Spectroscopic Study of Globular and Fuzzy Clusters in Lenticular Galaxy NGC 1023

We here report the results from spectroscopic observations of a sample of 26 globular cluster (GC) and 21 faint fuzzy (FF) candidates in the lenticular galaxy NGC 1023 using the 10.4 m Gran Telescopio Canarias. Using the recessional velocities and stellar absorption features, we determine that 18 an...

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Main Authors: M. A. López-Santamaría, Y. D. Mayya, Luis Lomelí-Núñez, L. H. Rodríguez-Merino, Jairo A. Alzate, Arianna Cortesi, P. A. Ovando, D. Rosa-González
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Language:English
Published: IOP Publishing 2025-01-01
Series:The Astrophysical Journal
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/addc6d
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author M. A. López-Santamaría
Y. D. Mayya
Luis Lomelí-Núñez
L. H. Rodríguez-Merino
Jairo A. Alzate
Arianna Cortesi
P. A. Ovando
D. Rosa-González
author_facet M. A. López-Santamaría
Y. D. Mayya
Luis Lomelí-Núñez
L. H. Rodríguez-Merino
Jairo A. Alzate
Arianna Cortesi
P. A. Ovando
D. Rosa-González
author_sort M. A. López-Santamaría
collection DOAJ
description We here report the results from spectroscopic observations of a sample of 26 globular cluster (GC) and 21 faint fuzzy (FF) candidates in the lenticular galaxy NGC 1023 using the 10.4 m Gran Telescopio Canarias. Using the recessional velocities and stellar absorption features, we determine that 18 and 9 of the observed candidates are bona fide GCs and FFs, respectively. The majority of the rejected FF candidates are background emission line galaxies for which we determine their redshifts. We used the spectroscopic data to determine velocity, age, metallicity, and extinction of all bona fide clusters. We find that FFs are clearly younger (age = 7–9 Gyr) than GCs (age > 10 Gyr). Both kinds of clusters in this galaxy are metal-rich ([Fe/H] = −0.58 ± 0.33). The ages and metallicities of individual FFs reported here are the first such measurements in any galaxy and agree with the previously reported measurement on stacked spectrum. The kinematical analysis reaffirms that the FFs belong to the disk of the galaxy, suggesting that their progenitors are most likely massive, compact disk clusters that have been able to survive for long timescales. We propose that the fuzzy appearance of FFs as compared to the GCs is a consequence of the dynamical evolution of their progenitor super star clusters in the disks of low-mass galaxies.
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spelling doaj-art-26453d9f0c344d1ea8b300c18e718b7c2025-08-20T02:37:06ZengIOP PublishingThe Astrophysical Journal1538-43572025-01-0198815810.3847/1538-4357/addc6dSpectroscopic Study of Globular and Fuzzy Clusters in Lenticular Galaxy NGC 1023M. A. López-Santamaría0https://orcid.org/0009-0005-0469-3590Y. D. Mayya1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4677-0516Luis Lomelí-Núñez2https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2127-2841L. H. Rodríguez-Merino3https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0961-3105Jairo A. Alzate4https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8351-8854Arianna Cortesi5https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0620-136XP. A. Ovando6D. Rosa-González7https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1327-0838Instituto Nacional de Astrofísica , Óptica y Electrónica Luis Enrique Erro 1, Tonantzintla, 72840, Puebla, MexicoInstituto Nacional de Astrofísica , Óptica y Electrónica Luis Enrique Erro 1, Tonantzintla, 72840, Puebla, MexicoValongo Observatory, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro , Ladeira Pedro Antonio 43, Saude Rio de Janeiro, RJ 20080-090, BrazilInstituto Nacional de Astrofísica , Óptica y Electrónica Luis Enrique Erro 1, Tonantzintla, 72840, Puebla, MexicoCentro de Estudios de Física del Cosmos de Aragón , Teruel, 44001, SpainValongo Observatory, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro , Ladeira Pedro Antonio 43, Saude Rio de Janeiro, RJ 20080-090, BrazilInstituto Nacional de Astrofísica , Óptica y Electrónica Luis Enrique Erro 1, Tonantzintla, 72840, Puebla, MexicoInstituto Nacional de Astrofísica , Óptica y Electrónica Luis Enrique Erro 1, Tonantzintla, 72840, Puebla, MexicoWe here report the results from spectroscopic observations of a sample of 26 globular cluster (GC) and 21 faint fuzzy (FF) candidates in the lenticular galaxy NGC 1023 using the 10.4 m Gran Telescopio Canarias. Using the recessional velocities and stellar absorption features, we determine that 18 and 9 of the observed candidates are bona fide GCs and FFs, respectively. The majority of the rejected FF candidates are background emission line galaxies for which we determine their redshifts. We used the spectroscopic data to determine velocity, age, metallicity, and extinction of all bona fide clusters. We find that FFs are clearly younger (age = 7–9 Gyr) than GCs (age > 10 Gyr). Both kinds of clusters in this galaxy are metal-rich ([Fe/H] = −0.58 ± 0.33). The ages and metallicities of individual FFs reported here are the first such measurements in any galaxy and agree with the previously reported measurement on stacked spectrum. The kinematical analysis reaffirms that the FFs belong to the disk of the galaxy, suggesting that their progenitors are most likely massive, compact disk clusters that have been able to survive for long timescales. We propose that the fuzzy appearance of FFs as compared to the GCs is a consequence of the dynamical evolution of their progenitor super star clusters in the disks of low-mass galaxies.https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/addc6dStar clustersSpectroscopyLenticular galaxiesGlobular star clustersExtragalactic astronomy
spellingShingle M. A. López-Santamaría
Y. D. Mayya
Luis Lomelí-Núñez
L. H. Rodríguez-Merino
Jairo A. Alzate
Arianna Cortesi
P. A. Ovando
D. Rosa-González
Spectroscopic Study of Globular and Fuzzy Clusters in Lenticular Galaxy NGC 1023
The Astrophysical Journal
Star clusters
Spectroscopy
Lenticular galaxies
Globular star clusters
Extragalactic astronomy
title Spectroscopic Study of Globular and Fuzzy Clusters in Lenticular Galaxy NGC 1023
title_full Spectroscopic Study of Globular and Fuzzy Clusters in Lenticular Galaxy NGC 1023
title_fullStr Spectroscopic Study of Globular and Fuzzy Clusters in Lenticular Galaxy NGC 1023
title_full_unstemmed Spectroscopic Study of Globular and Fuzzy Clusters in Lenticular Galaxy NGC 1023
title_short Spectroscopic Study of Globular and Fuzzy Clusters in Lenticular Galaxy NGC 1023
title_sort spectroscopic study of globular and fuzzy clusters in lenticular galaxy ngc 1023
topic Star clusters
Spectroscopy
Lenticular galaxies
Globular star clusters
Extragalactic astronomy
url https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/addc6d
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