The distribution of satellite galaxies

Stephen J. Lorrimer, Carlos S. Frenk, Rodney M. Smith, Simon D.M. White, Dennis Zaritsky

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

39 Scopus citations

Abstract

We carry out a statistical analysis of the distribution of faint satellites around galaxies of differing Hubble type. Following Holmberg, we count the number of faint images on Schmidt survey plates around primaries of known redshift. Our procedure leads to a highly significant detection of the satellites. On average, the projected distance of these systems from their primaries is distributed as Σ (rp) ∝rp with γ~0.9. The satellite populations around primaries of different Hubble type are significantly different: satellites are more concentrated around early-type primaries, with a higher absolute abundance within ∼0.25h-1 Mpc.1 If we assume a standard 'field' luminosity function, we find that galaxies with -18<5<-172 are about three times more weakly clustered to their primaries than are bright galaxies at separations of order 1 Mpc. At fainter magnitudes, the clustering appears stronger, suggesting the presence of a new population of dwarfs which exist only in close association with bright galaxies.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)696-706
Number of pages11
JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Volume269
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 1994
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Clustering - galaxies
  • Fundamental parameters - galaxies
  • Galaxies
  • Kinematics and dynamics - galaxies
  • Luminosity function, mass function

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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