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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Chris HarrisonORCiD
This is the final published version of an article that has been published in its final definitive form by Oxford University Press, 2019.
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© 2019 The Author(s).We investigate the contribution of clumps and satellites to the galaxy mass assembly. We analysed spatially resolved Hubble Space Telescope observations (imaging and slitless spectroscopy) of 53 star-forming galaxies at z ∼ 1-3. We created continuum and emission line maps and pinpointed residual 'blobs' detected after subtracting the galaxy disc. Those were separated into compact (unresolved) and extended (resolved) components. Extended components have sizes ∼2 kpc and comparable stellar mass and age as the galaxy discs, whereas the compact components are 1.5 dex less massive and 0.4 dex younger than the discs. Furthermore, the extended blobs are typically found at larger distances from the galaxy barycentre than the compact ones. Prompted by these observations and by the comparison with simulations, we suggest that compact blobs are in situ formed clumps, whereas the extended ones are accreting satellites. Clumps and satellites enclose, respectively, ∼20 per cent and 80 per cent of the galaxy stellar mass, ∼30 per cent and ∼20 per cent of its star formation rate. Considering the compact blobs, we statistically estimated that massive clumps (Mθ ≳ 109 Mθ) have lifetimes of ∼650 Myr, and the less massive ones (108 < Mθ < 109 Mθ) of ∼145 Myr. This supports simulations predicting long-lived clumps (lifetime ≳100 Myr). Finally, ≲30 per cent (13 per cent) of our sample galaxies are undergoing single (multiple) merger(s), they have a projected separation≲10 kpc, and the typical mass ratio of our satellites is 1:5 (but ranges between 1:10 and 1:1), in agreement with literature results for close pair galaxies.
Author(s): Zanella A, Le Floc'h E, Harrison CM, Daddi E, Bernhard E, Gobat R, Strazzullo V, Valentino F, Cibinel A, Sanchez Almeida J, Kohandel M, Fensch J, Behrendt M, Burkert A, Onodera M, Bournaud F, Scholtz J
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Year: 2019
Volume: 489
Issue: 2
Pages: 2792-2818
Print publication date: 01/10/2019
Online publication date: 05/08/2019
Acceptance date: 26/07/2019
Date deposited: 04/02/2020
ISSN (print): 0035-8711
ISSN (electronic): 1365-2966
Publisher: Oxford University Press
URL: https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/stz2099
DOI: 10.1093/mnras/stz2099
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