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Full-Text Articles in Astrophysics and Astronomy
Galaxy And Mass Assembly (Gama): The Merging Potential Of Brightest Group Galaxies, K. Banks, S. Brough, Benne Holwerda, A. M. Hopkins, Á. R. López-Sánchez, S. Phillipps, K. A. Pimbblet, A. S. G. Robotham
Galaxy And Mass Assembly (Gama): The Merging Potential Of Brightest Group Galaxies, K. Banks, S. Brough, Benne Holwerda, A. M. Hopkins, Á. R. López-Sánchez, S. Phillipps, K. A. Pimbblet, A. S. G. Robotham
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Using a volume-limited sample of 550 groups from the Galaxy And Mass Assembly Galaxy Group Catalogue spanning the halo mass range , we investigate the merging potential of central Brightest Group Galaxies (BGGs). We use spectroscopically confirmed close-companion galaxies as an indication of the potential stellar mass buildup of low-redshift BGGs, z ≤ 0.2. We identify 17 close-companion galaxies with projected separations rp < 30 kpc, relative velocities Δv ≤ 300 km s−1, and stellar mass ratios MBGG/MCC ≤ 4 relative to the BGG. These close-companion galaxies yield a total pair fraction of 0.03 ± 0.01. Overall, we find that BGGs …