Program: GN-2013B-DD-7
| Title: | High resolution NIR observations of NGC 1277: the first relic massive compact galaxy found at z~0 |
| PI: | Rodrigo Carrasco |
| Co-I(s): | Ignacio Trujillo |
Abstract
NGC 1277 is a nearby massive compact galaxy located at 73 Mpc and is the first relic galaxy found in our vicinity. Understanding the properties presented by this galaxy open a unique opportunity to explore in full detail the physical mechanisms that shaped the first massive galaxies. We propose to use NIRI with ALTAIR/LGS to obtain high resolution deep imaging of NGC 1277 in K-band. This dataset will allow us to derive the stellar mass distribution of this galaxy without being affected by the dust distribution. These observations are absolutely necessary to disentangle the dynamic effects of the stars from the dark matter.