The luminosity distribution of globular clusters in three giant Virgo ellipticals

Journal Article · Wed May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1991 · Astrophysical Journal, Supplement Series; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/191566· OSTI ID:5597088

Harris, W E; Allwright, J W.B.; Pritchet, C J; Van den bergh, S ^[1]

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1. McMaster University, Hamilton (Canada) Victoria, University (Canada) Dominion Astrophysical Observatory, Victoria (Canada)

The present CCD photometry in B for globular clusters around three of Virgo's 'normal' ellipticals (NGCs 4365, 4472, and 4649) defines the luminosity distribution of the clusters and indicates that the globular clusters in giant ellipticals follow similar luminosity distributions. A fitting of the composite Virgo globular cluster luminosity function to the Galaxy's cluster distribution yields a Virgo distance modulus estimate of 31.5 + or {minus} 0.25. Evidence, in the form of a flattening of the radial density distribution, is noted in each galaxy for a core radius in the cluster system. 81 refs.

• OSTI ID: 5597088
• Journal Information: Astrophysical Journal, Supplement Series; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophysical Journal, Supplement Series; (United States) Vol. 76; ISSN APJSA; ISSN 0067-0049
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640102* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Stars & Quasi-Stellar
Radio & X-Ray Sources
640105 -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Galaxies
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
CONFIGURATION
DISTANCE
ELLIPTICAL CONFIGURATION
GALACTIC EVOLUTION
GALAXIES
LUMINOSITY
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHOTOMETRY
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
STAR CLUSTERS