Disks in elliptical galaxies

Journal Article · Mon Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1990 · Astrophysical Journal; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/169242· OSTI ID:6062103

Rix, H; White, S D.M. ^[1]

---

1. Steward Observatory, Tucson, AZ (USA)

The abundance and strength of disk components in elliptical galaxies are investigated by studying the photometric properties of models containing a spheroidal r exp 1/4-law bulge and a weak exponential disk. Pointed isophotes are observed in a substantial fraction of elliptical galaxies. If these isophote distortions are interpreted in the framework of the present models, then the statistics of observed samples suggest that almost all radio-weak ellipticals could have disks containing roughly 20 percent of the light. It is shown that the E5 galaxy NGC 4660 has the photometric signatures of a disk containing a third of the light. 30 refs.

• OSTI ID: 6062103
• Journal Information: Astrophysical Journal; (USA), Journal Name: Astrophysical Journal; (USA) Vol. 362; 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
ABUNDANCE
CHARGE-COUPLED DEVICES
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CONFIGURATION
DYNAMICS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELEMENT ABUNDANCE
ELLIPTICAL CONFIGURATION
FOURIER ANALYSIS
GALAXIES
LUMINOSITY
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MECHANICS
MORPHOLOGY
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHOTOMETRY
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RADIATIONS
RADIOWAVE RADIATION
SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES