Star Formation Histories of Nearby Elliptical Galaxies. II. Merger Remnant Sample
arXiv:astro-ph/0602322 · doi:10.1086/503103
Abstract
This work presents high spectroscopic observations of a sample of six suspected merger remnants, selected primarily on the basis of H{\sc i} tidal debris detections. Single stellar population analysis of these galaxies indicates that their ages, metallicities, and -enhancement ratios are consistent with those of a representative sample of nearby elliptical galaxies. The expected stellar population of a recent merger remnant, young age combined with low [/Fe], is not seen in any H{\sc i}-selected galaxy. However, one galaxy (NGC~2534), is found to deviate from the -plane in the sense expected for a merger remnant. Another galaxy (NGC~7332), selected by other criteria, best matches the merger remnant expectations.
12 pages, 10 figures, accepted by AJ