Open AccessThe 2dF Galaxy Redshift Survey: the blue galaxy fraction and implications for the Butcher–Oemler effect
Author(s) -
De Propris Roberto,
Colless Matthew,
Peacock John A.,
Couch Warrick J.,
Driver Simon P.,
Balogh Michael L.,
Baldry Ivan K.,
Baugh Carlton M.,
BlandHawthorn Joss,
Bridges Terry,
Can Russell,
Cole Shaun,
Collins Chris,
Cross Nicholas,
Dalton Gavin,
Efstathiou George,
Ellis Richard S.,
Frenk Carlos S.,
Glazebrook Karl,
Hawkins Edward,
Jackson Carole,
Lahav Ofer,
Lewis Ian,
Lumsden Stuart,
Maddox Steve,
Madgwick Darren,
Norberg Peder,
Percival Will,
Peterson Bruce A.,
Sutherland Will,
Taylor Keith
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
monthly notices of the royal astronomical society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.058
H-Index - 383
eISSN - 1365-2966
pISSN - 0035-8711
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2966.2004.07756.x
Subject(s) - physics , astrophysics , astronomy , brightest cluster galaxy , galaxy cluster , luminosity , galaxy , lenticular galaxy , redshift , galaxy group , cluster (spacecraft) , radius , computer security , computer science , programming language
We derive the fraction of blue galaxies in a sample of clusters at z < 0.11 and the general field at the same redshift. The value of the blue fraction is observed to depend on the luminosity limit adopted, cluster‐centric radius and, more generally, local galaxy density, but it does not depend on cluster properties. Changes in the blue fraction are due to variations in the relative proportions of red and blue galaxies but the star formation rate for these two galaxy groups remains unchanged. Our results are most consistent with a model where the star formation rate declines rapidly and the blue galaxies tend to be dwarfs and do not favour mechanisms where the Butcher–Oemler effect is caused by processes specific to the cluster environment.