SEAGLE--III: Towards resolving the mismatch in the dark-matter fraction in early-type galaxies between simulations and observations

Abstract

The central dark-matter fraction of galaxies is sensitive to feedback processes during galaxy formation. Strong gravitational lensing has been effective in the precise measurement of the dark-matter fraction inside massive early-type galaxies. Here, we compare the projected dark-matter fraction of early-type galaxies inferred from the SLACS strong-lens survey, with those obtained from the EAGLE, Illustris, and IllustrisTNG hydro-dynamical simulations. Previous comparisons with some simulations revealed a large discrepancy, with considerably higher inferred dark-matter fractions -- by factors 2-3 -- inside half of the effective radius in observed strong-lens galaxies as compared to simulated galaxies. Here, we report good agreement between EAGLE and SLACS for the dark-matter fractions inside both half of the effective radius and the effective radius as a function of the galaxy's stellar mass, effective radius, and total mass-density slope. However, for IllustrisTNG and Illustris, the dark-matter fractions are lower than observed. This work consistently assumes a Chabrier IMF, which suggests that a different IMF (although not excluded) is not necessary to resolve this mismatch. The differences in the stellar feedback model between EAGLE and Illustris and IllustrisTNG, are likely the dominant cause of the difference in their dark-matter fraction, and density slope.

Matches with the published version. Fixed an error in Fig 2. Updated reference. Conclusions unchanged. 7 pages, 4 figures

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Cited by in corpus (7)

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• CASCO: Cosmological and AStrophysical parameters from Cosmological simulations and Observations -- I. Constraining physical processes in local star-forming galaxies
• CASCO: Cosmological and AStrophysical parameters from Cosmological simulations and Observations -- II. Constraining cosmology and astrophysical processes with early- and late-type galaxies
• Diverse Rotation Curves of Galaxies in a Simulated Universe: the Observed Dependence on Stellar Mass and Morphology Reproduced
• Milky-Way-like stars in a galaxy core 8 billion years ago revealed by gravitational lensing