What powers luminous infrared galaxies?

Details What powers luminous infrared galaxies? What powers luminous infrared galaxies?

Nov 1996

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1996a%26a...315l.137l&link_type=abstract

Astronomy and Astrophysics, v.315, p.L137-L140

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

98

Galaxies: Seyfert, Galaxies: Starburst, Galaxies: Stellar Content, Infrared: Galaxies

Scientific paper

Based on the initial data sets taken with the ISO short wavelength spectrometer (SWS) we present a first discussion of the source of luminosity of (ultra-)luminous infrared galaxies (ULIRGs). By comparison of observations of 2.5-45μm lines to classical starbursts and active galactic nuclei and by modelling of the line emission we show that three key representatives of this class, Arp 220, NGC 6240 and NGC 3256 are likely powered mainly by recently formed, massive stars. While an active nucleus may well be present in anyone of these sources, ratios of fine structure lines in different stages of ionization show that most of the luminosity is in a relatively soft, `stellar' ultraviolet radiation field. Starburst models with stars of masses up to 50-100Msun_ successfully account for the observations with an extended burst phase of 1 to 2x10^7^ years and burst ages between 2 and 7x10^7^ years. Our analysis indicates that previous optical and near-infrared analyses were strongly hampered by the very large extinctions in these galaxies.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

What powers luminous infrared galaxies? 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 What powers luminous infrared galaxies?, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and What powers luminous infrared galaxies? will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1144639