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Heterogeneity of inverted calcium II H:K ratio cluster galaxies

Pimbblet, K. A.; Crossett, J. P.; Fraser-McKelvie, A.

Authors

J. P. Crossett

A. Fraser-McKelvie



Abstract

© 2019 The Author(s) Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Royal Astronomical Society The ratio of calcium II H plus H∊ to calcium II K inverts as a galaxy stellar population moves from being dominated by older stars to possessing more A and B class stars. This ratio – the H:K ratio – can serve as an indicator of stellar populations younger than 200 Myr. In this work, we provide a new method to determine H:K, and apply it to spectra taken of cluster galaxies in Abell 3888. Although H:K is on average systematically lower for the cluster than for a wider field sample, we show that H:K does not have a simple relationship with other indices such as the equivalent widths of Hδ and [O II] beyond having a high value for strong [O II] emission. Moreover, strongly inverted galaxies with H:K > 1.1 have no preferred location within the cluster and are only slightly lower in their velocity dispersions around the cluster compared to strongly emitting [O II] galaxies. Our results indicate that selecting galaxies on H:K inversion results in a heterogeneous sample formed via a mixture of pathways that likely includes, but may not be limited to, merging spiral galaxies, and quiescent galaxies accreting lower mass, gas-rich companions. In concert with other selection criteria, H:K can provide a means to select a more ‘pure’ passive sample or to aid in the selection of highly star-forming galaxies, especially where other spectral line indicators such as H α may not have been observed.

Citation

Pimbblet, K. A., Crossett, J. P., & Fraser-McKelvie, A. (2019). Heterogeneity of inverted calcium II H:K ratio cluster galaxies. Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 490(1), 455-466. https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/stz2549

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Sep 10, 2019
Online Publication Date Sep 12, 2019
Publication Date 2019-11
Deposit Date Nov 26, 2019
Publicly Available Date Nov 26, 2019
Journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Print ISSN 0035-8711
Electronic ISSN 1365-2966
Publisher Oxford University Press
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 490
Issue 1
Pages 455-466
DOI https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/stz2549
Keywords Space and Planetary Science; Astronomy and Astrophysics
Public URL https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/2715647
Contract Date Nov 26, 2019

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Copyright Statement
© 2019 The Author(s) Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Royal Astronomical Society







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