Outer edges of face-on spiral galaxies. Deep optical imaging of NGC 5923, UGC 9837 and NGC 5434

Details Outer edges of face-on spiral galaxies. Deep optical imaging of NGC 5923, UGC 9837 and NGC 5434 Outer edges of face-on spiral galaxies. Deep optical imaging of NGC 5923, UGC 9837 and NGC 5434

Sep 2002

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2002a%26a...392..807p&link_type=abstract

Astronomy and Astrophysics, v.392, p.807-816 (2002)

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

73

Galaxies: Spiral, Galaxies: Fundamental Parameters, Galaxies: Structure, Galaxies: Individual: Ngc 5923, Ugc 9837, Ngc 5434

Scientific paper

We present deep optical imaging of three face-on disk galaxies together with a detailed description of the reduction and calibration methods used, in order to measure the intrinsic shape of their outer stellar edges. Whereas it is now well accepted that disks of spiral galaxies are not infinite exponential beyond galactocentric distances of about 3-5 radial scalelengths, the genuine structure of the truncation region is not yet well known. Our data quantitatively establish a smooth truncation behaviour of the radial surface brightness profiles and is best described by a two-slope model, characterised by an inner and outer exponential scalelength separated at a relatively well defined break radius. This result disagrees with the frequently assumed sharply truncated nature of the radial surface brightness profiles and implies the presence of stars and even star-formation beyond the break radius. In addition, we do not find a strong influence of a nearby companion on the ratio of the break radius to the radial scalelength. Our results denote new observational constraints for the search of the physical explanation for these smooth disk truncations. Based on observations obtained at the German-Spanish Astronomical Center (DSAZ), Calar Alto, jointly operated by the Max-Planck-Institut für Astronomie Heidelberg and the Spanish National Commission for Astronomy.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Outer edges of face-on spiral galaxies. Deep optical imaging of NGC 5923, UGC 9837 and NGC 5434 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 Outer edges of face-on spiral galaxies. Deep optical imaging of NGC 5923, UGC 9837 and NGC 5434, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Outer edges of face-on spiral galaxies. Deep optical imaging of NGC 5923, UGC 9837 and NGC 5434 will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1311125