Tests of Chemical Enrichment Scenarios in Ellipticals Using Continuum Colors and Spectroscopy

Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

2

Galaxies: Elliptical And Lenticular, Cd, Galaxies: Evolution, Galaxies: Stellar Content

Scientific paper

We combine spectroscopic metallicity values with integrated narrowband continuum colors to explore the internal metallicity distribution in early-type galaxies. The different techniques for determining metallicity (indices versus colors) allow for an estimate of the contribution from metal-poor stars in a predominantly metal-rich population, which, in turn, places constraints on the shape and width of a galaxy's metallicity distribution function. The color-spectroscopic data are compared with the closed box, infall, and inhomogeneous chemical evolution models. The G-dwarf problem, a deficiency in metal-poor stars as compared with closed-box models, is evident in the data set and indicates that this deficiency is common to all early-type galaxies. However, even simple infall models predict galaxy colors that are too blue compared with the observations. A simple analytical model is proposed that matches the elliptical data and recent Hubble Space Telescope observations of M31 and NGC 5128 by reducing the number of metal-poor stars in a systematic fashion. Without physical justification, the shape of these models is similar to predictions of inhomogeneous enrichment scenarios.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Tests of Chemical Enrichment Scenarios in Ellipticals Using Continuum Colors and Spectroscopy 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 Tests of Chemical Enrichment Scenarios in Ellipticals Using Continuum Colors and Spectroscopy, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Tests of Chemical Enrichment Scenarios in Ellipticals Using Continuum Colors and Spectroscopy will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1781091

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.