The Nuclei of Nearby Giant Elliptical Galaxies

Author: M.S. Seigar, P.D. Lynam, Alister W. Graham, J.G. Bodnarik

Abstract: We have observed 26 giant elliptical galaxies in the near-infrared K-band with UFTI on UKIRT. These were observed in excellent seeing conditions ( 0.3 arcsec) and one of the galaxies revealed a triple nucleus that had not been previously observed as such. Of the galaxies observed, 18 are coincident with the x-ray centers of their host clusters and 8 are not. We will present the results of investigations of their nuclear properties, such as their nuclear surface brightness profiles, the slope of the inner profile, and multiple nuclei.