Aufbau eines FID-Community-Wikis. : Gemeinsame Kartierung von Services und technischen Infrastrukturen im System der Fachinformationsdienste.

Das beschriebene Projekt verfolgt eine detaillierte Kartierung der Services und technischer Infrastrukturen aller DFG-geförderten Fachinformationsdienste. Dadurch soll die Bildung von Kooperationen unterstützt werden sowie die Erhöhung der Nachnutzbarkeit und Interoperabilität der Angebote und Entwicklungen. Die Umsetzung knüpft an das öffentliche webis-Wiki an, das an der SUB Hamburg betrieben wird und die derzeit einzige übergreifende Informationsstruktur der Fachinformationsdienste ist. Es wurde um ein FID-Community-Wiki erweitert, das dem wechselseitigen Austausch von Erfahrungen und Informationen der Fachinformationsdienste dient. Der Aufbau und die gewonnenen Erkenntnisse des Projektes werden hier skizziert

Gemini/GMOS spectra of globular clusters in the Virgo giant elliptical NGC 4649

NGC 4649 (M60) is one of a handful of giant Virgo ellipticals. We have obtained Gemini/GMOS (Gemini North Multi-Object Spectrograph) spectra for 38 globular clusters (GCs) associated with this galaxy. Applying the multi-index χ2 minimization technique of Proctor and Sansom with the single stellar population models of Thomas, Maraston and Korn, we derive ages, metallicities and α-element abundance ratios. We find several young (2-3 Gyr old) supersolar metallicity GCs, while the majority are old (>10 Gyr), spanning a range of metallicities from solar to [Z/H] = -2. At least two of these young GCs are at large projected radii of 17-20 kpc. The galaxy itself shows no obvious signs of a recent starburst, interaction or merger. A trend of decreasing α-element ratio with increasing metallicity is found.Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y GeofísicasInstituto de Astrofísica de La Plat

Gemini/GMOS spectra of globular clusters in the Leo group elliptical NGC 3379

The Leo group elliptical NGC 3379 is one of the few normal elliptical galaxies close enough to make possible observations of resolved stellar populations, deep globular cluster (GC) photometry and high signal-to-noise ratio GC spectra. We have obtained Gemini/GMOS spectra for 22 GCs associated with NGC 3379. We derive ages, metallicities and α-element abundance ratios from simple stellar population models using the recent multi-index χ 2 minimization method of Proctor & Sansom. All of these GCs are found to be consistent with old ages, i.e. ≳10Gyr, with a wide range of metallicities. This is comparable to the ages and metallicities that Gregg et al. found a couple of years ago for resolved stellar populations in the outer regions of this elliptical. A trend of decreasing α-element abundance ratio with increasing metallicity is indicated. The projected velocity dispersion of the GC system is consistent with being constant with radius. Non-parametric, Isotropic models require a significant increase in the mass-to-light ratio at large radii. This result is in contrast to that of Romanowsky et al., who recently found a decrease in the velocity dispersion profile as determined from planetary nebulae (PN). Our constant dispersion requires a normal-sized dark halo, although without anisotropic models we cannot rigorously determine the dark halo mass. A two-sided χ 2 test over all radii gives a 2σ difference between the mass profile derived from our GCs compared to the PN-derived mass model of Romanowsky et al. However, if we restrict our analysis to radii beyond one effective radius and test if the GC velocity dispersion is consistently higher, we determine a > 3σ difference between the mass models, and hence we favour the conclusion that NGC 3379 does indeed have dark matter at large radii in its halo.Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísica

Gemini/GMOS Spectroscopy of the Spheroid and Globular Cluster System of NGC 3923

We present a technique to extract ultra-deep diffuse-light spectra from the standard multi-object spectroscopic observations used to investigate extragalactic globular cluster (GC) systems. This technique allows a clean extraction of the spectrum of the host galaxy diffuse light from the same slitlets as the GC targets. We show the utility of the method for investigating the kinematics and stellar populations of galaxies at radii much greater than usually probed in longslit studies, at no additional expense in terms of telescope time. To demonstrate this technique we present Gemini/GMOS spectroscopy of 29 GCs associated with the elliptical galaxy NGC 3923. We compare the measured stellar population parameters of the GC system with those of the spheroid of NGC 3923 at the same projected radii, and find the GCs to have old ages (> 10 Gyr), [alpha/Fe]~0.3 and a range of metallicities running from [Z/H] = -1.8 to +0.35. The diffuse light of the galaxy is found to have ages, metallicities and [alpha/Fe] abundance ratios indistinguishable from those of the red GCs.Comment: 15 pages, 9 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA

Gemini/GMOS spectroscopy of the spheroid and globular cluster system of NGC 3923

We present a technique to extract ultra-deep diffuse-light spectra from the standard multi-object spectroscopic observations used to investigate extragalactic globular cluster (GC) systems. This technique allows a clean extraction of the spectrum of the host galaxy diffuse light from the same slitlets as the GC targets. We show the utility of the method for investigating the kinematics and stellar populations of galaxies at radii much greater than usually probed in longslit studies, at no additional expense in terms of telescope time. To demonstrate this technique, we present Gemini South Multi-Object Spectrograph (GMOS) spectroscopy of 29 GCs associated with the elliptical galaxy NGC 3923. We compare the measured stellar population parameters of the GC system with those of the spheroid of NGC 3923 at the same projected radii, and find the GCs to have old ages >10 Gyr, [α/Fe] ∼ 0.3 and a range of metallicities running from [Z/H] = -1.8 to +0.35. The diffuse light of the galaxy is found to have ages, metallicities and [α/Fe] abundance ratios indistinguishable from those of the red GCs.Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísica

Ages and Metallicities of Hickson Compact Group Galaxies

Hickson Compact Groups (HCGs) constitute an interesting extreme in the range of environments in which galaxies are located, as the space density of galaxies in these small groups are otherwise only found in the centres of much larger clusters. The work presented here uses Lick indices to make a comparison of ages and chemical compositions of galaxies in HCGs with those in other environments (clusters, loose groups and the field). The metallicity and relative abundance of `$\alpha$-elements' show strong correlations with galaxy age and central velocity dispersion, with similar trends found in all environments. However, we show that the previously reported correlation between $\alpha$-element abundance ratios and velocity dispersion disappears when a full account is taken of the the abundance ratio pattern in the calibration stars. This correlation is thus found to be an artifact of incomplete calibration to the Lick system. Variations are seen in the ranges and average values of age, metallicity and $\alpha$-element abundance ratios for galaxies in different environments. Age distributions support the hierarchical formation prediction that field galaxies are on average younger than their cluster counterparts. However, the ages of HCG galaxies are shown to be more similar to those of cluster galaxies than those in the field, contrary to the expectations of current hierarchical models. A trend for lower velocity dispersion galaxies to be younger was also seen. This is again inconsistent with hierarchical collapse models, but is qualitatively consistent with the latest N-body-SPH models based on monolithic collapse in which star formation continues for many Gyr in low mass halos.Comment: 18 pages. Submitted for publication in MNRA

The Globular Cluster Systems of the Sculptor Group

We use CTIO 4-m Mosaic II images taken with the Washington $CM$ and Harris $R$ filters to identify candidate globular clusters in the six major galaxies of the Sculptor group: NGC 45, NGC 55, NGC 247, NGC 254, NGC 300, and NGC 7793. From follow-up spectroscopy with Hydra-CTIO, we find 19 new globular clusters in NGC 55, NGC 247, NGC 253, and NGC 300, bringing the total number of known Sculptor group globular clusters to 36. The newly discovered clusters have spectroscopic ages consistent with those of old Milky Way globular clusters, and the majority are metal-poor. Their luminosity function closely resembles that of the Milky Way's globular clusters; their metallicity distribution is somewhat more metal-rich, but this may be the result of our color selection of candidates. The mean [$\alpha$/Fe] ratio in the clusters is $-0.2\pm0.3$, which is lower than the Milky Way average. The specific frequencies $S_N$ are similar to those of other late-type galaxies. However, if we calculate the specific frequency using the $K$-band total magnitudes of the host galaxies, we find values that are more than a factor of two higher. The kinematics of the globular cluster systems are consistent with rotation with the \ion{H}{1} disk in each of the four galaxies; however, only in NGC 253 is this result based on more than seven objects. We suggest that the Sculptor group galaxies add to evidence indicating that many of the first generation globular clusters formed in disks, not halos.Comment: 22 pages, 13 figures, 7 Tables. Full Table 3 available electronically at http://www.ctio.noao.edu/~olsen/tab3.tex. To appear in May 2004 issue of the Astronomical Journa

Gemini/GMOS spectra of globular clusters in the Leo group elliptical NGC 3379

The Leo group elliptical NGC 3379 is one of the few normal elliptical galaxies close enough to make possible observations of resolved stellar populations, deep globular cluster (GC) photometry and high signal-to-noise ratio GC spectra. We have obtained Gemini/GMOS spectra for 22 GCs associated with NGC 3379. We derive ages, metallicities and α-element abundance ratios from simple stellar population models using the recent multi-index χ 2 minimization method of Proctor & Sansom. All of these GCs are found to be consistent with old ages, i.e. ≳10Gyr, with a wide range of metallicities. This is comparable to the ages and metallicities that Gregg et al. found a couple of years ago for resolved stellar populations in the outer regions of this elliptical. A trend of decreasing α-element abundance ratio with increasing metallicity is indicated. The projected velocity dispersion of the GC system is consistent with being constant with radius. Non-parametric, Isotropic models require a significant increase in the mass-to-light ratio at large radii. This result is in contrast to that of Romanowsky et al., who recently found a decrease in the velocity dispersion profile as determined from planetary nebulae (PN). Our constant dispersion requires a normal-sized dark halo, although without anisotropic models we cannot rigorously determine the dark halo mass. A two-sided χ 2 test over all radii gives a 2σ difference between the mass profile derived from our GCs compared to the PN-derived mass model of Romanowsky et al. However, if we restrict our analysis to radii beyond one effective radius and test if the GC velocity dispersion is consistently higher, we determine a > 3σ difference between the mass models, and hence we favour the conclusion that NGC 3379 does indeed have dark matter at large radii in its halo.Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísica

Gemini/GMOS spectra of globular clusters in the Virgo giant elliptical NGC 4649

NGC 4649 (M60) is one of a handful of giant Virgo ellipticals. We have obtained Gemini/GMOS (Gemini North Multi-Object Spectrograph) spectra for 38 globular clusters (GCs) associated with this galaxy. Applying the multi-index χ2 minimization technique of Proctor and Sansom with the single stellar population models of Thomas, Maraston and Korn, we derive ages, metallicities and α-element abundance ratios. We find several young (2-3 Gyr old) supersolar metallicity GCs, while the majority are old (>10 Gyr), spanning a range of metallicities from solar to [Z/H] = -2. At least two of these young GCs are at large projected radii of 17-20 kpc. The galaxy itself shows no obvious signs of a recent starburst, interaction or merger. A trend of decreasing α-element ratio with increasing metallicity is found.Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y GeofísicasInstituto de Astrofísica de La Plat

Gemini/GMOS spectroscopy of the spheroid and globular cluster system of NGC 3923

We present a technique to extract ultra-deep diffuse-light spectra from the standard multi-object spectroscopic observations used to investigate extragalactic globular cluster (GC) systems. This technique allows a clean extraction of the spectrum of the host galaxy diffuse light from the same slitlets as the GC targets. We show the utility of the method for investigating the kinematics and stellar populations of galaxies at radii much greater than usually probed in longslit studies, at no additional expense in terms of telescope time. To demonstrate this technique, we present Gemini South Multi-Object Spectrograph (GMOS) spectroscopy of 29 GCs associated with the elliptical galaxy NGC 3923. We compare the measured stellar population parameters of the GC system with those of the spheroid of NGC 3923 at the same projected radii, and find the GCs to have old ages >10 Gyr, [α/Fe] ∼ 0.3 and a range of metallicities running from [Z/H] = -1.8 to +0.35. The diffuse light of the galaxy is found to have ages, metallicities and [α/Fe] abundance ratios indistinguishable from those of the red GCs.Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísica