An Improved Distance Indicator for Elliptical Galaxies

Abstract

We present a new relation between velocity dispersion, surface brightness, and radius (or luminosity) for elliptical galaxies. Relative distances of galaxies can be estimated to within 0.13 in log D. Most or all of that uncertainity is due to the measurement errors, and it may be reduced further. Our analysis shows that the elliptical galaxies are at least a three-parameter family. We discuss briefly the implications for theories of galaxy formation.

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