Probing the evolution of early-type galaxies using multi-colour number counts and redshift distributions

Abstract

We investigate pure luminosity evolution models for early-type (elliptical and S0) galaxies (i.e., no number density change or morphology transition), and examine whether these models are consistent with observed number counts in the B, I and K bands and redshift distributions of two samples of faint galaxies selected in the I and K bands. The models are characterized by the star formation time scale ${\tau }_{SF}$ and the time $t_{gw}$ when galactic wind blows in addition to several other conventional parameters. We find the single-burst model (${\tau }_{SF}$=0.1 Gyr and $t_{gw}$=0.353 Gyr), which is known to reproduce the photometric properties of early-type galaxies in clusters, is inconsistent with redshift distributions of early-type galaxies in the field environment due to overpredictions of galaxies at $z\gsim1.4$ even with strong extinction which is at work until $t_{gw}$. In order for dust extinction to be more effective, we change ${\tau }_{SF}$ and $t_{gw}$ as free parameters, and find that models with $τ_{SF}\gsim0.5$ Gyr and $t_{gw}>1.0$ Gyr can be made consistent with both the observed redshift distributions and number counts, if we introduce strong extinction $(E(B-V)\ge 1$ as a peak value). These results suggest that early-type galaxies in the field environment do not have the same evolutionary history as described by the single-burst model.

6 pages including 4 PS figures; accepted for publication in MNRAS

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• A New Complete Sample of Sub-millijansky Radio Sources: An Optical and Near-Infrared Study