Statistical analysis of dwarf galaxies and their globular clusters in the Local Volume

TL;DR

This paper applies statistical methods like PCA and K-means clustering to classify dwarf galaxies in the Local Volume, revealing that their classification is independent of morphology and influenced by mass and environment.

Contribution

The study introduces an objective classification method for dwarf galaxies using PCA and K-means, highlighting factors beyond morphology that influence galaxy evolution.

Findings

Massive dwarf galaxies have less evolved globular clusters.

Fainter galaxies are more affected by their environment.

Classification is independent of morphological indices.

Abstract

Morphological classification of dwarf galaxies into early and late type, though can account for some of their origin and characteristics but does not help to study their formation mechanism. So an objective classification using Principal Component analysis together with K means Cluster Analysis of these dwarf galaxies and their globular clusters is carried out to overcome this problem. It is found that the classification of dwarf galaxies in the Local Volume is irrespective of their morphological indices. The more massive (MV 0 < -13.7) galaxies evolve through self-enrichment and harbor dynamically less evolved younger globular clusters (GCs) whereas fainter galaxies (MV 0 > -13.7) are influenced by their environment in the star formation process.