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.7265g&link_type=abstract

HST Proposal ID #7265

Physics

Hst Proposal Id #7265 Galaxies

Scientific paper

We propose to obtain deep F555W {V} and F160W {H} integrated broadband photometry of the globular cluster systems of two giant elliptical galaxies. This novel combination of WFPC2 and NICMOS data will 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 reach or approach the turnover in the globular cluster luminosity function and allow us to measure the metallicities of over 500 globular clusters in each galaxy to a precision of 0.2 dex. This unprecedented database will allow us to definitively determine the metallicity distribution of the clusters in 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 obtain deep luminosity functions in order to assess the metallicity dependance of the turnover and further investigate its use as a distance indicator. These observations will have a significant impact on our understanding of the origin and nature of globular cluster systems in galaxies.

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