On the galaxy stellar mass function, the mass-metallicity relation, and the implied baryonic mass function

Understand

A comparison between published field galaxy stellar mass functions (GSMFs) shows that the cosmic stellar mass density is in the range 4--8 per cent of the baryon density (assuming Omega_b = 0.045).

• There remain significant sources of uncertainty for the dust correction and underlying stellar mass-to-light ratio even assuming a reasonable universal stellar initial mass function.
• We determine the z < 0.05 GSMF using the New York University - Value-Added Galaxy Catalog sample of 49968 galaxies derived from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey and various estimates of stellar mass.
• The GSMF shows clear evidence for a low-mass upturn and is fitted with a double Schechter function that has alpha_2 =~ -1.6.