scholarly journals Fossil group origins

2018 ◽  
Vol 618 ◽  
pp. A172 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. M. Corsini ◽  
L. Morelli ◽  
S. Zarattini ◽  
J. A. L. Aguerri ◽  
L. Costantin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stellar Population ◽  
Line Strength ◽  
Abundance Ratio ◽  
Element Abundance ◽  
Population Parameters ◽  
Stellar Kinematics ◽  
Massive Galaxies ◽  
Radial Profiles ◽  
Major Merger ◽  
Satellite Galaxies

Context. Fossil groups (FGs) are galaxy aggregates with an extended and luminous X-ray halo, which are dominated by a very massive early-type galaxy and lack of L∗ objects. FGs are indeed characterized by a large magnitude gap between their central and surrounding galaxies. This is explained by either speculating that FGs are failed groups that formed without bright satellite galaxies and did not suffer any major merger, or by suggesting that FGs are very old systems that had enough time to exhaust their bright satellite galaxies through multiple major mergers. Aims. Since major mergers leave signatures in the stellar populations of the resulting galaxy, we study the stellar population parameters of the brightest central galaxies (BCGs) of FGs as a benchmark against which the formation and evolution scenarios of FGs can be compared. Methods. We present long-slit spectroscopic observations along the major, minor, and diagonal axes of NGC 6482 and NGC 7556, which are the BCGs of two nearby FGs. The measurements include spatially resolved stellar kinematics and radial profiles of line-strength indices, which we converted into stellar population parameters using single stellar-population models. Results. NGC 6482 and NGC 7556 are very massive (M∗ ≃ 1011.5 M⊙) and large (D25 ≃ 50 kpc) galaxies. They host a centrally concentrated stellar population, which is significantly younger and more metal rich than the rest of the galaxy. The age gradients of both galaxies are somewhat larger than those of the other FG BCGs studied so far, whereas their metallicity gradients are similarly negative and shallow. Moreover, they have negligible gradients of α-element abundance ratio. Conclusions. The measured metallicity gradients are less steep than those predicted for massive galaxies that formed monolithically and evolved without experiencing any major merger. We conclude that the observed FGs formed through major mergers rather than being failed groups that lacked bright satellite galaxies from the beginning.

scholarly journals Stellar populations of bulges in galaxies with a low surface-brightness disc

2012 ◽  
Vol 10 (H16) ◽  
pp. 340-340
Author(s):  
L. Morelli ◽  
E. M. Corsini ◽  
A. Pizzella ◽  
E. Dalla Bontà ◽  
L. Coccato ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surface Brightness ◽  
Stellar Population ◽  
High Surface ◽  
Line Strength ◽  
Stellar Populations ◽  
Element Abundance ◽  
High Surface Brightness ◽  
Central Value ◽  
Radial Profiles ◽  
Low Surface Brightness

AbstractThe radial profiles of the Hβ, Mg, and Fe line-strength indices are presented for a sample of eight spiral galaxies with a low surface-brightness stellar disc and a bulge. The correlations between the central values of the line-strength indices and velocity dispersion are consistent to those known for early-type galaxies and bulges of high surface-brightness galaxies. The age, metallicity, and α/Fe enhancement of the stellar populations in the bulge-dominated region are obtained using stellar population models with variable element abundance ratios. Almost all the sample bulges are characterized by a young stellar population, on-going star formation, and a solar α/Fe enhancement. Their metallicity spans from high to sub-solar values. No significant gradient in age and α/Fe enhancement is measured, whereas only in a few cases a negative metallicity gradient is found. These properties suggest that a pure dissipative collapse is not able to explain formation of all the sample bulges and that other phenomena, like mergers or acquisition events, need to be invoked. Such a picture is also supported by the lack of a correlation between the central value and gradient of the metallicity in bulges with very low metallicity. The stellar populations of the bulges hosted by low surface-brightness discs share many properties with those of high surface-brightness galaxies. Therefore, they are likely to have common formation scenarios and evolution histories. A strong interplay between bulges and discs is ruled out by the fact that in spite of being hosted by discs with extremely different properties, the bulges of low and high surface-brightness discs are remarkably similar.

scholarly journals Galaxy properties as revealed by MaNGA – III. Kinematic profiles and stellar population gradients in S0s

2020 ◽  
Vol 495 (3) ◽  
pp. 2894-2908 ◽  
Author(s):  
H Domínguez Sánchez ◽  
M Bernardi ◽  
F Nikakhtar ◽  
B Margalef-Bentabol ◽  
R K Sheth
Keyword(s):  
Stellar Population ◽  
Velocity Dispersion ◽  
Signal To Noise Ratio ◽  
Elliptical Galaxies ◽  
Element Abundance ◽  
High Signal ◽  
Galactocentric Distance ◽  
Massive Galaxies ◽  
Nearby Galaxies ◽  
Mass Functions

ABSTRACT This is the third paper of a series where we study the stellar population gradients (SP; ages, metallicities, α-element abundance ratios, and stellar initial mass functions) of early-type galaxies (ETGs) at $z$ ≤ 0.08 from the Mapping Nearby Galaxies at APO Data Release 15 (MaNGA-DR15) survey. In this work, we focus on the S0 population and quantify how the SP varies across the population as well as with galactocentric distance. We do this by measuring Lick indices and comparing them to SP synthesis models. This requires spectra with high signal-to-noise ratio which we achieve by stacking in bins of luminosity (Lr) and central velocity dispersion (σ0). We find that: (1) there is a bimodality in the S0 population: S0s more massive than $3\times 10^{10}\, \mathrm{M}_\odot$ show stronger velocity dispersion and age gradients (age and σr decrease outwards) but little or no metallicity gradient, while the less massive ones present relatively flat age and velocity dispersion profiles, but a significant metallicity gradient (i.e. [M/H] decreases outwards). Above $2\times 10^{11}\, \mathrm{M}_\odot$, the number of S0s drops sharply. These two mass scales are also where global scaling relations of ETGs change slope. (2) S0s have steeper velocity dispersion profiles than fast-rotating elliptical galaxies (E-FRs) of the same luminosity and velocity dispersion. The kinematic profiles and SP gradients of E-FRs are both more similar to those of slow-rotating ellipticals (E-SRs) than to S0s, suggesting that E-FRs are not simply S0s viewed face-on. (3) At fixed σ0, more luminous S0s and E-FRs are younger, more metal rich and less α-enhanced. Evidently for these galaxies, the usual statement that ‘massive galaxies are older’ is not true if σ0 is held fixed.

scholarly journals Stellar population gradients in GASS

2012 ◽  
Vol 8 (S295) ◽  
pp. 304-307
Author(s):  
Jonas Johansson ◽  
Guinevere Kauffmann ◽  
Sean Moran
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Galaxy Formation ◽  
Stellar Population ◽  
Neutral Hydrogen ◽  
Stellar Populations ◽  
Element Abundance ◽  
Molecular Gas ◽  
Massive Galaxies ◽  
Additional Formation ◽  
Inside Out

AbstractWe study relationships between the stellar populations and interstellar medium in massive galaxies using the Galex Arecibo SDSS Survey (GASS). The sample consists of HI-observations (~1000 galaxies) and complementary H2-observations (330 galaxies) and long-slit spectroscopy (230 galaxies). Luminosity-weighted stellar population ages, metallicitites and element abundance ratios, are derived by fitting stellar population models of absorption line indices. We find that the ages correlate more strongly with molecular gas fraction (MH2/M*) than with neutral Hydrogen fraction (MHI/M*). This result strengthens the theory that H2 is a better tracer of star-formation than HI. The sample is dominated by negative metallicity-gradients and flat Mg/Fe-gradients. Galaxies with high MH2/M*-ratios show in general flat or weakly negative age-gradients. For low MH2/M*-ratios the age-gradients are overall negative. These results are in agreement with the inside-out galaxy formation scenario. For galaxies with high r90/r50-ratios, a sub-population show positive age-gradients indicating additional formation channels. Furthermore, for galaxies with high MH2/M*-ratios more massive systems have older stellar populations in their centers, suggesting downsizing within the inside-out formation scenario.

scholarly journals 3D view on Virgo and field dwarf elliptical galaxies: late-type origin and environmental transformations

2012 ◽  
Vol 10 (H16) ◽  
pp. 334-334
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Ryś ◽  
Jesús Falcón-Barroso ◽  
Glenn van de Ven
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Stellar Population ◽  
Line Strength ◽  
Elliptical Galaxies ◽  
Formation Mechanisms ◽  
Population Parameters ◽  
Irregular Galaxies ◽  
Model Predictions ◽  
Dwarf Elliptical Galaxies ◽  
Star Formation Histories

AbstractIn our contribution we show the effects of environmental evolution on cluster and field dwarf elliptical galaxies (dEs), presenting the first large-scale integral-field spectroscopic data for this galaxy class. Our sample con sists of 12 galaxies and no two of them are alike. We find that the level of rotation is not tied to flattening; we observe kinematic twists; we discover large-scale kinematically-decoupled components; we see varying gradient s in line-strength maps: from nearly flat to strongly peaked in the center. The great variety of morphological, kinematic, and stellar population parameters seen in our data supports the claim that dEs are defunct dwarf spiral/irregular galaxies and points to a formation scenario that allows for a stochastic shaping of galaxy properties. The combined influence of ram-pressure stripping and harassment fulfills these requirements, still, the exact impact of the two is not yet understood. We further investigate the properties of our sample by performing a detailed comprehensive analysis of its kinematic, dynamical, and stellar population parameters. The combined knowledge of the dynamical properties and star-formation histories, together with model predictions for different formation mechanisms, will be used to quant itatively determine the actual transformation paths for these galaxies.

scholarly journals The origin of metallicity gradients in massive galaxies at large radii

2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (S309) ◽  
pp. 117-120
Author(s):  
Michaela Hirschmann ◽  
Thorsten Naab
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Model ◽  
Stellar Population ◽  
Wind Model ◽  
Differential Impact ◽  
Massive Galaxies ◽  
Galactic Winds ◽  
Satellite Galaxies ◽  
Minor Mergers

AbstractWe investigate the origin of stellar metallicity gradients in massive galaxies at large radii (r > 2 Reff) using ten cosmological zoom simulations of halos with 6 × 1012M⊙ < Mhalo < 2 × 1013M⊙. The simulations follow metal cooling and enrichment from SNII, SNIa and AGB winds. We explore the differential impact of an empirical model for galactic winds that reproduces the evolution of the mass-metallicity relation. At larger radii, the galaxies become more dominated by stars accreted from satellite galaxies in major and minor mergers. In the wind model, fewer stars are accreted, but they are significantly more metal poor resulting in steep global metallicity (〈 ▽ Zstars 〉= -0.35 dex/dex) gradients in agreement with observations. Metallicity gradients of models without winds are inconsistent with observations. For the wind model, stellar accretion is steepening existing in-situ metallicity gradients by about 0.2 dex by the present day and is required to match observed gradients. Metallicity gradients are significantly steeper for systems, which have accreted stars in minor mergers. In contrast, galaxies with major mergers have relatively flat gradients, confirming previous results. We highlight the importance of stellar accretion for stellar population properties of massive galaxies at large radii, which provide important constraints for formation models.

scholarly journals Galaxy properties as revealed by MaNGA – I. Constraints on IMF and M*/L gradients in ellipticals

2019 ◽  
Vol 489 (4) ◽  
pp. 5612-5632 ◽  
Author(s):  
H Domínguez Sánchez ◽  
M Bernardi ◽  
J R Brownstein ◽  
N Drory ◽  
R K Sheth
Keyword(s):  
Stellar Population ◽  
Companion Paper ◽  
Elliptical Galaxies ◽  
Element Abundance ◽  
Galactocentric Distance ◽  
Massive Galaxies ◽  
The Galaxy ◽  
Central Regions ◽  
S0 Galaxies ◽  
Mass Functions

ABSTRACT We estimate ages, metallicities, α-element abundance ratios, and stellar initial mass functions (IMFs) of elliptical (E) and S0 galaxies from the MaNGA-DR15 survey. We stack spectra and use a variety of single stellar population synthesis models to interpret the absorption line strengths in these spectra. We quantify how these properties vary across the population, as well as with galactocentric distance. This paper is the first of a series and is based on a sample of pure elliptical galaxies at z ≤ 0.08. We confirm previous work showing that IMFs in Es with the largest luminosity (Lr) and central velocity dispersion (σ0) appear to be increasingly bottom heavy towards their centres. For these galaxies the stellar mass-to-light ratio decreases at most by a factor of 2 from the central regions to Re. In contrast, for lower Lr and σ0 galaxies, the IMF is shallower and M*/Lr in the central regions is similar to the outskirts, although quantitative estimates depend on assumptions about element abundance gradients. Accounting self-consistently for these gradients when estimating both M* and Mdyn brings the two into good agreement: gradients reduce Mdyn by ∼0.2 dex while only slightly increasing the M* inferred using a Kroupa IMF. This is a different resolution of the M*–Mdyn discrepancy than has been followed in the recent literature where M* of massive galaxies is increased by adopting a Salpeter IMF throughout the galaxy while leaving Mdyn unchanged. A companion paper discusses how stellar population differences are even more pronounced if one separates slow from fast rotators.

scholarly journals ATLAS3D Stellar Population Gradients

2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (S311) ◽  
pp. 53-56
Author(s):  
Harald Kuntschner
Keyword(s):  
Stellar Population ◽  
Environmental Influence ◽  
Line Strength ◽  
Rank Correlation ◽  
Early Type ◽  
Dynamical Mass ◽  
Massive Galaxies ◽  
Multi Wavelength ◽  
Low Mass ◽  
Sensitive Parameters

AbstractWe present stellar population gradients of early-type galaxies from the ATLAS3D survey: a complete, volume-limited multi-wavelength survey of 260 early-type galaxies in the local 42 Mpc volume. Using emission-corrected spectra integrated within elliptical annuli we measure line-strength indices and apply single stellar population (SSP) models to derive SSP-equivalent values of stellar age, metallicity, and alpha enhancement as function of radius. For all galaxies we derive basic linear stellar population gradients versus radius logR/Re). These gradients are examined on their own and versus three mass-sensitive parameters: K-band luminosity MK, velocity dispersion within one effective radius log σe, and our dynamical mass MJAM. We find a correlation between positive age gradients (younger centre) and steeper negative metallicity gradients with a Spearman rank correlation coefficient of -0.46 and a significance of 7.65 × 10−15. Furthermore, we find a robustly estimated mean metallicity gradient of Δ[Z/H] = -0.37 ± 0.01 for the sample with a significant trend for more massive galaxies to have shallower profiles. While there is no clear distinction between fast and slow rotators or signs of environmental influence, we do detect a significantly larger range of [Z/H]-gradients towards low mass galaxies.

scholarly journals What shapes stellar metallicity gradients of massive galaxies at large radii?

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (S321) ◽  
pp. 93-95
Author(s):  
Michaela Hirschmann
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Stellar Population ◽  
Stellar Systems ◽  
Differential Impact ◽  
Massive Galaxies ◽  
Physical Mechanisms ◽  
Satellite Galaxies ◽  
Minor Mergers ◽  
The Impact

AbstractWe investigate the differential impact of physical mechanisms, mergers and internal energetic phenomena, on the evolution of stellar metallicity gradients in massive, present-day galaxies employing sets of high-resolution, cosmological zoom simulations. We demonstrate that negative metallicity gradients at large radii (>2Reff) originate from the accretion of metal-poor stellar systems. At larger radii, galaxies become typically more dominated by stars accreted from satellite galaxies in major and minor mergers. However, only strong galactic, stellar-driven winds can sufficiently reduce the metallicity content of the accreted stars to realistically steepen the outer metallicity gradients in agreement with observations. In contrast, the gradients of the models without winds are inconsistent with observations. Moreover, we discuss the impact of additional AGN feedback. This analysis greatly highlights the importance of both energetic processes and merger events for stellar population properties of massive galaxies at large radii. Our results are expected to significantly contribute to the interpretation of current and up-coming IFU surveys (e.g. MaNGA, CALIFA).

scholarly journals The GIST pipeline: A multi-purpose tool for the analysis and visualisation of (integral-field) spectroscopic data

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (S353) ◽  
pp. 284-285
Author(s):  
A. Bittner ◽  
J. Falcón-Barroso ◽  
B. Nedelchev ◽  
A. Dorta ◽  
D. A. Gadotti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Graphical User Interface ◽  
Spectroscopic Data ◽  
Stellar Population ◽  
Line Strength ◽  
Stellar Kinematics ◽  
Scientific Analysis ◽  
Star Formation Histories ◽  
Integral Field ◽  
Line Analysis ◽  
Publication Quality

AbstractWe introduce the Galaxy IFU Spectroscopy Tool (GIST), a convenient, all-in-one and multi-purpose tool for the analysis and visualisation of already reduced (integral-field) spectroscopic data. In particular, the pipeline performs all steps from read-in and preparation of data to its scientific analysis and visualisation in publication-quality plots. The code measures stellar kinematics and non-parametric star formation histories using the pPXF routine (Cappellari & Emsellem 2004; Cappellari 2017), performs an emission-line analysis with the GandALF procedure (Sarzi et al. 2006; Falcón-Barroso et al. 2006), and determines absorption line-strength indices and their corresponding single stellar population equivalent population properties (Kuntschner et al.2006; Martín-Navarro et al. 2018). The dedicated visualisation routine Mapviewer facilitates the access of all data products in a sophisticated graphical user interface with fully interactive plots.

scholarly journals Ionized gas kinematics of massive elliptical galaxies in CALIFA and in cosmological zoom-in simulations

2020 ◽  
Vol 635 ◽  
pp. A41
Author(s):  
Jan Florian ◽  
Bodo Ziegler ◽  
Michaela Hirschmann ◽  
Polychronis Papaderos ◽  
Ena Choi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radial Profile ◽  
Major Axis ◽  
Velocity Fields ◽  
Host Galaxies ◽  
Ionized Gas ◽  
Massive Galaxies ◽  
Gas Kinematics ◽  
Major Merger ◽  
Ordered Motion ◽  
Integral Field

Context. Powerful active galactic nuclei (AGN) are supposed to play a key regulatory role on the evolution of their host galaxies by shaping the thermodynamic properties of their gas component. However, little is known as to the nature and the visibility timescale of the kinematical imprints of AGN-driven feedback. Gaining theoretical and observational insights into this subject is indispensable for a thorough understanding of the AGN-galaxy coevolution and could yield empirical diagnostics for the identification of galaxies that have experienced a major AGN episode in the past. Aims. We present an investigation of kinematical imprints of AGN feedback on the warm ionized gas medium (WIM) of massive early-type galaxies (ETGs). To this end, we take a two-fold approach that involves a comparative analysis of Hα velocity fields in 123 local ETGs from the CALIFA (Calar Alto Legacy Integral Field Area Survey) integral field spectroscopy survey with 20 simulated galaxies from high-resolution hydrodynamic cosmological SPHgal simulations. The latter were resimulated for two modeling setups, one with and another without AGN feedback. Methods. In order to quantify the effects of AGN feedback on gas kinematics, we measured three parameters that probe deviations from simple regular rotation by using the kinemetry package. These indicators trace the possible presence of distinct kinematic components in Fourier space (k3, 5/k1), variations in the radial profile of the kinematic major axis (σPA), and offsets between the stellar and gas velocity fields (Δϕ). These quantities were monitored in the simulations from a redshift 3 to 0.2 to assess the connection between black hole accretion history, stellar mass growth, and the kinematical perturbation of the WIM. Results. Observed local massive galaxies show a broad range of irregularities, indicating disturbed warm gas motions, which is irrespective of being classified via diagnostic lines as AGN or not. Simulations of massive galaxies with AGN feedback generally exhibit higher irregularity parameters than without AGN feedback, which is more consistent with observations. Besides AGN feedback, other processes like major merger events or infalling gas clouds can lead to elevated irregularity parameters, but they are typically of shorter duration. More specifically, k3, 5/k1 is most sensitive to AGN feedback, whereas Δϕ is most strongly affected by gas infall. Conclusions. We conclude that even if the general disturbance of the WIM velocity is not a unique indicator for AGN feedback, irregularity parameters that are high enough to be consistent with observations can only be reproduced in simulations with AGN feedback. Specifically, an elevated value for the deviation from simple ordered motion is a strong sign for previous events of AGN activity and feedback.

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