Forming early-type galaxies in groups prior to cluster assembly

Stefan J. Kautsch, Anthony H. Gonzalez, Christian A. Soto, Kim Vy H. Tran, Dennis Zaritsky, John Moustakas

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

We study a unique protocluster of galaxies, the supergroup SG1120-1202. We quantify the degree to which morphological transformation of cluster galaxies occurs prior to cluster assembly in order to explain the observed early-type fractions in galaxy clusters at z=0. SG1120-1202 at z ∼ 0.37 is composed of four gravitationally bound groups that are expected to coalesce into a single cluster by z=0. Using HST ACS observations, we compare the morphological fractions of the supergroup galaxies to those found in a range of environments. We find that the morphological fractions of early-type galaxies (-60%) and the ratio of SO to elliptical galaxies (0.5) in SG1120-1202 are very similar to clusters at comparable redshift, consistent with preprocessing in the group environment playing the dominant role in establishing the observed early-type fraction in galaxy clusters.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)L5-L8
JournalAstrophysical Journal
Volume687
Issue number1 PART 2
DOIs
StatePublished - 2008

Keywords

  • Galaxies: Clusters: General
  • Galaxies: Elliptical and lenticular cD
  • Galaxies: Evolution
  • Galaxies: Interactions
  • Galaxies: Spiral
  • Galaxies: Structure

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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