Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2001-06-15
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
8 pages, A&A LaTeX, Accepted for publication in A&A
Scientific paper
10.1051/0004-6361:20010860
We report the detection of 1 10^7 M_sun of molecular gas in the central region of the S0/E7 galaxy NGC4550, inferred from observations of CO(1-0) emission. Dust is detected in HST WFPC2 images and found to be asymmetrically distributed around the nucleus, only extending to a galactocentric distance of 7'' (600 pc). The shape of the CO emission profile is consistent with a molecular gas distribution following the dust. The distribution of the dust and gas in the center could be the result of an m=1 instability, which is the fastest growing unstable mode in counterrotating stellar disks. On a global scale the molecular gas in NGC4550 is stable against gravitational collapse but nevertheless star formation appears to be ongoing with normal star formation efficiency and gas consumption time scales. The stellar velocity dispersion in NGC4550 resembles that of elliptical galaxies. It is therefore likely that a hot X-ray emitting plasma limits the lifetime of the molecular gas, that must arise from a recent (<1 Gyr) accretion event.
Henkel Carsten
Wiklind Thomas
No associations
LandOfFree
Molecular gas and dust in NGC4550: A galaxy with two counterrotating stellar disks 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 Molecular gas and dust in NGC4550: A galaxy with two counterrotating stellar disks, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Molecular gas and dust in NGC4550: A galaxy with two counterrotating stellar disks will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-174326