NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2009A-0231
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2009A-0231 |
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PI: Renato Dupke, University of Michigan, rdupke@umich.edu
Address: Department of Astronomy, 930 Dennison, 500 Church St., Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-1090, USA
CoI: Claudia Mendes de Oliveira, Universidade de Sao Paulo
CoI: Raimundo Lopes de Oliveira, Universidade de Sao Paulo
CoI: Eli Rykoff, UC Santa Barbara
Title: An extensive study of the Fossil Groups of galaxies
Abstract:
Fossil Groups (FGs) present a puzzle to current theories of structure
formation. Despite the low number of bright galaxies, their high velocity
dispersions and high gas temperatures seem to indicate potential wells deeper
than those of normal groups. The measured concentration parameters seem to be
very high indicating very early formation epochs, which is in contradiction
with the observed lack of cooling cores. We were granted Chandra observations
of the first large X-ray sample of (15) bona-fide FGs and we are requesting
an optical follow-up to determine precise velocity dispersions of 9 groups.
The characterization of this sample will allow us to set significant
constraints on the ages and formation mechanisms of these peculiar systems.
This proposal represents the joining of two efforts: one group that has been
carrying out the largest survey of FGs in the optical (in Brazil) and another
group with X-ray expertises carrying out the largest survey in X-rays (in the
USA).
National Optical Astronomy Observatory, 950 North Cherry Avenue, P.O. Box 26732, Tucson, Arizona 85726, Phone: (520) 318-8000, Fax: (520) 318-8360
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2009A-0231 |
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