Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2007-06-13
Astron.J.134:43-55,2007
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
40 pages, 17 figures
Scientific paper
10.1086/518233
We have used the ACS camera on HST to obtain (V,I) photometry for 57,000 red-giant stars in the halo of the Leo elliptical NGC 3377. We use this sample of stars to derive the metallicity distribution function (MDF) for its halo field stars, and comment on its chemical evolution history compared with both larger and smaller E galaxies. Our ACS/WFC field spans a radial range extending from 4 to 18 kpc projected distance from the center of NGC 3377 and thus covers a significant portion of this galaxy's halo. We find that the MDF is broad, reaching a peak at [m/H] ~ -0.6$, but containing virtually no stars more metal-poor than log [m/H] = -1.5$. It may, in addition, have relatively few stars more metal-rich than [m/H] = -0.3$, although interpretation of the high-metallicity end of the MDF is limited by photometric completeness that affects the detection of the reddest, most metal-rich stars. NGC 3377 appears to have an enrichment history intermediate between those of normal dwarf ellipticals and the much larger giants. As yet, we find no clear evidence that the halo of NGC 3377 contains a significant population of ``young'' (< 3 Gy) stars.
Harris Gretchen L. H.
Harris William E.
Layden Andrew Choisy
Stetson Peter B.
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