2001A&A...376..793M

We have observed K-band Surface Brightness Fluctuations (SBF) in NGC 1427 and NGC 720. We combine our measurements with distance measurements based on I-band SBF distance moduli and distance moduli derived by other distance indicators. When using distances from I-band SBF, we obtain <M>_K=-6.55±0.27 for NGC 1427 and <M>_K=-6.43±0.18 for NGC 720. When using an average of direct distance measurements, we obtain <M>_K=-6.17±0.23 for NGC 1427 and <M>_K=-6.14±0.24 for NGC 720. For both galaxies, <M>_K lies well above the average value used as a calibration for distance indication (<M>_K=-5.61±0.12 Jensen et al., 1998ApJ...505..111J). In NGC 720 the high K-band SBF are most probably due to an intermediate-age population. However, there is no hint from current data for any anomaly in the stellar population of NGC 1427. These large variations of <M>_K in several galaxies underline once more the need for a better understanding of <M>_K as a function of stellar population properties (Mei et al., 2001A&A...371..779M; Liu et al., 2001, ApJ, submitted), especially with respect to the potential presence of intermediate-age populations.