Globular Cluster Systems in Supergiant E Galaxies

Details Globular Cluster Systems in Supergiant E Galaxies Globular Cluster Systems in Supergiant E Galaxies

Jul 2002

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2002hst..prop.9427h&link_type=abstract

HST Proposal ID #9427

Computer Science

Hst Proposal Id #9427

Scientific paper

The most populous globular cluster systems are found in the giant ellipticals at the centers of galaxy clusters {Brightest Cluster Galaxies}. It is among this BCG class that the characteristics of globular cluster systems display their widest range in metallicity distribution and specific frequency and thus confront galaxy formation models with their most varied challenges. Were these systems built primarily by early in situ conversion of gas clouds, by later mergers, or by ongoing accretions of dwarfs? Their extensive halo cluster systems contain many clues to these relic events. BCGs are the biggest and rarest type of galaxy, and to date the globular clusters in only two BCGs {M87, NGC 1399} are well studied. The ACS camera now brings many more such systems within reach. We propose to image the globular cluster systems in 13 BCGs in the distance regime cz eq 2000 - 5000 km s^-1. With deep {B, I} exposures we will measure the globular cluster metallicity distribution functions, specific frequency, radial distributions, and luminosity distributions, as well as correlations among these quantities. This work will be the first comprehensive, homogeneous deep survey of globular clusters in BCGs. The superior area and sensitivity of ACS will yield a gain of a factor of eight over previous WFPC2 studies for sample size and metallicity discrimination.

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