Dynamical modelling of brightest cluster galaxies: Constraints on the IMF

摘要

We study the stellar and dynamical masses, as well as the stellar populations, of brightest cluster galaxies (BCGs) located in 32 massive clusters, and for a sub-sample of these use the results to place constraints on the Initial Mass Function (IMF). We measure the spatially-resolved stellar population properties of the BCGs, such as recent star formation episodes, and use it to predict their stellar mass-to-light ratios (Υ_(*POP)). We find that ～60 per cent of the BCGs have constant Υ_(*POP) over the radial range (<15 kpc). We also use the stellar and dynamical mass profiles to derive the stellar mass-to-light ratio from dynamics (Υ_(*DYN), see Loubser, these proceedings). We directly compare Υ_(*POP) with Υ_(*DYN), and find that for most BCGs, a Salpeter IMF is needed to explain their properties, but we also find a small subset of BCGs for which a Kroupa-like IMF is needed to explain their properties.