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J. E. Nelan (Dartmouth College), R. J. Smith, M. J. Hudson (University of Waterloo), G. A. Wegner (Dartmouth College), J. R. Lucey (University of Durham)
We present analysis of optical spectroscopic data of ~5000 galaxies in the NOAO Fundamental Plane Survey. In particular, the relations of absorption linestrengths with velocity dispersion is detailed; these relations are then used to find global gradients of age, metallicity and [\alpha/Fe] with velocity dispersion. In contrast to some previous surveys, we find that the observed trends can be explained only if all three stellar population parameters increase with increasing velocity dispersion in contrast to some earlier surveys. In addition, we correlate our optical photometric data with archival Chandra X-ray Observatory imaging of nearby galaxy clusters in order to determine the source of X-ray emission from early-type galaxies. From our analysis, we conclude that these galaxies have had their gaseous halos stripped and that their X-ray emission is primarily, if not entirely, caused by low-mass X-ray binaries.
Funding generously provided for the author by Dartmouth College and the Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need fellowship.
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Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, 36 5
© 2004. The American Astronomical Society.