Discovery of a Strongly Lensed Massive Quiescent Galaxy at z = 2.636: Spatially Resolved Spectroscopy and Indications of Rotation

Abstract

We report the discovery of RG1M0150, a massive, recently quenched galaxy at z = 2.636 that is multiply imaged by the cluster MACSJ0150.3-1005. We derive a stellar mass of {log}{M}_*={11.49}_-0.16^+0.10 and a half-light radius of {R}_e,{maj}=1.8+/- 0.4 {{kpc}}. Taking advantage of the lensing magnification, we are able to spatially resolve a remarkably massive yet compact quiescent galaxy at z\gt 2 in ground-based near-infrared spectroscopic observations using Magellan/FIRE and Keck/MOSFIRE. We find no gradient in the strength of the Balmer absorption lines over 0.6{R}_e-1.6{R}_e, which are consistent with an age of 760 Myr. Gas emission in [N ii] broadly traces the spatial distribution of the stars and is coupled with weak Hα emission (log [N ii]/{{H}}α =0.6+/- 0.2), indicating that OB stars are not the primary ionizing source. The velocity dispersion within the effective radius is {σ }_e,{stars}=271+/- 41 km s{}^-1. We detect rotation in the stellar absorption lines for the first time beyond z∼ 1. Using a two-integral Jeans model that accounts for observational effects, we measure a dynamical mass of {log}{M}_{{dyn}}=11.24+/- 0.14 and V/σ =0.70+/- 0.21. This is a high degree of rotation considering the modest observed ellipticity of 0.12 ± 0.08, but it is consistent with predictions from dissipational merger simulations that produce compact remnants. The mass of RG1M0150 implies that it is likely to become a slowly rotating elliptical. If it is typical, this suggests that the progenitors of massive ellipticals retain significant net angular momentum after quenching which later declines, perhaps through accretion of satellites.