Luminosity segregation as an indication of dynamical evolution in rich clusters of galaxies

Journal Article · Sat Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1991 · Astrophysical Journal; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/170055· OSTI ID:5516077

Yepes, G; Dominguez-tenreiro, R; Del pozo-sanz, R ^[1]

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1. Madrid, Universidad Autonoma (Spain)

The luminosity segregation in several galaxy clusters has been analyzed by means of the intergalactic distance distribution function, corrected from the masking effects of field galaxies. It has been found that the clusters present a gradation of luminosity segregation, from highly segregated to virtually not segregated. In order to understand these results, simulations of the dynamical evolution of galaxy clusters have been carried out by means of the Fokker-Planck equation moments method. It is concluded that the observed mass segregation could be due to dynamical evolution during the two-body relaxation phase, and that their different degrees could be a reflection of either the different initial conditions present at the onset of this phase or different cluster ages. 65 refs.

• OSTI ID: 5516077
• Journal Information: Astrophysical Journal; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophysical Journal; (United States) Vol. 373; ISSN ASJOA; ISSN 0004-637X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640105* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Galaxies
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
DISTRIBUTION FUNCTIONS
EQUATIONS
FOKKER-PLANCK EQUATION
FUNCTIONS
GALACTIC EVOLUTION
GALAXY CLUSTERS
GRAVITATIONAL FIELDS
LUMINOSITY
MASS SPECTROSCOPY
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MATTER
MOMENTS METHOD
MORPHOLOGY
NONLUMINOUS MATTER
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
SIMULATION
SPECTROSCOPY