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First-ranked cluster galaxies - a two-population model

Journal Article · · Astrophys. J.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/167229· OSTI ID:6018505
The small dispersion in the absolute magnitudes (about 0.35 mag) of first-ranked galaxies in rich clusters has been the cause for much debate between the special and statistical hypotheses for these galaxies. Here, statistical evidence is presented that it is not the one or the other, but a combination. The distribution in magnitudes of the brightest galaxies is best explained if they consist of two distinct populations of objects: (1) a population of special galaxies having a Gaussian distribution of magnitudes with a small dispersion (0.21 mag), and (2) a population of extremes of a statistical luminosity function. The best-fit model requires that 63 percent of the clusters have a special galaxy that is, on average, 0.48 mag brighter than the brightest normal galaxy. 16 references.
Research Organization:
Kentucky Univ., Lexington (USA)
OSTI ID:
6018505
Journal Information:
Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 338; ISSN ASJOA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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