Luminosity Profiles of Merger Remnants

Details Luminosity Profiles of Merger Remnants Luminosity Profiles of Merger Remnants

1999-04-02

arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/9904030v2

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

Final refereed version. Note new title. 4 pages, 2 encapsulated color figures, uses emulateapj.sty. Accepted to ApJL. Also ava

Scientific paper

Using published luminosity and molecular gas profiles of the late-stage mergers NGC 3921, NGC 7252 and Arp 220, we examine the expected luminosity profiles of the evolved merger remnants, especially in light of the massive CO complexes that are observed in their nuclei. For NGC 3921 and NGC 7252 we predict that the resulting luminosity profiles will be characterized by an r^{1/4} law. In view of previous optical work on these systems, it seems likely that they will evolve into normal ellipticals as regards their optical properties. Due to a much higher central molecular column density, Arp 220 might not evolve such a ``seamless'' light profile. We conclude that ultraluminous infrared mergers such as Arp 220 either evolve into ellipticals with anomalous luminosity profiles, or do not produce many low-mass stars out of their molecular gas complexes.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Luminosity Profiles of Merger Remnants does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Luminosity Profiles of Merger Remnants, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Luminosity Profiles of Merger Remnants will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-109928