Spectroscopic evidence for activity in the nuclei of normal spiral galaxies

Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics

Scientific paper

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Emission Spectra, Galactic Nuclei, H Alpha Line, Interstellar Gas, Photoionization, Spiral Galaxies, Abundance, Astronomical Models, Continuous Spectra, Data Simulation, Nonthermal Radiation, Shock Heating, Spectral Line Width, Spectrophotometry

Scientific paper

The emission spectra of 29 spiral galaxies with low-ionization emission have been studied in detail, using synthetic galaxy spectra to correct the observed spectra for the contribution of starlight. The resulting emission-line intensities and ratios have been compared to published models of shock-heated and power-law photoionized plasmas. The observed spectra are best described by models in which a weak flat-spectrum (power-law) radiation field photoionizes the gas; this nonthermal continuum is generally too weak to be seen directly in the optical. Broad H-alpha emission, extending over a total velocity range as great as 4000 km/s, is identified in several 'normal' nuclei with strong low-ionization emission. The inferred nonthermal continuum and observed broad permitted lines indicate the presence of low-luminosity active nuclei in most, if not all, spiral galaxies.

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