Probing the kinematics of early-type galaxy halos using planetary nebulae

Date

2008

Authors

Coccato, L
Gerhard, Ortwin
Arnaboldi, Magda
Das, P
Douglas, Nigel G
Kuijken, Konrad
Merrifield, M R
Napolitano, N. R.
Noordermeer, E
Romanowsky, A J

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Wiley-VCH Verlag GMBH

Abstract

We present first results of a study of the halo kinematics for a sample of early type galaxies using planetary nebulae (PNe) as kinematical tracers. PNe allow to extend up to several effective radii (Re) the information from absorption line kinematics (confined to within 1 or 2Re), providing valuable information and constraints for merger simulations and galaxy formation models. We find that the specific angular momentum per unit mass has a more complex radial dependence when the halo region is taken into account and that the halo velocity dispersion is related to the total galaxy luminosity, isophotal shape, and number of PNe per unit of luminosity .

Description

Keywords

Keywords: cD; Galaxies: elliptical and lenticular; Galaxies: general; Galaxies: haloes; Galaxies: kinematics and dynamics; Planetary nebulae: general

Citation

Source

Astronomische Nachrichten

Type

Journal article

Book Title

Entity type

Access Statement

License Rights

Restricted until

2037-12-31