The mean ages of S0 disks - Evidence for star formation 5 gigayears ago

Journal Article · Thu Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1990 · Astrophysical Journal; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/168361· OSTI ID:6851544

Bothun, G D; Gregg, M D ^[1]

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1. Michigan Univ., Ann Arbor (USA) Mount Wilson and Las Campanas Observatories, Pasadena, CA (USA) North Carolina Univ., Chapel Hill (USA)

Optical and infrared photometry of about 35 S0 disks and bulges has been acquired. Comparison to model colors suggests that the disks are 3-5 Gyr younger than the bulges. In some extreme cases, evidence of AGB light is found, indicating that star formation was active as little as 2-3 Gyr ago. This extended period of formation for S0 disks provides the most natural explanation for the prevalence of blue galaxies observed in intermediate redshift clusters of galaxies. The preponderance of S0 galaxies in nearby clusters indicates that they probably were born in that environment and experienced a star formation history that was either terminated by astration or by the process of cluster virialization. 73 refs.

• OSTI ID: 6851544
• Journal Information: Astrophysical Journal; (USA), Journal Name: Astrophysical Journal; (USA) Vol. 350; 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
AGE ESTIMATION
BRIGHTNESS
COLOR
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
CONFIGURATION
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELLIPTICAL CONFIGURATION
ENVIRONMENT
GALACTIC EVOLUTION
GALAXIES
GALAXY CLUSTERS
INFRARED RADIATION
MORPHOLOGY
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
ORGANOLEPTIC PROPERTIES
PHOTOMETRY
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RADIATIONS
SPIRAL CONFIGURATION
STAR EVOLUTION
VISIBLE RADIATION