Program: GN-2018A-LP-4

Title:The GOGREEN Survey of dense galaxy environments at 1<z<1.5
PI:Michael Balogh
Co-I(s): Gabriella De Lucia, Greg Rudnick, Richard Bower, David Gilbank, Allison Noble, Jeremy Tinker, Andrea Biviano, Jon Willis, Michael Cooper, Gillian Wilson, Bob Abraham, Ian McCarthy, Ricardo Demarco, Mark David Lacy, Carlos Valotto, Adam Muzzin, Dennis Zaritsky, Warrick Couch, Alessandro Rettura, Julie Nantais, Hernan Muriel, Alexis Finoguenov, Tracy Webb, Diego Garcia Lambas, Ian Smail, Howard Yee, Erica Ellingson, Charlie Conroy, Andrew de Groot, Laura Parker, Jason Surace, Chris Lidman, M. Victoria Alonso, Andrew Wetzel, Sean McGee, Henk Hoekstra, Dennis Just, Remco van der Burg, Matt Owers, Bianca Poggianti

Abstract

Gemini-GMOS is the best instrument in the world for studying distant galaxy clusters, and the upgrade to Hamamatsu detectors allows us to make a monumental advance in our understanding of how environment influences galaxy evolution. The GOGREEN survey will obtain multi-object spectroscopy of 21 galaxy clusters in the redshift range 1<z<1.5, selected to be the progenitors of today's massive clusters. The sample of >1000 spectroscopically confirmed cluster members reaches unprecedented stellar masses at this redshift, providing the first look at environmental effects on galaxy evolution at a time when galaxies are growing in a fundamentally different way from today. Spectroscopy allows us to measure the dynamics of different galaxy populations, their relative stellar population ages, and to obtain a robust measurement of the abundance of low-mass, quiescent galaxies. Our international team of experts includes theorists with a wealth of experience in interpreting cluster data with simulations and analytic models. By combining GOGREEN with our own data on the lower-redshift descendants, we will measure the evolution of satellite galaxy dynamics and stellar populations over the last 9.3 Gyr of cosmic time. This will provide unique leverage to theoretical models, importantly testing them at an epoch where there are currently almost no constraints.

Publications using this program's data