X-ray selected AGN Hosts are Similar to Inactive Galaxies out to z=3:
  Results from CANDELS/CDF-S
  We use multi-band spatially resolved photometry from the Cosmic Assembly
Near-IR Deep Legacy Survey (CANDELS) in the 4 MSec Chandra Deep Field-South
(CDF-S) to explore the nuclear and extended colors, color gradients and stellar
populations of X-ray selected AGN host galaxies out to z=3. Based on a study of
their central light, we develop X-ray based criteria to exclude objects with
strong AGN contamination. We use stellar masses from the FIREWORKS database to
understand and account for stellar mass selection effects, and carefully study,
for the first time, the resolved host galaxy properties of AGNs at z~2 in their
rest-frame optical light without substantial nuclear contamination. AGN hosts
span a sizable range of stellar masses, colors and color gradients at these
redshifts. Their colors, color gradients and stellar population properties are
very similar to inactive galaxies of the same stellar mass. At z~1, we find a
slightly narrower range in host colors compared to inactive galaxies, as well
as hints of more recent star-formation. These differences are weaker or
non-existent among AGN hosts at z~2. We discuss the importance of AGN driven
feedback in the quenching of galaxies at z>~1 and speculate on possible
evolution in the relationship between black hole accretion and the host galaxy
towards high redshifts.
