BzK galaxy explained

In astrophysics, a BzK galaxy is a galaxy that has been selected as star-forming or passive based on its photometry in the B, z, and K photometric bands.

The selection criteria, as originally defined,^[1] are as follows:

• Star-forming BzK (sBzK) galaxies satisfy:

BzK \equiv (z - K) _{AB} - (B - z) _{AB} \geq -0 . 2

• Passive BzK (pBzK) galaxies satisfy:

BzK < -0 . 2 and (z - K) _{AB} > 2 . 5

See also

• Lyman-break galaxy

Notes and References

1. A New Photometric Technique for the Joint Selection of Star-forming and Passive . The Astrophysical Journal . 617 . 2 . 746–764 . 2004ApJ...617..746D . Daddi . E. . Cimatti . A. . Renzini . A. . Fontana . A. . Mignoli . M. . Pozzetti . L. . Tozzi . P. . Zamorani . G. . 2004 . 10.1086/425569 . astro-ph/0409041 . 119370438 .