The Star Formation History of Ellipticals from the Fossil Evidence
Abstract
Description
The current evidence about the age of stellar populations in elliptical galaxies is reviewed. The case for the bulk of stars in galactic spheroids (ellipticals and bulges) having formed at high redshift (z>~3) is now compelling, both for cluster and well as field galaxies. Whether the assembly of ellipticals is deferred to lower redshifts compared to the formation of their stars remains controversial, and we mention ongoing observational programs that are designed to solve the issue. We present preliminary results of a pilot project aimed at ascertain the nature of extremely red galaxies (ERGs) with near-IR spectroscopy at the VLT.
11 pages, 1 figure. To appear in the proceedings of "The Hy-Redshift Universe: Galaxy Formation and Evolution at High Redshift", held in Berkeley, June 21-24, 1999
11 pages, 1 figure. To appear in the proceedings of "The Hy-Redshift Universe: Galaxy Formation and Evolution at High Redshift", held in Berkeley, June 21-24, 1999