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NASA NTRS1990

Probing the tides in interacting galaxy pairs

Detailed spectroscopic and imaging observations of colliding elliptical galaxies revealed unmistakable diagnostic signatures of the tidal interactions. It is possible to compare both the distorted luminosity distributions and the disturbed internal rotation profiles with numerical simulations in order to model the strength of the tidal gravitational field acting within a given pair of galaxies. Using the best-fit numerical model, one can then measure directly the mass of a specific interacting binary system. This technique applies to individual pairs and therefore complements the classical methods of measuring the masses of galaxy pairs in well-defined statistical samples. The 'personalized' modeling of galaxy pairs also permits the derivation of each binary's orbit, spatial orientation, and interaction timescale. Similarly, one can probe the tides in less-detailed observations of disturbed galaxies in order to estimate some of the physical parameters for larger samples of interacting galaxy pairs. These parameters are useful inputs to the more universal problems of (1) the galaxy merger rate, (2) the strength and duration of the driving forces behind tidally stimulated phenomena (e.g., starbursts and maybe quasi steller objects), and (3) the identification of long-lived signatures of interaction/merger events.

Borne, Kirk D.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Starbursts triggered by central overpressure in interacting galaxies

A triggering mechanism for the origin of enhanced, massive-star formation in the central regions of interacting spiral galaxy pairs is proposed. Our mechanism is based on the detailed evolution of a realistic interstellar medium in a galaxy following an encounter. As a disk giant molecular cloud (GMC) tumbles into the central region following a galaxy encounter, it undergoes a radiative shock compression via the pre-existing high pressure of the central intercloud medium. The shocked outer shell of a GMC becomes gravitationally unstable and begins to fragment thus resulting in a burst of star formation, when the growth time for the gravitational instabilities in the shell becomes smaller than the crossing time of the shock. The resulting values of typical infrared luminosity agree with observations.

Jog, Chanda J.↗
NASA NTRS1990

A multiwavelength survey of interacting galaxies

Galaxy-galaxy collisions are known to produce drastic changes in morphology and, in many cases, enhance the level of star formation activity in galaxies. In order to better quantify the effects that interactions have on the star formation characteristics of galaxies the authors undertook a multiwavelength survey of a large sample of interacting disk-type galaxies. The sample is optically-selected, the inclusion of systems having been based upon the presence of unusual morphological features--such as tidal tails, plumes, rings, warped disks--suggestive of tidal interaction. The sample is composed of about 115 systems, most of which are spiral-spiral pairs, with a few spiral-elliptical pairs and a few merging systems (see Bushouse 1986 for more details of the sample selection). This sample has now been studied in the optical, infrared, and radio regimes, including optical spectra and H alpha images, near-infrared photometry and imaging, far-infrared photometry, H I 21 cm emission-line measurements, Very Large Array (VLA) 20 cm maps, and CO emission-line measurements. This paper presents an overview and comparison of the results of the optical, infrared and CO surveys. With these data the authors can compare the far-infrared and CO properties of the galaxies with the classic optical and radio indicators of star formation activity and thereby determine what, if any, relationships exist between star formation activity and the far-infrared and CO properties of the galaxies.

Bushouse, Howard A.↗
NASA NTRS1990

MS 0129.2 - 2237 - Interacting galaxies at z = 0.11

The X-ray source MS 0129.2 - 2237 is positionally coincident with an interacting system of galaxies. This paper presents the results of a spectroscopic and photometric investigation of the system, which show that a Seyfert 1.5, a Seyfert 2 nucleus or H II region, or a starburst galaxy, a normal galaxy plus possibly another galaxy where star-forming activity is taking place are strongly interacting. The redshift of the system is z = 0.11. The maximum projected diameter of the envelope common to the four spectroscopically distinct objects is about 98 kpc (H0 = 50 km/s M/pc and q0 = 0.5). The isolated environment in which the system lies suggests that these results present evidence of the final stage of the life of a compact group of galaxies where members are merging into an elliptical galaxy.

Maccagni, Dario↗
NASA NTRS1990

Galaxy interactions and star formation: Results of a survey of global H-alpha emission in spiral galaxies in 8 clusters

Kennicutt and Kent (1983) have shown that the global H alpha emission from a spiral galaxy is an indicator of the formation rate of massive stars. Moss, Whittle and Irwin (1988) have surveyed two clusters (Abell 347 and 1367) for galaxies with H alpha emission using a high dispersion objective prism technique. The purpose of the survey is to investigate environmental effects on star formation in spiral galaxies, and in particular to ascertain whether star formation is enhanced in cluster spirals. Approximately 20 percent of CGCG galaxies were detected in emission. Two plates of excellent quality were obtained for each of the two clusters, and galaxies were only identified to have emission if this was detected on both plates of a plate pair. In this way, plate flaws and other spurious identifications of emission could be rejected, and weak emission confirmed. The results of this survey have been discussed by Moss (1987). The detected galaxies are of types SO-a and later. The frequency with which galaxies are detected in emission increases towards later morphological type as expected (cf. Kennicutt and Kent 1983). There is no evidence of any dependence of the frequency of detected emission on the absolute magnitude of the galaxy (cf. Moss and Whittle 1990), but there is a strong correlation between a disturbed morphological appearance of the galaxy and the detection of emission. Furthermore it is found that the emission is more centrally concentrated in those galaxies which show a disturbed morphology. It may be noted that the objective prism plate gives a spectrum of a 400 A region around rest wavelength H alpha, but superposed on this is the H alpha emission from the galaxy which, because the light is essentially monochromatic, results in a true two-dimensional image of the H alpha distribution. The visual appearance of the emission on the prism plates was classified according to its diffuseness on a 5 point scale (very diffuse, diffuse, intermediate, compact, and very compact). In tabular form, the relation is shown between this classification and a morphologically disturbed appearance for the galaxy.

Moss, C.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Multi-color imaging of selected southern interacting galaxies

The authors present preliminary results from a study of selected Arp-Madore Southern Hemisphere peculiar galaxies. Broadband charge coupled device (CCD) images (BVRI) of a subset of these galaxies allow us to study each galaxy's optical morphology, color, and (in a crude manner) degree of nuclear activity, and to compare them with similar data we possess on other active galaxies. Many of these galaxies have optical morphologies closely resembling those of powerful radio galaxies (Smith and Heckman 1989), yet their radio emission is unremarkable. Accurate positions for subsequent spectroscopic studies have been determined along with broad band photometry and morphology studies. Detailed observations of these comparatively bright, low-redshift, well-resolved interacting systems should aid our understanding of the role interactions play in triggering galaxy activity. This work is the initial effort in a long term project to study the role played by the dynamics of the interaction in the production and manifestations of activity in galaxies, and the frequency of galaxy mergers.

Smith, Eric P.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Declining rotation curves in interacting galaxies

A declining rotation curve was recently found for the galaxy NGC 3521 by HI synthesis telescope observations (Casertano and van Gorkom 1991). From a comparison of the shapes of rotation curves for a larger sample of galaxies Casertano and van Gorkom argue that this is due to initial properties during the phase of galaxy formation. In several studies of global properties of galaxies, NGC 3521 was always considered a 'normal' unbarred, non-interacting, isolated spiral. However, we present CCD surface photometry that shows at low surface brightness levels the typical signs of interaction or even merging.

Dettmar, Ralf-Juergen↗
NASA NTRS1991

Recent star formation in the interacting galaxy system NGC 520

New optical spectroscopy, near-infrared spectroscopy, and mid-infrared imaging of the interacting system NGC 520 are presented. The data show that the heavily obscured primary nucleus has a current star-forming rate about 35 times the typical rate for a late-type galaxy nucleus, which may account for most of the large far-infrared luminosity of NGC 520. The secondary nucleus has little current star formation but has recently undergone a mild starburst. Optical colors and absorption line equivalent widths suggest that the extranuclear regions in both galaxies have experienced enhanced star formation roughly at the same time as the secondary nucleus, though at a lesser intensity. The extent of the extranuclear burst is large; at least half of the projected surface area of the two disks took part to varying degrees in the episode. Determining the exact age and strength of the recent star-formation episode in NGC 520 is uncertain. The best estimate for the initiation time of about few x 10 exp 8 yrs ago is consistent with the system-wide starburst being caused by the galaxy collision.

Stanford, S. A.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Galaxy interactions and strength of nuclear activity

Analysis of data in the literature for differential velocities and projected separations of nearby Seyfert galaxies with possible companions shows a clear difference in projected separations between type 1's and type 2's. This kinematic difference between the two activity classes reinforces other independent evidence that their different nuclear characteristics are related to a non-nuclear physical distinction between the two classes. The differential velocities and projected separations of the galaxy pairs in this sample yield mean galaxy masses, sizes, and mass to light ratios which are consistent with those found by the statistical methods of Karachentsev. Although the galaxy sample discussed here is too small and too poorly defined to provide robust support for these conclusions, the results strongly suggest that nuclear activity in Seyfert galaxies is associated with gravitational perturbations from companion galaxies, and that there are physical distinctions between the host companions of Seyfert 1 and Seyfert 2 nuclei which may depend both on the environment and the structure of the host galaxy itself.

Simkin, S. M.↗
NASA NTRS1989

An infrared study of starbursts in the interacting galaxy pair Arp 299 (NGC 3690+IC 694)

Extensive infrared observations have been obtained of the three active regions in Arp 299. Multiaperture JHK photometry reveals that the colors of the three regions are totally different from each other, and that there are very red nuclei smaller than 4 arcsec in two of them. Multiaperture spectroscopy of the Br-gamma and the shock-excited H2 lines shows that both the atomic and molecular lines are spatially extended, indicating that Arp 299 is undergoing an active episode of star formation not only in its nuclei but also well outside of them. Although there is some evidence that suggests the presence of a compact, active galactic nucleus, a simple starburst model can explain the bolometric luminosities, production rates of ionizing photons, and H24 line luminosities of each active region in Arp 299. However, each starburst cannot last longer than 10 to the 8th yr.

Nakagawa, Takao↗
NASA NTRS1990

Are bars essential for starbursts in non-interacting galaxies

Analyzed here are the 1.6 and 2.2 micron images of a sample of galaxies that are classified as unbarred by the Revised Shapley-Ames Catalog. These galaxies have characteristic properties of nuclear starbursts and are examined through near infrared imaging in a search for hidden bars. Researchers selected a sample of 36 galaxies from the Revised Shapley-Ames Catalog that have far infrared luminosities greater than 10(exp 10) solar luminosity and hot Infrared Astronomy Satellite (IRAS) colors between 60 and 100 microns, indicative of nuclear starbursts, but are not classified as Seyfert 1 or 2. Their determination of the presence of a bar relies primarily on an analysis of the 2 micron image using the Galaxy Surface Photometry (GASP) package (Cawson, 1983). The GASP analysis programs determine the galaxy surface brightness and ellipticity profiles as well as the position angle and the center coordinates of the ellipses. To test the way that GASP will characterize the surface brightness of barred galaxies, two galaxies with known bars, NGC 1068 and NGC 2523, were imaged with the 2 micron camera and analyzed with GASP. Fifteen of the sample that are not clearly barred from optical data and are isolated were imaged at 1.6 and 2.2 microns; 9 of these do not appear to have bars. Strong bars therefore do not appear to be an absolute requirement for high infrared luminosity in isolated galaxies.

Pompea, Stephen M.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Star formation in infrared bright and infrared faint starburst interacting galaxies

Short wavelength IUE spectra of Arp 248b and UGC 8315N are combined with optical spectra and interpreted using a combination of spectrum synthesis and spectral diagnostics to place constraints on the massive star populations of the central regions of these galaxies and to deduce information about the star formation histories in the last 10(exp 8) years. The authors find that both galaxies have substantial fractions of their optical light coming from massive stars and that Arp 248b may be dominated in the UV by WR stars. The UV spectra are dominated by radiation from evolved massive stars and the authors place and age on the burst in Arp 248b of a few tens of millions of years.

Lamb, Susan A.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Simulations of gas clouds in interacting galaxies

A companion can induce a variety of morphological changes in a galaxy. The author uses N-body simulations to study the effects of different kinds of perturbations on the dynamics of a disk galaxy. The model is two-dimensional, with a disk consisting of about 60,000 particles. Most of the particles (80%) represent the old stellar population with a high velocity dispersion, while the rest (20%) represent gas clouds with a low velocity dispersion. Initially, the velocity dispersion corresponds to Q = 1 for the star particles, and Q = O for the gas particles, where Q is Toomre's (1964) stability parameter. The gas clouds can collide inelastically. The disk is stabilized by a rigid halo potential, and by the random motions of the old star particles. To simulate the effect of an encounter on the disk, a companion galaxy, modelled as a point mass, can move in a co-planar orbit around the disk. A complete description of the N-body code is found in Thomasson (1989). The spiral structures caused by a companion in first a direct and then a retrograde (with respect to the rotation of the disk) parabolic orbit are presented. The associated velocity fields suggest a way to observationally distinguish between leading and trailing spiral arms. The stability of the gas component in a disk in which tidally triggered infall of gas to the center occurs is studied. Finally, the author shows how a ring of gas can form in a disk as a result of a co-planar encounter with another galaxy.

Thomasson, Magnus↗
NASA NTRS1994

Soft X-ray observations of the interacting galaxies NGC 1808 and NGC 1792

The soft X-ray emission from both galaxies NGC 1808 and NGC 1792, which we investigated using the ROSAT HRI and Position Sensitive Proportional Counter (PSPC), comes most probably from X-ray binaries and/or from hot ionized gas in powerful supernovae and supernova remnants. The distribution of the soft X-ray emission in NGC 1808, which is very well correlated with the distribution of 'radio knots' in the central starburst, suggests that hot gas dominates the emission in the ROSAT band. This is consistent with the results of PSPC observations by Junkes et al. The total soft X-ray luminosity in the ROSAT band of NGC 1808 of 1.2 x 10(exp 41) ergs/s is relatively high compared with other nearby starburst galaxies. Soft X-ray emission of diffuse hot ionized gas that is associated with the outflow traced by the conspicuous dust filaments protruding from the plane has been detected. Its luminosity in the ROSAT band is greater than or equal to 3 x 10(exp 39) ergs/s, i.e., several percent of the total soft X-ray luminosity. Thus, NGC 1808 is another example for a 'superwind' galaxy. The soft X-ray radiation from NGC 1792 is more likely to be dominated by a population of high-mass X-ray binaries or young powerful supernovae which are associated with the high-level star formation going on in the very prominent H II regions along its spiral arms, with possibly an additional contribution of diffuse hot ionized gas. The soft X-ray luminosities of individual sources lie in the range of 5 x 10(exp 38) to 2.7 x 10(exp 39) ergs/s, thus exceeding by far the Eddington luminosity of an accreting neutron star. The peaks of some of these soft X-ray luminous sources are offset with respect to the H II regions by a few hundred parsecs. Accordingly, if the soft X-ray sources should originate from the H II regions, their relative velocities with respect to the ambient medium have to be as high as approximately 100 km/s.

Dahlem, Michael↗
NASA NTRS2001

HST Observations of Star Formation in Interacting Galaxies: NGC 4194, the "Medusa"

Ultraviolet and visible imaging of the blue compact galaxy NGC4194 was obtained to survey the star-forming knots in the center of this galaxy. Photometry and image analysis were performed on these regions. Comparison with evolutionary tracks indicates many of the knots are reddened with a typical E(B-V)approx.0.3. The knot ages range from 10(exp 6-10(exp 8)years. Some of the knots may have masses 3-5x10(exp 5) solar mass. The FUV fluxes correspond to the flux from 60-3.8x10(exp 3) O5V stars.

Weistrop, D.↗