381 research outputs found
Central dark matter content of early-type galaxies: scaling relations and connections with star formation histories
We examine correlations between masses, sizes and star formation histories for a large sample of low-redshift early-type galaxies, using a simple suite of dynamical and stellar population models. We confirm an anticorrelation between the size and stellar age and go on to survey for trends with the central content of dark matter (DM). An average relation between the central DM density and galaxy size of 〈ρDM〉∝R−2eff provides the first clear indication of cuspy DM haloes in these galaxies – akin to standard Λ cold dark matter haloes that have undergone adiabatic contraction. The DM density scales with galaxy mass as expected, deviating from suggestions of a universal halo profile for dwarf and late-type galaxies. We introduce a new fundamental constraint on galaxy formation by finding that the central DM fraction decreases with stellar age. This result is only partially explained by the size–age dependencies, and the residual trend is in the opposite direction to basic DM halo expectations. Therefore, we suggest that there may be a connection between age and halo contraction and that galaxies forming earlier had stronger baryonic feedback, which expanded their haloes, or lumpier baryonic accretion, which avoided halo contraction. An alternative explanation is a lighter initial mass function for older stellar populations
Evolution of central dark matter of early-type galaxies up to z ~ 0.8
We investigate the evolution of dark and luminous matter in the central
regions of early-type galaxies (ETGs) up to z ~ 0.8. We use a spectroscopically
selected sample of 154 cluster and field galaxies from the EDisCS survey,
covering a wide range in redshifts (z ~ 0.4-0.8), stellar masses ( ~ 10.5-11.5 dex) and velocity dispersions
( ~ 100-300 \, km/s). We obtain central dark matter (DM)
fractions by determining the dynamical masses from Jeans modelling of galaxy
aperture velocity dispersions and the from galaxy colours, and
compare the results with local samples. We discuss how the correlations of
central DM with galaxy size (i.e. the effective radius, ),
and evolve as a function of redshift, finding
clear indications that local galaxies are, on average, more DM dominated than
their counterparts at larger redshift. This DM fraction evolution with can
be only partially interpreted as a consequence of the size-redshift evolution.
We discuss our results within galaxy formation scenarios, and conclude that the
growth in size and DM content which we measure within the last 7 Gyr is
incompatible with passive evolution, while it is well reproduced in the
multiple minor merger scenario. We also discuss the impact of the IMF on our DM
inferences and argue that this can be non-universal with the lookback time. In
particular, we find the Salpeter IMF can be better accommodated by low redshift
systems, while producing stellar masses at high- which are unphysically
larger than the estimated dynamical masses (particularly for
lower- systems).Comment: 14 pages, 6 figures, 3 tables, MNRAS in pres
On the Stellar Kinematics and Mass of the Virgo Ultra-Diffuse Galaxy VCC 1287
Here, we present a kinematical analysis of the Virgo cluster ultra-diffuse
galaxy (UDG) VCC 1287 based on data taken with the Keck Cosmic Web Imager
(KCWI). We confirm VCC 1287's association both with the Virgo cluster and its
globular cluster (GC) system, measuring a recessional velocity of $1116 \pm 2\
\mathrm{km\ s^{-1}}19 \pm 6\
\mathrm{km\ s^{-1}}1.11^{+0.81}_{-0.81}
\times 10^{9} \ \mathrm{M_{\odot}}13^{+11}_{-11}$)
within the half light radius (4.4 kpc). This places VCC 1287 slightly above the
well established relation for normal galaxies, with a higher mass to light
ratio for its dynamical mass than normal galaxies. We use our dynamical mass,
and an estimate of GC system richness, to place VCC 1287 on the GC number --
dynamical mass relation, finding good agreement with a sample of normal
galaxies. Based on a total halo mass derived from GC counts, we then infer that
VCC 1287 likely resides in a cored or low concentration dark matter halo. Based
on the comparison of our measurements to predictions from simulations, we find
that strong stellar feedback and/or tidal effects are plausibly the dominant
mechanisms in the formation of VCC 1287. Finally, we compare our measurement of
the dynamical mass with those for other UDGs. These dynamical mass estimates
suggest relatively massive halos and a failed galaxy origin for at least some
UDGs.Comment: 13 pages, 10 figures with an additional 5 pages and 5 figures in
appendices. Accepted for publication in MNRAS. v2: with small updates from
publication formatting and a minor plotting fix for Fig. 1
Deprojection of Rich Cluster Images
We consider a general method of deprojecting 2D images to reconstruct the 3D
structure of the projected object, assuming axial symmetry. The method consists
of the application of the Fourier Slice Theorem to the general case where the
axis of symmetry is not necessarily perpendicular to the line of sight, and is
based on an extrapolation of the image Fourier transform into the so-called
cone of ignorance. The method is specifically designed for the deprojection of
X-ray, Sunyaev-Zeldovich (SZ) and gravitational lensing maps of rich clusters
of galaxies. For known values of the Hubble constant, H0, and inclination
angle, the quality of the projection depends on how exact is the extrapolation
in the cone of ignorance. In the case where the axis of symmetry is
perpendicular to the line of sight and the image is noise-free, the
deprojection is exact. Given an assumed value of H0, the inclination angle can
be found by matching the deprojected structure out of two different images of a
given cluster, e.g., SZ and X-ray maps. However, this solution is degenerate
with respect to its dependence on the assumed H0, and a third independent image
of the given cluster is needed to determine H0 as well. The application of the
deprojection algorithm to upcoming SZ, X-ray and weak lensing projected mass
images of clusters will serve to determine the structure of rich clusters, the
value of H0, and place constraints on the physics of the intra-cluster gas and
its relation to the total mass distribution.Comment: 7 pages, LaTeX, 2 Postscript figures, uses as2pp4.sty. Accepted for
publication in ApJ Letters. Also available at:
http://astro.berkeley.edu:80/~squires/papers/deproj.ps.g
The assembly history of the nearest S0 galaxy NGC 3115 from its kinematics out to six half-light radii
Using new and archival data, we study the kinematic properties of the nearest
field S0 galaxy, NGC 3115, out to half-light radii ()
from its stars (integrated starlight), globular clusters (GCs) and planetary
nebulae (PNe). We find evidence of three kinematic regions with an inner
transition at from a dispersion-dominated bulge
() to a fast-rotating disk (), and then an additional transition from the disk to a slowly rotating
spheroid at , as traced by the red GCs and PNe (and
possibly by the blue GCs beyond ). From comparison with
simulations, we propose an assembly history in which the original progenitor
spiral galaxy undergoes a gas-rich minor merger that results in the embedded
kinematically cold disk that we see today in NGC 3115. At a later stage, dwarf
galaxies, in mini mergers (mass-ratio 1:10), were accreted building-up the
outer slowly rotating spheroid, with the central disk kinematics largely
unaltered. Additionally, we report new spectroscopic observations of a sample
of ultra-compact dwarfs (UCDs) around NGC 3115 with the Keck/KCWI instrument.
We find that five UCDs are inconsistent with the general rotation field of the
GCs, suggesting an \textit{ex-situ} origin for these objects, i.e. perhaps the
remnants of tidally stripped dwarfs. A further seven UCDs follow the GC
rotation pattern, suggesting an \textit{in-situ} origin and, possibly a GC-like
nature.Comment: 22 pages (including 3 pages of Appendix material), 14 figures,
published in MNRA
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