Fitting planes to early-type galaxies: MIST for the determination of the Fundamental Plane

Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

Scientific paper

The present study deals with the problem of deriving the coefficients of the fundamental plane (FP) of early-type galaxies. We introduce statistical models of the FP and relative fitting methods: the MIST (Measurement errors and Intrinsic Scatter Three dimensional) fits. The MIST fits account for the measurement errors on the variables and their correlations as well as for the intrinsic scatter. We show that the lack of a model of the intrinsic scatter of the FP is the origin of the systematic differences between the various fitting methods. We also address the problem of estimating the uncertainties of the FP coefficients and determine a simple relation between the sample size and the expected accuracy of the coefficients. The present study leads to define a `minimum sample size' for a correct estimate of the uncertainties. For N < 30, both theoretical formulae and re-sampling techniques, like the bootstrap, do not give reliable estimates. The question of the 'universality' of the FP is addressed by applying the MIST fits to ten samples of cluster galaxies. The FP slopes are actually consistent between the different samples, but, due to the large uncertainties, they could also hide significant systematic differences. The feasibility of the measurement of the possible variations of the FP slopes as a function of redshift is also proved.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Fitting planes to early-type galaxies: MIST for the determination of the Fundamental Plane does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Fitting planes to early-type galaxies: MIST for the determination of the Fundamental Plane, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Fitting planes to early-type galaxies: MIST for the determination of the Fundamental Plane will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-111826

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.