The origin of inner isophotal twists in elliptical galaxies

Details The origin of inner isophotal twists in elliptical galaxies The origin of inner isophotal twists in elliptical galaxies

Apr 1992

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1992a%26a...257...97n&link_type=abstract

Astronomy and Astrophysics (ISSN 0004-6361), vol. 257, no. 1, p. 97-117.

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

43

Elliptical Galaxies, Galactic Structure, Isophotes, Body Kinematics, Spiral Galaxies

Scientific paper

The analysis of the projected geometry of 99 elliptical galaxies listed in the Revised Shapley-Ames Catalog of Bright Galaxies reveals that 16 of them have inner isophotal twists larger than 20 degrees, which cannot be attributed to internal dust absorption. For 12 of them, the profiles of the position angle, ellipticity and axisymmetric coefficients of the Fourier expansion of their isophotal contours, show features all correlated with each other, a result consistent with the assumption that these objects are at least two-component systems. Detailed features in the profiles of these parameters resemble scale-down structures found in a comparison sample of SB0 galaxies, which indicates the presence of bars generally accompanied with disks. It is suggested that: (a) a significant fraction of isophotal twists, in relation with changes of isophotal shapes and internal kinematics, is due to the SB0-like or (more generally) to the two-component nature of many E galaxies, (b) large-scale disks in E's are cold systems formed dissipatively at early stages in the history of these galaxies and not in recent mergings, (c) there is a strong continuity in morphological properties between S0/SB0s and E's where bars and disks have been unambiguously detected, and (d) a significant percentage of triaxial systems may not have the form of pure ellipsoids.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

The origin of inner isophotal twists in 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 The origin of inner isophotal twists in elliptical galaxies, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The origin of inner isophotal twists in elliptical galaxies will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1731552