cluster Survey to understand galaxy evolution over cosmic time.

Contribution

It provides new observational insights into the evolution of galaxy clusters' properties since z~0.8 within the standard structure formation paradigm.

Findings

Evolution of the colour-magnitude relation observed since z~0.8

Star formation activity in clusters has decreased over time

Results support models of galaxy evolution in cluster environments

Abstract

We present recent results on the evolution of the colour-magnitude relation and of the star formation activity in galaxy clusters since z~0.8. Results are based on the ESO Distant Cluster Survey (EDisCS) - an ESO large programme aimed at the study of cluster structure and cluster galaxy evolution over a significant fraction of cosmic time - and are discussed in the framework of the current standard paradigm of structure formation.