Abstract
We report the discovery of an X-ray group of galaxies located at a high redshift of z = 1.61 in the Chandra Deep Field South. Based on 4 Ms Chandra data, the group is first identified as an extended X-ray source. We have used a wealth of deep multi-wavelength data to identify the optical counterpart-our red sequence finder detects a significant over-density of galaxies at z ~ 1.6. The brightest group galaxy is spectroscopically confirmed at z = 1.61, based on published spectroscopic redshifts. Using this as a central redshift of the group, we measure an X-ray luminosity of L 0.1-2.4keV = (1.8±0.6) × 10 43 erg s -1 , which then translates into a group mass of (3.2±0.8) × 10 13 M⊙. This is the lowest-mass group ever confirmed at z > 1.5. Deep optical-nearIR images from CANDELS reveal that the group exhibits a surprisingly prominent red sequence, and most of the galaxies are consistent with a formation redshift of z f =3. A detailed analysis of the spectral energy distributions of the group member candidates confirms that most of them are indeed passive galaxies. Furthermore, their structural parameters measured from near-IR CANDELS images show that they are morphologically early-type. The newly identified group at z = 1.61 is dominated by quiescent early-type galaxies, and the group appears to be similar to those in the local Universe. One possible difference is the high fraction of AGN-38 +23 -20 % of the bright group member candidates are AGN, which might indicate a role for AGN in the quenching of star formation. However, a statistical sample of high-z groups is needed to draw a general picture of groups at this redshift. Such a sample will hopefully be available in near-future surveys.
Original language | English (US) |
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Article number | 17 |
Journal | Publications of the Astronomical Society of Japan |
Volume | 65 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Feb 25 2013 |
Keywords
- Galaxies: clusters: individual: CL J033211.67-274633.8
- Galaxies: evolution
- Galaxies: formation
- Galaxies: fundamental parameters
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Space and Planetary Science