The Giant Branch Luminosity Function of M31's Bulge

Details The Giant Branch Luminosity Function of M31's Bulge The Giant Branch Luminosity Function of M31's Bulge

Dec 1997

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1997hst..prop.7876f&link_type=abstract

HST Proposal ID #7876

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Hst Proposal Id #7876 Galaxies

Scientific paper

We propose to obtain JHK images with NICMOS/NIC2 of four fields in the central bulge of M31 and one in its disk. From these data we will be able to determine the bolometric luminosity function and colors for stars on the upper giant branch of M31's bulge and distinguish between long period variables and other giants. We will then derive estimates for the age and metallicity of these stars as a function of distance from the center of M31. These observations should definitively answer the question of whether or not there is a significant component of intermediate age stars in M31's bulge. This is especially relevant to the study of other bulges and spheroids since M31's integrated light is often used as a template for population synthesis studies and the interpretation of the integrated light from other galaxies. Indeed, the bulge of M31 harbours the nearest stellar population that is similar to that found in giant elliptical galaxies. Stars in the Milky Way's bulge are also often used as templates in stellar synthesis studies, yet its average metallicity is appreciably lower than that of M31's bulge and of giant ellipticals. Thus, a delineation of the differences in the luminous M giant population of the bulges of M31 and the Galaxy will also be of considerable interest for stellar synthesis work and for understanding the evolution of spiral bulges in general.

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