Globular Cluster Kinematics and Dark Matter Content of the Isolated Elliptical NGC 720

Authors:	SCHEMBRI, AMANDA M
Files in This Item: File Description Size Format Schembri_Amanda_M_201101_MSc.pdf 2.43 MB Adobe PDF
Keywords:	globular cluster system kinematics and dynamics NGC 720
Issue Date:	2011
Series/Report no.:	Canadian theses
Abstract:	We examine the globular cluster system (GCS) of the isolated elliptical NGC 720 using the Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph (GMOS) and have obtained spectra for 241 candidate globular clusters (GCs) extending to a galactocentric radius of 40 kpc. Of the 241 candidates, 120 are confirmed GCs, where 46 are members of the metal-poor, blue, population and 74 are members of the metal-rich, red, population. A (g-i)=0.50 colour split is used to identify the blue and red populations. We measure the full GCS to have a rotational velocity (Vrot) of 50 +/- 7 km/s with a position angle (PA) of 170 +/- 69 degrees. The red population has a Vrot = 97 +/- 14 km/s with PA = 147 +\- 18 degrees and the blue population has a Vrot = 79 +/- 7 km/s with PA = 89 +/- 18 degrees. The full GCS has an average velocity dispersion of 168 +/- 22 km/s, for the red population is 156 +/- 30 km/s and for the blue population is 181 +/- 33 km/s. The velocity dispersion pro file for all populations is constant with increasing radius, suggesting the presence of a dark matter halo. Using a tracer mass estimator, we have measured the mass out to 40 kpc as 1.8(+0.6/-0.1)x10^12 Msun for a potential which traces the dark matter pro file. We also estimate the M/L_V = 30 - 70. This study extends our survey of GCSs to isolated environments.