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Paper: The Origin of Star Formation since z = 1
Volume: 390, Pathways Through an Eclectic Universe
Page: 268
Authors: Hammer, F.; Puech, M.; Yang, Y.B.; Flores, H.
Abstract: The use of multiple integral field units with FLAMES/GIRAFFE at the VLT has revolutionized investigations of distant galaxy kinematics. This facility can recover the velocity fields of almost all emission-line galaxies with I(AB)< 22.5 at z < 0.8. We have gathered a unique sample of 63 velocity fields at z = 0.4–0.75, which are representative of Mstellar ≥ 1.5 × 1010M emission-line (W0([OII])≥ 15Å) galaxies and are unaffected by cosmic variance. Taking into account all galaxies—with or without emission lines—in that redshift range, we find that 42±7% have anomalous kinematics, including 26±7% with complex kinematics, i.e., not supported by either rotation or by dispersion. The large fraction of complex velocity fields suggests the high impact of merging in shaping the galaxies in the intermediate-mass range. We discuss how this can be accommodated within the framework of current scenarios of galaxy formation, including for the Milky Way and M31.
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