Tracing galaxies through cosmic time / by Joel Robert Leja.

Ann Arbor, MI : ProQuest, [2019]

©2017

221 pages ; 23 cm

In this thesis, I describe how observations of stellar mass and star formation rate properties of galaxies over cosmic time can be converted into the stellar mass assembly history of galaxies. I first postulate that the stellar mass rank-order of galaxies is preserved through cosmic time, and test whether this is true in a semi-analytical model of galaxy formation. I find that assuming preservation of stellar mass rank order reproduces the median stellar mass growth of a galaxy population to within 40% from z = 3 to z = 0 over a wide range in galaxy properties. I establish that the discrepancy mainly results from scatter in stellar mass growth rates, and galaxy-galaxy mergers. The main uncertainties in this work are that the semi-analytical model does not reproduce the observed evolution of the stellar mass function, and that the scatter in growth rates about the median may be substantial.

English

June 26, 2019

Ph.D. Yale University 2016.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 203-221).

Academic theses.

Yale University, degree granting institution.