Spectral Variations in Early-Type Galaxies as a Function of Mass

Details Spectral Variations in Early-Type Galaxies as a Function of Mass Spectral Variations in Early-Type Galaxies as a Function of Mass

2000-04-26

arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0004364v1

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

4 pages, 1 figure, 1 table, to appear in the Astrophysical Journal Letters

Scientific paper

10.1086/312727

We report on the strengths of three spectral indicators - Mg_2, Hbeta, and Hn/Fe - in the integrated light of a sample of 100 field and cluster E/S0 galaxies. The measured indices are sensitive to age and/or and metallicity variations within the galaxy sample. Using linear regression analysis for data with non-uniform errors, we determine the intrinsic scatter present among the spectral indices of our galaxy sample as a function of internal velocity dispersion. Our analysis indicates that there is significantly more intrinsic scatter in the two Balmer line indices than in the Mg_2 index, indicating that the Balmer indices provide more dynamic range in determining the age of a stellar population than does the Mg_2 index. Furthermore, the scatter is much larger for the low velocity dispersion galaxies, indicating that star formation has occurred more recently in the lower mass galaxies.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Spectral Variations in Early-Type Galaxies as a Function of Mass 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 Spectral Variations in Early-Type Galaxies as a Function of Mass, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Spectral Variations in Early-Type Galaxies as a Function of Mass will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-42830