A search for ultra-compact dwarf galaxies in the NGC 1023 group of galaxies

Abstract

We present a photometric search for UCD candidates in the nearby galaxy group NGC 1023 (d=11 Mpc) -- the poorest environment searched for UCDs yet --, based on wide field imaging with CFHT. After photometric and morphological selection, we obtain a sample of 21 UCD candidates with -12<M_V<-11 mag, if located at NGC 1023's distance. From spectroscopy taken at Calar Alto observatory, we identify the UCD candidate in closest projection to NGC 1023 as an emission line background galaxy. Our photometric data show that in the NGC 1023 group, the mass spectrum of analogs to Fornax/Virgo UCD is restricted to about 1/4 of the maximum Fornax/Virgo UCD mass. More spectroscopy is needed to further constrain the mass range of UCDs in this galaxy group.

5 pages, 4 figures, to appear in the proceedings of ESO Astrophysics Symposia: "Groups of Galaxies in the Nearby Universe", eds. I. Saviane, V. Ivanov, J. Borissova

References in corpus (4)

• The ACS Virgo Cluster Survey. VII. Resolving the Connection Between Globular Clusters and Ultra-Compact Dwarf Galaxies
• Discovery of Ultra-Compact Dwarf Galaxies in the Virgo Cluster
• Ultra Compact Dwarf galaxies in Abell 1689: a photometric study with the ACS
• Discovery of two M32 twins in Abell 1689

Cited by in corpus (7)

• Wide-Field Survey of Dwarf Satellite Systems Around 10 Hosts in the Local Volume
• An Ultra Compact Dwarf around the Sombrero galaxy (M104): the Nearest Massive UCD
• Ultra-Compact Dwarfs in the Coma Cluster
• The Next Generation Virgo Cluster Survey. XXXIV. Ultra-Compact Dwarf (UCD) Galaxies in the Virgo Cluster
• Keck/LRIS Spectroscopic Confirmation of Coma Cluster Dwarf Galaxy Membership Assignments
• A Comprehensive Archival Chandra Search for X-ray Emission from Ultracompact Dwarf Galaxies
• Testing the tidal stripping scenario of ultra-compact dwarf galaxy formation by using internal properties