The Stellar Mass Function of Galaxies to z ~ 5 in the FORS Deep and GOODS-South Fields

We present a measurement of the evolution of the stellar mass function (MF) of galaxies and the evolution of the total stellar mass density at 0 1010 M☉, which are the likely progenitors of today's L > L* galaxies, are found in much smaller numbers above z ~ 2. However, we note that massive galaxies with M > 1011 M☉ are present even to the largest redshift we probe. Beyond z ~ 2, the evolution of the MF becomes more rapid. We find that the total stellar mass density at z = 1 is 50% of the local value. At z = 2, 25% of the local mass density is assembled, and at z = 3 and z = 5, we find that at least 15% and 5% of the mass in stars is in place, respectively. The number density of galaxies with M > 1011 M☉ evolves very similarly to the evolution at lower masses. It decreases by 0.4 dex to z ~ 1, by 0.6 dex to z ~ 2, and by 1 dex to z ~ 4.

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