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| Paper: |
Stellar Populations in Dwarf Elliptical Galaxies |
| Volume: |
390, Pathways Through an Eclectic Universe |
| Page: |
308 |
| Authors: |
Michielsen, D.; Koleva, M.; De Rijcke, S.; Zeilinger, W.W.; Prugniel, P.; Dejonghe, H.; Pasquali, A.; Ferreras, I.; Debattista, V.P. |
| Abstract: |
Dwarf ellipticals (dEs) are the most numerous galaxy population in nearby dense environments. These low mass systems are very sensitive to both internal and external processes and are therefore ideal to test theories of galaxy formation and evolution. However, their low surface brightness makes detailed observations challenging. Here we present the first results based on FORS/VLT optical spectroscopy of fifteen dEs. We compare age and metallicity estimates from full spectrum fitting with those derived using Lick/IDS indices, and find very good agreement. The dEs have solar [α/Fe] ratios and mean ages and metallicities in the range of 1–10Gyr, and −0.7 < [Z/H] < 0. These values suggest that present-day dEs in clusters formed stars until a recent epoch and were self-enriched by a long star formation history. |
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