Bibcode
Pinna, F.; Falcón-Barroso, J.; Martig, M.; Coccato, L.; Corsini, E. M.; de Zeeuw, P. T.; Gadotti, D. A.; Iodice, E.; Leaman, R.; Lyubenova, M.; Martín-Navarro, I.; Morelli, L.; Sarzi, M.; van de Ven, G.; Viaene, S.; McDermid, R. M.
Bibliographical reference
Astronomy and Astrophysics, Volume 625, id.A95, 22 pp.
Advertised on:
5
2019
Journal
Citations
41
Refereed citations
36
Description
We have used deep MUSE observations to perform a stellar-kinematic and
population analysis of FCC 153 and FCC 177, two edge-on S0 galaxies in
the Fornax cluster. The geometrical definition of the different
structural components of these two galaxies allows us to describe the
nature of their thick disks. These are both old, relatively metal poor
and [Mg/Fe]-enhanced, and their star formation history (SFH) reveals a
minor younger component whose chemical properties suggest its later
accretion. Moreover, the outer regions of these geometrically defined
thick disks show higher values of metallicity and lower values of
[Mg/Fe]. These stars probably formed in the thin-disk region and they
were dynamically heated to form the flares present in these two
galaxies. We propose different formation scenarios for the three
populations of these thick disks: in-situ formation, accretion and disk
heating. A clear distinction in age is found between the metal poor and
[Mg/Fe]-enhanced thick disks (old, ˜12 - 13 Gyr), and the metal
rich and less [Mg/Fe]-enhanced thin disks (young, ˜4 - 5 Gyr).
These two galaxies show signs of relatively recent star formation in
their thin disks and nuclear regions. While the thin disks show more
continuous SFHs, the nuclei display a rather bursty SFH. These two
galaxies are located outside of the densest region of the Fornax cluster
where FCC 170 resides. This other edge-on S0 galaxy has recently been
studied, and we have compared and discussed our results with this
previous study. The differences between these three galaxies, at
different distances from the cluster center, suggest that the
environment can have a strong effect on the galaxy evolutionary path.
Related projects
Traces of Galaxy Formation: Stellar populations, Dynamics and Morphology
We are a large, diverse, and very active research group aiming to provide a comprehensive picture for the formation of galaxies in the Universe. Rooted in detailed stellar population analysis, we are constantly exploring and developing new tools and ideas to understand how galaxies came to be what we now observe.
Ignacio
Martín Navarro