TY - JOUR
T1 - Insights on the Stellar Mass-Metallicity Relation from the CALIFA Survey
AU - The CALIFA collaboration
AU - González Delgado, R. M.
AU - Cid Fernandes, R.
AU - García-Benito, R.
AU - Pérez, E.
AU - de Amorim, A. L.
AU - Cortijo-Ferrero, C.
AU - Lacerda, E. A. D.
AU - López Fernández, R.
AU - Sánchez, S. F.
AU - Vale Asari, N.
AU - Alves, J.
AU - Bland-Hawthorn, J.
AU - Galbany, L.
AU - Gallazzi, A.
AU - Husemann, B.
AU - Bekeraite, S.
AU - Jungwiert, B.
AU - López-Sánchez, A. R.
AU - de Lorenzo-Cáceres, A.
AU - Marino, R. A.
AU - Mast, D.
AU - Mollá, M.
AU - del Olmo, A.
AU - Sánchez-Blázquez, P.
AU - van de Ven, G.
AU - Vílchez, J. M.
AU - Walcher, C. J.
AU - Wisotzki, L.
AU - Ziegler, B.
PY - 2014/8/10
Y1 - 2014/8/10
N2 - We use spatially and temporally resolved maps of stellar population
properties of 300 galaxies from the CALIFA integral field survey to
investigate how the stellar metallicity (Z sstarf) relates to
the total stellar mass (M sstarf) and the local mass surface
density (μsstarf) in both spheroidal- and disk-dominated
galaxies. The galaxies are shown to follow a clear stellar
mass-metallicity relation (MZR) over the whole
109-1012 M ☉ range. This relation
is steeper than the one derived from nebular abundances, which is
similar to the flatter stellar MZR derived when we consider only young
stars. We also find a strong relation between the local values of
μsstarf and Z sstarf (the μZR), betraying
the influence of local factors in determining Z sstarf. This
shows that both local (μsstarf-driven) and global (M
sstarf-driven) processes are important in determining
metallicity in galaxies. We find that the overall balance between local
and global effects varies with the location within a galaxy. In disks,
μsstarf regulates Z sstarf, producing a strong
μZR whose amplitude is modulated by M sstarf. In spheroids
it is M sstarf that dominates the physics of star formation
and chemical enrichment, with μsstarf playing a minor,
secondary role. These findings agree with our previous analysis of the
star formation histories of CALIFA galaxies, which showed that mean
stellar ages are mainly governed by surface density in galaxy disks and
by total mass in spheroids.
AB - We use spatially and temporally resolved maps of stellar population
properties of 300 galaxies from the CALIFA integral field survey to
investigate how the stellar metallicity (Z sstarf) relates to
the total stellar mass (M sstarf) and the local mass surface
density (μsstarf) in both spheroidal- and disk-dominated
galaxies. The galaxies are shown to follow a clear stellar
mass-metallicity relation (MZR) over the whole
109-1012 M ☉ range. This relation
is steeper than the one derived from nebular abundances, which is
similar to the flatter stellar MZR derived when we consider only young
stars. We also find a strong relation between the local values of
μsstarf and Z sstarf (the μZR), betraying
the influence of local factors in determining Z sstarf. This
shows that both local (μsstarf-driven) and global (M
sstarf-driven) processes are important in determining
metallicity in galaxies. We find that the overall balance between local
and global effects varies with the location within a galaxy. In disks,
μsstarf regulates Z sstarf, producing a strong
μZR whose amplitude is modulated by M sstarf. In spheroids
it is M sstarf that dominates the physics of star formation
and chemical enrichment, with μsstarf playing a minor,
secondary role. These findings agree with our previous analysis of the
star formation histories of CALIFA galaxies, which showed that mean
stellar ages are mainly governed by surface density in galaxy disks and
by total mass in spheroids.
KW - galaxies: evolution
KW - galaxies: fundamental parameters
KW - galaxies: stellar content
KW - galaxies: structure
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84905219621&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1088/2041-8205/791/1/L16
DO - 10.1088/2041-8205/791/1/L16
M3 - Short communication
SN - 2041-8205
VL - 791
JO - The Astrophysical journal Letters
JF - The Astrophysical journal Letters
IS - 1
M1 - L16
ER -