Bulges Of Nearby Galaxies With Spitzer: Scaling Relations in Pseudobulges and Classical Bulges

TL;DR

This study analyzes the structural and scaling relations of bulges in nearby galaxies, distinguishing pseudobulges from classical bulges using multiple indicators, and reveals their fundamental differences from elliptical galaxies.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive analysis of bulge scaling relations using near-IR data and introduces new correlations for pseudobulges, highlighting their distinct nature from classical bulges.

Findings

Pseudobulges have Sersic index n_b<2; classical bulges have n_b>2.

Pseudobulge size is uncorrelated with other properties.

Pseudobulges become more luminous as they become denser.

Abstract

We investigate scaling relations of bulges using bulge-disk decompositions at 3.6 micron and present bulge classifications for 173 E-Sd galaxies within 20 Mpc. Pseudobulges and classical bulges are identified using Sersic index, HST morphology, and star formation activity (traced by 8 micron emission). In the near-IR pseudobulges have n_b<2 and classical bulges have n_b>2, as found in the optical. Sersic index and morphology are essentially equivalent properties for bulge classification purposes. We confirm, using a much more robust sample, that the Sersic index of pseudobulges is uncorrelated with other bulge structural properties, unlike for classical bulges and elliptical galaxies. Also, the half-light radius of pseudobulges is not correlated with any other bulge property. We also find a new correlation between surface brightness and pseudobulge luminosity; pseudobulges become more luminous as they become more dense. Classical bulges follow the well known scaling relations between surface brightness, luminosity and half-light radius that are established by elliptical galaxies. We show that those pseudobulges (as indicated by Sersic index and nuclear morphology) that have low specific star formation rates are very similar to models of galaxies in which both a pseudobulge and classical bulge exist. Therefore, pseudobulge identification that relies only on structural indicators is incomplete. Our results, especially those on scaling relations, imply that pseudobulges are very different types of objects than elliptical galaxies.