The strong transformation of spiral galaxies infalling into massive clusters at z≈ 0.2

doi:10.1111/j.1365-2966.2006.11369.x

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Wiley InterScience

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society

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Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters

Volume 376 Issue 1, Pages 157 - 172

Published Online: 22 Feb 2007

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The strong transformation of spiral galaxies infalling into massive clusters at z≈ 0.2

L. Cortese ^1★ , D. Marcillac ² , J. Richard ³ , H. Bravo-Alfaro ⁴ , J.-P. Kneib ⁵ , G. Rieke ² , G. Covone ⁶ , E. Egami ² , J. Rigby ² , O. Czoske ⁷ and J. Davies ¹

¹ School of Physics and Astronomy, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF24 3AA ² Steward Observatory, University of Arizona, 933 N. Cherry Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA ³ Caltech, Astronomy 105-24, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA ⁴ Departamento de Astronomia, Universidad de Guanajuato, Apdo. Postal 144, 36000 Guanajuato, Mexico ⁵ Laboratoire d'Astrophysique de Marseille, Traverse du Siphon, BP8 13376 Marseille, France ⁶ INAF-Osservatorio Astronomico di Capodimonte, 80131 Napoli, Italy ⁷ Argelander-Institut für Astronomie, Universität Bonn, Auf dem Hügel 71, 53121 Bonn, Germany

Correspondence to ^★ E-mail: luca.cortese@astro.cf.ac.uk

KEYWORDS

galaxies: clusters: individual: A1689 • galaxies: clusters: individual: A2667 • galaxies: evolution • galaxies: high-redshift • galaxies: interactions • galaxies: peculiar

ABSTRACT

We describe two peculiar galaxies falling into the massive galaxy clusters Abell 1689 (z≈ 0.18) and Abell 2667 (z≈ 0.23) , respectively. Hubble Space Telescope (HST) images show extraordinary trails composed of bright blue knots (−16.5 < M < −11.5 mag) and stellar streams associated with each of these systems. Combining optical, near- and mid-infrared and radio observations we prove that while both galaxies show similar extended trails of star-forming knots, their recent star formation histories are different. One (≈L*) is experiencing a strong burst of star formation, appearing as a rare example of a luminous infrared cluster galaxy. In comparison, the other (≈0.1L*) has recently ceased its star formation activity. Our model suggests that the morphologies and star formation in these galaxies have been influenced by the combined action of tidal interaction (likely with the cluster potential) and of ram pressure with the intracluster medium (ICM). These results can be used to gain more insights to the origin of S0s, dwarf and ultracompact dwarf (UCD) cluster galaxies.