Velocity Dispersion, Size, S\'ersic Index and $D_n4000$: The Scaling of Stellar Mass with Dynamical Mass for Quiescent Galaxies

TL;DR

This study investigates the relationships between stellar mass, dynamical properties, and structural parameters of quiescent galaxies, revealing that stellar mass is proportional to dynamical mass and that these galaxies do not evolve passively over time.

Contribution

It provides an empirical correction for non-homology in galaxy structures and demonstrates that stellar mass is directly proportional to dynamical mass in quiescent galaxies.

Findings

Stellar mass is proportional to dynamical mass ($M_ ext{star} ightarrow M_d$).

Quiescent galaxies are approximately in virial equilibrium.

Passive evolution models do not match observed redshift evolution.

Abstract

We examine the relation between stellar mass, velocity dispersion, size, S\'ersic index and $D_n4000$ for ~40,000 quiescent galaxies in the SDSS. At a fixed stellar mass, galaxies with higher $D_n4000$ have larger velocity dispersions and smaller sizes. $D_n4000$ is a proxy for stellar population age, thus these trends suggest that older galaxies typically have larger velocity dispersions and smaller sizes. We combine velocity dispersion and size into a dynamical mass estimator, $\sigma^2 R$. At a fixed stellar mass, $\sigma^2 R$ depends on $D_n4000$. The S\'ersic index is also correlated with $D_n4000$. The dependence of $\sigma^2 R$ and S\'ersic index on $D_n4000$ suggests that quiescent galaxies are not structurally homologous systems. We derive an empirical correction for non-homology which is consistent with the analytical correction derived from the virial theorem. After accounting for non-homologous galactic structure, we measure $M_\ast \propto M_d^{0.998 \pm 0.004}$ where $M_\ast$ is the stellar mass and $M_d$ is the dynamical mass derived from the velocity dispersion and size; stellar mass is directly proportional to dynamical mass. Quiescent galaxies appear to be in approximate virial equilibrium and deviations of the fundamental plane parameters from the expected virial relation may result from mass-to-light ratio variations, selection effects and the non-homology of quiescent galaxies. We infer the redshift evolution of velocity dispersion and size for galaxies in our sample assuming purely passive evolution. The inferred evolution is inconsistent with direct measurements at higher redshifts. Thus quiescent galaxies do not passively evolve. Quiescent galaxies have properties consistent with standard galaxy formation in $\Lambda$CDM. They form at different epochs and evolve modestly increasing their size, velocity dispersion and S\'ersic index after they cease star formation.