Satellites of Isolated Elliptical Galaxies

Abstract

Using well-defined selection criteria applied to the LEDA galaxy catalogue we have derived a sample of elliptical galaxies that can be classified as isolated. From this we have investigated the neighbourhood of these galaxies to determine the frequency and radial distribution of faint galaxies around them and hence derive an estimate of their surrounding satellite population. The results are compared and contrasted to the satellite population around isolated spiral galaxies.

4 pages, 1 figure, to be published in the proceedings of the "Satellite and Tidal Streams", La Palma 26-30 May 2003, Spain, eds. F. Prada, D. Martinez-Delgado, T. Mahoney. ASP Conference Series