Environmental effects on galaxy luminosity functions: the cluster Abell 496

F. Durret, C. Adami, C. Lobo

Abstract
We have derived the galaxy luminosity function in various regions of the cluster of galaxies Abell 496 from a wide field image in the I band. A Schechter function fit in the 17< MI_AB < 22 (-19.5 < M_IAB  < -14.5) magnitude interval gives a steep power law index, which is somewhat steeper in the outer regions than in the inner zones. This result agrees with previous findings obtained by several teams on the Coma cluster and can be interpreted as due to the fact that faint galaxies are accreted by large ones in the central regions.

Astrophysics and Space Science
Volume 285, Page 185
June 2003