A molecular ring in the Circinus galaxy

Details A molecular ring in the Circinus galaxy A molecular ring in the Circinus galaxy

Oct 1998

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1998a%26a...338..863c&link_type=abstract

Astronomy and Astrophysics, v.338, p.863-873 (1998)

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

26

Galaxies: Active, Galaxies: Individual: Circinus, Galaxies: Kinematics And Dynamics, Galaxies: Ism, Radio Lines: Galaxies

Scientific paper

The Circinus galaxy, a type 2 Seyfert, is suspected to have a molecular gas ring structure with a diameter of ~ 500 pc. We have mapped the lowest three rotational transitions of (12) CO in the central region of the galaxy, and upon detailed examination, the data suggest that a fraction of the molecular gas is orbiting the galaxy's nucleus in the form of a ring. There also appears to exist an associated molecular outflow which is coincident with the previously observed ionisation cone. In order to determine the geometry and kinematics of the ring, we have modelled various configurations, obtaining an initial estimate from the MEM de-convolved data. The model takes defined ring parameters, {i.e.} velocities across the ring at various radii, the inclination angle and the intensity of emission, and convolves these with a synthesised telescope beam in order to regenerate the observed spectra. The results suggest that the ring, which has the same position angle as the main galaxy body, has an outer radius of > 600 pc and orbits with non-Keplerian rotation around a central dynamical mass of ~3*E(8) Msun. We also estimate the dynamical mass within the central 560 pc to be ~3*E(9) Msun { i.e.} only double the total molecular mass calculated from the intensity of CO emission, indicating that use of the Galactic N_{H2}/ICO conversion ratio may possibly cause us to overestimate the molecular mass in this nucleus. Based on results collected at the European Southern Observatory, La Silla, Chile

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

A molecular ring in the Circinus galaxy 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 A molecular ring in the Circinus galaxy, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and A molecular ring in the Circinus galaxy will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1718292