New images of the distant, rich cluster CL 0939+4713 with WFPC2

Abstract

view Abstract Citations (130) References (11) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS New Images of the Distant, Rich Cluster CL 0939+4713 with WFPC2 Dressler, Alan ; Oemler, Augustus, Jr. ; Sparks, William B. ; Lucas, Ray A. Abstract New images of the distant cluster of galaxies CL 0939+4713 at z = 0.41 have been taken with the WFPC2 on the HST. The images go deeper and show considerably more detail than the aberrated images from WFPC1. We confirm that for this cluster the Butcher-Oemler effect results from a surprisingly large population of late-type spiral and irregular galaxies. We also confirm and find further evidence for mergers and interactions that are a probable mechanism for the disappearance of this population by the present epoch. Based on the irregular forms of spirals in this cluster, we suggest that another mechanism may be the destabilization of disks in cluster galaxies as their halos are tidally distorted or removed through gravitational encounters. The new data reveal many more faint objects, with much finer detail, around a quasar at z = 2.055 (Dressler et al. 1992). These data demonstrate the remarkable ability of HST to study the structural evolution of galaxies to very high redshifts. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: November 1994 DOI: 10.1086/187585 Bibcode: 1994ApJ...435L..23D Keywords: Astronomical Photography; Galactic Clusters; Galactic Halos; Galactic Structure; Interacting Galaxies; Irregular Galaxies; Red Shift; Spiral Galaxies; Aberration; Destabilization; Hubble Space Telescope; Quasars; Astronomy; GALAXIES: CLUSTERS OF; GALAXIES: INTERACTIONS full text sources ADS | data products SIMBAD (15) NED (1) MAST (1) ESA (1)