Physics Student Research
Probing Stellar Populations in the Virgo and Fornax Clusters with Infrared Surface Brightness Fluctuations
Document Type
Presentation
Publisher
American Astrononical Society
Location
Boston, MA
Publication Date
6-1-2014
Abstract
Surface brightness fluctuations (SBF) are a useful tool for measuring extragalactic distances. At infrared wavelengths, SBF break the age-metallicity degeneracy and are useful for probing the properties of the most luminous stars in a galaxy, even when individual stars are not resolved. We present a detailed comparison of F110W and F160W SBF measurements made using the Hubble Space Telescope WFC3/IR camera to a variety of stellar population models, including those with solar-scaled and alpha-enhanced compositions and models incorporating convective core overshoot for younger populations. We use these model comparisons to assess the star formation histories of 16 galaxies spanning a wide range in color and luminosity in the Virgo and Fornax clusters, measured as a function of distance from the galaxy center in elliptical apertures. We discuss the implications of population variations on the fluctuation magnitudes and distance measurements.
Recommended Citation
“Probing Stellar Populations in the Virgo and Fornax Clusters with Infrared Surface Brightness Fluctuations”, Zachary Gibson, Joseph B. Jensen, Hyun-chul Lee, John Blakeslee, 224th American Astronomical Society Meeting, Boston, MA, June 2014 (poster)
