The entropy of elliptical galaxies in Coma: A clue for a distance indicator

DOI: 
Publication date: 
01/01/1997
Main author: 
Gerbal D.
IAA authors: 
Márquez I.
Authors: 
Gerbal D., Neto G.B.L., Márquez I., Verhagen H.
Journal: 
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Publication type: 
Article
Volume: 
285
Pages: 
L41-L45
Number: 
Abstract: 
We have fitted the surface brightnesses of a sample of 79 elliptical galaxies in the Coma cluster using the Sérsic profile. This model is defined through three primary parameters: scalelength (a), intensity (∑0) and a shape parameter (v); physical and astrophysical quantities may be computed from these parameters. We show that correlations are stronger among these primary parameters than among the classical astrophysical ones. In particular, the galaxies follow a high correlation between the v and a parameters. We show that the v and a correlation satisfies a constant specific entropy condition. We propose to use this entropy relation as distance indicator for clusters. © 1997 RAS.
Database: 
SCOPUS
Keywords: 
Distance scale; Galaxies: clusters: individual: coma; Galaxies: distances and redshifts; Galaxies: elliptical and lenticular, cD; Galaxies: fundamental parameters