Abstract
Star formation rate and accumulated stellar mass are two fundamental physical quantities that describe the evolutionary state of a forming galaxy. Two recent attempts to determine the relationship between these quantities, by interpreting a sample of star-forming galaxies at redshift of z~ 4, have led to opposite conclusions. Using a model galaxy population, we investigate possible causes for this discrepancy and conclude that minor errors in the conversion from observables to physical quantities can lead to a major misrepresentation when applied without awareness of sample selection. We also investigate, in a general way, the physical origin of the correlation between star formation rate and stellar mass within the hierarchical galaxy formation theory.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 1927-1936 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society |
Volume | 414 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jul 2011 |
Keywords
- Galaxies: evolution
- Galaxies: formation
- Galaxies: high redshift
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Space and Planetary Science