The Large Early Galaxy Astrophysics Census (LEGA-C) Data Release 3: 3000 High-quality Spectra of K s -selected Galaxies at z > 0.6

Abstract

We present the third and final data release of the Large Early Galaxy Astrophysics Census (LEGA-C), an ESO/Very Large Telescope public spectroscopic survey targeting 0.6 < z < 1.0, K-s -selected galaxies. The data release contains 3528 spectra with measured stellar velocity dispersions and stellar population properties, a 25-fold increase in sample size compared to previous work. This K (s) -selected sample probes the galaxy population down to similar to 0.3L*, for all colors and morphological types. Along with the spectra, we publish a value-added catalog with stellar and ionized gas velocity dispersions, stellar absorption line indices, emission-line fluxes, and equivalent widths, complemented with structural parameters measured from Hubble Space Telescope Advanced Camera for Surveys imaging. With its combination of high precision and large sample size, LEGA-C provides a new benchmark for galaxy evolution studies.