Spectroscopy of Dwarf Elliptical Galaxies in the Fornax Cluster

Abstract

We present the results of spectroscopic observations of 10 nucleated dwarf elliptical galaxies (dE's) in the Fornax cluster. The blue spectra of Fornax dE galaxies indicate a wide range of metallicities at a given luminosity, similar to those of intermediate to \it metal-rich globular clusters. Metal abundances derived in this paper are well correlated with optical colors and agree with previous spectroscopic results. A discrepancy with metallicities inferred from infrared colors is evident; possible causes include an intermediate age population and dilution of spectral features by a blue light excess. Dwarf ellipticals exhibit a wide variation of hydrogen line strength which points to a complex star formation history. Prominent Balmer absorption lines are the signature of a young stellar population in the nuclei of some (but not all) dE's, while moderately strong Balmer lines in relatively metal-rich dE's are more consistent with an extended main sequence. The velocity distribution of the Fornax dwarfs is flatter than that of brighter galaxies at the 75\% confidence level, possibly indicating a difference in the kinematics of the two samples.

plain TeX, figures available upon request from [email protected] ; BAP#12-1993-043-OAB

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