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

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.

2019 ◽  
Vol 489 (4) ◽  
pp. 5612-5632 ◽  
Author(s):  
H Domínguez Sánchez ◽  
M Bernardi ◽  
J R Brownstein ◽  
N Drory ◽  
R K Sheth

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.


2020 ◽  
Vol 497 (3) ◽  
pp. 3011-3025
Author(s):  
Yiqing Liu

ABSTRACT The mean stellar alpha-to-iron abundance ratio ([α/Fe]) of a galaxy is an indicator of galactic star formation time-scale. It is important for understanding the star formation history of early-type galaxies (ETGs) as their star formation processes have basically stopped. Using the model templates that are made by Vazdekis et al., we apply the pPXF-based spectral fitting method to estimate the [α/Fe] of 196 high-signal-to-noise ratio ETGs from the Mapping Nearby Galaxies at Apache Point Observatory (MaNGA) survey. The velocity dispersions within 1Re (σe) range from 27 to 270 km s−1. We find a flat relation between the mean [α/Fe] within the 1$R_\mathrm{ e}^{\mathrm{ maj}}$ ellipses and log(σe), even if limiting to the massive sample with log(σe/km s−1) > 1.9. However, the relation becomes positive after we exclude the Mg1 feature in our fits, which agrees with the results from the previous work with other stellar population models, albeit with relatively large scatter. It indicates that the Vazdekis models have self-inconsistency and do not actually cover the observations in Mg1. For reference, we also measure the stellar population radial gradients within 1$R_\mathrm{ e}^{\mathrm{ maj}}$ ellipses. Due to the low resolution of age estimations for old objects and the Mg1 issue, the uncertainties of these gradients cannot be neglected.


2018 ◽  
Vol 618 ◽  
pp. A172 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. M. Corsini ◽  
L. Morelli ◽  
S. Zarattini ◽  
J. A. L. Aguerri ◽  
L. Costantin ◽  
...  

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.


2012 ◽  
Vol 8 (S295) ◽  
pp. 304-307
Author(s):  
Jonas Johansson ◽  
Guinevere Kauffmann ◽  
Sean Moran

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.


2006 ◽  
Vol 2 (S235) ◽  
pp. 280-283
Author(s):  
Crystal L. Martin

Major mergers of gas-rich galaxies, each comparable in mass to the Milky Way, are rare at the present epoch. These events were readily identifed, however, two decades ago in far-infrared sky surveys (Soifer et al. 1986, 1987). Removal of the dust enshrouding these starbursts was almost immediately proposed as an evolutionary path to quasar formation (Sanders 1988). Recent measurements of the stellar velocity dispersion, rotation speed, and stellar surface brightness profile of these mergers suggest ULIRGs are indeed progenitors of field elliptical galaxies (Genzel et al. 2001; Tacconi et al. 2002).


2004 ◽  
Vol 220 ◽  
pp. 165-170
Author(s):  
A. J. Romanowsky ◽  
N. G. Douglas ◽  
K. Kuijken ◽  
M. R. Merrifield ◽  
M. Arnaboldi ◽  
...  

Planetary nebulae (PNe) may be the most promising tracers in the halos of early-type galaxies. We have used multi-object spectrographs on the WHT and the VLT, and the new Planetary Nebula Spectrograph on the WHT, to obtain hundreds of PN velocities in a small sample of nearby galaxies. These ellipticals show weak halo rotation, which may be consistent with ab initio models of galaxy formation, but not with more detailed major merger simulations. the galaxies near L* show evidence of a universal declining velocity dispersion profile, and dynamical models indicate the presence of little dark matter within 5 Reff—implying halos either not as massive or not as centrally concentrated as CDM predicts.


2012 ◽  
Vol 8 (S295) ◽  
pp. 316-316
Author(s):  
S. I. Loubser ◽  
P. Sánchez-Blázquez

AbstractWe present the stellar population and velocity dispersion gradients for a sample of 24 brightest cluster galaxies (BCGs) in the nearby Universe for which we have obtained high quality long-slit spectra at the Gemini telescopes. With the aim of studying the possible connection between the formation of the BCGs and their host clusters, we explore the relations between the stellar population gradients and properties of the host clusters, as well as the possible connections between the stellar population gradients and other properties of the galaxies. We find mean stellar population gradients (negative Δ[Z/H]/log r gradient of − 0.285 ± 0.064; small positive Δlog(age)/log r gradient of +0.069 ± 0.049; and null Δ[E/Fe]/log r gradient of -0.008 ± 0.032), that are consistent with those of normal massive elliptical galaxies. However, we find a trend between metallicity gradients and velocity dispersion (with a negative slope of − 1.616 ± 0.539), that is not found for the most massive ellipticals. Furthermore, we find trends between the metallicity gradients and K-band luminosities (with a slope of 0.173 ± 0.081) as well as the distance from the BCG to the X-ray peak of the host cluster (with a slope of − 7.546 ± 2.752). The latter indicates a possible relation between the formation of the cluster and that of the central galaxy.


2020 ◽  
Vol 498 (4) ◽  
pp. 5704-5719
Author(s):  
Nicola R Napolitano ◽  
Giuseppe D’Ago ◽  
Crescenzo Tortora ◽  
Gang Zhao ◽  
A-Li Luo ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fiber Spectroscopic Telescope (LAMOST) is a major facility to carry out spectroscopic surveys for cosmology and galaxy evolution studies. The seventh data release of the LAMOST ExtraGAlactic Survey (LEGAS) is currently available and including redshifts of 193 361 galaxies. These sources are spread over $\sim 11\, 500$ deg2 of the sky, largely overlapping with other imaging (SDSS and HSC) and spectroscopic (BOSS) surveys. The estimated depth of the galaxy sample, r ∼ 17.8, the high signal-to-noise ratio, and the spectral resolution R = 1800, make the LAMOST spectra suitable for galaxy velocity dispersion (VD) measurements, which are invaluable to study the structure and formation of galaxies and to determine their central dark matter content. We present the first estimates of central VD of $\sim 86\, 000$ galaxies in LAMOST footprint. We have used a wrap-up procedure to perform the spectral fitting using ppxf, and derive VD measurements. Statistical errors are also assessed by comparing LAMOST VD estimates with the ones of SDSS and BOSS over a common sample of $\sim 51\, 000$ galaxies. The two data sets show a good agreement, within the statistical errors, in particular when VD values are corrected to 1 effective radius aperture. We also present a preliminary mass–σ relation and find consistency with previous analyses based on local galaxy samples. These first results suggest that LAMOST spectra are suitable for galaxy VD measurements to complement the available catalogues of galaxy internal kinematics in the Northern hemisphere. We plan to expand this analysis to next LAMOST data releases.


2010 ◽  
pp. 57-69
Author(s):  
Ana Lalovic

We present the central velocity dispersion measurements of the nearby galaxies from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS). Using the sample from the paper by Ho et al. 2009, we have selected 23 galaxies for which we calculate the velocity dispersion. We have used the Penalized Pixel-Fitting code (Cappellari and Emsellem2004) to measure the velocity dispersion throughout the four chosen spectral regions: (3800,4568)?A, (4568,5336)?A, (5336,6104) and (6104,6872)?A. In all these regions, we have separately calculated dispersions and corresponding errors. We found that the measured values may vary with the change of spectral region, but, if weighted properly with the measure of the goodness of the fit, the final results will be shifted coloser to those for the best fitting regions. We have also tested how the use of different spectral libraries (Miles, Valdes and Elodie databases) influences measurements and we showed that they do not affect measurements much. However, Elodie stellar library introduces the smallest errors in the velocity dispersion and it is the most stable throughout all four spectral regions. For these reasons it should be used preferentially when dealing with the SDSS spectra. We compare the results with the above mentioned paper and find a reasonable agreement. The agreement with the dispersions available in the HyperLeda database is very poor. The best agreement is obtained with SDSS measurements. We believe that our measurements are useful since SDSS velocity dispersions measurements are not available for many galaxies and the method of calculation of the velocity dispersion outlined in this work enables calculation of velocity dispersion for any galaxy. Of course, spectra with signal-to-noise ratio below 20 should be taken with caution.


2019 ◽  
Vol 489 (4) ◽  
pp. 5633-5652 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Bernardi ◽  
H Domínguez Sánchez ◽  
J R Brownstein ◽  
N Drory ◽  
R K Sheth

ABSTRACT We present estimates of stellar population (SP) gradients from stacked spectra of slow rotator (SR) and fast rotator (SR) elliptical galaxies from the MaNGA-DR15 survey. We find that (1) FRs are ∼5 Gyr younger, more metal rich, less α-enhanced and smaller than SRs of the same luminosity Lr and central velocity dispersion σ0. This explains why when one combines SRs and FRs, objects which are small for their Lr and σ0 tend to be younger. Their SP gradients are also different. (2) Ignoring the FR/SR dichotomy leads one to conclude that compact galaxies are older than their larger counterparts of the same mass, even though almost the opposite is true for FRs and SRs individually. (3) SRs with σ0 ≤ 250 km s−1 are remarkably homogeneous within ∼Re: they are old, α-enhanced, and only slightly supersolar in metallicity. These SRs show no gradients in age and M*/Lr, negative gradients in metallicity, and slightly positive gradients in [α/Fe] (the latter are model dependent). SRs with σ0 ≥ 250 km s−1 are slightly younger and more metal rich, contradicting previous work suggesting that age increases with σ0. They also show larger M*/Lr gradients. (4) Self-consistently accounting for M*/L gradients yields Mdyn ≈ M* because gradients reduce Mdyn by ∼0.2 dex while only slightly increasing the M* inferred using a Kroupa (not Salpeter) initial mass function. (5) The SR population starts to dominate the counts above $M_*\ge 3\times 10^{11}\, \mathrm{M}_\odot$; this is the same scale at which the size–mass correlation and other scaling relations change. Our results support the finding that this is an important mass scale that correlates with the environment and above which mergers matter.


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