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A. Diaz (Texas Tech University), R. Wilhelm (Texas Tech Univeristy)
Using the NYU Value-Added Galaxy Catalog (NYU-VAGC) we examine the line of site velocity dispersion of ``satellite" galaxies around larger ``host" galaxies. In this manner we can probe the mass distribution of isolated galaxies. The main problem for doing such a task is that one is forced to model and analyze a 2-D environment to explain an actual 3-D environment, making differentiation of true satellites from interlopers difficult. We model the effects of interlopers on the dispersion assuming satellite velocities follow a Gaussian distribution while the interlopers are represented by a constant. We will show results of the line of sight velocity dispersion as a function of distance using a variety of methods to determine the fraction of interlopers in a given sample.
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Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, 37 #4
© 2005. The American Astronomical Soceity.