Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
Jun 1988
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1988apj...329..641l&link_type=abstract
Astrophysical Journal, Part 1 (ISSN 0004-637X), vol. 329, June 15, 1988, p. 641-650. Research supported by the McDonald Observat
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
81
Galactic Structure, H Lines, Infrared Spectra, Interstellar Gas, K Lines, Luminous Intensity, Active Galactic Nuclei, Emission Spectra, Interstellar Extinction, Line Spectra, Star Formation
Scientific paper
H and K band spectra of the luminous far-infared galaxy NGC 6240 at resolving powers between 160 and 625 are presented. Line fluxes for six H2 lines are measured. The Br-gamma hydrogen recombination line is detected. The galaxy is found to be a strong source of forbidden Fe II emission. The v = 1 levels of the H2 are populated thermally at a temperature of 1300 K. The H2 emission appears to be coextensive with the broad-line component of shock-ionized gas that is seen optically near the nuclei. The strength of the B-gamma line indicates that the extinction toward the source is about A(v) = 3. NGC 6240 does not appear to be simply a scaled-up version of a bona fide starburst as in M82. Evidence that the molecular line-emitting region is rouglly twice the size of the continuum source indicates that the shocked H2 does not originate in young stars.
Carr Joe
Harvey Paul Michael
Lester Dan F.
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