Constraints on galaxy formation from alpha-enhancement in luminous elliptical galaxies

Details Constraints on galaxy formation from alpha-enhancement in luminous elliptical galaxies Constraints on galaxy formation from alpha-enhancement in luminous elliptical galaxies

1998-09-21

arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/9809261v1

Mon.Not.Roy.Astron.Soc.302:537,1999

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

Accepted for publication in MNRAS, LaTex 2.09 with mn.sty, 13 pages, 5 figures

Scientific paper

10.1046/j.1365-8711.1999.02138.x

We explore the formation of alpha-enhanced and metal-rich stellar populations in the nuclei of luminous ellipticals under the assumption of two extreme galaxy formation scenarios based on hierarchical clustering, namely a fast clumpy collapse and the merger of two spirals. We investigate the parameter space of star formation time-scale, IMF slope, and stellar yields. In particular, the latter add a huge uncertainty in constraining time-scales and IMF slopes. We find that -- for Thielemann, Nomoto & Hashimoto nucleosynthesis -- in a fast clumpy collapse scenario an [alpha/Fe] overabundance of approx. 0.2 dex in the high metallicity stars can be achieved with a Salpeter IMF and star formation time-scales of the order 10^9 yr. The scenario of two merging spirals which are similar to our Galaxy, instead, fails to reproduce alpha-enhanced abundance ratios in the metal-rich stars, unless the IMF is flattened during the burst ignited by the merger. This result is independent of the burst time-scale. We suggest that abundance gradients give hints to distinguish between the two extreme formation scenarios considered in this paper.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Constraints on galaxy formation from alpha-enhancement in luminous elliptical galaxies 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 Constraints on galaxy formation from alpha-enhancement in luminous elliptical galaxies, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Constraints on galaxy formation from alpha-enhancement in luminous elliptical galaxies will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-129831