The Luminosity Function of Globular Clusters as an Extragalactic Distance Indicator
G. A. Tammann, A. Sandage
Abstract
The absolute magnitude M* of the peak of the globular cluster luminosity function (GCLF), approximated by a Gaussian, can be calibrated independently in the Galaxy and M 31 through RR Lyr stars and Cepheids, respectively. They yield, in perfect agreement, M*B = -6.93+-0.08 and M*V = -7.62+-0.08. Application of these values to the GCLFs in the Leo Group (n=2), the Virgo cluster (n=8), and the Coma cluster (n=2) gives distances which agree with the best determinations from other methods. However, the corresponding distance of the Fornax cluster (n=7) is significantly underestimated, and the distances of several field galaxies are inconsistent. A second parameter, like the width of the GCLF or the color of the peak, is apparently needed to control differences in the GC formation history.
Create a lesson
Related papers
On binary pulsars and the force of gravity
Davor Palle
Tidal torques. A critical review of some techniques
Michael Efroimsky, James G. Williams
Dynamics of a Spherical Accretion Shock with Neutrino Heating and Alpha-Particle Recombination
Rodrigo Fernández, Christopher Thompson
Asymptotically FRW black holes
J. T. Firouzjaee, Reza Mansouri
Reaction of Accretion Disks to Abrupt Mass Loss During Binary Black Hole Merger
Sean M. O'Neill, M. Coleman Miller, Tamara Bogdanovic et al.
A Gamma-Ray Burst/Pulsar for Cosmic-Ray Positrons with a Dark Matter-like Spectrum
Kunihito Ioka