Heterogeneity of inverted calcium ii H:K ratio cluster galaxies

Abstract

The ratio of calcium ii H plus H to calcium ii K inverts as a galaxy stellar population moves from being dominated by older stars to possessing more A and B class stars. This ratio -the H:K ratio -can serve as an indicator of stellar populations younger than 200 Myr. In this work, we provide a new method to determine H:K, and apply it to spectra taken of cluster galaxies in Abell 3888. Although H:K is on average systematically lower for the cluster than for a wider field sample, we show that H:K does not have a simple relationship with other indices such as the equivalent widths of Hδ and [Oii] beyond having a high value for strong [Oii] emission. Moreover, strongly inverted galaxies with H:K > 1.1 have no preferred location within the cluster and are only slightly lower in their velocity dispersions around the cluster compared to strongly emitting [Oii] galaxies. Our results indicate that selecting galaxies on H:K inversion results in a heterogeneous sample formed via a mixture of pathways that likely includes, but may not be limited to, merging spiral galaxies, and quiescent galaxies accreting lower mass, gas rich companions. In concert with other selection criteria, H:K can provide a means to select a more 'pure' passive sample or to aid in the selection of highly star-forming galaxies, especially where other spectral line indicators such as Hα may not have been observed.