Optical spectrophotometry of the nuclear region of M51. II - Further evidence for nuclear activity

Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics

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Astronomical Photometry, Galactic Nuclei, Spectrophotometry, Spiral Galaxies, Emission Spectra, Gas Temperature, Ionized Gases, Line Spectra, Visible Spectrum

Scientific paper

Spectrophotometric observations of the spiral galaxy M51 conducted by Rose and Searle (1982) have revealed that the ionized gas within the central region exhibits a peculiar emission-line spectrum and is undergoing large chaotic motions. These phenomena appear to result from low-level nuclear activity qualitatively similar to that seen in Seyfert galaxy nuclei and QSOs. It has been proposed that the gas is photoionized by a central nonstellar ultraviolet continuum. The present study is concerned with a further investigation of the ionization source in the nuclear region of M51, taking into account high signal-to-noise spectra obtained with an intensified Reticon detector on the 2.24 m telescope at the Mauna Kea Observatory. It is found that photoionization by a central nonstellar ionizing continuum source provides the most consistent explanation for the observed anomalous emission-line spectrum.

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