Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
Jan 1997
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1997stin...9726486d&link_type=abstract
Technical Report, OUAST/97/15 Astrophysics Dept.
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
Starburst Galaxies, Hydrogen, Infrared Imagery, Near Infrared Radiation, Star Formation, Emission Spectra, Continuums, Molecular Gases, Supernovae, O Stars, B Stars, Photometry, Excitation, Galactic Nuclei, Line Spectra
Scientific paper
We present near infrared images of the 2 micron continuum and H2 upsilon = 1-0 S(1) 2.12 micron line emission from the starburst galaxy NGC 4536. The morphologies show striking differences: the continuum is strongly peaked at the nucleus while the molecular hydrogen clearly shows subsidiary peaks. These coincide with emission peaks observed in the radio and 10.8 micron continuum, supporting the hypothesis of an edge-on ring experiencing star formation. Consideration of the possible excitation mechanisms of the 1-0 S(l) line has led us to conclude that both supernovae and OB stars are important. Shocks in cloud collisions may also contribute to the extended H2 regions. We postulate that the star formation at the nucleus has come to an end so that supernovae now dominate the emission; while in the ring star formation is still active and OB stars make a significant contribution. The implications of this are that if the nuclear star formation has occurred first, it must also be fueled first. We show that this is possible by considering bar-induced gas infall: when the bar first forms gas is channeled in towards the centre; but when the nuclear mass has built up sufficiently inner Lindblad resonances form and the inflow will cease in the circumnuclear regions. Thus star formation in the ring is fueled at a later time than in the nucleus.
Davies Richard I.
Sugai Hajime
Ward Martin J.
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