Transformations of galaxies in the environments of the cluster ABCG 209 at z~0.2

Abstract

We analyse the properties of galaxy populations in the rich Abell cluster ABCG 209 at redshift z~0.21, on the basis of spectral classification of 102 member galaxies. We take advantage of available structural parameters to study separately the properties of bulge-dominated and disk-dominated galaxies. The star formation histories of the cluster galaxy populations are investigated by using line strengths and the 4000 A break, through a comparison to stellar population synthesis models. The dynamical properties of different spectral classes are examined in order to infer the past merging history of ABCG 209. The cluster is characterized by the presence of two components: an old galaxy population, formed very early (z_f >~ 3.5), and a younger (z$_f >~ $ 1.2) population of infalling galaxies. We find evidence of a merger with an infalling group of galaxies occurred 3.5-4.5 Gyr ago. The correlation between the position of the young H_delta-strong galaxies and the X-ray flux shows that the hot intracluster medium triggered a starburst in this galaxy population ~ 3 Gyr ago.