The PERSEUS Cluster in the Ultraviolet
Abstract
A basic goal of the GALEX mission is to assess the effects of environment on galaxy evolution. The Perseus cluster of galaxies represents one of the most extreme environments in the local universe and features a spectacular mix of astrophysical phenomena. It is the nearest rich cluster and contains a massive, hot, X-ray bright intracluster medium. Its central dominant galaxy, NGC 1275, is remarkable for its luminosity; its powerful radio source; evidence for extensive recent star formation, some induced in the intracluster gas by the radio source; and an enormous (r ∼ 60 kpc) system of emission line gaseous filaments. In Cycle 1, we successfully obtained beautiful, deep (15 ksec) images of Perseus with GALEX. We detect FUV-bright filaments around NGC 1275, many of the E/S0 galaxies, and bright FUV emission from a number of the peculiar late-type galaxies. Here, we propose deep GALEX grism spectroscopy of this same field. We will use the leverage afforded by UV spectroscopy to study the ``UV-upturn'' in old populations of E/S0 galaxies, the nature of the NGC 1275 filaments, and the character of star formation in the late-type systems in this unique cluster.
- Publication:
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GALEX Proposal
- Pub Date:
- 2005
- Bibcode:
- 2005galx.prop...48O