The Phase Space of z~1.2 SpARCS Clusters: Using Herschel to probe Dust Temperature as a Function of Environment and Accretion History

TL;DR

This study uses Herschel infrared data to analyze dust temperatures and star formation in galaxy clusters at z~1.2, revealing how environment and accretion history influence galaxy evolution.

Contribution

It introduces the first measurement of dust temperatures in high-redshift cluster galaxies across different accretion phases, linking dust properties to galaxy quenching processes.

Findings

Dust temperature decreases in intermediate phase-space regions.

Star formation rates decline from infall to core regions.

Evidence suggests ram-pressure stripping affects dust heating.

Abstract

We present a five-band Herschel study (100-500um) of three galaxy clusters at z~1.2 from the Spitzer Adaptation of the Red-Sequence Cluster Survey (SpARCS). With a sample of 120 spectroscopically-confirmed cluster members, we investigate the role of environment on galaxy properties utilizing the projected cluster phase space (line-of-sight velocity versus clustercentric radius), which probes the time-averaged galaxy density to which a galaxy has been exposed. We divide cluster galaxies into phase-space bins of (r/r200) x (v/sigma_v), tracing a sequence of accretion histories in phase space. Stacking optically star-forming cluster members on the Herschel maps, we measure average infrared star formation rates, and, for the first time in high-redshift galaxy clusters, dust temperatures for dynamically distinct galaxy populations---namely, recent infalls and those that were accreted onto the cluster at an earlier epoch. Proceeding from the infalling to virialized (central) regions of phase space, we find a steady decrease in the specific star formation rate and increase in the stellar age of star-forming cluster galaxies. We perform a probability analysis to investigate all acceptable infrared spectral energy distributions within the full parameter space and measure a ~4 sigma drop in the average dust temperature of cluster galaxies in an intermediate phase-space bin, compared to an otherwise flat trend with phase space. We suggest one plausible quenching mechanism which may be consistent with these trends, invoking ram-pressure stripping of the warmer dust for galaxies within this intermediate accretion phase.