A detailed numerical model of the evolution of a bright cluster galaxy due to accretion ('cannibalism') of its neighbors is presented. The results obtained show that a single normal galaxy begins to resemble a cD giant after several accretions and that the multiple nuclei often seen in cD galaxies may well be the undigested remnants of cannibalized companions. It is found that the bright galaxies in a cluster will be selectively 'victimized', so that the cluster luminosity function can be transformed from a power law to a form that is selectively depleted from the bright end. The results of the calculations are compared with the giant galaxies actually observed in clusters, and the computed evolutionary sequence is compared with the sequence of cluster types described by Bautz and Morgan (1970) and Oemler (1974).
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Hausman et al. (1978) studied this question.