NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2009B-0133
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2009B-0133 |
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PI: Sara Ellison, University of Victoria, sarae@uvic.ca
Address: Department of Physics and Astronomy, PO Box 3055, Victoria, BC, V8W 3P6, Canada
CoI: Evan Skillman, University of Minnesota
CoI: Aeree Chung, NRAO New Mexico Facilities
Title: Chemical abundances in Virgo cluster spirals - what drives the environmental dependence of galaxy metallicity?
Abstract:
The Virgo cluster is not only our nearest massive cluster, but its dynamical
infancy also renders it an ideal laboratory for studies of cluster formation
and galaxy evolution. Given the intense interest in Virgo, it is astounding
that only 9 out of over 100 spirals in its firmament have chemical abundance
measurements. We propose to simultaneously address this gap in our
fundamental knowledge of Virgo cluster spirals and investigate how the
metallicity and abundance gradients of star forming galaxies are sensitive to
environment. Our sample consists of 13 Virgo cluster spiral galaxies,
preferentially gas-poor early types, which complement the existing
metallicity measurements. We also sample a range of clustercentric distances
(0.3 -- 3 Mpc from M87), local densities and include several galaxies which
exhibit evidence for interactions with the intra-cluster medium.
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 > 2009B-0133 |
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