cD Galaxies
• Kormendy (1982) distinguishes these from
being merely giant ellipticals.
– Extensive stellar envelope up to 100 kpc
– Only in regions of enhanced galaxy density (a
factor of 100 denser than the average)
– Mutiple nuclei in 25-50% of cDs (a very rare
thing)
• Regular cD clusters are systems that have
relaxed into dynamical equilibirum.