Other
Scientific paper
Jul 1996
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1996hst..prop.6785m&link_type=abstract
HST Proposal ID #6785
Other
Hst Proposal Id #6785 Galaxies &Amp, Clusters
Scientific paper
We propose WFPC2 H Alpha/N II imaging to search for gas disks in the nuclei of nearby early-type galaxies. Discovering these disks is vital because they allow the most direct spectroscopic measurement of the gravitational effects of the supermassive black holes they orbit. HST has already used the spatially resolved Doppler-shifted emission lines of just such a rotating disk in M 87 to provide the first conclusive dynamical mass estimate of a galactic black hole. We propose to image the nuclei of all 9 remaining nearby early-type galaxies which are also good candidates for having similar nuclear disks of ionzed gas. They have strong nuclear H Alpha/N II emission at a low redshift {z<0.0057} which places it within the WFPC2 ``N II" filter bandpass. The small distances of these galaxies are also essential so that HST can resolve the finest spatial scales {10 parsecs or less}, where the gravitational effects of a black hole would be most detectable. Half of the sample galaxies contain compact nuclear radiosources {as does M 87}, so that we can see if that makes a systematic difference in the nuclear distribution of ionized gas. We will also search for evidence of bipolar outflows aligned with the radio jets, and for other interesting structures in H Alpha such as shock fronts, bubbles, and superwinds.
No associations
LandOfFree
Ionized Gas Disks In Nearby Early Type Galaxies 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 Ionized Gas Disks In Nearby Early Type Galaxies, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Ionized Gas Disks In Nearby Early Type Galaxies will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1118413