Research Spending & Results

• Stephen E Zepf
• (517) 355-9200
• zepf@pa.msu.edu

• FY 2006=$76,859
• FY 2005=$81,434
• FY 2004=$78,078

• Brian M. Patten
• (703) 292-4910
• bpatten@nsf.gov

Awardee Location

Primary Place of Performance

Abstract at Time of Award

AST 0406891
PI: Stephen Zepf
Inst: Michigan State University


In this collaborative work, Drs. Stephen Zepf and Keith Ashman will study the formation and evolution of globular cluster systems and their host galaxies through ground based observational studies and semi-analytical theoretical models. The program will focus on two areas of research. The first of these is to improve the determination of the total number, color, and spatial distribution of globular clusters through wide-field imaging and to develop theoretical tools to constrain the sites of metal-poor globular cluster formation from these data. The second area is a combined observational and theoretical study of the ages and metallicities of globular cluster populations through the use of optical to near-IR colors, optical spectroscopy and the development of semi-analytical models of galaxy and cluster formation. The program will promote teaching, training, and learning by including students at all levels into the research program, by incorporating research into introductory courses and through involvement in outreach programs for the public.

Publications Produced as a Result of this Research

Norris, Mark A.; Sharples, Ray M.; Bridges, Terry; Gebhardt, Karl; Forbes, Duncan A.; Proctor, Robert; Raul Faifer, Favio; Carlos Forte, Juan; Beasley, Michael A.; Zepf, Stephen E.; Hanes, David A. "Gemini/GMOS spectroscopy of the spheroid and globular cluster system of NGC 3923" Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, v.385, 2008, p.40

Hempel, M., Zepf, S., Kundu, A., Geisler, D., Maccarone, T. J. "Near-Infrared Observations of Globular Clusters in NGC 4472, NGC 4594, NGC 3585, and NGC 5813 and Implications for Their Ages and Metallicities" The Astrophysical Journal, v.661, 2007, p.768

Bridges, Terry J., Rhode, Katherine L., Zepf, Stephen E., Freeman, Ken C. "Spectroscopy of Globular Clusters out to Large Radius in the Sombrero Galaxy" The Astrophysical Journal, v.658, 2007, p.980

Maccarone, Thomas J., Kundu, Arunav, Zepf, Stephen E., Rhode, Katherine L. "A black hole in a globular cluster" Nature, v.445, 2007, p.183

Hempel, M; Zepf, S; Kundu, A; Geisler, D; MacCarone, TJ "Near-infrared observations of globular clusters in NGC 4472, NGC 4594, NGC 3585, and NGC 5813 and implications for their ages and metallicities" ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL, v.661, 2007, p.768 View record at Web of Science

Kundu, A; Zepf, SE "Bimodal infrared colors of the M87 globular cluster system: Peaks in the metallicity distribution" ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL, v.660, 2007, p.L109 View record at Web of Science

Rhode, KL; Zepf, SE; Kundu, A; Larner, AN "Global properties of the globular cluster systems of four spiral galaxies" ASTRONOMICAL JOURNAL, v.134, 2007, p.1403 View record at Web of Science

Zepf, SE; Maccarone, TJ; Bergond, G; Kundu, A; Rhode, KL; Salzer, JJ "[O III] lambda 5007 emission from the black hole X-ray binary in an NGC 4472 globular cluster" ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL, v.669, 2007, p.L69 View record at Web of Science

Bridges, TJ; Rhode, KL; Zepf, SE; Freeman, KC "Spectroscopy of globular clusters out to large radius in the Sombrero Galaxy" ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL, v.658, 2007, p.980 View record at Web of Science

Maccarone, TJ; Kundu, A; Zepf, SE; Rhode, KL "A black hole in a globular cluster" NATURE, v.445, 2007, p.183 View record at Web of Science

Bergond, G., Zepf, S.E., Romanowsky, A.J., Sharples, R.M., & Rhode, K.L. "Dynamical Constraints on the Halo of NGC 3379 from Wide-Field Spectroscopy of Its Globular Clusters" A&A, v.448, 2006, p.155

Pierce, M., Beasley, M.A., Forbes, D.A., Bridges, T., Gebhardt, K., Faifer, F.R., Forte, J.-C., Zepf, S.E., Sharples, R., Hanes, D.A., & Proctor, R. "Gemini/GMOS Spectra of Globular Clusters in the Leo Group Elliptical NGC 3379" MNRAS, v.366, 2006, p.1253

Bridges, T., Gebhardt, K., Sharples, R.M., Faifer, F.R., Forte, J.-C., Beasley, M.A., Zepf, S.E., Forbes, D.A., Hanes, D.A., & Pierce, M. "The Globular Cluster Kinematics and Galaxy Dark Matter Content of NGC 4649 (M60)" MNRAS, v. 373, 2006, p.157

Waters, CZ; Zepf, SE; Lauer, TR; Baltz, EA; Silk, J "Luminosity function of faint globular clusters in M87" ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL, v.650, 2006, p.885 View record at Web of Science

Pierce, M., Bridges, T., Forbes, D.A., Proctor, R., Beasley, M.A., Gebhardt, K., Faifer, F.R., Forte, J.-C., Zepf, S.E., Sharples, R.M., & Hanes, D.A. "Gemini/GMOS spectra of globular clusters in the Virgo giant elliptical NGC 4649" MNRAS, v.368, 2006, p.325

Rhode, K.L, Zepf, S.E., & Santos, M.R. "Metal-Poor Globular Clusters and the Formation of Their Host Galaxies" ApJL, v.630, 2005, p.L21