Internal dynamics of the dwarf elliptical NGC 185

Abstract

Kinematic observations along the major and minor axis of the E2 dwarf elliptical galaxy NGC 185 are presented. The velocity dispersion is constant at 28 ± 8 km s-1 between 3″ and 40″, but may increase to about twice that value in the center. We find an upper limit of 10 km s-1 for the rotation along either axis, so that the velocity distribution is anisotropic. The derived M/LB is ∼3 in solar units. Analysis of the kinematic and photometric data now available shows that giant ellipticals and dwarfs fall on a continuous sequence in the (L,σ) plane.