The nuclear properties of early-type galaxies in the Virgo and Fornax clusters

We summarize findings from imaging surveys of 143 early-type galaxies in the Virgo and Fornax Clusters. Using deep HST images in the F475W (g) and F850LP (z) band-passes obtained with the Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS), we have examined the central structure of the program galaxies, finding clear evidence for a compact stellar nucleus in 3c 75% of the sample. The formation of early-type galaxies of low- and intermediate-mass is often \u2013 but not always \u2013 accompanied by the formation of a compact stellar nucleus.Peer reviewed: YesNRC publication: Ye