Constraints on the evolutionary mechanisms of massive galaxies since z ∼ 1 from their velocity dispersions

Abstract

Several authors have reported that the dynamical masses of massive compact galaxies (M_⋆ ≳ 10^11 M_⊙, r_e ∼ 1 kpc), computed as M_dyn=5.0 σ_e^2r_e/GMdyn=5.0 σe2re/G, are lower than their stellar masses M_⋆. In a previous study from our group, the discrepancy is interpreted as a breakdown of the assumption of homology that underlie the M_dyn determinations. Here, we present new spectroscopy of six redshift z ≈ 1.0 massive compact ellipticals from the Extended Groth Strip, obtained with the 10.4 m Gran Telescopio Canarias. We obtain velocity dispersions in the range 161–340 km s^−1. As found by previous studies of massive compact galaxies, our velocity dispersions are lower than the virial expectation, and all of our galaxies show M_dyn < M_⋆ (assuming a Salpeter initial mass function). Adding data from the literature, we build a sample covering a range of stellar masses and compactness in a narrow redshift range z ≈ 1.0. This allows us to exclude systematic effects on the data and evolutionary effects on the galaxy population, which could have affected previous studies. We confirm that mass discrepancy scales with galaxy compactness. We use the stellar mass plane (M_⋆, σ_e, r_e) populated by our sample to constrain a generic evolution mechanism. We find that the simulations of the growth of massive ellipticals due to mergers agree with our constraints and discard the assumption of homology.