Mass dependent Evolution of Field Early-Type Galaxies Since z=1

TL;DR

This study investigates the evolution of field early-type galaxies since redshift 1 by analyzing their Fundamental Plane relation, revealing a mass-dependent evolution consistent across different environments.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed analysis of the FP evolution for field early-type galaxies at 0.5<z<1.0, showing environment-independent mass-dependent evolution.

Findings

Distant field early-type galaxies follow a steeper FP than local counterparts.

The FP slope change indicates a mass-dependent evolution.

Results are consistent with similar findings in high-redshift galaxy clusters.

Abstract

We present the Fundamental Plane (FP) of field early-type galaxies at 0.5<z<1.0. Our project is a continuation of our efforts to understand the formation and evolution of early-type galaxies in different environments. The target galaxies were selected from the comprehensive and homogeneous data set of the Gemini/HST Galaxy Cluster Project. The distant field early-type galaxies follow a steeper FP relation compared to the local FP. The change in the slope of the FP can be interpreted as a mass-dependent evolution. Similar results have been found for cluster early-type galaxies in high redshift galaxy clusters at 0.8<z<1. Therefore, the slope change of the FP appears to be independent of the environment of the galaxies.