Ultra-Compact Stellar Systems in the Fornax Galaxy Cluster

/ Authors

P. Firth, M. Drinkwater, E. Evstigneeva, A. Karick, M. Gregg, M. Hilker, K. Bekki, J. B. Jones, S. Phillipps

/ Abstract

Our VLT (FLAMES) observations near NGC1399 investigate the connection between ultra-compact dwarf galaxies (UCDs), NGC1399 globular clusters and intra-cluster globulars. We have uncovered 30 faint compact stellar systems in the Fornax galaxy cluster, adding to 62 bright UCDs previously reported. The magnitude limit of these stellar systems extends down to the globular cluster domain. We detect a filament of UCDs and globular clusters stretching across NGC1399 and find weak evidence for its rotation. These compact stellar systems not only congregate around several cluster galaxies but are also widely distributed through intra-cluster space.

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-540-76961-3_20