Quenching Star Formation: Can AGN Do the Trick?

Abstract

We post-process galaxy star formation histories in cosmological hydrodynamics simulations to test quenching mechanisms associated with AGN. By comparing simulation results to color-magnitude diagrams and luminosity functions of SDSS galaxies, we examine whether "quasar mode" or "radio mode" AGN feedback can yield a realistic red sequence. Both cases yield red sequences distinct from the blue cloud, decent matches to the luminosity function, and galaxies that are too blue by about 0.1 magnitudes in g-r. Our merger-based prescription for quasar mode feedback, however, yields a red sequence build-up inconsistent with observations: the luminosity function lacks a characteristic knee, and the brightest galaxies include a small number of young stars.

4 pages, 1 figure. To appear in proceedings of "The Monster's Fiery Breath: Feedback in Galaxies, Groups, and Clusters," June 2009, Madison, Wisconsin