The Relation Between Activity and Environment in Compact Groups of Galaxies

Details The Relation Between Activity and Environment in Compact Groups of Galaxies The Relation Between Activity and Environment in Compact Groups of Galaxies

2000-04-17

arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0004229v1

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

53 pages, Latex, 9 encapsulated postscript figures, Accepted for publication in The Astronomical Journal

Scientific paper

10.1086/301441

We present the results of the classification of spectral activity types for 193 galaxies from a new sample of 49 compact groups of galaxies in the southern hemisphere (SCGs). This sample was selected in automated fashion from a digitized galaxy catalogue, covering an area of ~5200 sq deg, around the South Galactic Pole. It is complete up to m ~14.5 in b_j for the brightest galaxy of the group. The spectral analysis of the SCG galaxies confirms the results previously obtained for a smaller sample of Hickson's compact groups (HCG). We confirm the luminosity-activity and morphology-activity relations, as well as the predominance of AGNs (41% of SCGs galaxies). We verified also that the number of early-type non-emission-line galaxies increases with the number of members in the group. The SCGs contain more star-forming galaxies (SFGs) and less non-emission-line galaxies than HCGs, which suggests that they probe a wider range of physical properties. The SFGs are composed in majority of HII Nucleus Galaxies, which have less intense star formation than starburst galaxies. The star formation activity in SCGs is, consequently, remarkably low. The SFGs show also evidence for nuclear activity. If these results are further confirmed, 70% of the galaxies in SCGs would then have an active nucleus, making these systems remarkably rich in AGNs. Curiously, however, this characteristic of CGs generally excludes Seyfert 1 galaxies.(Abridged)

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

The Relation Between Activity and Environment in Compact Groups of Galaxies 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 The Relation Between Activity and Environment in Compact Groups of Galaxies, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The Relation Between Activity and Environment in Compact Groups of Galaxies will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-589447