Bibcode
Vazdekis, A.
Bibliographical reference
Astrophysics and Space Science, v. 276, Issue 2/4, p. 921-929 (2001).
Advertised on:
3
2001
Journal
Citations
8
Refereed citations
7
Description
I present an evolutionary stellar population synthesis model which
predicts spectral energy distributions, SEDs, for simple old
single-metallicity stellar populations, SSPs, in the wavelength
intervals λλ 3856-4476Å and 4795-5465Å at a
resolution of FWHM$equals;1.8 $Aring;, on the basis of an extensive
empirical spectral library composed of ~550 stars. The synthesized model
spectra can be used to analyse observed galaxy spectra in a very easy
and flexible way, allowing us to adapt the theoretical predictions to
the characteristics of the data instead of proceeding in the opposite
direction (as we must do,for example, when transforming observational
data to a particular system of indices at specific resolution/s, such as
Lick, which is heavily instrument-dependent). The SSP spectra, with
flux-calibrated response curves, can be smoothed to the same resolution
as that of the data or to galaxy internal velocity dispersion, allowing
us to analyse the observed spectra in their own system, and with no need
to correct the index measurements for velocity dispersion. Thus, we are
able to use all the information contained in the data, at their higher
spectral resolution. Excellent fits are obtained for various metal-rich
globular clusters at relatively high resolution, and well known spectral
peculiarities such as the strong CN absorption features are detected.
When applied to early-type galaxies the model also shows its potential
for studying element ratios such as the Mg/Fe overabundance. The model
spectra provided robust age indicators for old stellar populations which
do not depend on metallicity and therefore have a great potential for
solving the age-metallicity degeneracy of galaxy spectra.