Photometric Scaling Relations Research Articles

Evolution of the anti-truncated stellar profiles of S0 galaxies since z = 0.6 in the SHARDS survey

Context. Anti-truncated lenticular galaxies (Type-III S0s) present tight scaling relations between their surface brightness photometric and structural parameters. Although several evolutionary models have been proposed for the formation of these structures, the observations of Type-III S0 galaxies are usually limited to the local Universe. Aims. We aim to compare the properties of Type-III discs in a sample of S0 galaxies at 0.2 < z < 0.6 with those of the local Universe. In this paper, we study the evolution of the photometric and structural scaling relations measured in the rest-frame R-band with z and the possible differences between the rest-frame (B − R) colours of the inner and outer disc profiles. Methods. We make use of a sample of 14 Type-III E/S0–S0 galaxies at 0.2 < z < 0.6 from the GOODS-N field identified and characterised in a previous paper. We study whether or not the correlations found in local Type-III S0 galaxies were present ~6 Gyr ago. We analyse the distribution of the surface brightness characteristic parameters (Rbreak, μbreak, hi, ho, μ0,i and μ0,o) as a function of the stellar mass and look to see if there is a significant change with z. We also derive their rest-frame (B − R) colour profiles. Finally, we compare these results with the predictions from a grid of SSP models. Results. We find that the inner and outer scale-lengths of Type-III S0 galaxies at 0.4 < z < 0.6 follow compatible trends and scaling relations with those observed in local S0 galaxies as a function of the break radius, Rbreak. We do not detect any significant differences between the location of Rbreak between z ~ 0.6 and z ~ 0 for a fixed stellar mass of the object, whereas the surface brightness at the break radius μbreak is ~1.5 mag arcsec-2 dimmer in the local Universe than at z ~ 0.6 for a fixed stellar mass. We find no significant differences in the (B − R) colour between the inner and outer profiles of the Type-III S0 galaxies at 0.2 < z < 0.6. Conclusions. In contrast to Type-II (down-bending) profiles, the anti-truncated surface brightness profiles of S0 galaxies present compatible Rbreak values and scaling relations during the last 6 Gyr. This result and the similarity of the colours of the inner and outer discs point to a highly scalable and stable formation process, probably more related to gravitational and dynamical processes than to the evolution of stellar populations.

THE BLACK HOLE–BULGE MASS RELATION IN MEGAMASER HOST GALAXIES*

ABSTRACT We present Hubble Space Telescope (HST) images for nine megamaser disk galaxies with the primary goal of studying photometric BH-galaxy scaling relations. The megamaser disks provide the highest-precision extragalactic BH mass measurements, while our high-resolution HST imaging affords us the opportunity to decompose the complex nuclei of their late-type hosts in detail. Based on the morphologies and shapes of the galaxy nuclei, we argue that most of these galaxies’ central regions contain secularly evolving components (pseudo-bulges), and in many cases we photometrically identify co-existing “classical” bulge components as well. Using these decompositions, we draw the following conclusions. (1) The megamaser BH masses span two orders of magnitude (106– ) while the stellar mass of their spiral host galaxies are all within a factor of three. (2) The BH masses at a given bulge mass or total stellar mass in the megamaser host spiral galaxies tend to be lower than expected when compared to an extrapolation of the BH-bulge relation based on early-type galaxies. (3) The observed large intrinsic scatter of BH masses in the megamaser host galaxies raises the question of whether scaling relations exist in spiral galaxies.

Creating lenticular galaxies with mergers

AbstractLenticular galaxies (S0s) represent the majority of early-type galaxies in the local Universe, but their formation channels are still poorly understood. While galaxy mergers are obvious pathways to suppress star formation and increase bulge sizes, the marked parallelism between spiral and lenticular galaxies (e.g. photometric bulge–disc coupling) seemed to rule out a potential merger origin. Here, we summarise our recent work in which we have shown, throughN-body numerical simulations, that disc-dominated lenticulars can emerge from major mergers of spiral galaxies, in good agreement with observational photometric scaling relations. Moreover, we show that mergers simultaneously increase the light concentration and reduce the angular momentum relative to their spiral progenitors. This explains the mismatch in angular momentum and concentration between spirals and lenticulars recently revealed by CALIFA observations, which is hard to reconcile with simple fading mechanisms (e.g. ram-pressure stripping).

Creating S0s with Major Mergers: A 3D View

A number of simulators have argued that major mergers can sometimes preserve discs, but the possibility that they could explain the emergence of lenticular galaxies (S0s) has been generally neglected. In fact, observations of S0s reveal a strong structural coupling between their bulges and discs, which seems difficult to reconcile with the idea that they come from major mergers. However, in our recent papers we have used N-body simulations of binary mergers to show that, under favourable conditions, discs are first destroyed but soon regrow out of the leftover debris, matching observational photometric scaling relations. Additionally, we have shown how the merger scenario agrees with the recent discovery that S0s and most spirals are not compatible in an angular momentum–concentration plane. This important result from CALIFA constitutes a serious objection to the idea that spirals transform into S0s mainly by fading (e.g., via ram-pressure stripping, as that would not explain the observed simultaneous change in λ Re and concentration), but our simulations of major mergers do explain that mismatch. From such a 3D comparison we conclude that mergers must be a relevant process in the build-up of the current population of S0s.

Photometric scaling relations of anti-truncated stellar discs in S0-Scd galaxies

It has been recently found that the characteristic photometric parameters of antitruncated discs in S0 galaxies follow tight scaling relations. We investigate if similar scaling relations are satisfied by galaxies of other morphological types. We have analysed the trends in several photometric planes relating the characteristic surface brightness and scalelengths of the breaks and the inner and outer discs of local antitruncated S0-Scd galaxies, using published data and fits performed to the surface brightness profiles of two samples of Type-III galaxies in the R and Spitzer 3.6 microns bands. We have performed linear fits to the correlations followed by different galaxy types in each plane, as well as several statistical tests to determine their significance. We have found that: 1) the antitruncated discs of all galaxy types from Sa to Scd obey tight scaling relations both in R and 3.6 microns, as observed in S0s; 2) the majority of these correlations are significant accounting for the numbers of the available data samples; 3) the trends are clearly linear when the characteristic scalelengths are plotted on a logarithmic scale; and 4) the correlations relating the characteristic surface brightnesses of the inner and outer discs and the breaks with the various characteristic scalelengths significantly improve when the latter are normalized to the optical radius of the galaxy. The results suggest that the scaling relations of Type-III discs are independent of the morphological type and the presence (or absence) of bars within the observational uncertainties of the available datasets, although larger and deeper samples are required to confirm this. The tight structural coupling implied by these scaling relations impose strong constraints on the mechanisms proposed for explaining the formation of antitruncated stellar discs in the galaxies across the whole Hubble Sequence (Abridged).

Formation of S0 galaxies through mergers

Lenticular galaxies (S0s) are more likely to host antitruncated (Type-III) stellar discs than galaxies of later Hubble types. Major mergers are popularly considered too violent mechanisms to form these breaks. We have investigated whether major mergers can result into S0-like remnants with realistic antitruncated stellar discs or not. We have analysed 67 relaxed S0 and E/S0 remnants resulting from dissipative N-body simulations of major mergers from the GalMer database. We have simulated realistic R-band surface brightness profiles of the remnants to identify those with antitruncated stellar discs. Their inner and outer discs and the breaks are quantitatively characterized to compare with real data. Nearly 70% of our S0-like remnants are antitruncated, meaning that major mergers that result in S0s have a high probability of producing Type-III stellar discs. Our remnants lie on top of the extrapolations of the observational trends (towards brighter magnitudes and higher break radii) in several photometric diagrams. In scale-free photometric diagrams, simulations and observations overlap and the remnants reproduce the observational trends, so the physical mechanism after antitruncations is highly scalable. We have found novel photometric scaling relations between the characteristic parameters of the antitruncations in real S0s, which are also reproduced by our simulations. The trends in all the photometric planes can be derived from three basic scaling relations that real and simulated Type-III S0s fulfill: h_i \prop R_brkIII, h_o \prop R_brkIII, and mu_brkIII \prop R_brkIII, where h_i and h_o are the scalelenghts of the inner and outer discs, and mu_brkIII and R_brkIII are the surface brightness and radius of the breaks. Mayor mergers provide a feasible mechanism to form realistic antitruncated S0 galaxies (abridged).

A NEAR-INFRARED CENSUS OF THE MULTICOMPONENT STELLAR STRUCTURE OF EARLY-TYPE DWARF GALAXIES IN THE VIRGO CLUSTER

The fraction of star-forming to quiescent dwarf galaxies varies from almost infinity in the field to zero in the centers of rich galaxy clusters. What is causing this pronounced morphology-density relation? What do quiescent dwarf galaxies look like when studied in detail, and what conclusions can be drawn about their formation mechanism? Here we study a nearly magnitude-complete sample (-19 < M_r < -16 mag) of 121 Virgo cluster early types with deep near-infrared images from the SMAKCED project. We fit two-dimensional models with optional inner and outer components, as well as bar and lens components (in ~15% of the galaxies), to the galaxy images. While a single S\'ersic function may approximate the overall galaxy structure, it does not entirely capture the light distribution of two-thirds of our galaxies, for which multi-component models provide a better fit. This fraction of complex galaxies shows a strong dependence on luminosity, being larger for brighter objects. We analyze the global and component-specific photometric scaling relations of early-type dwarf galaxies and discuss similarities with bright early and late types. The dwarfs' global galaxy parameters show scaling relations that are similar to those of bright disk galaxies. The inner components are mostly fitted with S\'ersic n values close to 1. At a given magnitude they are systematically larger than the bulges of spirals, suggesting that they are not ordinary bulges. We argue that the multi-component structures in early-type dwarfs are mostly a phenomenon inherent to the disks, and may indeed stem from environmental processing.

A normal abundance of faint satellites in the fossil group NGC 6482

Fossil groups are considered the end product in a galaxy group's evolution -- a massive central galaxy that dominates the luminosity budget of the group, as the outcome of efficient merging between intermediate-luminosity members. Little is however known about the faint satellite systems of fossil groups. Here we present a SUBARU/Suprime-Cam wide-field, deep imaging study in the B- and R-band of the nearest fossil group NGC 6482 (M_{tot}\sim4\times10^{12}M_{\sun}), covering the virial radius out to 310 kpc. We perform detailed completeness estimations and select group member candidates by a combination of automated object detection and visual inspection. A fiducial sample of 48 member candidates down to M_R -10.5 mag is detected, making this study the deepest of a fossil group up to now. We investigate the photometric scaling relations, the colour-magnitude relation, and the luminosity function of our galaxy sample. We find evidence of recent and ongoing merger events among bright group galaxies. The colour-magnitude relation is comparable to that of nearby galaxy clusters, and exhibits significant scatter at the faintest luminosities. The completeness-corrected luminosity function is dominated by early-type dwarfs and is characterized by a faint end slope \alpha=-1.32\pm0.05. We conclude that the NGC 6482 fossil group shows photometric properties consistent with those of regular galaxy clusters and groups, including a normal abundance of faint satellites.

Evolution along the sequence of S0 Hubble types induced by dry minor mergers

Context. Galaxy mergers are widely discussed as one possible evolution mechanism for lenticular galaxies (S0s), because even minor mergers induce structural changes that are difficult to reconcile with the strong bulge-disk coupling observed in the photometric scaling relations of these galaxies.

THE CARNEGIE-IRVINE GALAXY SURVEY. III. THE THREE-COMPONENT STRUCTURE OF NEARBY ELLIPTICAL GALAXIES

Motivated by recent developments in our understanding of the formation and evolution of massive galaxies, we explore the detailed photometric structure of a representative sample of 94 bright, nearby elliptical galaxies, using high-quality optical images from the Carnegie-Irvine Galaxy Survey. The sample spans a range of environments and stellar masses, from M* = 10^{10.2} to 10^{12.0} solar mass. We exploit the unique capabilities of two-dimensional image decomposition to explore the possibility that local elliptical galaxies may contain photometrically distinct substructure that can shed light on their evolutionary history. Compared with the traditional one-dimensional approach, these two-dimensional models are capable of consistently recovering the surface brightness distribution and the systematic radial variation of geometric information at the same time. Contrary to conventional perception, we find that the global light distribution of the majority (>75%) of elliptical galaxies is not well described by a single Sersic function. Instead, we propose that local elliptical galaxies generically contain three subcomponents: a compact (R_e < 1 kpc) inner component with luminosity fraction f ~ 0.1-0.15; an intermediate-scale (R_e ~ 2.5 kpc) middle component with f ~ 0.2-0.25; and a dominant (f = 0.6), extended (R_e ~ 10 kpc) outer envelope. All subcomponents have average Sersic indices n ~ 1-2, significantly lower than the values typically obtained from single-component fits. The individual subcomponents follow well-defined photometric scaling relations and the stellar mass-size relation. We discuss the physical nature of the substructures and their implications for the formation of massive elliptical galaxies.

The degeneracy between star formation parameters in dwarf galaxy simulations and the Mstar-Mhalo relation

We present results based on a set of N-Body/SPH simulations of isolated dwarf galaxies. The simulations take into account star formation, stellar feedback, radiative cooling and metal enrichment. The dark matter halo initially has a cusped profile, but, at least in these simulations, starting from idealised, spherically symmetric initial conditions, a natural conversion to a core is observed due to gas dynamics and stellar feedback. A degeneracy between the efficiency with which the interstellar medium absorbs energy feedback from supernovae and stellar winds on the one hand, and the density threshold for star formation on the other, is found. We performed a parameter survey to determine, with the aid of the observed kinematic and photometric scaling relations, which combinations of these two parameters produce simulated galaxies that are in agreement with the observations. With the implemented physics we are unable to reproduce the relation between the stellar mass and the halo mass as determined by Guo et al. (2010), however we do reproduce the slope of this relation.

Dwarf Galaxies in Nearby Groups of Galaxies

We have confirmed 19 new dwarf members in five nearby (z ≤ 0.014) groups of galaxies, measured their photometric characteristics and compared the photometric scaling relations of the late-type dwarf galaxies in the field, group and cluster environments. We found no clear evidence for the structure-environment relations but some hints for the colour-environment dependencies.

VLT observations of NGC 1097's “dog-leg” tidal stream

CONTEXT: Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxies and tidal streams. AIMS: We investigate the structure and stellar population of two large stellar condensations (knots A & B) along one of the faint optical "jet-like" tidal streams associated with the spiral NGC 1097, with the goal of establishing their physical association with the galaxy and their origin. METHODS: We use the VLT/FORS2 to get deep V-band imaging and low-resolution optical spectra of two knots along NGC 1097's northeast "dog-leg" tidal stream. With this data, we explore their morphology and stellar populations. RESULTS: The FORS2 spectra show that the redshift of knot A (and perhaps of knot B) is consistent with that of NGC 1097. The FORS2 photometry shows that the two knots match very well the photometric scaling relations of canonical dwarf spheroidal galaxies (dSph). From the spectral analysis we find that knot A is mainly composed of stars near G-type, with no signs of ongoing star formation. Comparing its spectrum to a library of Galactic GC spectra, we find that the stellar population of this dSph-like object is most similar to intermediate to metal rich GCs. We find moreover, that the tidal stream shows an "S" shaped inflection as well as a pronounced stellar overdensity at knot A's position. This suggests that knot A is being tidally stripped, and populates the stellar stream with its stars. CONCLUSIONS: We have discovered that two knots along NGC 1097's northeast tidal stream share most of their spectral and photometric properties with ordinary dwarf spheroidal galaxies (dSph). Moreover, we find strong indications that the "dog-leg" tidal stream arise from the tidal disruption of knot A. Since it has been demonstrated that tidally stripping dSph galaxies need to loose most of their dark matter before starting to loose stars, we suggest that knot A is at present a CDM-poor object.

Photometric scaling relations of lenticular and spiral galaxies

Photometric scaling relations are studied for S0 galaxies and compared with those for spirals. New 2D K_s-band multi-component decompositions are presented for 122 early-type disk galaxies. Combining with our previous decompositions, the final sample consists of 175 galaxies. As a comparison sample we use the Ohio State University Bright Spiral Galaxy Survey (OSUBSGS), for which similar decompositions have previously been made by us. Our main results are: (1) Important scaling relations are present, indicating that the formative processes of bulges and disks in S0s are coupled like has been previously found for spirals. (2) We obtain median r_{eff}/h_r = 0.20, 0.15 and 0.10 for S0, S0/a-Sa and Sab-Sc galaxies: these are smaller than predicted by simulation models in which bulges are formed by galaxy mergers. (3) The properties of bulges of S0s are different from the elliptical galaxies, which is manifested in the M_K(bulge) vs r_{eff} relation, in the photometric plane, and to some extent also in the Kormendy relation. The bulges of S0s are similar to bulges of spirals with M_K(bulge) < -20 mag. Some S0s have small bulges, but their properties are not compatible with the idea that they could evolve to dwarfs by galaxy harassment. (4) The relative bulge flux B/T for S0s covers the full range found in the Hubble sequence. (5) The values and relations of the parameters of the disks of the S0 galaxies in NIRS0S are similar to those obtained for spirals in the OSUBSGS. Overall, our results support the view that spiral galaxies with bulges brighter than -20 mag in the K-band can evolve directly into S0s, due to stripping of gas followed by truncated star formation.

Revisiting the low-luminosity galaxy population of the NGC 5846 group with SDSS

Low-luminosity galaxies are known to outnumber the bright galaxy population in poor groups and clusters of galaxies. Yet, the investigation of low-luminosity galaxy populations outside the Local Group remains rare and the dependence on different group environments is still poorly understood. Previous investigations revealed photometric scaling relations for early-type dwarfs and a strong dependence of morphology with environment. The present study aims to analyse the photometric and spectroscopic properties of the low-luminosity galaxy population in the nearby, well-evolved and early-type dominated NGC 5846 group of galaxies. It is the third most massive aggregate of early-type galaxies after the Virgo and Fornax clusters in the local universe. Photometric scaling relations and the distribution of morphological types as well as the characteristics of emission-line galaxies are investigated. Spectroscopically selected low-luminosity group members from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey with cz<3000 km/s within a radius of 2 deg=0.91 Mpc around NGC 5846 are analysed. Surface brightness profiles of early-type galaxies are fit by a Sersic model r^(1/n). Star formation rates, oxygen abundances and emission characteristics are determined for emission-line galaxies. [abridged]

Hubble Space Telescopesurvey of the Perseus cluster - II. Photometric scaling relations in different environments

We investigate the global photometric scaling relations traced by early-type galaxies in different environments, ranging from dwarf spheroidals, over dwarf elliptical galaxies, up to giant ellipticals (-8 mag > M_V > -24 mag). These results are based in part on our new HST/ACS F555W and F814W imagery of dwarf spheroidal galaxies in the Perseus Cluster. These scaling relations are almost independent of environment, with Local Group and cluster galaxies coinciding in the various diagrams. We show that at M_V ~ -14 mag, the slopes of the photometric scaling relations involving the Sersic parameters change significantly. We argue that these changes in slope reflect the different physical processes that dominate the evolution of early-type galaxies in different mass regimes. As such, these scaling relations contain a wealth of information that can be used to test models for the formation of early-type galaxies.

Truncated star formation in dwarf spheroidal galaxies and photometric scaling relations

AbstractWe investigate the global photometric scaling relations traced by early-type galaxies in different environments, ranging from dwarf spheroidals, over dwarf elliptical galaxies, up to giant ellipticals (−8 mag ≳ MV ≳ −24 mag). These results are based in part on our new HST/ACS F555W and F814W imagery of dwarf spheroidal galaxies in the Perseus Cluster. We show that at MV ~ −14 mag, the slopes of the photometric scaling relations involving the Sérsic parameters change significantly. We argue that these changes in slope reflect the different physical processes that dominate the evolution of early-type galaxies in different mass regimes. We present N-body/SPH simulations of the formation and evolution of dwarf spheroidals that reproduce these slope changes and discuss the underlying physics. As such, these scaling relations contain a wealth of information that can be used to test models for the formation of early-type galaxies.

Photometric properties and scaling relations of early-type Brightest Cluster Galaxies

We investigate the photometric properties of the early-type Brightest Cluster Galaxies (BCGs) using a carefully selected sample of 85 BCGs from the C4 cluster catalogue with a redshift of less than 0.1. We perform accurate background subtractions and surface photometry for these BCGs to 25 mag arcsec−2 in the Sloan r band. By quantitatively analysing the gradient of the Petrosian profiles of BCGs, we find that a large fraction of BCGs have extended stellar envelopes in their outskirts; more luminous BCGs tend to have more extended stellar haloes that are likely to be connected with mergers. A comparison sample of elliptical galaxies was chosen with similar apparent magnitude and redshift ranges, for which the same photometric analysis procedure is applied. We find that BCGs have steeper size–luminosity (R∝Lα) and Faber–Jackson (L∝σβ) relations than the bulk of early-type galaxies. Furthermore, the power-law indices (α and β) in these relations increase as the isophotal limits become deeper. For isophotal limits from 22 to 25 mag arcsec−2, BCGs are usually larger than the bulk of early-type galaxies, and a large fraction (∼49 per cent) of BCGs have discy isophotal shapes. The differences in the scaling relations are consistent with a scenario where the dynamical structure and formation route of BCGs may be different from the bulk of early-type galaxies; in particular dry (dissipationless) mergers may play a more important role in their formation. We highlight several possible dry merger candidates in our sample.

Galaxy scaling relations from the ACS Virgo and Fornax Cluster Surveys: no evidence for a dwarf-giant dichotomy

AbstractWe examine the photometric and structural properties of early-type galaxies derived from theACS Virgo and Fornax Cluster Surveys, supplementing these data with previously published or newly reanalysed data for additional early-type galaxies in Virgo, Fornax and the Local Group. As we have noted elsewhere, Sérsic models are found to provide accurate representations of the observed brightness profiles on scales greater than a few percent of the effective radius,Re. On smaller scales, the brightness profiles of bright (MB≳ −20) galaxies show centraldeficitswith respect to the inward extrapolation of the Sérsic models; fainter galaxies usually show centralexcesses. Fainter thanMB≈ −20, we find a continuity in the photometric and structural scaling relations: i.e., between absolute magnitude, central surface brightness, Sérsic index, effective radius, and the surface brightness measured at, and averaged within, the effective radius. There is no evidence for a “dwarf/giant dichotomy” — a conclusion consistent with a number of recent studies but contrary to some earlier claims.

Photometric scaling relations for bulges of galaxies

We describe the photometric parameters of the bulges of galaxies of different Hubble types including ellipticals, lenticulars, early and late type spirals and early type dwarf galaxies. Analyzing the distributions of various photometric parameters and two- and three-dimensional correlations between them, we find that there is a difference in the correlations exhibited by bright ($M_{\rm K} < -22$) and faint bulges, irrespective of their Hubble type. Importantly, the bright bulges, which include typically E/S0 galaxies and bulges of early type spirals, are tightly distributed around a common photometric plane (PP), while their fainter counterparts, mainly bulges of late type spirals and dwarf galaxies show significant deviation from the planar distribution. We show that the specific entropy, determined from the bulge structural parameters, systematically increases as we move from late to early Hubble types. We interpret this as evidence for hierarchical merging and passive evolution scenarios for bright and faint bulges respectively.