Observational constrains to galaxy evolution from the distribution of integrated stellar ages and metallicities in spiral galaxies

I will present new results on the integrated stellar populations of bulges, bars and disks of spiral galaxies from long-slit spectroscopic observations. We have derived the ages and metallicities using both the whole spectra and stellar line-strength indices along the bar and bulges for a sample of 20 disk galaxies and derived the populations in the disks of four galaxies using GEMINI spectroscopic data. We find, in the distribution of stellar ages and metallicites along the bar, a significant number of galaxies with a positive metallicity gradient along the bar; i.e., with the ends of the bar more metal rich that the inner regions. We have extended this study to analyse the differences in bulges and disks to obtain a self-consistent scenario for the formation and the duration of these structures. These results can be used as a diagnostic tool for galaxy formation and evolution, placing strong observational constrains to the models.

 

Date: 
11/02/2010 - 13:00
Speaker: 
Isabel Pérez Martín
Filiation: 
Universidad de Granada


Seminars