Bibcode
DOI
Vazdekis, Alexandre; Trujillo, I.; Yamada, Yoshihiko
Bibliographical reference
The Astrophysical Journal, Volume 601, Issue 1, pp. L33-L36.
Advertised on:
1
2004
Journal
Citations
24
Refereed citations
19
Description
We explore possible correlations between light profile shapes, as
parameterized by the Sérsic index n or the concentration index
Cre(1/3), and relevant stellar population
parameters in early-type galaxies. Mean luminosity-weighted ages,
metallicities, and abundance ratios were obtained from spectra of very
high signal-to-noise ratio and stellar population models that synthesize
galaxy spectra at the resolution given by their velocity dispersions,
σ, in combination with an age indicator
(Hγσ) that is virtually free of the effects of
metallicity. We do not find any significant correlation between n [or
Cre(1/3)] and mean age or metallicity, but we do
find a strong positive correlation of the shape parameters with Mg/Fe
abundance ratio. This dependence is as strong as the Mg/Fe-σ and
Cre(1/3)-σ relations. We speculate that
early-type galaxies settle up their structure on timescales in agreement
with those imposed by their Mg/Fe ratios. This suggests that the global
structure of larger galaxies, with larger Mg/Fe ratios and shorter
timescales, was already in place at high z, without experiencing a
significant time evolution.