Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Sep 1984
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1984natur.311..132j&link_type=abstract
Nature (ISSN 0028-0836), vol. 311, Sept. 13, 1984, p. 132, 133. Research supported by the Science and Engineering Research Counc
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
92
Astronomical Spectroscopy, Cosmic Gases, Galactic Structure, Hydrogen Clouds, Infrared Spectra, Molecular Gases, Emission Spectra, Galactic Nuclei, Line Spectra, Luminosity, Starburst Galaxies
Scientific paper
Infrared spectra have been obtained in the two-micron region of NGC6240 and Arp 220, and the v = 1-0 S(1) quadrupole rotation-vibration emission line of H2 has been detected in both galaxies. These detections, which double the number of previously published measurements of extragalactic H2, suggest that the merger of two galaxies results in the production of massive quantities of shocked molecular gas. This shocked gas must cool and collapse, leading to an enormous burst of star formation. These measurements strengthen the interpretation of the extremely large IR luminosity of NGC6240 in terms of a 'super-starburst' and suggest that Arp 220 may be undergoing similar activity. It is suggested, that merging galaxies are a unique new class of ultraluminous IR galaxies.
Joseph Robert D.
Wade Richard
Wright Gillian S.
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