Spitzer/MIPS 24um Observations of Galaxy Clusters: An Increasing Fraction of Obscured Star-forming Members from z=0.02 to z=0.83

TL;DR

This study uses Spitzer/MIPS 24um data to show that the fraction of star-forming galaxies in clusters increases significantly from low to high redshift, highlighting galaxy evolution within clusters over cosmic time.

Contribution

First to analyze mid-infrared properties of a large cluster sample across a wide redshift range, revealing evolution in obscured star formation activity.

Findings

Star-forming fraction increases from 3% at z=0.02 to 13% at z=0.83.

Red but star-forming galaxies become more common with redshift.

Total blue/star-forming cluster galaxy fraction reaches ~30% at z=0.83.

Abstract

We study the mid-infrared properties of 1315 spectroscopically confirmed members in eight massive (M>5x10^14 Msun) galaxy clusters covering the redshift range from 0.02 to 0.83. The selected clusters all have deep Spitzer MIPS 24um observations, Hubble and ground-based photometry, and extensive redshift catalogs. We observe for the first time an increase in the fraction of cluster galaxies with mid-infrared star formation rates higher than 4 solar masses per year from 3% at z=0.02 to 13% at z=0.83. This increase is reproduced even when considering only the most massive members (Mstars >4x10^10 Msun). The 24 micron observations reveal stronger evolution in the fraction of blue/star-forming cluster galaxies than color-selected samples: the number of red but strongly star-forming cluster galaxies increases with redshift, and combining these with the optically-defined Butcher-Oemler members increases the total fraction of blue/star-forming cluster galaxies to ~30% at z=0.83. These results, the first of our Spitzer/MIPS Infra-Red Cluster Survey (SMIRCS), support earlier studies indicating the increase in star-forming members is driven by cluster assembly and galaxy infall, as is expected in the framework of hierarchical formation.