Red sequence modal colour gradients across intermediate X-ray luminosity galaxy clusters

Details Red sequence modal colour gradients across intermediate X-ray luminosity galaxy clusters Red sequence modal colour gradients across intermediate X-ray luminosity galaxy clusters

2012-01-17

arxiv.org/abs/1201.3400v1

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

Cosmology and Extragalactic Astrophysics

14 pages, 11 figures, accepted for publication in MNRAS

Scientific paper

[Abridged] We assemble a sample of 45 intermediate X-ray luminosity galaxy clusters at low redshifts using SDSS data to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the photometric variation of red sequence modal galaxy colours with environment. The clusters span a range of Bautz-Morgan types and evolutionary stages and are representative of the global underlying intermediate L_X cluster sample. We define cluster membership using SDSS spectroscopic data and characterize the clusters by deriving new recession velocities, velocity dispersions and other parameters for each. We construct colour-magnitude diagrams for each of these clusters and obtain the position of the red sequence using a robust line fitting algorithm with a Lorentzian merit function. In doing so, we describe a population of discordant points on the colour-magnitude plane which are the result of photometric blending, dust and other causes. By fitting the clusters with Schechter functions to derive M* values in each SDSS passband, we combine the red sequence of the galaxy clusters together to form a composite sample. We detail how the modal colour value of the red sequence varies with radius from the centre of this composite cluster and local galaxy density for all SDSS colours. In agreement with previous studies, these colours are shown to systematically move blueward with increasing distance from the cluster centres, or equivalently lower local galaxy density, whilst the width of the red sequence increases. This supports the idea that the galaxies at the outskirts of these clusters have younger luminosity-weighted ages than those at the core indicating their star formation has been quenched more recently than in the core. A comparison of our derived gradients in (g-r) with earlier works tentatively suggests that these gradients vary with redshift which would reflect the hierarchical build-up of the red sequence over time.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Red sequence modal colour gradients across intermediate X-ray luminosity galaxy clusters 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 Red sequence modal colour gradients across intermediate X-ray luminosity galaxy clusters, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Red sequence modal colour gradients across intermediate X-ray luminosity galaxy clusters will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-96507