ON THE GALAXY LUMINOSITY FUNCTION IN THE CENTRAL REGIONS OF THE COMA CLUSTER

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 1995

Authors

BIVIANO, A (Author) Other; DURRET, F (Author) Other; GERBAL, D (Author) Other; LEFEVRE, O (Author) Other; LOBO, C (Author) Other; MAZURE, A (Author) Other; SLEZAK, E (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Astronomy and Astrophysics

Vol. 297

Pages: 610-616

ISSN: 0004-6361

Publisher: EDP Sciences

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 92 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Natural sciences > Physical sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-001-GX0

Abstract (EN): We have obtained new redshifts for 265 objects in the central 48 x 25 arcmin(2) region of the Coma cluster. When supplemented with literature data, our redshift sample is 95 % complete up to a magnitude b(26.5)=18.0 (the magnitudes are taken from the photometric sample of Godwin et al. 1983). Using redshift-confirmed membership for 205 galaxies, and the location in the colour-magnitude diagram for another 91 galaxies, we have built a sample of cluster members which is complete up to b(26.5)=20.0. We show that the Coma cluster luminosity function cannot be adequately fitted by a single Schechter (1976) function, because of a dip in the magnitude distribution at b(26.5)similar to 17. The superposition of an Erlang (or a Gauss) and a Schechter function provides a significantly better fit. We compare the luminosity function of Coma to those of other clusters, and of the field. Luminosity functions for rich clusters look similar, with a maximum at M(b) similar or equal to -19.5 + 5 x log h(50), while the Virgo and the field luminosity functions show a nearly monotonic behaviour. These differences may be produced by physical processes related to the environment which affect the luminosities of a certain class of cluster galaxies.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific