Computer Science
Scientific paper
Jul 2004
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2004hst..prop10306m&link_type=abstract
HST Proposal ID #10306
Computer Science
Hst Proposal Id #10306 Galaxies
Scientific paper
Hierarchical formation models predict that early-type galaxies are built up over an extended period from mergers of smaller systems, a process which should leave long-lived signatures in their light profiles and stellar population colors. Merger events should have continued up to relatively recent times {the last 1-5 Gyr}, and many ellipticals and S0 bulges should therefore show evidence of multiple, discrete, intermediate-age populations. Although there is substantial observational support for a dissipational merger origin for some early-type galaxies, most do not exhibit the expected anomalies in either their light profiles or color distributions. However, existing searches have primarily been monochromatic and those which used multi-bands studied only narrowly defined subsamples of early-type galaxies. Here we propose an archival study of high resolution, broad-band, multi-color images of the cores of a large sample of 167 early-type galaxies which are representative of the general population. This is the most extensive search intended to probe spatially-segregated, multiple population components with ages in the range 1-5 Gyr. Our sample consists of early-type galaxies in a wide range of environments from the field to groups to rich clusters. There is very little information on the color structure of core stellar populations of early-type galaxies in different environments and how they may relate to gaseous merger histories and our program would effectively explore new terrain. Simulations of mergers show that gas generally falls deep into the potential well to scales within a few 100 pc of the center before forming stars. An effective search for distinct populations must therefore be able to resolve these scales, which is possible for a meaningfully large sample only with HST.
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