Far-ultraviolet Color Gradients in Early-Type Galaxies
/ Authors
R. G. Ohl, R. G. Ohl, Robert W. O’Connell, R. Bohlin, Nicholas R. Collins, N. Collins, B. Dorman, B. Dorman, M. Fanelli, M. Fanelli
and 4 more authors
/ Abstract
We discuss far-UV (FUV) (1500 Å) surface photometry and FUV-B color profiles for eight E/S0 galaxies from images taken with the Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope, primarily during the Astro-2 mission. In three cases, the FUV radial profiles are more consistent with an exponential than a de Vaucouleurs function, but there is no other evidence for the presence of a disk or of young, massive stars. In all cases except M32, the FUV-B color becomes redder at larger radii. There is a wide range of internal radial FUV-B color gradients. However, we find no correlation between the FUV-B color gradients and internal metallicity gradients based on Mg absorption features. We conclude that metallicity is not the sole parameter controlling the "UV upturn component" in old populations.
Journal: The Astrophysical Journal Letters
DOI: 10.1086/311605