When did the Large Elliptical Galaxies Form?

TL;DR

This paper discusses evidence suggesting large elliptical galaxies existed by redshift z=2, highlighting the importance of this finding for understanding galaxy formation despite measurement uncertainties.

Contribution

It compiles multiple lines of evidence indicating early formation of large ellipticals, emphasizing its significance for galaxy formation theories.

Findings

Large ellipticals existed at z=2

Evidence is consistent across multiple observations

Implications for galaxy formation models

Abstract

The simple reading of the evidence is that the large elliptical galaxies existed at about the present star mass and comoving number density at redshift z=2. This is subject to the usual uncertainties of measurement and interpretation in astronomy, but should be taken seriously because it is indicated by quite a few lines of evidence. And it might be a guide to a more perfect theory of galaxy formation.