2008/05/29 by C. Da Rocha, B. Ziegler, B. L. Ziegler +1
Physics and Astronomy · #Adaptive optics and wavefront sensing #Astronomy #Astronomy and Astrophysical Research #Astrophysics #Brightness #Galaxies: Formation, Evolution, Phenomena #Galaxy #Physics #Surface brightness #Telescope #astro-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2966.2008.13500.x
12 pages, 5 figures. Accepted for publication in MNRAS. See http://www.eso.org/~cdarocha/publications/DaRochaetal2008_IGL_HCG.pdf for full resolution version. Complementary reference added
arxiv created 2008/05/29 · openalex publication_date 2008/07/14 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05
This continuing study of intragroup light in compact groups of galaxies aims to establish new constraints to models of formation and evolution of galaxy groups, specially of compact groups, which are a key part in the evolution of larger structures, such as clusters. In this paper we present three additional groups (HCG 15, 35 and 51) using deep wide-field B- and R-band images observed with the LAICA camera at the 3.5-m telescope at the Calar Alto observatory (CAHA). This instrument provides us with very stable flat-fielding, a mandatory condition for reliably measuring intragroup diffuse light. The images were analysed with the ovwav package, a wavelet technique that allows us to uncover the intragroup component in an unprecedented way. We have detected that 19, 15 and 26 per cent of the total light of HCG 15, 35 and 51, respectively, are in the diffuse component, with colours that are compatible with old stellar populations and with mean surface brightness that can be as low as 28.4 B mag arcsec−2. Dynamical masses, crossing times and mass-to-light ratios were recalculated using the new group parameters. Also tidal features were analysed using the wavelet technique.