Stellar Mass and Star Formation Rate within a Billion Light-Years

TL;DR

This study constructs a comprehensive near-infrared flux-limited catalog of stellar mass and star formation rate within 350 Mpc, aiding galaxy-targeting and cosmological applications, and linking matter distribution to ultra-high-energy cosmic phenomena.

Contribution

The paper develops a new, extensive catalog of stellar mass and SFR in the local universe, integrating multiple surveys and providing a basis for cosmological and astroparticle physics research.

Findings

Stellar mass and SFR densities align with deep-field observations beyond 100 Mpc.

The 3D distribution of matter matches cosmic flow models.

The catalog supports modeling of ultra-high-energy cosmic ray anisotropies.

Abstract

To develop galaxy-targeting approaches, the gravitational-wave community built a catalog of stellar mass in the local universe based on the 2MASS spectroscopic and photometric redshift surveys. By cleaning and supplementing this catalog, the present work aims to establish a near-infrared flux-limited sample to map both stellar mass and star formation rate (SFR) over the full sky. The 2MASS spectroscopic and photometric redshift surveys are cross-matched with the HyperLEDA database and the Local Volume sample at d < 11 Mpc, providing a flux-limited sample with revised distance estimates and corrections for incompleteness out to 350 Mpc. Scaling relations with stellar mass as a function of morphology are used to construct a SFR cosmography in the local universe. Stellar mass and SFR densities converge towards values compatible with deep-field observations beyond 100 Mpc. The 3D distribution of these two tracers is consistent with the distribution of matter deduced from cosmic flows. With spectroscopic redshifts available for about half of the ~400,000 galaxies within 350 Mpc and photometric distances with a 12% uncertainty available for the other half, the present sample may find applications in both cosmology and astroparticle physics. The present work provides in particular new bases for modeling the large- and intermediate-scale anisotropies observed at ultra-high energies. The distribution of magnetic fields at Mpc scales, which can be deduced from the 3D distribution of matter, is inferred to be crucial in shaping the ultra-high-energy sky.