Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
1995-07-12
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
10 pages, compressed uuencoded PostScript including figures. To appear on "Fresh Views on Elliptical Galaxies", ASP Conf. Ser.
Scientific paper
Preliminary results based on a large compilation of line-strength profiles are presented and discussed. Elliptical galaxies (Es) with strong central Mg$_2$ show steeper line-strength gradients. These galaxies are more massive and have higher velocity dispersions, note nevertheless, that the Mg$_2$ gradient correlates better with central Mg$_2$ than with any other global or structural parameter. This correlation, and the fact that Mg$_2$ measures $Z/Z_\odot$ together with the [Mg/Fe] abundances among Es, are of extreme importance for the use of the central Mg$_2-\sigma$ relation as a reflection of a mass-metallicity relation. Spectroscopic gradients arise mainly from a radial decrease in mean stellar metallicity. However, the Mg$_2$ and $<{\rm Fe}>$ gradients do not correlate within measuring errors, indicating that something else, besides metallicity, is also varying within a galaxy. H$\beta$ gradients indicate that the centers of Es tend to look spectroscopically ``younger'' than their stellar populations further out.
Gonzalez Jesús J.
Gorgas Javier
No associations
LandOfFree
Spectroscopic Gradients 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 Spectroscopic Gradients in Elliptical Galaxies, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Spectroscopic Gradients in Elliptical Galaxies will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-533867