Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2004-05-06
Astron.Astrophys. 423 (2004) 481-493
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
Accepted for A&A. 10 pages latex, 13 figures. Six figures included as jpeg files, others as encapsulated postscript. Complete
Scientific paper
10.1051/0004-6361:20034336
We present fully sampled high angular resolution two-dimensional kinematics in the H alpha spectral line, optical and near-infrared imaging, as well as 21 cm atomic hydrogen data of the spiral galaxy NGC 278. This is a small non-barred galaxy, which has a bright star forming inner region of about 2 kpc in diameter, reminiscent of nuclear rings seen mainly in barred galaxies. The H alpha kinematics show a disturbed velocity field, which may be partly the result of spiral density wave streaming motions. The 21 cm data trace the atomic hydrogen well outside the optical disk. The HI is not abundant but clearly shows disturbed morphology and kinematics. We postulate that the current structure of NGC 278 is a result of a recent interaction with a small gas-rich galaxy, which is now dispersed into the outer disk of NGC 278. Non-axisymmetries set up in the disk by this minor merger may well be the cause of the intense star formation in the inner region, which can be interpreted as a rare example of a nuclear ring in a non-barred galaxy. Rather than being induced by a bar, this nuclear ring would then be the direct result of an interaction event in the recent history of the galaxy.
de Blok J. G. W.
Knapen Johan H.
van der Hulst J. M.
Whyte Laura F.
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