On the Environmental Dependence of Cluster Galaxy Assembly Timescale

Abstract

We present estimates of CN and Mg overabundances with respect to Fe for early-type galaxies in 8 clusters over a range of richness and morphology. Spectra were taken from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) DR1, and from WHT and CAHA observations. Abundances were derived from absorption lines and single burst population models, by comparing galaxy spectra with appropriately broadened synthetic model spectra. We detect correlations between [Mg/CN] and [CN/Fe] and cluster X-ray luminosity. No correlation is observed for [Mg/Fe]. We also see a clear trend with the richness and morphology of the clusters. This is interpreted given varying formation timescales for CN, Mg and Fe, and a varying star formation history in early-type galaxies as a function of their environment: intermediate-mass early-type galaxies in more massive clusters are assembled on shorter timescales than in less massive clusters, with an upper limit of ~1 Gyr.

Accepted for publication in ApJ Letters

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