A kinematically distinct core and minor-axis rotation: the MUSE perspective on M87

Abstract

We present evidence for the presence of a low-amplitude kinematically distinct component in the giant early-type galaxy M87, via datasets obtained with the SAURON and MUSE integral-field spectroscopic units. The MUSE velocity field reveals a strong twist of ~140 deg within the central 30 arcsec connecting outwards such a kinematically distinct core to a prolate-like rotation around the large-scale photometric major-axis of the galaxy. The existence of these kinematic features within the apparently round central regions of M87 implies a non-axisymmetric and complex shape for this galaxy, which could be further constrained using the presented kinematics. The associated orbital structure should be interpreted together with other tracers of the gravitational potential probed at larger scales (e.g., Globular Clusters, Ultra Compact Dwarfs, Planetary Nebulae): it would offer an insight in the assembly history of one of the brightest galaxies in the Virgo Cluster. These data also demonstrate the potential of the MUSE spectrograph to uncover low-amplitude spectral signatures.

Accepted for publication in MNRAS Letters, 5 pages, 4 figures

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• Galaxy structure from multiple tracers: III. Radial variations in M87's IMF
• CALIFA reveals Prolate Rotation in Massive Early-type Galaxies: A Polar Galaxy Merger Origin?
• Kinematics of Simulated Galaxies II: Probing the Stellar Kinematics of Galaxies out to Large Radii
• A close look at the dwarf AGN of NGC 4395: optical and near-IR integral field spectroscopy
• Prospects for Recovering Galaxy Intrinsic Shapes from Projected Quantities
• Galaxy Rotation Coherent with the Motions of Neighbors: Discovery of Observational Evidence
• What does (not) drive the variation of the low-mass end of the stellar initial mass function of early-type galaxies
• A discrete chemo-dynamical model of M87's globular clusters: Kinematics extending to ~ 400 kpc
• Keck Cosmic Web Imager (KCWI) Spectra of Globular Clusters and Ultra Compact Dwarfs in the Halo of M87
• Pixel Color-Magnitude Diagram Analysis of the Brightest Cluster Galaxies in Dynamically Young and Old Clusters, Abell 1139 and Abell 2589
• NGC 5626: a massive fast rotator with a twist