The Origin of the Brightest Cluster Galaxies
نویسنده
چکیده
Most clusters and groups of galaxies contain a giant elliptical galaxy in their centres which far outshines and outweighs normal ellipticals. The origin of these brightest cluster galaxies is intimately related to the collapse and formation of the cluster. Using a large cosmological N-body simulation of cluster collapse, we show how hierarchical merging naturally produces a giant, central elliptical galaxy with observed structural and kinematical properties. Subject headings: galaxies: clusters: general – galaxies: elliptical and lenticular, cD – galaxies: formation – galaxies: evolution – galaxies: interactions – galaxies: kinematics and dynamics – galaxies structure – cosmology: dark matter – cosmology: theory – methods: numerical
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