The local space density of dwarf galaxies
Abstract
We estimate the luminosity function of field galaxies over a range of ten magnitudes (-22 < M_{B_J} < -12 for H_0 = 100 km/s/Mpc) by counting the number of faint APM galaxies around Stromlo-APM redshift survey galaxies at known distance. The faint end of the luminosity function rises steeply at M_{B_J} \approx -15, implying that the space density of dwarf galaxies is at least two times larger than predicted by a Schechter function with flat faint-end slope. Such a high abundance of dwarf galaxies at low redshift can help explain the observed number counts and redshift distributions of faint galaxies without invoking exotic models for galaxy evolution.
Cite
@article{arxiv.astro-ph/9703022,
title = {The local space density of dwarf galaxies},
author = {Jon Loveday},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:astro-ph/9703022},
year = {2009}
}
Comments
20 pages, 5 included postscript figures, uses AAS LaTex macros. Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal. Two figures and associated discussion added; results and conclusions unchanged