RED NUGGETS AT HIGH REDSHIFT: STRUCTURAL EVOLUTION OF QUIESCENT GALAXIES OVER 10 Gyr OF COSMIC HISTORY

Abstract

We present an analysis of the size growth seen in early-type galaxies over 10\nGyr of cosmic time. Our analysis is based on a homogeneous synthesis of\npublished data from 17 spectroscopic surveys observed at similar spatial\nresolution, augmented by new measurements for galaxies in the Gemini Deep Deep\nSurvey. In total, our sample contains structural data for 465 galaxies (mainly\nearly-type) in the redshift range 0.2<z<2.7. The size evolution of\npassively-evolving galaxies over this redshift range is gradual and continuous,\nwith no evidence for an end or change to the process around z~1, as has been\nhinted at by some surveys which analyze subsets of the data in isolation. The\nsize growth appears to be independent of stellar mass, with the mass-normalized\nhalf-light radius scaling with redshift as R_e (1+z)^(-1.62 +/- 0.34).\nSurprisingly, this power law seems to be in good agreement with the recently\nreported continuous size evolution of UV-bright galaxies in the redshift range\nz~0.5-3.5. It is also in accordance with the predictions from recent\ntheoretical models.\n