The Metallicity Distribution of the Globular Cluster Systems of Giant Elliptical Galaxies

Details The Metallicity Distribution of the Globular Cluster Systems of Giant Elliptical Galaxies The Metallicity Distribution of the Globular Cluster Systems of Giant Elliptical Galaxies

Dec 1997

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1997hst..prop.7820g&link_type=abstract

HST Proposal ID #7820

Physics

Hst Proposal Id #7820 Galaxies

Scientific paper

We propose to obtain deep F160W {H} integrated broadband photometry of the globular cluster systems of four giant elliptical galaxies. These data will be combined with existing WFPC2 F555W or F606W {V} data of these galaxies to provide a color index which maximizes metallicity sensitivity {tripling that of the traditional V-I index} while maintaining a low sensitivity to any age variations. Our photometry will allow us to measure the metallicities of 300-1000 globular clusters in each galaxy to a precision of 0.2 dex. This impressive database will allow us to definitively determine the metallicity distribution of the cluster system of each galaxy and unequivocally establish whether they are uni-, bi- or multi-modal, and thus help to constrain theories of globular cluster and galaxy formation. We will also determine the mean metallicity of each cluster system and add significantly to the database for understanding the relationship between this quantity and the parent galaxy luminosity and environment. These observations will have a significant impact on our understanding of the origin and nature of globular cluster systems in galaxies. In addition, we will explore the IR structure of the cores of these galaxies and measure independent H-band surface brightness fluctuation distances. This is an ideal use of IR data to significantly augment existing optical data.

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