1998AJ....116.1163R -
Astron. J., 116, 1163-1168 (1998/September-0)
Lopsidedness in early-type disk galaxies.
RUDNICK G. and RIX H.-W.
Abstract (from CDS):
We quantify the mean asymmetry of 54 face-on, early-type disk galaxies (S0 to Sab) using the amplitude of the m = 1 azimuthal Fourier component of the R-band surface brightness. We find that the median lopsidedness, <A1/A0>, of our sample is 0.11 and that the most lopsided 20% of our galaxies have <A1/A0> ≥ 0.19. Asymmetries in early-type disks appear to be of similar frequency and strength as in late-type disk galaxies. We have observed our early-type disks in a bandpass (R band) in which the light is dominated by stars with ages greater than 109 yr and therefore are seeing azimuthal asymmetries in the stellar mass distribution. The similar degree of lopsidedness seen in disks of very different star formation rates indicates that the lopsidedness in all galactic disks is primarily due to azimuthal mass asymmetries. Hence, 20% of all disk galaxies (regardless of Hubble type) have azimuthal asymmetries, <A1/A0> ≥ 0.19, in their stellar disk mass distribution, confirming lopsidedness as a dynamical phenomenon.
Abstract Copyright:
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Journal keyword(s):
Galaxies: Kinematics and Dynamics - Galaxies: Photometry - Galaxies: Spiral - Galaxies: Structure
Simbad objects:
58
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