The Formation of Elliptical Galaxies

Abstract

We are currently undertaking an imaging and spectroscopic study of a sample of isolated elliptical galaxies. By removing the effects of a clus-ter/group potential the aim is to deduce the importance of environment on the formation and evolution of elliptical galaxies. Preliminary results show that isolated ellipticals are, in general, more massive than a spiral galaxy of corre-sponding luminosity. The environment of the ellipticals also appears to vary considerably, with some surrounded by a large population of faint galaxies while some appear truly isolated.