Scaling relations of galaxies:

Mieske et al. (2007)

As part of my research during and briefly after my PhD thesis, we investigated the photometric scaling relations of dwarf galaxies in the Fornax cluster, down to very faint magnitudes and with very good (ground-based) image resolution.

This research is now being extended to other clusters such as Hydra and Centaurus, by Ingo Misgeld. The results obtained up to now (Hilker et al. 2003, Mieske et al. 2007, Misgeld et al. 2008 and 2009 ) support a picture where the scaling relations of dwarf galaxies are shaped more by internal than external agents, given that colour-magnitude and magnitude-surface brightness relations agree quite well between the low-density Local Group environment and dense clusters like Fornax and Hydra.

Misgeld et al. (2008)

Interestingly, we also see a continuous relation of photometric parameters between the regime of dwarf and giant galaxies (Misgeld et al. 2008 and 2009). This supports recent studies argueing against a dichotomy between dwarfs and giants (Graham & Guzman 2003, Ferrarese et al. 2006).

Within the frame work of the PhD thesis of Stefan Lieder, we are continuing our studies on dwarf galaxy scaling relations in galaxy groups.