Globular Cluster Systems in Four BCGs: A262, A3560, A3565 and A3742

Abstract

We have used deep I-band (F814W) images from the HST archive to study the globular cluster systems around the brightest cluster galaxies (BCGs) in Abell 262, 3560, 3565 and 3742. Three of these BCGs have inner dust lanes and peculiar structural features which indicate past histories of low-level interaction and accretion. The deep I-band WFPC2 images have photometric limits which, for all four galaxies, reach near or just beyond the GCLF turnover point. Their specific frequencies are 8.24 \pm 1.65, 4.66 \pm 0.93, 2.58 \pm 0.52 and 2.62 \pm 0.52 respectively, all within a factor of two of the normal range for giant ellipticals. We obtain new estimates of the GCLF turnover magnitudes, which are shown to be consistent with an adopted Hubble constant of H_0 ~ 70 km s^{-1} Mpc^{-1} on the ``Hubble diagram'' of GCLF turnover apparent magnitude versus redshift, on a distance scale where the fundamental GCLF calibrator E galaxies (M87 and others) in Virgo are at d=16 Mpc.