Spectral variations in brightest cluster galaxies

Abstract

Multichannel-spectrometer scans of 56 of the brightest galaxies in faint clusters have been examined for evidence of color evolution. The dispersion introduced into the sample by some 25% of the galaxies which have unusual spectra is shown to be sufficient to obscure evolutionary variations. On omitting these galaxies it is found that over a time equivalent to a redshift of 0.46, B-V decreases by no more than 0.04 mag. A comparative analysis of the spectral energy distributions suggests that their differences may be due to a combination of the dispersion in metallicity among the members of the sample and to anomalous reddening of individual galaxies.