High-Resolution Mapping of CO(3-2) in NGC 6240

Physics

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Scientific paper

NGC 6240 is a late-stage advance merger harboring two AGNs that have yet to coalesce, but its central dense molecular gas precedes its stellar component counterparts (˜ 1″, or 500pc, apart) in gravitating towards the dynamical center of the system. This is one of the nearest examples of extreme star formation as a result of galaxy-galaxy interaction; its proximity allows for a detailed examination of the underlying physics and lends to it being a particularly interesting case study. Building on previous submillimeter work, we present high-resolution (˜ 0.4″) maps of the CO(3-2) gas taken at the Submillimter Array. At this resolution, we resolve asymmetric gas flux peaks lying inward of the two AGNs; we find the distribution and kinematics of the molecular gas are consistent with models that suggest a turbulent nature. A general velocity gradient along the axis in between the two nuclei is noted along with local disturbances. A simple geometry-based scenario is proposed to explain the observed gas dynamics based on hydrodynamic galaxy-merger simulation models, the continual development of which will shed light on the physics behind gas behavior at these small scales.

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