Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Jan 2012
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2012aas...21932302v&link_type=abstract
American Astronomical Society, AAS Meeting #219, #323.02
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
Scientific paper
The secular evolution of galaxies is especially noticeable in their central kiloparsecs where the dynamical timescales are much shorter than at larger radii. Large scale bars and circumnuclear (resonance) rings are important features that drive this evolution. Circumnuclear rings are believed to be very effective barriers for gas inflow to the nucleus and can thus contain large amounts of gas. In the central kiloparsec, most gas is in molecular form. The high densities that molecular gas can reach in these rings, leads to rapid and extreme star formation events. The total effect circumnuclear starburst rings have on secular evolution depends on the longevity of the rings and their ability to replenish themselves with gas.
Here, we investigate the circumnuclear starburst rings in two nearby barred spiral galaxies, NGC 5248 and NGC 6951. We will present high resolution CO emission line observations of molecular gas in and around the circumnuclear rings in both galaxies in combination with HST imaging and optical integral-field spectroscopy data probing the stellar population in the central kiloparsec. The observed gas kinematics and derived age distribution of the stellar populations of the rings provide insights into their formation/evolution. First results show preferred locations for the young stellar populations, related to the locations where the large scale bar connects with the ring via its gas- and dust-lanes. We also obtain an estimate for the lifetime of the ring from the oldest observed stellar populations ( 2Gyr), which implies a minimum lifetime for the large scale bar as well.
Boeker Torsten
Boone Frederic
Combes François
Dumas Gaelle
Emsellem Eric
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