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An optimized Hβ index for disentangling stellar clusters and galaxy ages

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 December 2006

Jose Luis.Cervantes  and
Alexandre Vazdekis
Jose Luis.Cervantes
Affiliation:
Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias, 38200 La Laguna, Spain email: joseluis@ll.iac.es
Alexandre Vazdekis
Affiliation:
Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias, 38200 La Laguna, Spain email: joseluis@ll.iac.es
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Abstract

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We have derived a new Hβ absorption index definition, which is fully optimized as an age indicator for old and intermediate-aged stellar populations. Rather than using stellar spectra, we employed theoretical SEDs at moderately high resolution for simple stellar populations of different ages and metallicities. The new index, which is virtually insensitive to metallicity, provides us with improved abilities for lifting the age-metallicity degeneracy, that affects the standard Hβ Lick/IDS index definition. Among other advantages this new index does not require spectra of extremely high signal-to-noise and it can be easily applied to observations of faint galaxies or surveys data.

Keywords

galaxiesellipticalsage-metallicity degeneracy
Type
Contributed Papers
Information
Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union , Volume 2 , Symposium S241: Stellar Populations as Building Blocks of Galaxies , December 2006 , pp. 165 - 166
Copyright
Copyright © International Astronomical Union 2007

References

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