Extended stellar kinematics of elliptical galaxies in the Fornax cluster

We present extended stellar kinematics for a sample of elliptical galaxies in the Fornax cluster. Out of the 13 galaxies presented here, five (FCC 119 , FCC 136, NGC 1373, NGC 1428, FCC 335) have no previously published kinema tical data. Major-axis velocity dispersion profiles (VDPs) and rotation cur ves (RCs) are given for 12 of the galaxies. A major feature of this data is the spatial extension: for 8 galaxies the data extends beyond 1 R-e, and f or 5 it extends beyond 2 R-e. Compared to the previously available data, th is corresponds to an increase in spatial coverage by a factor from 1 to 5. The present sample represents 86% of the ellipticals in Fornax blighter tha n B-T = 15 mag. Five of the ellipticals in the sample turn out to be rotationally-supported systems, having positive rotation parameter log (V/sigma)*. One of these f ive, and another 3 galaxies from the remaining sample, display evidence for bar-like kinematics. The data indicate that the true number of "dynamically hot" stellar systems , is much lower than previously thought: of the Es in the present sample on ly 1/4 are confirmed as "pressure-supported" systems. The data reveal a host of individual peculiarities, like: wiggles, strong g radients, and asymmetries in the rotation curve and/or in the velocity disp ersion profile, thus showing that the presence of kinematically distinct co mponents and/or triaxiality is a common characteristic of this class of obj ect.