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The Luminosity Function of Galaxies in Compact Groups

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 April 2016

S. D. Hunsberger ,
J. C. Charlton  and
D. Zaritsky
S. D. Hunsberger
Affiliation:
Lowell Observatory, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
J. C. Charlton
Affiliation:
Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
D. Zaritsky
Affiliation:
University of California/Lick Observatory, Santa Cruz, CA, USA

Abstract

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From R-band images of 39 Hickson compact groups (HCGs), we use galaxy counts to determine a luminosity function. We find that a single Schechter function is a poor fit to the data, so we use a composite function consisting of separate Schechter functions for the bright and faint galaxies. The decreasing bright end slope implies a deficit of intermediate luminosity galaxies in our sample and the faint end is slightly steeper than that reported for earlier HCG luminosity functions. Furthermore, luminosity functions of subsets of our sample reveal more substantial dwarf populations for groups with X-ray halos, groups with tidal dwarf candidates, and groups with a dominant elliptical or lenticular galaxy. Collectively, these results support the hypothesis that within compact groups, the initial dwarf galaxy population is replenished by “subsequent generations” formed in the tidal debris of giant galaxy interactions.

Type
Part 2. Properties of Small Groups
Information
International Astronomical Union Colloquium , Volume 174: Small Galaxy Groups , 2000 , pp. 81 - 85
Copyright
Copyright © Astronomical Society of the Pacific 2000

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