Name: James Turner

Institution: Gemini Observatory

e-mail: jturner(no-spam)gemini.edu

Partner Contry: GS

Science Meeting: Yes

User Meeting: Yes

NGO Staff Meeting: Yes

Presentation: Yes

Format: Poster

Title: A detailed look at some of the nearest K A galaxies with Gemini

Co-author: Marcel Bergmann (1), Karl Gebhardt (2), Warrick Couch (3), Chris Blake (3) & Kenji Bekki (4)

Co-authors' Institutions: 1. Gemini Observatory, 2. University of Texas, 3. Swinburne University of Technology, 4. University of New South Wales

Abstract:

Using the GMOS IFU, long slit and imaging modes, together with NIRI imaging, we have observed 13 of the closest known K A galaxies (0.005 < z < 0.04) in unprecedented detail. With little or no ongoing star formation, these post-starburst galaxies are evolving quickly towards passive early-type (K dominated) states, but their newly-formed (A) stellar population is still young enough to be easily distinguishable in spectroscopic features or colour; thus these objects provide a rare opportunity to study evolution from the blue cloud onto the red sequence of galaxies as it happens. The proximity and detail of our sample allows for a direct comparison of kinematics, population gradients and globular cluster properties for both young and old stellar components, centrally and globally, with the predictions of numerical models of galaxy evolution (e.g. Bekki et al., 2005). Thus we are investigating the probable mechanisms for initiating and extinguishing star formation, how these processes occur and their possible applicability to (low-luminosity) galaxy evolution in general. In this talk we present global velocity and line-index gradients for our sample, along with 2D central kinematic fields and globular cluster photometry for a subset of our targets. We discuss our conclusions regarding the recent histories of these objects and plans for future follow-up work.