Galaxy luminosity functions to z ∼ 1 from deep2 and combo-17:: Implications for red galaxy formation

The DEEP2 and COMBO-17 surveys are compared to study luminosity functions of red and blue galaxies to z similar to 1. The two surveys have different methods and sensitivities, but nevertheless results agree. After z similar to 1, M-B* B has dimmed by 1.2-1.3 mag for all colors of galaxies, phi* for blue galaxies has hardly changed, and phi* for red galaxies has at least doubled (our formal value is similar to 0.5 dex). Luminosity density j(B) has fallen by 0.6 dex for blue galaxies but has remained nearly constant for red galaxies. These results imply that the number and total stellar mass of blue galaxies have been substantially constant since z similar to 1, whereas those of red galaxies (near L*) have been significantly rising. To explain the new red galaxies, a mixed scenario is proposed in which star formation in blue cloud galaxies is quenched, causing them to migrate to the red sequence, where they merge further in a small number of stellar mergers. This mixed scenario matches the local boxy-disky transition for nearby ellipticals, as well as red sequence stellar population scaling laws such as the color-magnitude and Mg-sigma relations (which are explained as fossil relics from blue progenitors). Blue galaxies enter the red sequence via different quenching modes, each of which peaks at a different characteristic mass and time. The red sequence therefore likely builds up in different ways at different times and masses, and the concept of a single process that is downsizing (or upsizing) probably does not apply. Our claim in this paper of a rise in the number of red galaxies applies to galaxies near L*. Accurate counts of brighter galaxies on the steep part of the Schechter function require more accurate photometry than is currently available.