Mid-Infrared Enhanced Lenticulars caught in the dusty midst of transformation in the Coma Cluster
Abstract
We explore the properties of early-type galaxies (ETGs) in rich environments such as clusters of galaxies. The L24/L K distribution of ETGs in both Virgo and Coma clusters shows that some lenticulars (S0, 10 in Coma and 3 in Virgo) have a much larger L24/L K ratio (0.5 to ~2 dex) than the bulk of the ETG population. We call these sources Mid-Infrared Enhanced Galaxies (MIEGs). In Coma, they are mostly located in the South-West part of the cluster where a substructure is falling onto the main cluster. MIEGs present lower g-r color than the rest of the ETGs, because of a blue continuum. We interpret the excess L24/L K ratio as evidence for an enhanced star-formation induced as a consequence of their infall into the main cluster.
- Publication:
-
From Interstellar Clouds to Star-Forming Galaxies: Universal Processes?
- Pub Date:
- 2016
- DOI:
- 10.1017/S1743921316008310
- Bibcode:
- 2016IAUS..315E..69R
- Keywords:
-
- galaxies: elliptical and lenticular;
- cD;
- galaxies: clusters: individual (Virgo;
- Coma)