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Metallicity distributions of globular cluster systems in galaxies
Author(s) -
Eerik H.,
Tenjes P.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
astronomische nachrichten
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.394
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1521-3994
pISSN - 0004-6337
DOI - 10.1002/asna.200310087
Subject(s) - globular cluster , astrophysics , physics , metallicity , galaxy , cluster (spacecraft) , galaxy cluster , computer science , programming language
We collected a sample of 100 galaxies for which different observers have determined colour indices of globular cluster candidates. The sample includes representatives of galaxies of various morphological types and different luminosities. Colour indices (in most cases ( V – I ), but also ( B – I ) and ( C – T 1)) were transformed into metallicities [Fe/H] according to a relation by Kissler‐Patig (1998). These data were analysed with the KMM software in order to estimate similarity of the distribution with uni‐ or bimodal Gaussian distribution. We found that 45 of 100 systems have bimodal metallicity distributions. Mean metallicity of the metal‐poor component for these galaxies is 〈[Fe/H]〉 = –1.40 ± 0.02, of the metalrich component 〈[Fe/H]〉 = –0.69 ± 0.03. Dispersions of the distributions are 0.15 and 0.18, respectively. Distribution of unimodal metallicities is rather wide. These data will be analysed in a subsequent paper in order to find correlations with parameters of galaxies and galactic environment.