Star formation suppression, gas consumption and stripping in cluster satellites

Observations show that satellite galaxies have a peak in quenching timescale at stellar masses M_star = 10^9 M_sun; less and more massive satellite galaxies quench quicker. This trend was investigated using EAGLE simulation particle data. The trend can be qualitatively reproduced. Gas particles of satellites were selected at infall time and their evolution was tracked into the future to find the prevailing mechanism that removes their gas. Low mass satellites have part of their star forming gas mechanically removed by ram pressure stripping, this effect becomes less effective with increasing stellar mass; higher mass satellites are quenched relatively quickly by starvation which also becomes less effective at lower masses. Intermediate mass satellites at M_star = 10^9.75 M_sun are on the intersection where neither of the mechanisms are effective and hence the gas consumption is longer