Insights into Elliptical Galaxy Formation from HST Imaging of Shell Galaxies

Details Insights into Elliptical Galaxy Formation from HST Imaging of Shell Galaxies Insights into Elliptical Galaxy Formation from HST Imaging of Shell Galaxies

Jul 2002

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2002hst..prop.9399c&link_type=abstract

HST Proposal ID #9399

Computer Science

Hst Proposal Id #9399

Scientific paper

We propose to use ACS to carry out an imaging survey of the cores of shell galaxies. Key to understanding several aspects of shell formation is to determine how far in do shells exist. Photometric detection from the ground is limited by seeing and sampling to radii of at best R 10 - 15 arcsec. In velocity maps derived from high spatial resolution long-slit and integral-field ground-based spectra we have found shell-like features with distinct kinematics in several shell galaxy cores {R 3 - 5 arcsec 1 kpc}. Hence we believe that shells may extend further in than previously known. HST provides the spatial resolution and sampling needed to map out shells in the pronounced surface brightness gradients of elliptical galaxy cores. The data will allow us to detect and map inner shells, to measure their colors, to establish their dynamics with the help of ground-based kinematics, to compare the inner surface brightness profiles of shell and non-shell ellipticals, and to measure the mass and distribution of the dust. Where shells are found, combined spatial and velocity information will establish the orbital structure of shell- producing merger debris on the basis of data, and will allow useful checks of the models for formation of shell systems in early-type galaxies.

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