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Stellar populations of early-type galaxies in different environments. II. Ages and metallicities
Aims.This is the second paper of a series devoted to the study of thestellar content of early-type galaxies. The goal of the series is to setconstraints on the evolutionary status of these objects Methods:.We use a new set of models that include an improved stellar library(MILES) to derive simple stellar population (SSP)-equivalent parametersin a sample of 98 early-type galaxies. The sample contains galaxies inthe field, poor groups, and galaxies in the Virgo and Coma clusters. Results: .We find that low-density environment galaxies span a largerrange in SSP age and metallicity than their counterparts in high densityenvironments, with a tendency for lower σ galaxies to be younger.Early-type galaxies in low-density environments appear on average ~1.5Gyr younger and more metal rich than their counterparts in high densityenvironments. The sample of low-density environment galaxies shows anage-metallicity relation in which younger galaxies are found to be moremetal rich, but only when metallicity is measured with a Fe-sensitiveindex. Conversely, there is no age-metallicity relation when themetallicity is measured with a Mg sensitive index. The mass-metallicityrelation is only appreciable for the low-density environment galaxieswhen the metallicity is measured with a Mg-sensitive index, and not whenthe metallicity is measured with other indicators. On the contrary, thisrelation exists for the high-density environment galaxies independent ofthe indicator used to measure the metallicity. Conclusions: .Thissuggests a dependence of the mass-metallicity relation on theenvironment of the galaxies. Our data favour a scenario in whichgalaxies in low density environments have suffered a more extended starformation history than the galaxies in the Coma cluster, which appear tohost more homogenous stellar populations.
| Stellar populations of early-type galaxies in different environments. I. Line-strength indices. Relations of line-strengths with σ
Aims.This paper commences a series devoted to the study of the stellarcontent of early-type galaxies. The goal of the series is to setconstraints on the evolutionary status of these objects. Methods:.In this paper we describe the details of the galaxy sample, theobservations, and the data reduction. Line-strength indices and velocitydispersions (σ) are measured in 98 early-type galaxies drawn fromdifferent environments, and the relation of the indices with thevelocity dispersion analysed in detail. Results: .The presentsample indicates that some of the index-σ relations depend ongalaxy environment. In particular, the slope of the relation betweenBalmer lines and σ is steeper for galaxies in the Virgo cluster,small groups, and in the field than for galaxies in the Coma cluster. Inseveral indices there is also a significant offset in the zero pointbetween the relations defined by the different subsamples. The slopes ofthe index-σ relation for the Virgo and low-density environmentgalaxies are explained by a variation of both age and metallicity, withvelocity dispersion, as previously noted in other studies. For thegalaxies in the Coma cluster, however, the relation of the indices withσ only requires a variation of the abundance along the σsequence. In agreement with other studies, we find that the models thatbetter reproduce the slopes are those in which the α elements varymore than the Fe-peak elements along the σ sequence, while, at agiven σ, older galaxies show an higher α/Fe ratio. Conclusions: .The results can be explained assuming that galaxies in theComa cluster have experienced a truncated star formation and chemicalenrichment history compared to a more continuous time-extended historyfor their counterparts in lower density environments.
| Quantitative Morphology of Galaxies in the Core of the Coma Cluster
We present a quantitative morphological analysis of 187 galaxies in aregion covering the central 0.28 deg2 of the Coma Cluster.Structural parameters from the best-fitting Sérsicr1/n bulge plus, where appropriate, exponential disk model,are tabulated here. This sample is complete down to a magnitude of R=17mag. By examining the recent compilation by Edwards et al. of galaxyredshifts in the direction of Coma, we find that 163 of the 187 galaxiesare Coma Cluster members and that the rest are foreground and backgroundobjects. For the Coma Cluster members, we have studied differences inthe structural and kinematic properties between early- and late-typegalaxies and between the dwarf and giant galaxies. Analysis of theelliptical galaxies reveals correlations among the structural parameterssimilar to those previously found in the Virgo and Fornax Clusters.Comparing the structural properties of the Coma Cluster disk galaxieswith disk galaxies in the field, we find evidence for an environmentaldependence: the scale lengths of the disk galaxies in Coma are 30%smaller. An analysis of the kinematics shows marginal differencesbetween the velocity distributions of elliptical galaxies withSérsic index n<2 (dwarfs) and those with n>2 (giants), thedwarf galaxies having a greater (cluster) velocity dispersion. Finally,our analysis of all 421 background galaxies in the catalog of Edwards etal. reveals a nonuniform distribution in redshift with contrasts indensity of ~3, characterized by a void extending from ~10,000 to ~20,000km s-1, and two dense and extended structures centered at~20,000 and ~47,000 km s-1.
| Intergalactic Globular Clusters and the Faint End of the Galaxy Number Counts in A1656 (Coma)
The existence of an intergalactic globular cluster population in theComa cluster of galaxies has been tested using surface brightnessfluctuations. The main result is that the intergalactic globular clustersurface density (NIGC) does not correlate with the distanceto the center of Coma and hence with the environment. Furthermore,comparing these results with different Coma mass distribution modelpredictions, it is suggested that NIGC must in fact be zeroall over Coma. On the other hand, the results for NIGC andthe faint end of the galaxy number counts (beyond mR=23.5)are connected. So NIGC=0 settles the slope of this function,which turns out to be γ=0.36+/-0.01 down to mR=26.5.The fact that NIGC=0 all over Coma suggests that globularclusters were formed only, or almost only, from protogalactic clouds.None, or perhaps very few, could have formed in isolated regions. Italso seems inappropriate to advocate a relationship betweenintergalactic globular clusters and dark matter distributions, althoughit is true that the relationship could still exist but not be strongenough to have been detected. Finally, since our conclusion is thatintergalactic globular clusters do not exist in Coma, accretion ofintergalactic globular clusters might not be significant in galaxyformation and evolutionary processes in the Coma galaxies.
| Stellar populations in early-type Coma cluster galaxies - I. The data
We present a homogeneous and high signal-to-noise ratio data set (meanS/N ratio of ~60 Å-1) of Lick/IDS stellar populationline indices and central velocity dispersions for a sample of 132 bright(bj<= 18.0) galaxies within the central 1°(≡1.26h-1 Mpc) of the nearby rich Coma cluster (A1656). Ourobservations include 73 per cent (100 out of 137) of the totalearly-type galaxy population (bj<= 18.0). Observationswere made with the William Herschel 4.2-m telescope and theAUTOFIB2/WYFFOS multi-object spectroscopy instrument (resolution of~2.2-Å FWHM) using 2.7-arcsec diameter fibres (≡0.94h-1 kpc). The data in this paper have well-characterizederrors, calculated in a rigorous and statistical way. Data are comparedwith previous studies and are demonstrated to be of high quality andwell calibrated on to the Lick/IDS system. Our data have median errorsof ~0.1 Å for atomic line indices, ~0.008 mag for molecular lineindices and 0.015 dex for velocity dispersions. This work provides awell-defined, high-quality baseline at z~ 0 for studies of medium- tohigh-redshift clusters. Subsequent papers will use this data set toprobe the stellar populations (which act as fossil records of galaxyformation and evolution) and the spectrophotometric relations of thebright early-type galaxies within the core of the Coma cluster.
| 1.65-μm (H -band) surface photometry of galaxies - VIII. The near-IR κ space at z =0
We present the distribution of a statistical sample of nearby galaxiesin the κ -space (κ 1 ~logM , κ 2~logI e 3 M /L , κ 3 ~logM /L ).Our study is based on near-IR (H -band: λ =1.65μm)observations, for the first time comprising early- and late-typesystems. Our data confirm that the mean effective dynamicalmass-to-light ratio M /L of the E+S0+S0a galaxies increases withincreasing effective dynamical mass M , as expected from the existenceof the Fundamental Plane relation. Conversely, spiral and Im/BCDgalaxies show a broad distribution in M /L with no detected trend of M/L with M , the former galaxies having M /L values about twice largerthan the latter, on average. For all the late-type galaxies, the M /Lincreases with decreasing effective surface intensity I e ,consistent with the existence of the Tully-Fisher relation. Theseresults are discussed on the basis of the assumptions behind theconstruction of the κ -space and their limitations. Our study iscomplementary to a previous investigation in the optical (B -band:λ =0.44μm) and allows us to study wavelength dependences ofthe galaxy distribution in the κ -space. As a first result, wefind that the galaxy distribution in the κ 1 -κ2 plane reproduces the transition from bulgeless tobulge-dominated systems in galaxies of increasing dynamical mass.Conversely, it appears that the M /L of late-types is higher (lower)than that of early-types with the same M in the near-IR (optical). Theorigins of this behaviour are discussed in terms of dust attenuation andstar formation history.
| New clues to the evolution of dwarf early-type galaxies
Surface photometry of 18 Virgo cluster dwarf elliptical (dE) and dwarflenticular (dS0) galaxies, made by Gavazzi et al. in the H band(1.65μm) and in the B band (0.44μm), shows that the ratio of theeffective radii of these stellar systems in the B and H bands, r eB /r eH , ranges between 0.7 and 2.2. In particular,dwarf ellipticals and lenticulars with a red total colour index B -H(i.e. with 3.2
| Globular Cluster Specific Frequencies in Coma
Globular cluster systems (GCSs) have been observed in 17 ellipticalgalaxies located in Coma. Surface brightness fluctuations (SBF) and a2.5-m ground-based telescope (INT, La Palma) have been used to determinetotal populations of Globular clusters (GCs) and specific frequency(SN) has been evaluated for each individual galaxy.
| Globular Cluster Systems in Elliptical Galaxies of Coma
Globular cluster systems of 17 elliptical galaxies have been studied inthe Coma Cluster of galaxies. Surface-brightness fluctuations have beenused to determine total populations of globular clusters, and specificfrequency (SN) has been evaluated for each individual galaxy.Enormous differences in SN between similar galaxies arefound. In particular, SN results vary by an order ofmagnitude from galaxy to galaxy. Extreme cases are the following: (1) atthe lower end of the range, NGC 4673 has SN=1.0+/-0.4, asurprising value for an elliptical galaxy, but typical for spiral andirregular galaxies; (2) at the upper extreme, MCG +5-31-063 hasSN=13.0+/-4.2 and IC 4051 has SN=12.7+/-3.2, andthey are more likely to belong to supergiant cD galaxies than to``normal'' elliptical galaxies. Furthermore, NGC 4874, the centralsupergiant cD galaxy of the Coma Cluster, also exhibits a relativelyhigh specific frequency (SN=9.0+/-2.2). The other galaxiesstudied have SN in the range [2, 7], the mean value beingSN=5.1. No single scenario seems to account for the observedspecific frequencies, so the history of each galaxy must be deducedindividually by suitably combining the different models (in situ,mergers, and accretions). The possibility that Coma is formed by severalsubgroups is also considered. If only the galaxies of the main subgroupdefined by Gurzadyan & Mazure are used, a trend in SNarises in the sense of SN being bigger in higher-densityregions. This result needs further confirmation.
| The Color-Magnitude Relation in Coma: Clues to the Age and Metallicity of Cluster Populations
We have observed three fields of the Coma Cluster of galaxies with anarrowband (modified Strömgren) filter system. Observed galaxiesinclude 31 in the vicinity of NGC 4889, 48 near NGC 4874, and 60 nearNGC 4839, complete to M5500=-18 in all three subclusters.Spectrophotometric classification finds all three subclusters of Coma tobe dominated by red, E-type (elliptical/S0) galaxies with a mean bluefraction, fB, of 0.10. The blue fraction increases to fainterluminosities, possible remnants of dwarf starburst population or theeffects of dynamical friction removing bright, blue galaxies from thecluster population by mergers. We find the color-magnitude (CM) relationto be well defined and linear over the range of M5500=-13 to-22. The observational error is lower than the true scatter around theCM relation, indicating that galaxies achieve their final positions inthe mass-metallicity plane by stochastic processes. After calibration tomultimetallicity models, bright elliptical galaxies are found to haveluminosity-weighted mean [Fe/H] values between -0.5 and +0.5, whereaslow-luminosity elliptical galaxies have [Fe/H] values ranging from -2 tosolar. The lack of CM relation in our continuum color suggests that asystematic age effect cancels the metallicity effects in this bandpass.This is confirmed with our age index Δ(bz-yz), which finds a weakcorrelation between luminosity and mean stellar age in ellipticalgalaxies such that the stellar populations of bright elliptical galaxiesare 2-3 Gyrs younger than low-luminosity elliptical galaxies. Withrespect to environmental effects, there is a slight decreasingmetallicity gradient with respect to distance to each subcluster center,strongest around NGC 4874. Since NGC 4874 is the dynamic and X-raycenter of the Coma Cluster, this implies that environmental effects onlow-luminosity elliptical galaxies are strongest at the cluster corecompared with outlying subgroups.
| Redshift-Distance Survey of Early-Type Galaxies. I. The ENEARc Cluster Sample
This paper presents data on the ENEARc subsample of the larger ENEARsurvey of nearby early-type galaxies. The ENEARc galaxies belong toclusters and were specifically chosen to be used for the construction ofa Dn-σ template. The ENEARc sample includes newmeasurements of spectroscopic and photometric parameters (redshift,velocity dispersion, line index Mg2, and the angular diameterdn), as well as data from the literature. New spectroscopicdata are given for 229 cluster early-type galaxies, and new photometryis presented for 348 objects. Repeat and overlap observations withexternal data sets are used to construct a final merged catalogconsisting of 640 early-type galaxies in 28 clusters. Objectivecriteria, based on catalogs of groups of galaxies derived from completeredshift surveys of the nearby universe, are used to assign galaxies toclusters. In a companion paper, these data are used to construct thetemplate Dn-σ distance relation for early-typegalaxies, which has been used to estimate galaxy distances and derivepeculiar velocities for the ENEAR all-sky sample. Based on observationsat Complejo Astronomico El Leoncito, operated under agreement betweenthe Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas de laRepública Argentina and the National Universities of La Plata,Córdoba, and San Juan; Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory,National Optical Astronomical Observatory, which is operated by theAssociation of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc., undercooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation; the EuropeanSouthern Observatory (ESO), partially under the ESO-ON agreement; theFred Lawrence Whipple Observatory; the Observatório do Pico dosDias, operated by the Laboratório Nacional de Astrofísicaand the MDM Observatory at Kitt Peak.
| The UZC-SSRS2 Group Catalog
We apply a friends-of-friends algorithm to the combined Updated ZwickyCatalog and Southern Sky Redshift Survey to construct a catalog of 1168groups of galaxies; 411 of these groups have five or more members withinthe redshift survey. The group catalog covers 4.69 sr, and all groupsexceed the number density contrast threshold, δρ/ρ=80. Wedemonstrate that the groups catalog is homogeneous across the twounderlying redshift surveys; the catalog of groups and their membersthus provides a basis for other statistical studies of the large-scaledistribution of groups and their physical properties. The medianphysical properties of the groups are similar to those for groupsderived from independent surveys, including the ESO Key Programme andthe Las Campanas Redshift Survey. We include tables of groups and theirmembers.
| A Photometric and Spectroscopic Study of Dwarf and Giant Galaxies in the Coma Cluster. II. Spectroscopic Observations
This is the second paper in a series studying the photometric andspectroscopic properties of galaxies of different luminosities in theComa Cluster. We present the sample selection, spectroscopicobservations, and completeness functions. To study the spectralproperties of galaxies as a function of their local environment, twofields were selected for spectroscopic observations to cover both thecore (Coma 1) and outskirts (i.e., southwest of the core and centered onNGC 4839; Coma 3) of the cluster. To maximize the efficiency ofspectroscopic observations, two subsamples were defined, consisting of``bright'' and ``faint'' galaxies, both drawn from magnitude-limitedparent samples. Medium-resolution spectroscopy (6-9 Å) was thencarried out for a total of 490 galaxies in both fields (302 in Coma 1and 188 in Coma 3), using the WYFFOS multifiber spectrograph on theWilliam Herschel Telescope. The galaxies cover a range of 122. The completeness functions for our sampleare calculated. These show that the bright sample is 65% complete atR<17 mag, becoming increasingly incomplete toward fainter magnitudes,while the faint sample follows a monotonically decreasing completenessfunction at R>19 mag. Based on observations made with the WilliamHerschel Telescope, operated on the island of La Palma by the IsaacNewton Group in the Spanish Observatorio del Roque de los Muchachos ofthe Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias.
| 1.65 μm (H-band) surface photometry of galaxies. III. observations of 558 galaxies with the TIRGO 1.5 m telescope
We present near-infrared H-band (1.65 μm ) surface photometry of 558galaxies in the Coma Supercluster and in the Virgo cluster. This dataset, obtained with the Arcetri NICMOS3 camera ARNICA mounted on theGornergrat Infrared Telescope, is aimed at complementing, withobservations of mostly early-type objects, our NIR survey of spiralgalaxies in these regions, presented in previous papers of this series.Magnitudes at the optical radius, total magnitudes, isophotal radii andlight concentration indices are derived. We confirm the existence of apositive correlation between the near-infrared concentration index andthe galaxy H-band luminosity Based on observations taken at TIRGO(Gornergrat, Switzerland). TIRGO is operated by CAISMI-CNR, Arcetri,Firenze, Italy. Tables 1 and 2 are only available in electronic form atthe CDS via anonymous ftp to cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (130.79.128.5) or viahttp://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/Abstract.html
| 1.65 μm (H-band) surface photometry of galaxies. V. Profile decomposition of 1157 galaxies
We present near-infrared H-band (1.65 μm) surface brightness profiledecomposition for 1157 galaxies in five nearby clusters of galaxies:Coma, A1367, Virgo, A262 and Cancer, and in the bridge between Coma andA1367 in the ``Great Wall". The optically selected (mpg≤16.0) sample is representative of all Hubble types, from E to Irr+BCD,except dE and of significantly different environments, spanning fromisolated regions to rich clusters of galaxies. We model the surfacebrightness profiles with a de Vaucouleurs r1/4 law (dV), withan exponential disk law (E), or with a combination of the two (B+D).From the fitted quantities we derive the H band effective surfacebrightness (μe) and radius (re) of each component, theasymptotic magnitude HT and the light concentration indexC31. We find that: i) Less than 50% of the Ellipticalgalaxies have pure dV profiles. The majority of E to Sb galaxies is bestrepresented by a B+D profile. All Scd to BCD galaxies have pureexponential profiles. ii) The type of decomposition is a strong functionof the total H band luminosity (mass), independent of the Hubbleclassification: the fraction of pure exponential decompositionsdecreases with increasing luminosity, that of B+D increases withluminosity. Pure dV profiles are absent in the low luminosity rangeLH<1010 L\odot and become dominantabove 1011 L\odot . Based on observations taken atTIRGO, Gornergrat, Switzerland (operated by CAISMI-CNR, Arcetri,Firenze, Italy) and at the Calar Alto Observatory (operated by theMax-Planck-Institut für Astronomie (Heidelberg) jointly with theSpanish National Commission for Astronomy). Table 2 and Figs. 2, 3, 4are available in their entirety only in electronic form at the CDS viaanonymous ftp to cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (130.79.128.5) or viahttp://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/Abstract.html
| Gravo-thermal properties and formation of elliptical galaxies
We have analyzed a sample of galaxies belonging to three clusters: Coma,Abell 85, and Abell 496 (real galaxies) and a sample of simulatedelliptical galaxies formed in a hierarchical merging scheme (virtualgalaxies). We use the Sérsic law to describe their light profile.The specific entropy (Boltzmann-Gibbs definition) is then calculatedsupposing that the galaxies behave as spherical, isotropic,one-component systems. We find that, to a good approximation ( ~ 10%),both real and virtual galaxies have an almost unique specific entropy.Within this approximation the galaxies are distributed in a thin planein the space defined by the three Sérsic law parameters, which wecall the Entropic Plane. A further analysis shows that both real andvirtual galaxies are in fact located on a thin line, thereforeindicating the existence of another - and yet unknown - physicalproperty, besides the uniqueness of the specific entropy. A more carefulexamination of the virtual galaxies sample indicates a very smallincrease of their specific entropy with merging generation. In ahierarchical scenario, this implies a correlation between the specificentropy and the total mass, which is indeed seen in our data. Thescatter and tilt of the Entropic Line, defined by Lima Neto et al.(1999a), are reduced when this correlation is taken into account.Although one cannot distinguish between various generations for realgalaxies, the distribution of their specific entropy is similar to thatin the virtual sample, suggesting that hierarchical merging processescould be an important mechanism in the building of elliptical galaxies.Based on observations collected at the Canada France Hawaii Telescopeand at the European Southern Observatory, La Silla, Chile
| The specific entropy of elliptical galaxies: an explanation for profile-shape distance indicators?
Dynamical systems in equilibrium have a stationary entropy; we suggestthat elliptical galaxies, as stellar systems in a stage ofquasi-equilibrium, may have in principle a unique specific entropy. Thisuniqueness, a priori unknown, should be reflected in correlationsbetween the fundamental parameters describing the mass (light)distribution in galaxies. Following recent photometrical work onelliptical galaxies by Caon et al., Graham & Colless and Prugniel& Simien, we use the Sérsic law to describe the light profileand an analytical approximation to its three-dimensional deprojection.The specific entropy is then calculated, supposing that the galaxybehaves as a spherical, isotropic, one-component system in hydrostaticequilibrium, obeying the ideal-gas equations of state. We predict arelation between the three parameters of the Sérsic law linked tothe specific entropy, defining a surface in the parameter space, an`Entropic Plane', by analogy with the well-known Fundamental Plane. Wehave analysed elliptical galaxies in two rich clusters of galaxies (Comaand ABCG 85) and a group of galaxies (associated with NGC 4839, nearComa). We show that, for a given cluster, the galaxies follow closely arelation predicted by the constant specific entropy hypothesis with atypical dispersion (one standard deviation) of 9.5per cent around themean value of the specific entropy. Moreover, assuming that the specificentropy is also the same for galaxies of different clusters, we are ableto derive relative distances between Coma, ABGC 85, and the group of NGC4839. If the errors are due only to the determination of the specificentropy (about 10per cent), then the error in the relative distancedetermination should be less than 20per cent for rich clusters. Wesuggest that the unique specific entropy may provide a physicalexplanation for the distance indicators based on the Sérsicprofile put forward by Young & Currie and recently discussed byBinggeli & Jerjen.
| E and S0 galaxies in the central part of the Coma cluster: ages, metal abundances and dark matter
Mean ages and metal abundances are estimated for the stellar populationsin a sample of 115 E and S0 galaxies in the central 64 arcmin × 70arcmin of the Coma cluster. The estimates are based on the absorptionline indices Mg2, and HβG, and themass-to-light ratios (M/L). Single stellar population models fromVazdekis et al. were used to transform from the measured line indicesand M/L ratios to mean ages and mean metal abundances ([Mg/H] and[Fe/H]). The non-solar abundance ratios [Mg/Fe] were taken into accountby assuming that for a given age and iron abundance, a [Mg/Fe] differentfrom solar will affect the Mg2 index but not the M/L ratio orthe and HβG indices. The derived ages andabundances are the luminosity-weighted mean values for the stellarpopulations in the galaxies.By comparing the mean ages derived from theMg2-HβG diagram with those derived from theMg2-M/L diagram, we estimate the variations of the fractionof dark matter. Alternatively, the difference between the two estimatesof the mean age may be caused by variations in the initial mass functionor any non-homology of the galaxies.The distributions of the derived mean ages and abundances show thatthere are real variations in both the mean ages and the abundances. Wefind an intrinsic rms scatter of [Mg/H], [Fe/H] and [Mg/Fe] of 0.2 dex,and an intrinsic rms scatter of the derived ages of 0.17 dex. Themagnesium abundances [Mg/H] and the abundance ratios [Mg/Fe] are bothstrongly correlated with the central velocity dispersions of thegalaxies, while the iron abundances [Fe/H] are uncorrelated with thevelocity dispersions. Further, [Mg/H] and [Fe/H] are stronglyanticorrelated with the mean ages of the galaxies. This is not the casefor [Mg/Fe].We have tested whether the slopes of the scaling relations between theglobal parameters for the galaxies (the Mg2-σ relation,the -σ relation, the HβG-σrelation and the Fundamental Plane) are consistent with the relationbetween the ages, the abundances and the velocity dispersions. We findthat all the slopes, except the slope of the Fundamental Plane, can beexplained in a consistent way as resulting from a combination betweenvariations of the mean ages and the mean abundances as functions of thevelocity dispersions. The slope of the Fundamental Plane is `steeper'than predicted from the variations in the ages and abundances.Because of the correlation between the mean ages and the meanabundances, substantial variations in the ages and the abundances arepossible while maintaining a low scatter of all the scaling relations.When this correlation is taken into account, the observed scatter of thescaling relations is consistent with the rms scatter in the derived agesand abundances at a given velocity dispersion.
| The tilt of the Fundamental Plane of early-type galaxies: wavelength dependence
The photometric parameters R_e and mu_e of 74 early-type (E+S0+S0a)galaxies within 2 deg projected radius from the Coma cluster centre arederived for the first time in the near-infrared H band (1.65 μm).These are used, coupled with measurements of the central velocitydispersion sigma found in the literature, to determine the H-bandFundamental Plane (FP) relation of this cluster: logR_e~Alogsigma+bmu_e. The same procedure is applied to previouslyavailable photometric data in the BVrIK bands, to perform amultiwavelength study of the FP relation. Because systematicuncertainties in the value of the FP parameters are introduced both bythe choice of the fitting algorithm used to derive the FP template, andby the presence of statistical biases connected with the sampleselection procedure, we emphasize the importance of deriving the FPparameters in the six different photometric bands using an identicalfitting algorithm, and appropriate corrections to eliminate the effectsof sample incompleteness. Once these corrections are applied, we findthat the FP b coefficient is stable with wavelength (~0.35+/-0.02),while the A coefficient increases significantly with increasingwavelength: from ~1.35 to ~1.70 (+/-0.1) from the optical to theinfrared, in agreement with an earlier result presented recently byPahre and Djorgovski. Therefore the slope of the FP relation, althoughchanging with wavelength, never approaches the virial theoremexpectation A=2.0 when the central velocity dispersion only is used tobuild the FP. We also find that the magnitude of the slope change can beentirely explained by the presence of the well-known relation betweencolour and magnitude among early-type galaxies. We conclude that thetilt of the Fundamental Plane is significant, and must be the result ofsome form of broken homology among early-type galaxies, while itswavelength dependence derives from whatever mechanism (currently thepreferred one is the existence of a mass-metal content sequence)produces the colour-magnitude relation in those galaxies.
| The discovery of a giant debris arc in the Coma cluster
We present the discovery of a giant low-surface-brightness arc, about 80kpc in length, in the Coma cluster. The arc consists of a diffuseluminous matrix with surface brightness less than 26.5 mag/sq arcsec anda number of embedded condensations. It is not associated with any giantgalaxy in Coma in particular; neither does it have the properties of agravitational arc. We argue that a fast interaction between the nearbybarred SO galaxy IC 4026 and either IC 4041 or RB 110 is the mostnatural explanation for the origin of the arc.
| The Universality of the Fundamental Plane of E and S0 Galaxies: Spectroscopic Data
We present central velocity dispersion measurements for 325 early-typegalaxies in eight clusters and groups of galaxies, including newobservations for 212 galaxies. The clusters and groups are the A262,A1367, Coma (A1656), A2634, Cancer, and Pegasus Clusters and the NGC 383and NGC 507 Groups. The new measurements were derived frommedium-dispersion spectra that cover 600 Å centered on the Mg I btriplet at lambda ~ 5175 Å. Velocity dispersions were measuredusing the Tonry & Davis cross-correlation method, with a typicalaccuracy of 6%. A detailed comparison with other data sources is made.
| The Universality of the Fundamental Plane of E and S0 Galaxies: Sample Definition and I-Band Photometric Data
As part of a project to compare the fundamental plane and Tully-Fisherdistance scales, we present here I-band CCD photometry for 636early-type galaxies in eight clusters and groups of galaxies. These arethe A262, A1367, Coma (A1656), A2634, Cancer and Pegasus Clusters, andthe NGC 383 and NGC 507 Groups. Sample selection, cluster properties,and cluster membership assignment criteria are discussed. We presentphotometric parameters that are used in the fundamental plane relation,the effective radius r_e, and the effective surface brightness mu_e, asderived from a r^1/4 fit to the observed radial photometric profile ofeach galaxy. A comparison with similar data found in the literature forthe Coma Cluster shows that large systematic uncertainties can beintroduced in the measurement of r_e and mu_e by the particular methodused to derive those parameters. However, the particular combination ofthese two parameters that enters in the fundamental plane relation is aquantity that can be measured with high accuracy.
| Total magnitude, radius, colour indices, colour gradients and photometric type of galaxies
We present a catalogue of aperture photometry of galaxies, in UBVRI,assembled from three different origins: (i) an update of the catalogueof Buta et al. (1995) (ii) published photometric profiles and (iii)aperture photometry performed on CCD images. We explored different setsof growth curves to fit these data: (i) The Sersic law, (ii) The net ofgrowth curves used for the preparation of the RC3 and (iii) A linearinterpolation between the de Vaucouleurs (r(1/4) ) and exponential laws.Finally we adopted the latter solution. Fitting these growth curves, wederive (1) the total magnitude, (2) the effective radius, (3) the colourindices and (4) gradients and (5) the photometric type of 5169 galaxies.The photometric type is defined to statistically match the revisedmorphologic type and parametrizes the shape of the growth curve. It iscoded from -9, for very concentrated galaxies, to +10, for diffusegalaxies. Based in part on observations collected at the Haute-ProvenceObservatory.
| The distribution of the rotation axes of the disk galaxies in the Coma cluster: statistical samples.
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| Dwarf Galaxies in the Coma Cluster. II. Photometry and Analysis
We use the data set derived in our previous paper (Secker & Harris1997) to study the dwarf galaxy population in the central =~ 700arcmin(2) of the Coma cluster, the majority of which are early-typedwarf elliptical (dE) galaxies. Analysis of thestatistically-decontaminated dE galaxy sequence in the color-magnitudediagram reveals that the mean dE color at R = 18.0 mag is (B-R) =~ 1.4mag, but that a highly significant trend of color with magnitude exists(Delta (B-R)/Delta R = -0.056+/-0.002 mag) in the sense that fainter dEsare bluer and thus presumably more metal-poor. The mean color of thefaintest dEs in our sample is (B-R) =~ 1.15 mag, consistent with a colormeasurement of the diffuse intracluster light in the Coma core. Thisintracluster light could then have originated from the tidal disruptionof faint dEs in the cluster core. The total galaxy luminosity function(LF) is well modeled as the sum of a log-normal distribution for thegiant galaxies, and a Schechter function for the dE galaxies with afaint-end slope alpha = -1.41+/-0.05. This value of alpha is consistentwith those measured for the Virgo and Fornax clusters. The spatialdistribution of the faint dE galaxies (19.0 < R <= 22.5 mag) iswell fit by a standard King model with a central surface density ofSigma_0 = 1.17 dEs arcmin(-2) and a core radius R_c = 22.15 arcmin ( =~0.46h(-1) Mpc). This core is significantly larger than the R_c = 13.71arcmin ( =~ 0.29h(-1) Mpc) found for the cluster giants and the brighterdEs (R <= 19.0 mag), again consistent with the idea that faint dEs inthe dense core have been disrupted. Finally, we find that most dEsbelong to the general Coma cluster potential rather than as satellitesof individual giant galaxies: An analysis of the number counts around 10cluster giants reveals that they each have on average 4+/- 1 dEcompanions within a projected radius of 13.9h(-1) kpc. (SECTION:Galaxies)
| Abell 2199 and Abell 2634 revisited
Previous D_n-sigma work found surprisingly large negative peculiarvelocities for Abell 2199 and Abell 2634. In order to assess theseresults independently we have made new spectroscopic and photometricobservations. We report 141 new redshift, velocity dispersion (sigma)and Mg_2 index measurements, and photometry for 79 early-type galaxies.Special attention has been paid to linking the new sigma measurements onto a standard system that minimizes systematic errors. While the Abell2199 sigma measurements are in good agreement with our previouslyreported FLEX values, for Abell 2634 galaxies the new sigmas aresystematically lower. The FLEX measurements for some Abell 2634 galaxiesappear to have been erroneous due to a smearing problem with the CCDdetector. The new photometric data are in excellent agreement withpreviously reported values. We also present a new compilation of datafor 72 early-type Coma cluster galaxies. Assuming that the Coma clusterlies at rest with respect to the cosmic microwave background frame, wederive peculiar velocities of -160+/-380 and -670+/-490 km s^-1 forAbell 2199 and Abell 2634 respectively. We estimate that the likelysystematic errors on these measurements are less than 200kms^-1. Thederived peculiar velocities are considerably less than previousestimates and are not significantly different from zero.
| The Relative Distance Between the Clusters of Galaxies A2634 and Coma
The Tully-Fisher (TF) and Fundamental Plane (FP) relations are used toobtain two independent estimates of the relative distance between theclusters A2634 and Coma. Previously published studies of A2634 showed alarge discrepancy between the distance estimates obtained with the TFand the \dns\ relations, questioning the reliability ofredshift-independent distances obtained using these relations. Becauseof the importance of this issue, we have obtained new distance estimatesfor A2634, based on much larger samples than previously used, andselected according to rigorous membership criteria. New I band CCDphotometry for 175 galaxies, new 21 cm observations of 11 galaxies, andnew velocity dispersion measurements for 62 galaxies are used togetherwith previously published data in building these samples. As part of alarger project to compare the TF and FP distance-scales, we haveobtained a new FP template using for the first time I band photometry.The template is derived using a sample of 109 E and S0 galaxies that aremembers of the Coma cluster. Its parameters are in very good agreementwith recent determinations of the FP obtained at shorter wavelengths.The uncertainty with which the FP can provide peculiar velocityestimates for single galaxies is =~ 0.43 mag in the distance modulus, or20% of the distance. This uncertainty is slightly larger than thetypical uncertainty that characterizes TF estimates. However thisdisadvantage is partly compensated by the fact that the sampleincompleteness bias has a less severe effect on FP cluster distanceestimates than it has on the corresponding TF distance estimates. Also,cluster membership is more readily established for early-type objectsthan for spirals. After the appropriate corrections for sampleincompleteness have been taken into account, we find the TF and FPdistance estimates to be in good agreement, both indicating that A2634has a negligibly small peculiar velocity with respect to the CosmicMicrowave Background reference frame. Because of the high accuracy withwhich the two distance estimates have been obtained, their agreementstrongly supports the universality of the TF and FP relations, andtherefore their reliability for the estimate of redshift-independentdistances.
| An image database. II. Catalogue between δ=-30deg and δ=70deg.
A preliminary list of 68.040 galaxies was built from extraction of35.841 digitized images of the Palomar Sky Survey (Paper I). For eachgalaxy, the basic parameters are obtained: coordinates, diameter, axisratio, total magnitude, position angle. On this preliminary list, weapply severe selection rules to get a catalog of 28.000 galaxies, wellidentified and well documented. For each parameter, a comparison is madewith standard measurements. The accuracy of the raw photometricparameters is quite good despite of the simplicity of the method.Without any local correction, the standard error on the total magnitudeis about 0.5 magnitude up to a total magnitude of B_T_=17. Significantsecondary effects are detected concerning the magnitudes: distance toplate center effect and air-mass effect.
| Morphological classification and structural parameters for early-type galaxies in the Coma cluster.
We present the results of an isophotal shape analysis of three samplesof galaxies in the Coma cluster. Quantitative morphology, together withstructural and photometric parameters, is given for each galaxy. Specialemphasis has been placed on the detailed classification of early-typegalaxies. The three samples are: i) a sample of 97 early-type galaxiesbrighter than m_B_=17.00 falling within one degree from the center ofthe Coma cluster; these galaxies were observed with CCD cameras, mostlyin good to excellent resolution conditions; ii) a magnitude completesample of 107 galaxies of all morphological types down to m_B_=17.00falling in a circular region of 50arcmin diameter, slightly offcenteredto the North-West of the cluster center; the images for this and thenext sample come from digitized photographic plates; iii) a completecomparison sample of 26 galaxies of all morphological types down tom_R_=16.05 (or m_B_=~17.5), also in a region of 50arcmin diameter, butcentered 2.6degrees West of the cluster center. The reliability of ourmorphological classifications and structural parameters of galaxies,down to the adopted magnitude limits, is assessed by comparing theresults on those galaxies for which we had images taken with differentinstrumentation and/or seeing conditions, and by comparing our resultswith similar data from other observers.
| Spectroscopy for E and S0 galaxies in nine clusters
Central velocity dispersions, Mg_2 line indices and radial velocitiesfor 220 E and S0 galaxies are derived on the basis of intermediateresolution spectroscopy. Galaxies in the following clusters have beenobserved: Abell 194, Abell 539, Abell 3381, Abell 3574, S639, S753,Doradus, HydraI (Abell 1060) and Grm 15. For 151 of the galaxies, thevelocity dispersion has not previously been measured. 134 of the Mg_2determinations are for galaxies with no previous measurement. Thespectra cover either 500 or 1000A, centred on the magnesium triplet at5177A. The observations were obtained with the Boller & Chivensspectrograph at the ESO 1.5-m telescope and with the OPTOPUS, amulti-object fibre-fed B&C spectrograph, at the ESO 3.6-m telescope.The data are part of our ongoing study of the large-scale motions in theUniverse and the physical background for the Fundamental Plane. TheFourier fitting method was used to derive the velocity dispersions andradial velocities. The velocity dispersions have been corrected for theeffect of the size of the aperture. The correction was established onthe basis of velocity dispersion profiles available in the literature. Acomparison with results from Davies et al. shows that the derivedcentral velocity dispersions have an rms error of 0.036 in logsigma.There is no offset relative to the velocity dispersions from Davies etal. The offset relative to data from Lucey & Carter is-0.017+/-0.011 in logsigma, with our velocity dispersions being thesmallest. The velocity dispersions derived from the B&C and theOPTOPUS observations, as well as the velocity dispersions published byDavies et al., Dressler, Lucey & Carter and Lucey et al., can bebrought on a system consistent within 3 per cent. The Mg_2 line indiceshave been corrected for the size of the apertures, transformed to theLick system, and corrected for the effect of the velocity dispersion.From comparison with data from Davies et al. and from Faber, we findthat the rms error of Mg_2 is 0.013. Comparisons of the radialvelocities with data from the literature show that our determinationsare accurate to within ~=35 km s^-1. The accuracies reached for theseobservations are adequate for the study of the large-scale motions inthe Universe and for investigations of the Fundamental Plane.
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