Dwarf galaxies in the Perseus Cluster: further evidence for a disc origin for dwarf ellipticals

Abstract

We present the results of a Keck-ESI spectroscopic study of six dwarf elliptical (dE) galaxies in the Perseus Cluster core, and confirm two dwarfs as cluster members for the first time. All six dEs follow the size-magnitude relation for dE/dSph galaxies. Central velocity dispersions are measured for three Perseus dwarfs in our sample, and all lie on the $\sigma$-luminosity relation for early-type, pressure supported systems. We furthermore examine SA 0426-002, a unique dE in our sample with a bar-like morphology surrounded by low-surface brightness wings/lobes (${\mu }_B=27$ mag arcsec${}^{-2}$). Given its morphology, velocity dispersion (${\sigma }_0=33.9\pm 6.1$ km s${}^{-1}$), velocity relative to the brightest cluster galaxy NGC 1275 (2711 km s${}^{-1}$), size ($R_e=2.1\pm 0.10$ kpc), and Sersic index ($n=1.2\pm 0.02$), we hypothesise the dwarf has morphologically transformed from a low mass disc to dE via harassment. The low-surface brightness lobes can be explained as a ring feature, with the bar formation triggered by tidal interactions via speed encounters with Perseus Cluster members. Alongside spiral structure found in dEs in Fornax and Virgo, SA 0426-002 provides crucial evidence that a fraction of bright dEs have a disc infall origin, and are not part of the primordial cluster population.

7 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in MNRAS

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• Euclid: Early Release Observations -- Dwarf galaxies in the Perseus galaxy cluster
• Implications for the origin of dwarf early-type galaxies: a detailed look at the isolated rotating dwarf early-type galaxy CG 611, with ramifications for the Fundamental Plane's (S_K)^2 kinematic scaling and the spin-ellipticity diagram
• $R_{\mathrm{e}}$. I. Understanding galaxy sizes, associated luminosity densities, and the artificial division of the early-type galaxy population
• On the Properties of Spectroscopically-Confirmed Ultra-Diffuse Galaxies Across Environment
• The Dynamical Origin of Early-Type Dwarfs in Galaxy Clusters: A Theoretical Investigation
• On the accretion of a new group of galaxies onto Virgo: I. Internal kinematics of nine in-falling dEs
• The galaxy population within the virial radius of the Perseus cluster
• Brought to Light II: Revealing the Origins of Cloaked Spiral Features in Cluster Passive Dwarf Galaxies
• A Catalog of Galaxies in the Direction of the Perseus Cluster
• A Deep Redshift Survey of the Perseus Cluster: Spatial Distribution and Kinematics of Galaxies
• Brought to Light I: Quantification of Disk Substructure in Dwarf Early-Type Galaxies
• HI in Virgo's "Red and Dead" Dwarf Ellipticals - A Tidal Tail and Central Star Formation
• Brought to Light III: Colors of Disk and Clump Substructures in Dwarf Early-Type Galaxies of the Fornax Cluster