Abstract
- [*] Internal Dynamics of Dwarf Elliptical Galaxies
- Geha M., Guhathakurta P., van der Marel R.P.
- BAAS, in press, 2002 (AAS Meeting 199, 153.04)
- © 2001. The American Astronomical Society.
All Rights Reserved.
Knowledge of velocity dispersions as a function of radius has proven a
powerful tool in studying the stellar dynamics of classical elliptical
galaxies. The study of dwarf elliptical galaxy kinematics is quickly
approaching a similar level of maturity. We present Keck spectroscopy
for eight Virgo Cluster dwarf elliptical galaxies and five dwarf
ellipticals in lower density environments. The line-of-sight velocity
and velocity dispersion are resolved as a function of radius along the
major axis of each galaxy. In our cluster sample, we find that no
galaxy shows evidence for significant rotation; upper limits on
Vrot/sigma, the ratio of the maximum rotational velocity to mean
velocity dispersion, are well below those expected for a rotationally
flattened object. In four galaxies, we are able to clearly separate
the nuclear and surrounding galaxy light, finding that these nuclei
are kinematically distinct. Results of dynamical modeling will be
presented for each of our kinematic profiles.
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Last modified November 15, 2001.
Roeland van der Marel,
marel@stsci.edu.
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