Fundamental plane (elliptical galaxies, $R_e\propto {\sigma }^a{I}_e^b$)

The fundamental plane relates effective radius, stellar velocity dispersion, and mean surface brightness of elliptical galaxies. Homologous virial equilibrium with constant mass-to-light ratio predicts $R_e\propto {\sigma }^2/I_e$; empirical exponents differ. The two-variable Faber-Jackson relation is a projection, not the entire plane.