Extended structure in E+A galaxies via image stacking

Abstract Small-scale interactions such as minor mergers, flybys and harassment are considered common driving mechanisms that can both initiate and quench star-forming processes within post-starburst (PSB) galaxies. PSBs have been linked to disturbed morphologies and faint tidal features in numerous works. We aim to independently study these features in E+A galaxies found in the Galaxy and Mass Assembly Fourth Data Release (GAMA DR4). Using image stacking techniques, we derive the averaged radial surface brightness profiles of E+A image stacks alongside the Sérsic parameters that best fit these profiles. These E+A stacks consist of 57 images extracted from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) in g, r & i bands. The E+A stacks are shown to have brighter extended regions than similar non-PSB galaxies, which is indicative of faint tidal features that could be caused by small-scale interactions. Additionally, we make use of Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) Legacy Survey imaging, which is deeper than SDSS, to further support our conclusions and find that the Legacy Survey images independently strengthen the evidence for excess light at extended radii relative to the comparison samples. We discuss these findings in the context of future surveys such as the Vera C. Rubin Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) survey.