The DN − σ and Fundamental Plane Relations as Distance Indicators of Early Type Galaxies in the Virgo and Fornax Clusters

Abstract

We investigate the properties of early-type galaxies as distance indicators by applying the Dn – σ, Fundamental Plane (FP), and log(m) – log re relations to a complete and fairly homogeneous sample of galaxies members of the Virgo and Fornax clusters. The relative mean distance of the two clusters can be derived with an accuracy up to ∼ 3% provided that the internal kinematics of the galaxies is taken into account and a correct statistical approach is used.The residuals of the Dn – σ and FP relationships do not correlate with many structural and geometrical parameters of the galaxies: the mean effective surface brightness, the total luminosity, the average ellipticity and the Fourier coefficient a4 of the isophotes, and, the exponent m of the r1/m law which parametrizes the shape of the light profiles. On the other hand, the kinematics of the galaxies affect both relations producing residuals that correlate with the maximum rotation velocity Vmax and the (V/σ) ratio.Once confirmed by future more accurate observations, this effect would introduce a sistematic bias in the distance determination of the clusters; a problem difficult to manage if the internal kinematics of the cluster members is unknown.