Description
A survey of 329 nearby galaxies (redshift z<0.045) has been conducted to study the distribution of mass and light within spiral galaxies over a range of environments. The 18 observed clusters and groups span a range of richness, density, and X-ray temperature and are supplemented by a set of 30 isolated field galaxies. Optical spectroscopy taken with the 200inch (5m) Hale Telescope provides separately resolved H{alpha} and [NII] major-axis rotation curves for the complete set of galaxies, which are analyzed to yield velocity widths and profile shapes, extents, and gradients. HI line profiles provide an independent velocity width measurement and a measure of HI gas mass and distribution. I-band images are used to deconvolve profiles into disk and bulge components, to determine global luminosities and ellipticities, and to check morphological classification. These data are combined to form a unified data set ideal for the study of the effects of environment upon galaxy evolution.
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