On dwarf galaxies as the source of intracluster gas

Sep, 1995
10 pages
Published in:
  • Astrophys.J. 475 (1997) 47
e-Print:
Report number:
  • SISSA-156-95-A

Citations per year

1997200120052009201301234567
Abstract: (arXiv)
Recent observational evidence for steep dwarf galaxy luminosity functions in several rich clusters has led to speculation that their precursors may be the source of the majority of gas and metals inferred from intracluster medium (ICM) x-ray observations. Their deposition into the ICM is presumed to occur through early supernovae-driven winds, the resultant systems reflecting the photometric and chemical properties of the low luminosity dwarf spheroidals and ellipticals we observe locally. We consider this scenario, utilising a self-consistent model for spheroidal photo-chemical evolution and gas ejection via galactic superwinds. Insisting that post-wind dwarfs obey the observed colour-luminosity-metallicity relations, we conclude that the bulk of the ICM gas and metals does not originate within their precursors.