Extended stellar kinematics of elliptical galaxies in the Fornax cluster

Details Extended stellar kinematics of elliptical galaxies in the Fornax cluster Extended stellar kinematics of elliptical galaxies in the Fornax cluster

1998-06-25

arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/9806331v1

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

27 pages, includes 15 eps figures. Accepted for publication in A&A Supp

Scientific paper

10.1051/aas:1998325

We present extended stellar kinematics for a sample of 13 elliptical galaxies in the Fornax cluster. Major-axis velocity dispersion profiles (VDPs) and rotation curves (RCs) are given for 12 of the galaxies. A major feature of this data is the spatial extension: for 8 galaxies the data extends beyond 1 R_e, and for 5 it extends beyond 2 R_e. Compared to the previously available data, this corresponds to an increase in spatial coverage by a factor from 1 to 5. Five of the ellipticals in the sample turn out to be rotationally-supported systems, having positive rotation parameter log (V/sigma)*. One of these five, and another 3 galaxies from the remaining sample, display evidence for bar-like kinematics. The data indicate that the true number of `dynamically hot' stellar systems, is much lower than previously thought: of the Es in the present sample only 1/4 are confirmed as `pressure-supported' systems. The data reveal a host of individual peculiarities, like: wiggles, strong gradients, and asymmetries in the rotation curve and/or in the velocity dispersion profile, thus showing that the presence of kinematically distinct components and/or triaxiality is a common characteristic of this class of object.

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