Program: GS-2007B-Q-43
Title: | Determining Star Formation Histories of cD Galaxies |
PI: | Susan I. Loubser |
Co-I(s): | Anne E. Sansom, Ilona K. Soechting |
Abstract
Absorption line strengths in unresolved stellar populations are becoming an
increasingly popular tool by which to investigate the history of when stars
formed in early-type galaxies, including ellipticals, lenticulars and other
spheroidal systems. We wish to apply this technique to examine the stellar
populations across a complete sample of nearby cD galaxies. Such a systematic
study has not yet been undertaken for cD galaxies, which are evolutionarily
important objects, thought to be built up through galactic cannibalism. Despite
numerous studies of cD galaxies, no high signal-to-noise, high resolution
spectroscopic data for the analysis of stellar populations has yet been obtained.
The proposed observations are a continuation of an existing program
(from 2006B and 2007A) which will enable us to measure their spatially
resolved line-strengths and, through their interpretation via population modelling,
test the star formation histories in cD galaxies as a class. Data for 16 cDs
obtained in 2006B have been reduced. No new observations have yet been
made in 2007A.
Publications using this program's data
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[data]
[ADS] The dynamically hot stellar halo around NGC 3311: a small cluster-dominated central galaxy
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[data]
[ADS] Radial kinematics of brightest cluster galaxies
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[data]
[ADS] Stellar populations in the centres of brightest cluster galaxies
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[data]
[ADS] The ultraviolet upturn in brightest cluster galaxies
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[data]
[ADS] Mg2 gradients as a signature of brightest cluster galaxy evolution
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[data]
[ADS] The unmixed kinematics and origins of diffuse stellar light in the core of the Hydra I cluster (Abell 1060)
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[data]
[ADS] Stellar population gradients in brightest cluster galaxies
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[data]
[ADS] Investigating the star formation histories of the brightest cluster galaxies