Insights on the stellar mass-metallicity relation from the CALIFA survey

R. M. Gonzalez Delgado; R. Cid Fernandes; R. Garcia-Benito; E. Perez; A. L. de Amorim; C. Cortijo-Ferrero; E. A. D. Lacerda; R. Lopez Fernandez; S. F. Sanchez; N. Vale Asari; J. Alves; J. Bland-Hawthorn; L. Galbany; A. Gallazzi; B. Husemann; S. Bekeraite; B. Jungwiert; A. R. Lopez-Sanchez; Adriana De Lorenzo-Caceres Rodriguez; R. A. Marino; D. Mast; M. Molla; A. del Olmo; P. Sanchez-Blazquez; G. van de Ven; J. M. Vilchez; C. J. Walcher; L. Wisotzki; B. Ziegler

doi:10.1088/2041-8205/791/1/L16

Insights on the stellar mass-metallicity relation from the CALIFA survey

R. M. Gonzalez Delgado^*, R. Cid Fernandes, R. Garcia-Benito, E. Perez, A. L. de Amorim, C. Cortijo-Ferrero, E. A. D. Lacerda, R. Lopez Fernandez, S. F. Sanchez, N. Vale Asari, J. Alves, J. Bland-Hawthorn, L. Galbany, A. Gallazzi, B. Husemann, S. Bekeraite, B. Jungwiert, A. R. Lopez-Sanchez, Adriana De Lorenzo-Caceres Rodriguez, R. A. MarinoD. Mast, M. Molla, A. del Olmo, P. Sanchez-Blazquez, G. van de Ven, J. M. Vilchez, C. J. Walcher, L. Wisotzki, B. Ziegler

^*Corresponding author for this work

School of Physics and Astronomy

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Abstract

We use spatially and temporally resolved maps of stellar population properties of 300 galaxies from the CALIFA
integral field survey to investigate how the stellar metallicity (Z_*) relates to the total stellar mass (M_*) and the local
mass surface density (μ_*) in both spheroidal- and disk-dominated galaxies. The galaxies are shown to follow a
clear stellar mass–metallicity relation (MZR) over the whole 10⁹–10¹²M_Θ range. This relation is steeper than the
one derived from nebular abundances, which is similar to the flatter stellar MZR derived when we consider only
young stars.We also find a strong relation between the local values of μ_* and Z_*(the μZR), betraying the influence
of local factors in determining Z_*. This shows that both local (μ_*-driven) and global (M_*-driven) processes are
important in determining metallicity in galaxies. We find that the overall balance between local and global effects
varies with the location within a galaxy. In disks, μ_*regulates Z_*, producing a strong μZR whose amplitude is
modulated by M_*. In spheroids it is M_*that dominates the physics of star formation and chemical enrichment, with
μ_* playing a minor, secondary role. These findings agree with our previous analysis of the star formation histories
of CALIFA galaxies, which showed that mean stellar ages are mainly governed by surface density in galaxy disks
and by total mass in spheroids.

Original language	English
Article number	L16
Number of pages	5
Journal	Astrophysical Journal Letters
Volume	791
Issue number	1
Early online date	28 Jul 2014
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1088/2041-8205/791/1/L16
Publication status	Published - 10 Aug 2014

Keywords

galaxies: evolution
galaxies: fundamental parameters
galaxies: stellar content
galaxies: structure
Digital Sky Survey
Field area survey
Spiral galaxies
Evolution

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10.1088/2041-8205/791/1/L16

Rodriguez_2014_TAJL_Insights
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Astrophysics at St Andrews:2012 - 2014: Astrophysics at St Andrews: 2012 - 2014
Horne, K. D. (PI)
Science & Technology Facilities Council
1/10/11 → 31/03/12
Project: Standard

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Gonzalez Delgado, R. M., Cid Fernandes, R., Garcia-Benito, R., Perez, E., de Amorim, A. L., Cortijo-Ferrero, C., Lacerda, E. A. D., Lopez Fernandez, R., Sanchez, S. F., Vale Asari, N., Alves, J., Bland-Hawthorn, J., Galbany, L., Gallazzi, A., Husemann, B., Bekeraite, S., Jungwiert, B., Lopez-Sanchez, A. R., De Lorenzo-Caceres Rodriguez, A., ... Ziegler, B. (2014). Insights on the stellar mass-metallicity relation from the CALIFA survey. Astrophysical Journal Letters, 791(1), Article L16. https://doi.org/10.1088/2041-8205/791/1/L16

@article{615922a9d2c9404bbd78f867a507316c,

title = "Insights on the stellar mass-metallicity relation from the CALIFA survey",

abstract = "We use spatially and temporally resolved maps of stellar population properties of 300 galaxies from the CALIFA integral field survey to investigate how the stellar metallicity (Z*) relates to the total stellar mass (M*) and the local mass surface density (μ*) in both spheroidal- and disk-dominated galaxies. The galaxies are shown to follow a clear stellar mass–metallicity relation (MZR) over the whole 109–1012MΘ range. This relation is steeper than the one derived from nebular abundances, which is similar to the flatter stellar MZR derived when we consider only young stars.We also find a strong relation between the local values of μ* and Z* (the μZR), betraying the influence of local factors in determining Z*. This shows that both local (μ*-driven) and global (M*-driven) processes are important in determining metallicity in galaxies. We find that the overall balance between local and global effects varies with the location within a galaxy. In disks, μ* regulates Z*, producing a strong μZR whose amplitude is modulated by M*. In spheroids it is M* that dominates the physics of star formation and chemical enrichment, with μ* playing a minor, secondary role. These findings agree with our previous analysis of the star formation histories of CALIFA galaxies, which showed that mean stellar ages are mainly governed by surface density in galaxy disks and by total mass in spheroids.",

keywords = "galaxies: evolution, galaxies: fundamental parameters, galaxies: stellar content, galaxies: structure, Digital Sky Survey, Field area survey, Spiral galaxies, Evolution",

author = "{Gonzalez Delgado}, {R. M.} and {Cid Fernandes}, R. and R. Garcia-Benito and E. Perez and {de Amorim}, {A. L.} and C. Cortijo-Ferrero and Lacerda, {E. A. D.} and {Lopez Fernandez}, R. and Sanchez, {S. F.} and {Vale Asari}, N. and J. Alves and J. Bland-Hawthorn and L. Galbany and A. Gallazzi and B. Husemann and S. Bekeraite and B. Jungwiert and Lopez-Sanchez, {A. R.} and {De Lorenzo-Caceres Rodriguez}, Adriana and Marino, {R. A.} and D. Mast and M. Molla and {del Olmo}, A. and P. Sanchez-Blazquez and {van de Ven}, G. and Vilchez, {J. M.} and Walcher, {C. J.} and L. Wisotzki and B. Ziegler",

year = "2014",

month = aug,

day = "10",

doi = "10.1088/2041-8205/791/1/L16",

language = "English",

volume = "791",

journal = "Astrophysical Journal Letters",

issn = "2041-8205",

publisher = "American Astronomical Society",

number = "1",

}

Gonzalez Delgado, RM, Cid Fernandes, R, Garcia-Benito, R, Perez, E, de Amorim, AL, Cortijo-Ferrero, C, Lacerda, EAD, Lopez Fernandez, R, Sanchez, SF, Vale Asari, N, Alves, J, Bland-Hawthorn, J, Galbany, L, Gallazzi, A, Husemann, B, Bekeraite, S, Jungwiert, B, Lopez-Sanchez, AR, De Lorenzo-Caceres Rodriguez, A, Marino, RA, Mast, D, Molla, M, del Olmo, A, Sanchez-Blazquez, P, van de Ven, G, Vilchez, JM, Walcher, CJ, Wisotzki, L & Ziegler, B 2014, 'Insights on the stellar mass-metallicity relation from the CALIFA survey', Astrophysical Journal Letters, vol. 791, no. 1, L16. https://doi.org/10.1088/2041-8205/791/1/L16

TY - JOUR

T1 - Insights on the stellar mass-metallicity relation from the CALIFA survey

AU - Gonzalez Delgado, R. M.

AU - Cid Fernandes, R.

AU - Garcia-Benito, R.

AU - Perez, E.

AU - de Amorim, A. L.

AU - Cortijo-Ferrero, C.

AU - Lacerda, E. A. D.

AU - Lopez Fernandez, R.

AU - Sanchez, S. F.

AU - Vale Asari, N.

AU - Alves, J.

AU - Bland-Hawthorn, J.

AU - Galbany, L.

AU - Gallazzi, A.

AU - Husemann, B.

AU - Bekeraite, S.

AU - Jungwiert, B.

AU - Lopez-Sanchez, A. R.

AU - De Lorenzo-Caceres Rodriguez, Adriana

AU - Marino, R. A.

AU - Mast, D.

AU - Molla, M.

AU - del Olmo, A.

AU - Sanchez-Blazquez, P.

AU - van de Ven, G.

AU - Vilchez, J. M.

AU - Walcher, C. J.

AU - Wisotzki, L.

AU - Ziegler, B.

PY - 2014/8/10

Y1 - 2014/8/10

N2 - We use spatially and temporally resolved maps of stellar population properties of 300 galaxies from the CALIFA integral field survey to investigate how the stellar metallicity (Z*) relates to the total stellar mass (M*) and the local mass surface density (μ*) in both spheroidal- and disk-dominated galaxies. The galaxies are shown to follow a clear stellar mass–metallicity relation (MZR) over the whole 109–1012MΘ range. This relation is steeper than the one derived from nebular abundances, which is similar to the flatter stellar MZR derived when we consider only young stars.We also find a strong relation between the local values of μ* and Z* (the μZR), betraying the influence of local factors in determining Z*. This shows that both local (μ*-driven) and global (M*-driven) processes are important in determining metallicity in galaxies. We find that the overall balance between local and global effects varies with the location within a galaxy. In disks, μ* regulates Z*, producing a strong μZR whose amplitude is modulated by M*. In spheroids it is M* that dominates the physics of star formation and chemical enrichment, with μ* playing a minor, secondary role. These findings agree with our previous analysis of the star formation histories of CALIFA galaxies, which showed that mean stellar ages are mainly governed by surface density in galaxy disks and by total mass in spheroids.

AB - We use spatially and temporally resolved maps of stellar population properties of 300 galaxies from the CALIFA integral field survey to investigate how the stellar metallicity (Z*) relates to the total stellar mass (M*) and the local mass surface density (μ*) in both spheroidal- and disk-dominated galaxies. The galaxies are shown to follow a clear stellar mass–metallicity relation (MZR) over the whole 109–1012MΘ range. This relation is steeper than the one derived from nebular abundances, which is similar to the flatter stellar MZR derived when we consider only young stars.We also find a strong relation between the local values of μ* and Z* (the μZR), betraying the influence of local factors in determining Z*. This shows that both local (μ*-driven) and global (M*-driven) processes are important in determining metallicity in galaxies. We find that the overall balance between local and global effects varies with the location within a galaxy. In disks, μ* regulates Z*, producing a strong μZR whose amplitude is modulated by M*. In spheroids it is M* that dominates the physics of star formation and chemical enrichment, with μ* playing a minor, secondary role. These findings agree with our previous analysis of the star formation histories of CALIFA galaxies, which showed that mean stellar ages are mainly governed by surface density in galaxy disks and by total mass in spheroids.

KW - galaxies: evolution

KW - galaxies: fundamental parameters

KW - galaxies: stellar content

KW - galaxies: structure

KW - Digital Sky Survey

KW - Field area survey

KW - Spiral galaxies

KW - Evolution

U2 - 10.1088/2041-8205/791/1/L16

DO - 10.1088/2041-8205/791/1/L16

M3 - Article

SN - 2041-8205

VL - 791

JO - Astrophysical Journal Letters

JF - Astrophysical Journal Letters

IS - 1

M1 - L16

ER -

Insights on the stellar mass-metallicity relation from the CALIFA survey

Abstract

Keywords

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Projects

Astrophysics at St Andrews:2012 - 2014: Astrophysics at St Andrews: 2012 - 2014

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