Environments of red nuggets at z∼0.7 from the VIPERS survey

Red ultra-compact massive galaxies, called red nuggets were formed at high redshifts ($\rm{z\sim2-3}$). Survivors of nuggets, known as relics, observed lower ($\rm{z<2}$) are believed to remain almost unchanged since their formation. For the first time, we verify environmental properties intermediate redshift ($0.5<\rm{z}<0.9$ ) using 42 red, ($\rm{log(M_{star}/M_{\odot}) \geq 10.9}$) and ($\rm{R_{e}}<1.5$ kpc) from VIMOS Public Extragalactic Redshift Survey (VIPERS). We found that increasing fraction when moving denser environments, is driven by normal-size galaxies. similarly intermediate-mass ($\rm{10.4\lesssim log(M_{star}/M_{\odot})<10.9}$) in various types with consistent (within $1\sigma$) fractions across all local densities. Analysis nugget stellar ages suggests relics preferably high-density regions while quiescent overabundant low-density environments. speculate have survived via two channels: i) environments where decreases time passes due (very) limited merger activity, ii) number drops higher activity preserved velocities clusters prevent them being cannibalised. Even more, may increase addition galaxies deprived envelopes cosmic time.