Kinematically Distinct Cores (KDCs)

The mean velocity (los) along the major (left) and minor (right) axes of the elliptical galaxy IC1549. Notice how the slow outer major axis rotation becomes a fast counter-rotating region in the center. There is no obvious minor axis rotation.

 

Four galaxies (out of 48 Ellipticals and S0s) from the SAURON survey. SAURON was a purpose built IFU (Integral Field Spectrograph) for this survey. Top row are the images; next are the radial velocities; then the velocity dispersions. Note the kinematically distinct core in NGC 3414.