The dwarf galaxy population in compact galaxy groups

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Ralf-Jürgen Dettmar
• Subject Area: Astrophysics and Astronomy
• Term: from 2001 to 2002
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5357285

We are going to investigate the dwarf galaxy population of compact groups with the help of deep broad band imaging in U, B, and R. It was originally supposed that these groups lack faint galaxies but dwarf galaxies have meanwhile been identified even in the central regions of compact groups. In order to determine the dwarf galaxy population especially in the outer regions we use the WWFPP ("Weit-Winkel-Fl/"achen-Photometer-Polarimeter") to cover a larger field. As it is assumed that the environment plays an important role in galaxy evolution, compact groups are unique. They possess densities which approximate galaxy densities of rich clusters or may even exceed it. We intend to compare the photometric, and morphological properties of dwarf galaxies in compact groups with dwarf galaxies in clusters, loose groups, and the field. With the help of the three filter bands we will be able to use photometric redshifts to exclude the higher redshift background galaxies. This allows us to isolate the local galaxy population belonging to the compact groups.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants