Alignment statistics of clusters with their brightest members at bright and faint isophotes

Journal Article · Mon Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 1987 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/165311· OSTI ID:6085823

Struble, M F

For a sample of 21 first-ranked cluster galaxies with published isophotal photometry and position angles of these isophotes, it is found that the major axes of both the bright and faint isophotal contours tend to be aligned within about 30 deg of the major axis of the parent cluster. This supports the hypothesis that first-ranked galaxies are formed already aligned with their parent clusters rather than the hypothesis that only outer envelopes which accreted after formation are aligned with the cluster. 21 references.

• Research Organization: General Electric Co., Philadelphia, PA
• OSTI ID: 6085823
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Vol. 317
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
GALAXY CLUSTERS
GALACTIC EVOLUTION
BRIGHTNESS
COORDINATES
PHOTOMETRY
SURFACE PROPERTIES
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
640105* - Astrophysics & Cosmology- Galaxies