On the universality of the type-dependent luminosity functions

Abstract

We find that the bright part (M_B<-18.5 mag) of luminosity function of each Hubble type has the same shape in three poor clusters (Virgo, Fornax and Centaurus) and in two rich clusters (Coma and Cl0939+4713). The fact that these type-dependent luminosity functions are invariant in shape from poor to rich environments gives support to the hypothesis that they may be universal. We also present in tabular form improved type-dependent luminosity functions, based on a much larger sample than previous works.

A&A, in press