Abstract Details
| Name: Pratik Lonare Affiliation: Tor Vergata University of Rome and National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF-OAAb) Conference ID: ASI2025_417 Title : The Globular Cluster System of NGC 5018 Galaxy Group Using Deep, Multi-band Optical Imaging From The VST Telescope Authors and Co-Authors : Pratik Lonare, Michele Cantiello, Marco Mirabile, Marilena Spavone, Marina Rejkuba, Michael Hilker, Rebecca Habas, Enrichetta Iodice, Nandini Hazra, and Gabriele Riccio Abstract Type : Poster Abstract Category : Galaxies and Cosmology Abstract : Globular clusters (GCs) are compact stellar systems that trace galaxy formation and evolution, revealing key characteristics of their host galaxies. However, photometric studies of extragalactic GCs often face challenges from contamination, limited field coverage, and lack of multi-passband data, complicating the acquisition of complete, accurate samples. This work presents an analysis of the GC system in the NGC 5018 galaxy group using deep, multi-band data from the VST Elliptical GAlaxies Survey (VEGAS). Through advanced tools and techniques developed for GC identification in large-scale optical imaging, we confirm prior findings that NGC 5018, the brightest member in the group, hosts a relatively poor GC population. The 2D GC distribution map reveals a large intra-group GC population that aligns with bright galaxies and the intra-group light. The Radial GC density profile of NC 5018 shows an excess at a radius corresponding to a transition in diffuse light components, aligning with a nucleated low-surface brightness galaxy, likely an Ultra-Diffuse Galaxy candidate. This alignment, along with an observed GC plume extending from NGC 5018, suggests tidal interaction between these two galaxies. While other bright galaxies in the group lack significant GC populations, the radial profiles of NGC 5022 and NGC 5006 hint at GC systems blending into the intra-group population at large galactocentric radii. The GC color distribution in NGC 5018 lacks the typical bimodality; however, this feature appears in the intra-group population, with blue GCs extending further than red, suggesting tidal dispersion. Our findings provide important insights into the NGC 5018 group evolutionary history, highlighting the importance of extragalactic studies in understanding galaxy formation. This work sets the stage for future studies with Euclid and the Legacy Survey of Space and Time, which will offer deeper insights into galaxy assembly in the Local Universe. |