The kinematics of the planetary nebulae in the outer regions of NGC 4406

  • M. Arnaboldi
  • , K. C. Freeman
  • , R. H. Mendez
  • , M. Capaccioli
  • , R. Ciardullo
  • , H. Ford
  • , O. Gerhard
  • , X. Hui
  • , G. H. Jacoby
  • , R. P. Kudritzki
  • , P. J. Quinn

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

118 Scopus citations

Abstract

We have measured the velocities of 19 planetary nebulae (PNs) in the outer regions of the giant early-type galaxy NGC 4406 in the Virgo cluster. The kinematics of the outermost regions, at a mean radius of 142″ or 11 kpc, show rapid rotation and a low observed velocity dispersion (∼166 and 96 km s-1, respectively), compared with the central velocity dispersion of about 210 km s-1. This supports the classification of this galaxy as an S0. Although this galaxy has a systemic velocity of -227 km s-1, we found three PNs with velocities close to the mean velocity of the Virgo cluster (about 1400 km s-1). We argue that these three PNs may be members of an intracluster stellar population in the Virgo cluster.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)145-152
Number of pages8
JournalAstrophysical Journal
Volume472
Issue number1 PART I
DOIs
StatePublished - 1996

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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