The VIMOS-VLT Deep Survey: Mass and light clustering in the Universe during the last 8 billion years

Using the first-epoch data from the VIMOS-VLT Deep Survey (VVDS), we investigate the evolution of the projected two-point correlation function of galaxies between z ∼ 1 and the present epoch. For the global galaxy population we do not find strong variations of clustering with redshift. However, dependence of clustering on intrinsic luminosities and stellar masses of galaxies evolves significantly during this period. We observe more close pairs for the most luminous and (less distinctly) most massive objects at z ∼ 1 as compared to what is seen locally, resulting in a non–power-law shape of their correlation function, with an upturn on small scales. This effect can be modeled within the framework of the halo occupation distribution models and leads to the conclusion that at z ∼ 1 we are possibly observing a population of luminous and not very massive satellite galaxies that occupy the most massive dark-matter halos—an effect that is not seen locally.