The SAURON project - VI. Line strength maps of 48 elliptical and lenticular galaxies

Harald Kuntschner*, Eric Emsellem, R. Bacon, M. Bureau, Michele Cappellari, Roger L. Davies, P. T. De Zeeuw, Jesús Falcón-Barroso, Davor Krajnović, Richard M. McDermid, Reynier F. Peletier, Marc Sarzi

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

155 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We present absorption line strength maps of 48 representative elliptical and lenticular galaxies obtained as part of a survey of nearby galaxies using our custom-built integral-field spectrograph, SAURON, operating on the William Herschel Telescope. Using high-quality spectra, spatially binned to a constant signal-to-noise ratio, we measure four key age, metallicity and abundance ratio sensitive indices from the LickIDS system over a two-dimensional field extending up to approximately one effective radius. A discussion of calibrations and offsets is given, along with a description of error estimation and nebular emission correction. We modify the classical Fe5270 index to define a new index, , which maximizes the useable spatial coverage of SAURON. Maps of Hβ, Fe5015, Mg b and are presented for each galaxy. We use the maps to compute average line strengths integrated over circular apertures of one-eighth effective radius, and compare the resulting relations of index versus velocity dispersion with previous long-slit work. The metal line strength maps show generally negative gradients with increasing radius roughly consistent with the morphology of the light profiles. Remarkable deviations from this general trend exist, particularly the Mg b isoindex contours appear to be flatter than the isophotes of the surface brightness for about 40 per cent of our galaxies without significant dust features. Generally, these galaxies exhibit significant rotation. We infer from this that the fast-rotating component features a higher metallicity andor an increased MgFe ratio as compared to the galaxy as a whole. The Hβ maps are typically flat or show a mild positive outwards radial gradient, while a few galaxies show strong central peaks andor elevated overall Hβ strength likely connected to recent star formation activity. For the most prominent post-starburst galaxies, even the metal line strength maps show a reversed gradient.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)497-528
Number of pages32
JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Volume369
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2006
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Galaxies: bulges
  • Galaxies: elliptical and lenticular, cD
  • Galaxies: evolution
  • Galaxies: formation
  • Galaxies: kinematics and dynamics
  • Galaxies: structure

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