[Previous] | [Session 13] | [Next]

[13.10] Stellar vs. Dynamical Mass Estimates for Ellipticals in the SDSS

N. Padmanabhan (Princeton University), G. Kauffmann (Max Planck Institut fur Astrophysik), U. Seljak, M.A. Strauss (Princeton University)

We compare stellar (M_*, as computed by Kauffmann et al. 2002) and dynamical (M_dynm) mass estimates within an effective radius for a sample of elliptical galaxies chosen from the SDSS Main spectroscopic sample. By requiring that the dynamical mass exceeds the stellar mass, we are able to constrain the choice of IMF used in the star formation models of Kauffmann et al. We also study the variation of the ratio M_*/M_dynm as a function of various physical parameters of galaxies, including the effective radius, mass, and velocity dispersion, with the aim of constraining the dark matter and stellar content of the cores of ellipticals. We finally discuss these results within the framework of traditional Fundamental Plane measurements, and models of galaxy formation.

[Previous] | [Session 13] | [Next]

Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, 34, #4
© 2002. The American Astronomical Soceity.