A Molecular Tidal Tail in the Medusa Minor Merger

Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

4 Pages, 2 figures included, accepted for A&A letters

Scientific paper

10.1051/0004-6361:20010435

We have detected CO 1-0 emission along the tidal tail of the NGC 4194 (the Medusa) merger. It is the first CO detection in the optical tail of a minor merger. Emission is detected both in the centre of the tail and at its tip. The molecular mass in the 33'' Onsala 20m beam is estimated to be >= 8.5 x 10^7 M_{sun} which is at least 4% of the total molecular mass measured so far in this system. We suggest that the emission is a molecular tidal tail which is part of the extended structure of the main body, and that the molecular gas was thrown out by the collision instead of having formed in situ from condensing atomic material. We find it unlikely that the emission is associated with a tidal dwarf galaxy (even if the future formation of such an object is possible), but high resolution HI, CO and optical observations are necessary to resolve the issue. The Medusa is very likely the result of an elliptical+spiral collison and our detection supports the notion that molecular gas in minor mergers can be found at great distances from the merger centre.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

A Molecular Tidal Tail in the Medusa Minor Merger 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 Tidal Tail in the Medusa Minor Merger, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and A Molecular Tidal Tail in the Medusa Minor Merger will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-33177

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.