The Galaxu Luminosity Function and Environmental Dependencies
Abstract
There is a discussion of three topics that are connected with the Nearby Galaxies Atlas and Nearby Galaxies Catalog. The sample contained in the catalog is used to determine the galaxy luminosity function. A Schechter formulation with M^*^= -20.18+1.25(1 + α) + 5 log h_75_ and α = -1.0 is advocated. Then, an empirical equation is derived that describes incompletion as a function of distance in the sample. Finally, there is discussion of the local density parameter and the correlation between galaxy morphology and local density. The catalog sample is suitable for a study of correlations at very low densities. Classed by morphology, galaxies of types Sd-Im tend to lie in the lowest-density regions, and classed by luminosity, galaxies fainter than -18 tend to lie in the lowest-density regions. However, within the gas-rich types, correlations with local density are subtle and probably weaker than anticipated by some theories of galaxy formation.
- Publication:
-
The Astronomical Journal
- Pub Date:
- July 1988
- DOI:
- 10.1086/114790
- Bibcode:
- 1988AJ.....96...73T
- Keywords:
-
- Astronomical Catalogs;
- Galactic Evolution;
- Galactic Structure;
- H I Regions;
- Luminosity;
- Southern Hemisphere;
- Virgo Galactic Cluster;
- Astrophysics;
- GALAXIES: GENERAL