Stellar velocity dispersion of Luminous Compact Galaxies at intermediate redshift

TL;DR

This study measures stellar velocity dispersions of five luminous compact galaxies at intermediate redshift, revealing their potential evolution into early-type spiral galaxies based on their mass, velocity dispersion, and star formation activity.

Contribution

First measurements of stellar velocity dispersions for Luminous Compact Galaxies at z=0.5-0.7, linking their properties to local early-type spiral galaxies.

Findings

Velocity dispersions range from 137 to 260 km/s.

Galaxies have stellar masses between 4×10^9 and 10^11 solar masses.

Passive evolution suggests they resemble early-type spiral galaxies today.

Abstract

We present the stellar velocity dispersion measurements for 5 Luminous Compact Galaxies (LCGs) at z=0.5-0.7. These galaxies are vigorously forming stars with average SFR $\sim$ 40 M$_{\odot}$/yr. We find that their velocity dispersions range from $\sim137\ \rm{km/s}$ to $260\ \rm{km/s}$, while their stellar masses range between $4\times 10^{9}$ and $10^{11}$ M$_{\odot}$. If these LCGs evolve passively after this major burst of star formation, their masses and velocity dispersions, as well as their evolved colours and luminosities are most consistent with the values characteristic of early-type spiral galaxies today.