Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2000-01-11
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
25 pages LaTeX, 9 PostScript figures, accepted for publication in The Astronomical Journal
Scientific paper
10.1086/301333
The origin of color gradients in elliptical galaxies is examined by comparing model gradients with those observed in the Hubble Deep Field. The models are constructed so as to reproduce color gradients in local elliptical galaxies either by a metallicity gradient or by an age gradient. By looking back a sequence of color gradient as a function of redshift, the age - metallicity degeneracy is solved. The observed color gradients in elliptical galaxies at $z=0.1-1.0$ agree excellently with those predicted by the metallicity gradient, while they deviates significantly from those predicted by the age gradient even at $z \sim 0.3$ and the deviation is getting larger with increasing redshift. This result does not depend on cosmological parameters and parameters for an evolutionary model of galaxy within a reasonable range. Thus our results clearly indicate that the origin of color gradients is not the age but the stellar metallicity.
Arimoto Nobuo
Kobayashi Chiaki
Kodama Tadayuki
Ohta Kouji
Tamura Naoyuki
No associations
LandOfFree
Origin of Color Gradients in Elliptical Galaxies 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 Origin of Color Gradients in Elliptical Galaxies, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Origin of Color Gradients in Elliptical Galaxies will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-364358