Program: GN-2009B-Q-118

We propose to obtain the final 20 of a sample of 40 long-slit spectra of brightest cluster galaxies (BCGs) in X-ray luminous galaxy clusters. We aim to distinguish between two possible evolution scenarios for star-forming BCGs in cool-core clusters: (1) star formation is halted by powerful AGN outbursts vs. (2) star formation is tempered by AGN feedback but is generally always on. Furthermore, we will measure the velocity dispersions to investigate mass-to-light ratios in BCGs and how they are influenced by variation in cluster environment. Combined with weak-lensing and X-ray data, stellar dynamical information will enable measurement of the inner mass profiles of our clusters, the shape of which has implications for the nature of CDM and for BCG formation scenarios. This is a low-mass, low-redshift extension of our approved program (GN-2008B-Q-5/GS-2008B-Q-4), with which we aim to take advantage of less ideal observing conditions.