Galaxy evolution in modified gravity simulations: using galaxy properties to constrain our gravitational model

ABSTRACT We present a quantitative analysis of the properties of galaxies and structures evolving in universes dominated by different modified gravitational models, including two variants of the f (R) -gravity (F) and two of the Dvali–Gabdadze–Poratti (N) braneworld model, which respectively feature the chameleon and Vainshtein screening mechanisms. Using the Simulation HYdrodynamics BeyONd Einstein (shybone) cosmological hydrodynamical full-physics simulations suite, we study the departures in the properties of galaxies residing in different environments with respect to the standard model (GR). Using two different criteria to compare, we find that structures formed within modified gravity tend to show a denser gas density profile than their GR counterparts. Within the different modified gravity models, N1 and F5 gravity models show greater departures from the standard model, with gas density profiles ₈₆₌ 30~{\ per\ cent} denser in the outskirts for the N1 model, and in the inner parts for the F5 model. Additionally, we find that haloes evolving in MG universes show, in general, larger quenched fractions than GR, reaching up to 20 per cent larger quenching fractions in F5 regardless of the stellar mass of the galaxy. Concerning the other models, F6, N1, and N5 show slightly larger quenched fractions, but no strong differences can be found. These results directly impact the colour distribution of galaxies, making them in MG models redder and older than their GR counterparts. Like GR, once the environment starts to play a role, galaxies rapidly get quenched, and the differences between models vanish.