2007/08/10 by E. M. Wehner, Elizabeth Wehner, William E. Harris +1
Physics and Astronomy · #Astronomy #Astrophysics #Astrophysics and Star Formation Studies #Biology #Cluster (spacecraft) #Computer science #Dwarf galaxy #Galaxies: Formation, Evolution, Phenomena #Galaxy #Galaxy cluster #Globular cluster #Lernaean Hydra #Photometry (optics) #Physics #Stars #Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies #astro-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.1086/522305
5 pages, 3 figures. Accepted for publication in ApJ Letters
arxiv created 2007/08/10 · openalex publication_date 2007/09/24 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05
NGC 3311, the giant cD galaxy in the Hydra Cluster (A1060), has one of the largest globular cluster systems known. We describe new Gemini GMOS ( g ', i ') photometry of the NGC 3311 field which reveals that the red, metal-rich side of its globular cluster population extends smoothly upward into the mass range associated with the new class of ultracompact dwarfs (UCDs). We identify 29 UCD candidates with estimated masses >6 × 10 6 M ☉ and discuss their characteristics. This UCD-like sequence is the most well-defined one yet seen, and reinforces current ideas that the high-mass end of the globular cluster sequence merges continuously into the UCD sequence, which connects in turn to the E galaxy structural sequence.