Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2003-04-02
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
11 pages, in press on Astronomy & Astrophysics
Scientific paper
10.1051/0004-6361:20030588
We have observed emission line objects located in a 0.26 deg^2 field in the M96 (Leo) group, coincident with the intergalactic HI cloud. The emission line objects were selected using the same procedure as used for the search for intracluster planetary nebulae in the Virgo cluster, and their m_5007 luminosity function has a bright cut-off ~1.2 magnitude fainter than for the PNLF associated with the elliptical galaxies in the M96 group.Therefore the vast majority of these emission line objects are compatible with not being intragroup planetary nebulae at the Leo group distance of 10 Mpc. Spectroscopic follow-up of two emission line objects in this Leo field showed that indeed these do not have the [OIII] doublet expected for a real PN. The brighter source is identified as a starburst object at redshift z = 3.128, because of a second emission in the near infrared, identified as FeII (\lambda 2220 AA). From these data we derive three main results: (i) from the absence of PN we can determine a more stringent upper limit to the surface brightness in any old stellar population associated with the Leo HI cloud. (ii) This translates to an upper limit of 1.6% for the fraction of luminosity in a diffuse intragroup component in the densest 3 x 2 deg area of the Leo group,relative to the light in galaxies. (iii) Using this Leo field as a blank field, we derive an average fraction of 13.6% background emission line objects that enter in surveys of Virgo intracluster PN. The small fraction confirms the validity of the selection criteria for intracluster PN candidates in Virgo.
Aguerri Alfonso J. L.
Arnaboldi Magda
Capaccioli Massimo
Castro-Rodriguez Nieves
Freeman Kenneth C.
No associations
LandOfFree
Narrow band survey for intragroup light in the Leo HI cloud. Constraints on the galaxy background contamination in imaging surveys for intracluster planetary nebulae 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 Narrow band survey for intragroup light in the Leo HI cloud. Constraints on the galaxy background contamination in imaging surveys for intracluster planetary nebulae, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Narrow band survey for intragroup light in the Leo HI cloud. Constraints on the galaxy background contamination in imaging surveys for intracluster planetary nebulae will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-124870