Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Jan 1993
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1993egte.conf..191g&link_type=abstract
In NASA. Ames Research Center, The Evolution of Galaxies and Their Environment p 191-192 (SEE N93-26706 10-90)
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
Collisions, Cosmic Gases, Dust, Elliptical Galaxies, Extraterrestrial Matter, Interstellar Matter, Ionized Gases, Sky Surveys (Astronomy), Charge Coupled Devices, Imaging Techniques, Infrared Astronomy Satellite, Late Stars, Stellar Mass Ejection, Velocity Distribution
Scientific paper
Traditionally elliptical galaxies were thought to be essentially devoid of interstellar matter. However, recent advances in instrumental sensitivity have caused a renaissance of interest in dust and gas in - or associated with - elliptical galaxies. In particular, the technique of co-adding IRAS survey scans has led to the detection of more than half of all ellipticals with BT less than 11 mag. in the Revised Shapley-Ames catalog, indicating the presence of 10(exp 7) - 10(exp 8) solar mass of cold interstellar matter (Jura et al. 1987). In addition, CCD multi-color surface photometry shows dust patches in about 30 percent of the cases studied to date (e.g., Veron-Cetty & Veron 1988). Thorough study of the gas and dust in ellipticals is important to (1) determine its origin (mass-loss from late-type stars, merging collisions with other galaxies or accretion inflows from cooling X-ray gas), and (2) investigate the 3-D shape of ellipticals, as can be derived from the orientation of the dust lanes and the 2-D velocity field of the gas. An important result of our comprehensive CCD imaging program is that a relevant fraction (approximately 40 percent) of the sample objects exhibits dust patches within extended H-alpha+(NII) line-emitting filaments. This common occurrence can be easily accounted for if the dust and gas have an external origin, i.e., mergers or interactions with gas-rich galaxies. Evidence supporting this suggestion: (1) the ionized gas is usually dynamically decoupled from the stellar velocity field (see, e.g., Sharples et al. 1983, Bertola & Bettoni 1988); (2) it is shown in a companion paper (Goudfrooij et al. 1992) that internal stellar mass loss alone can not account for the dust content of elliptical galaxies.
de Jong Teije
Goudfrooij Paul
No associations
LandOfFree
Dust and ionized gas in elliptical galaxies: Signatures of merging collisions 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 Dust and ionized gas in elliptical galaxies: Signatures of merging collisions, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Dust and ionized gas in elliptical galaxies: Signatures of merging collisions will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1259815