we propose to observe a sample of elliptical galaxies belonging to rich clusters, in order to study the effect of ram-pressure stripping on the cold component of the interstellar medium. galaxies moving in dense environments are expected to be stripped, either through encounters with other galaxies, or by interaction with the intracluster medium the ram-pressure effect causes removal of interstellar medium material from the outer parts of the galaxy, while the gas and dust surviving in the innermost parts are expected to be warmer and denser. moreover, the stripping can influence the properties of radio sources in cluster galaxies. the best candidates for the study of ram-pressure stripping effects are cluster radio galaxies showing a tailed morphology, since the radio structure of these objects demonstrates the interaction of the parent galaxy with the intergalactic medium. to avoid a bias toward radio emitting galaxies, we also request to observe a sample of radio-quiet cluster galaxies, moving at high speed with respect to the cluster mean velocity, i.e. objects where the stripping effects are expected to be strong. with these observations we will be able to study the process of stripping of the cold gas and dust, and its possible correlation with the radio emission. we request fotometric observations at 3 wavelengths, to derive the mass and temperature of the dust, and observations at 12 micron to get information on the spatial distribution of the dust with respect to the galaxy and, for radio source, the radio structure.
Instrument
CAM01 , PHT32
Temporal Coverage
1996-03-10T02:29:11Z/1996-03-10T05:29:57Z
Version
1.0
Mission Description
The Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) was the world's first true orbiting infrared observatory. Equipped with four highly-sophisticated and versatile scientific instruments, it was launched by Ariane in November 1995 and provided astronomers world-wide with a facility of unprecedented sensitivity and capabilities for a detailed exploration of the Universe at infrared wavelengths.
