Searching for tidal tails – investigating galaxy harassment

Galaxy harassment has been proposed as a physical process that morphologically transforms low surface density disc galaxies into dwarf elliptical galaxies in clusters. It has been used to link the observed very different morphology of distant cluster galaxies (relatively more blue galaxies with 'disturbed' morphologies) with the relatively large numbers of dwarf elliptical galaxies found in nearby clusters. One prediction of the harassment model is that the remnant galaxies should lie on low surface brightness tidal streams or arcs. We demonstrate in this paper that we have an analysis method that is sensitive to the detection of arcs down to a surface brightness of 29 B μ and we then use this method to search for arcs around 46 Virgo cluster dwarf elliptical galaxies. We find no evidence for tidal streams or arcs and consequently no evidence for galaxy harassment as a viable explanation for the relatively large numbers of dwarf galaxies found in the Virgo cluster.     

Gas dynamic stripping and X-ray emission of cluster elliptical galaxies

Detailed three-dimensional numerical simulations of an elliptical galaxy orbiting in a gas-rich cluster of galaxies indicate that gas dynamic stripping is less efficient than the results from previous, simpler calculations by Takeda et al. and Gaetz et al. implied. This result is consistent with X-ray data for cluster elliptical galaxies. Hydrodynamic torques and direct accretion of orbital angular momentum can result in the formation of a cold gaseous disc, even in a non-rotating galaxy. The gas lost by cluster galaxies via the process of gas dynamic stripping tends to produce a colder, chemically enriched cluster gas core. A comparison of the models with the available X-ray data of cluster galaxies shows that the X-ray luminosity distribution of cluster galaxies may reflect hydrodynamic stripping, but also that a purely hydrodynamic treatment is inadequate for the cooler interstellar medium near the centre of the galaxy.     

Inclination- and dust-corrected galaxy parameters: bulge-to-disc ratios and size–luminosity relations

While galactic bulges may contain no significant dust of their own, the dust within galaxy discs can strongly attenuate the light from their embedded bulges. Furthermore, such dust inhibits the ability of observationally determined inclination corrections to recover intrinsic (i.e. dust-free) galaxy parameters. Using the sophisticated 3D radiative transfer model of Popescu et al. and Tuffs et al., together with the recent determination of the average face-on opacity by Driver et al. in nearby disc galaxies, we provide simple equations to correct (observed) disc central surface brightness and scalelengths for the effects of both inclination and dust in the B , V , I , J and K passbands. We then collate and homogenize various literature data sets and determine the typical intrinsic scalelengths, central surface brightness and magnitudes of galaxy discs as a function of morphological type. All galaxies have been carefully modelled in their respective papers with a Sérsic   R ^{1/ n}   bulge plus an exponential disc. Using the bulge magnitude corrections from Driver et al., we additionally derive the average, dust-corrected, bulge-to-disc flux ratio as a function of galaxy type. With values typically less than 1/3, this places somewhat uncomfortable constraints on some current semi-analytic simulations. Typical bulge sizes, profile shapes, surface brightness and deprojected densities are provided. Finally, given the two-component nature of disc galaxies, we present luminosity–size and (surface brightness)–size diagrams for discs and bulges. We also show that the distribution of elliptical galaxies in the luminosity–size diagram is not linear but strongly curved.     

Near-infrared imaging of the host galaxies of BL Lacertae objects

Near-infrared images have been obtained of nine BL Lacertae objects in order to investigate their host galaxy properties. From numerical modelling of the data we find that five of the nine BL Lacs have contributions from extended galaxy emission in their profiles. Tentative morphologies were derived for two of the BL Lacs, namely B2 0752+258, for which a disc morphology is slightly preferred, and S4 0954+65, for which an elliptical morphology is preferred. From our modelling we derive host galaxy absolute magnitudes of M_H =−25.6±0.5 for B2 0752+258, and M_H =−26.3±0.8 for S4 0954+65. We also find an average K -band absolute K -corrected host galaxy magnitude, for the BL Lacs, of 〈 M_K 〉=−26.3±0.6 asssuming an elliptical galaxy model, and 〈 M_K 〉=−26.1±0.9 assuming a disc galaxy model. The derived absolute magnitudes are similar to those found for the putative parent population of FRI radio galaxies, predicted by unified schemes. For those BL Lacs in which host galaxies have been previously detected at optical wavelengths we derive rest frame colours which are generally consistent with those of 'normal' galaxies. However, for TEX 0836+182 we find a rather blue colour which, together with the elongated morphology, may be indicative of interaction or spiral structure. Our results suggest that the host galaxies of BL Lacs are indeed similar to those of FRI radio galaxies, adding further weight to the unification scenario. In our present infrared frames of relatively modest resolution, we do not find that infrared observations are any more or less effective than optical observations at revealing the underlying host galaxy.     

Kinematics and stellar populations of the dwarf elliptical galaxy IC 3653

We present the first 3D observations of a diffuse elliptical galaxy (dE). The good quality data (S/N up to 40) reveal the kinematical signature of an embedded stellar disc, reminiscent of what is commonly observed in elliptical galaxies, though similarity of their origins is questionable. Colour map built from Hubble Space Telescope Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) images confirms the presence of this disc. Its characteristic scale (about 3 arcsec =250 pc) is about a half of galaxy's effective radius, and its metallicity is 0.1–0.2 dex larger than the underlying population. Fitting the spectra with synthetic single stellar populations (SSP), we found an SSP-equivalent age of 5 Gyr and nearly solar metallicity [Fe/H]  =−0.06  dex. We checked that these determinations are consistent with those based on Lick indices, but have smaller error bars. The kinematical discovery of a stellar disc in dE gives additional support to an evolutionary link from dwarf irregular galaxies due to stripping of the gas against the intracluster medium.     

Galaxy concentrations are trimodal

We have analysed the distribution of inclination-corrected galaxy concentrations in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. We find that unlike most galaxy properties, which are distributed bimodally, the distribution of concentrations is trimodal: it exhibits three distinct peaks. The newly discovered intermediate peak, which consists of early-type spirals and lenticulars, may contain ∼60 per cent of the number density and ∼50 per cent of the luminosity density of  ^0.1 M_r < −17  galaxies in the local universe. These galaxies are generally red and quiescent, although the distribution contains a tail of blue star-forming galaxies and also shows evidence of dust. The intermediate-type galaxies have higher apparent ellipticities than either disc or elliptical galaxies, most likely because some of the face-on intermediate types are misidentified as ellipticals. Their physical half-light radii are smaller than the radii of either the disc or elliptical galaxies, which may be evidence that they form from disc fading. The existence of a distinct peak in parameter space associated with early-type spiral galaxies and lenticulars implies that they have a distinct formation mechanism and are not simply the smooth transition between disc-dominated and spheroid-dominated galaxies.     

Evidence for a massive dark object in NGC 4350

In this work we build a detailed dynamic model for an S0 galaxy possibly hosting a central massive dark object (MDO). We show that the photometric profiles and the kinematics along the major and minor axes, including the h ₃ and h ₄ profiles, imply the presence of a central MDO of mass     i.e. 0.3–2.8 per cent of the mass derived for the stellar spheroidal component. Models without MDO are unable to reproduce the kinematic properties of the inner stars and of the rapidly rotating nuclear gas.
The stellar population consists of an exponential disc (27 per cent of the light) and a diffuse spheroidal component (73 per cent of the light) that cannot be represented by a simple de Vaucouleurs profile at any radius. The M L ratios we found for the stellar components (3.3 and 6.6 respectively) are typical of those of disc and elliptical galaxies.     

Metallicity Distributions of Elliptical Galaxies and Globular Cluster Systems

Gradients of absorption line indices are studied and mean stellar metallicities are estimated for 46 elliptical galaxies. The mean stellar metallicities range from 〈 [Fe/H] 〉 ≃ =0.8 to +0.2 and ellipticals with smaller central velocity dispersions tend to have lower 〈 [Fe/H] 〉 thus the mass-metallicity relation holds not only for the galaxy center but also for the whole part of the galaxy. There is an evidence that the magnesium is enhanced systematically in all ellipticals by 0.2 dex with respect to the iron. Giant elliptical galaxies show lack of metal-poor stars (the G-dwarf problem). Metal-poor globular clusters of ellipticals formed well in advance of the formation of metal-rich ones which formed simultaneously with the bulk of stars of mother galaxies under the influence of galaxy chemical enrichment. The bimodal [Fe/H] distribution of globular clusters does not necessarily mean that elliptical galaxies formed by the mergers of disc galaxies. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The elliptical galaxy colour–magnitude relation as a discriminant between the monolithic and merger paradigms

The colour–magnitude relation (CMR) of cluster elliptical galaxies has been widely used to constrain their star formation histories (SFHs) and to discriminate between the monolithic collapse and merger paradigms of elliptical galaxy formation. We use a Λ cold dark matter hierarchical merger model of galaxy formation to investigate the existence and redshift evolution of the elliptical galaxy CMR in the merger paradigm. We show that the SFH of cluster ellipticals predicted by the model is quasi-monolithic , with only ∼10 per cent of the total stellar mass forming after   z ∼ 1  . The quasi-monolithic SFH results in a predicted CMR that agrees well with its observed counterpart in the redshift range  0 < z < 1.27  . We use our analysis to argue that the elliptical-only CMR can be used to constrain the SFHs of present-day cluster ellipticals only if we believe a priori in the monolithic collapse model. It is not a meaningful tool for constraining the SFH in the merger paradigm, since a progressively larger fraction of the progenitor set of present-day cluster ellipticals is contained in late-type star-forming systems at higher redshift, which cannot be ignored when deriving the SFHs. Hence, the elliptical-only CMR is not a useful discriminant between the two competing theories of elliptical galaxy evolution.     

A minor-merger model for NGC 7479

The overall morphology of the barred spiral galaxy NGC 7479 is modelled in numerical simulations of a minor merger. Special attention is paid to the morphology and velocity field of the asymmetric spiral structure and the strong stellar bar. The mass of the satellite galaxy is 1/10 of the mass of the primary disc, or 1/30 of the total mass of the primary. The satellite is placed initially in a circular prograde orbit at six disc scalelengths from the centre of the primary. We follow the evolution of the merger until the secondary galaxy reaches the nuclear region of the primary. A comparison between the modelled and observed morphologies of the stellar and the ionized and neutral gas distributions and velocity fields supports the hypothesis that the transient look of NGC 7479 is a result of a minor merger. We vary several of the initial parameters of the merger and discuss their effects on the resulting morphology. The merging satellite galaxy is likely to lie within the bar of NGC 7479. We identify a possible candidate in the observational data. We discuss briefly the most probable future evolution of NGC 7479 in the light of our minor-merger simulations, and conclude that NGC 7479 is likely to evolve toward an earlier Hubble type.     

Response of a Disk Galaxy to a Satellite Galaxy in Elliptical Orbit

We use a 2-dimensional self consistent N-body simulation code in order to investigate the evolution of spiral structure in a disk galaxy caused by one small companion galaxy orbiting in elliptical orbit around the main disk galaxy. In all cases one can see spiral arms forming in the disk of the main galaxy. Our numerical results suggest that there is a connection between the shape of the spiral arms and the eccentricity of the companion's orbit. We also examine the maximum density distribution on the spiral arms and the influence of the companion on the velocity RMS of the stars that form the disk of the main galaxy. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A symmetry-induced model of elliptical galaxy patterns

Sérsic (Atlas de Galaxias Australes, Observatorio Astronómico, 1968) generalized the de Vaucouleurs law which follows the projected (observed) one dimensional radial profile of elliptical galaxies closely and Dehnen (Mon. Not. R. Astron. Soc. 265:250, 1993) proposed an analytical formula of the 3-dimensional light distributions whose projected line profile resembles the de Vaucouleurs law. This paper is involved to recover the Dehnen model and generalize the model to account for galaxy elliptical shapes by means of curvilinear coordinate systems and employing a symmetry principle. The symmetry principle maps an orthogonal coordinate system to a light distribution pattern. The coordinate system for elliptical galaxy patterns turns out to be the one which is formed by the complex-plane reciprocal transformation Z=1/W. The resulting spatial (3-dimensional) light distribution is spherically symmetric and has infinite gradient at its center, which is called spherical-nucleus solution and is used to model galaxy central area. We can make changes of the coordinate system by cutting out some column areas of its definition domain, the areas containing the galaxy center. The resulting spatial (3-dimensional) light distributions are axisymmetric or triaxial and have zero gradient at the center, which are called elliptical-shape solutions and are used to model global elliptical patterns. The two types of logarithmic light distributions are added together to model full elliptical galaxy patterns. The model is a generalization of the Dehnen model. One of the elliptical-shape solutions permits realistic numerical calculation and is fitted to all R-band elliptical images from Frei et al. (Astron. J. 111:174, 1996) galaxy sample. The fitting is satisfactory. This suggests that elliptical galaxy patterns can be represented in terms of a few basic parameters.     

Periodic solutions near a central libration point in the problem of the motion of a star inside an elliptical galaxy

We consider the three-dimensional problem of the motion of a star inside an inhomogeneous rotating elliptical galaxy with a homothetic density distribution. We construct and analyze the periodic solutions near a central libration point by using Lyapunov’s method.     

Ram pressure stripping of disc galaxies orbiting in clusters – I. Mass and radius of the remaining gas disc

We present the first 3D hydrodynamical simulations of ram pressure stripping of a disc galaxy orbiting in a galaxy cluster. Along the orbit, the ram pressure that this galaxy experiences varies with time. In this paper, we focus on the evolution of the radius and mass of the remaining gas disc, and compare it with the classical analytical estimate proposed by Gunn & Gott. We find that this simple estimate works well in predicting the evolution of the radius of the remaining gas disc. Only if the ram pressure increases faster than the stripping time-scale, the disc radius remains larger than predicted. However, orbits with such short ram pressure peaks are unlikely to occur in other than compact clusters. Unlike the radius evolution, the mass-loss history for the galaxy is not accurately described by the analytical estimate. Generally, in the simulations the galaxy loses its gas more slowly than predicted.     

Numerical simulations of interacting gas-rich barred galaxies: vertical impact of small companions

We investigate the dynamical effects of an interaction between an initially barred galaxy and a small spherical companion using an N -body/smoothed-particle-hydrodynamics algorithm. In the models described here the small companion passes through the disc of the larger galaxy nearly perpendicular to its plane. The impact positions and times are varied with respect to the phase of the bar and the dynamical evolution of the disc.
The interactions produce expanding ring structures, offset bars, spokes and other asymmetries in the stars and gas. These characteristic signatures of the interaction are present in the disc for about 1 Gyr. We find that in some cases it is possible to destroy the bar while keeping the disc structure. In general, the central impacts cause larger damage to the bar and the disc than the peripheral ones. The interaction tends to accelerate the transition from a strongly-barred galaxy to a weakly- or non-barred galaxy. The final disc morphology is determined more by the impact position relative to the bar rather than the impact time.     

Imaging of the protoelliptical NGC 1700 and its globular cluster system

An excellent candidate for a young elliptical, or 'protoelliptical' galaxy is NGC 1700. Here we present new B -, V - and I -band imaging using the Keck telescope, and reanalyse existing V - and I -band images from the Hubble Space Telescope . After subtracting a model of the galaxy from the Keck images, NGC 1700 reveals two symmetric tidal tail-like structures. If this interpretation is correct, it suggests a past merger event involving two spiral galaxies. These tails are largely responsible for the 'boxiness' of the galaxy isophotes observed at a radius of ∼13 kpc.
We also show that the B − I colour distribution of the globular cluster system is bimodal. The mean colour of the blue population is consistent with that of old Galactic globular clusters. Relative to this old, metal-poor population, we find that the red population is younger and more metal-rich. This young population has an age and metallicity similar to that inferred for the central stars, suggesting that both populations are associated with an episode of star formation triggered by the merger that may have formed the galaxy. We find that, although they have large errors, the majority of the age estimates of NGC 1700 are reasonably consistent and we adopt a 'best estimate' for the age of 3.0±1.0 Gyr. This relatively low age places NGC 1700 within the age range where there is a notable lack of obvious candidates for protoellipticals. The total globular cluster specific frequency is rather low for a typical elliptical, even after taking into account the fading of the galaxy over the next 10 Gyr. We speculate that NGC 1700 will eventually form a relatively 'globular cluster poor' elliptical galaxy.     

Host galaxy contribution to the colours of 'red' quasars

We describe an algorithm that measures self-consistently the relative galaxy contribution in a sample of radio quasars from their optical spectra alone. This is based on a spectral fitting method which uses the size of the characteristic 4000 Å feature of elliptical galaxy spectral energy distributions. We apply this method to the Parkes half-Jansky flat-spectrum sample of Drinkwater et al. to determine whether emission from the host galaxy can significantly contribute to the very red optical to near-infrared colours observed. We find that at around 2σ confidence, most of the reddening in unresolved (mostly quasar-like) sources is unlikely to be the result of contamination by a red stellar component.     

Weighing a galaxy bar in the lens Q2237 +=0305

In the gravitational lens system Q2237+0305 the cruciform quasar image geometry is twisted by 10c by the lens effect of a bar in the lensing galaxy. This effect can be used to measure the mass of the bar. We construct a new lensing model for this system with a power-law elliptical bulge and a Ferrers bar. The observed ellipticity of the optical isophotes of the galaxy leads to a nearly isothermal elliptical profile for the bulge, with a total quasar magnification of 16⁺⁵₋₄. We measure a bar mass of (7.5 ∼ 1.5) −10⁸ h ⁻¹₇₅ M⊙ in the region inside the quasar images.     

Dynamical modelling of the elliptical galaxy NGC 2974

In this paper we analyse the relations between a previously described oblate Jaffe model for an ellipsoidal galaxy and the observed quantities for NGC 2974, and obtain the length and velocity scales for a relevant elliptical galaxy model. We then derive the finite total mass of the model from these scales, and finally find a good fit of an isotropic oblate Jaffe model by using the Gauss-Hermite fit parameters and the observed ellipticity of the galaxy NGC 2974. The model is also used to predict the total luminous mass of NGC 2974, assuming that the influence of dark matter in this galaxy on the image, ellipticity and Gauss-Hermite fit parameters of this galaxy is negligible within the central region, of radius 0.5R _e.     

Energy exchange during collision of a pair of disc-sphere galaxies

We have considered the collision of a pair of disc-sphere galaxies under the impulsive approximation to study the variation of the energy change of the disc due to the passage of a spherical galaxy. Various collision parameters like the impact parameter the orientation of the disc galaxy and the relative velocity of the perturber were considered. It is shown that for small impact parameters and high relative velocities, a slightly inclined position of the disc galaxy produces maximum energy exchange. The energy exchange is observed to be asymmetric with respect to the direction of motion of the perturber.