Adaptive optics observations of ultra-luminous infrared galaxies I. J, H, K images of MKN 231

Details Adaptive optics observations of ultra-luminous infrared galaxies I. J, H, K images of MKN 231 Adaptive optics observations of ultra-luminous infrared galaxies I. J, H, K images of MKN 231

Jun 1998

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1998a%26a...334..783l&link_type=abstract

Astronomy and Astrophysics, v.334, p.783-788 (1998)

Physics

Optics

14

Adaptive Optics, Infrared: Galaxies, Galaxies: Starburst, Galaxies: Seyfert, Galaxies: Individual: Mkn 231

Scientific paper

We present adaptive optics observations in J, H and K of the Ultra-Luminous Infrared Galaxy, Markarian 231. This galaxy is the one among ULIRGs that shows most clearly the character of a QSO with a very peaked nuclear source. Even with a FWHM PSF of 0.11 arcsec, our images show that the central source is still unresolved and should be more compact than 50 pc; in addition, the position on the [J-H]/[H-K] color-diagram of this point-like source is very close to the locus of QSOs. Both results point to an actual AGN - almost unreddened - at the center of Mkn 231. The underlying extended emission appears to be extremely red in a circum-nuclear region of ~ 2.5 kpc, that should be identified with the hot molecular gas disk recently found in H_2. In addition, we detect on the deconvolved images a second source (B) at 0.15 arcsec north to the nucleus with [H-K] colors that are consistent either with the stellar nucleus of a merging galaxy, or with a giant HII complex of violent star formation. We favor the later interpretation since this source lies in the direction where the molecular hydrogen emission peaks. Based on observations obtained at Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope operated by the National Research Council of Canada, The Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique de France and the University of Hawaii.

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