RECOVERING THE INTRINSIC METALLICITY DISTRIBUTION OF ELLIPTIC GALAXIES

We address the problem of deriving, from the observed projected metallicity gradients, the intrinsic metallicity distribution of elliptical galaxies as a function of their integrals of motion. The method is illustrated by an application to anisotropic spherical Hernquist models. We also compare the derived metallicity distribution with those expected from two very simple models of galaxy formation, and find that the more dissipative scheme agrees better with the typical metallicity distribution of ellipticals.