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Binggeli, Bruno

Publications and source records attributed to Binggeli, Bruno.

Dwarf elliptical galaxies

Dwarf elliptical (dE) galaxies, with blue absolute magnitudes typically fainter than M(sub B) = -16, are the most numerous type of galaxy in the nearby universe. Tremendous advances have been made over the past several years in delineating the properties of both Local Group satellite dE's and the large dE populations of nearby clusters. We review some of these advances, with particular attention to how well currently availiable data can constrain (a) models for the formation of dE's, (b) the physical and evolutionary connections between different types of galaxies that overlap in the same portion of the mass-spectrum of galaxies, (c) the contribution of dE's to the galaxy luminosity functions in clusters and the field, (d) the star-forming histories of dE's and their possible contribution to faint galaxy counts, and (e) the clustering properties of dE's. In addressing these issues, we highlight the extent to which selection effects temper these constraints, and outline areas where new data would be particularly valuable.

Ferguson, Henry C.

Studies of the Virgo cluster. VI - Morphological and kinematical structure of the Virgo cluster

The structure of the Virgo cluster is analyzed on the basis of the positions, Hubble types, and radial velocities of 1277 Virgo cluster galaxies. The surface distribution of galaxies is considered according to type, and is discussed using maps, isopleths, strip counts, and radial-density distributions. It is found that the Virgo cluster shows pronounced double structure. The main concentration has a large velocity dispersion and is made up predominantly of early-type galaxies, while the secondary concentration has a much smaller velocity dispersion and contains late types. There is a strong spatial segregation of the Hubble types, the early-type galaxies being more concentrated toward the cluster center. There is significant substructure in the cluster core. The irregularity of the Virgo cluster in both configuration and velocity space shows that the core and the envelope are still forming, and hence that the cluster is young.

Binggeli, Bruno