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Article
Galaxy And Mass Assembly (GAMA) : galaxy colour gradients versus colour, structure, and luminosity.
Faculty Scholarship
  • Rebecca Kennedy, University of Nottingham
  • Steven P. Bamford, University of Nottingham
  • Boris Haußler, University of Oxford
  • Sarah Brough, Australian Astronomical Observatory
  • Benne W. Holwerda, University of Louisville
  • Andrew M. Hopkins, University of Leiden
  • Marina Vika, IAASARS, National Observatory of Athens
  • Benedetta Vulcani, University of Melbourne
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-1-2016
Department
Physics and Astronomy
Abstract

Using single-component fits to SDSS/UKIDSS images of galaxies in the G09 region of the GAMA survey we study radial colour gradients across the galaxy population. We use the multi-wavelength information provided by MegaMorph analysis of galaxy light profiles to calculate intrinsic colour gradients, and divide into six subsamples split by overall Sérsic index (n) and galaxy colour. We find a bimodality in the colour gradients of high- and low-n galaxies in all wavebands which varies with overall galaxy luminosity. Global trends in colour gradients therefore result from combining the contrasting behaviour of a number of different galaxy populations. The ubiquity of strong negative colour gradients supports the picture of inside-out growth through gas accretion for blue, low-n galaxies, and through dry minor mergers for red, high-n galaxies. An exception is the blue high-n population which has properties indicative of dissipative major mergers.

Comments

Reproduced with permission from Astronomy & Astrophysics, © ESO 2016

https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201628715

DOI
10.1051/0004-6361/201628715
Citation Information

Kennedy, Rebecca, et al. "Galaxy And Mass Assembly (GAMA): Galaxy Colour Gradients Versus Colour, Structure, and Luminosity." 2016. Astronomy & Astrophysics 593: 1-4.