Merger-driven evolution of galactic nuclei: observations of the Toomre sequence

Details Merger-driven evolution of galactic nuclei: observations of the Toomre sequence Merger-driven evolution of galactic nuclei: observations of the Toomre sequence

Jul 2000

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2000hst..prop.8669v&link_type=abstract

HST Proposal ID #8669

Physics

Hst Proposal Id #8669 Galaxies

Scientific paper

Galaxy mergers are believed responsible for triggering starburst and AGN activity in galaxies, and even perhaps transforming spiral galaxies into ellipticals. Ground-based observations and numerical simulations have shed light on these issues, but have not been able to adequately resolve the nuclei of merging galaxies. However, it is these nuclei where most of the important physical processes operate, and where a direct study of the stellar and gaseous components yields crucial insight on any picture of merger-driven galaxy evolution. We will use HST to study the structural, star-forming, and kinematic properties of the galactic nuclei in the `Toomre Sequence' of merging galaxies, at unprecedented spatial resolution. Broad-band WFPC2 images with F555W and F814W will be used in concert with narrow-band Halpha+[NII] images to study the connection between nuclear morphology and the structure of the ionized gas. The two-dimensional velocity field of the nuclear gas will be probed via medium resolution STIS G750M observations, while lower resolution G430L spectroscopy will study the young and old stellar populations in the merging nuclei. Our study will provide the first comprehensive view of the physical conditions in strongly interacting and merging galactic nuclei, and, will place strong constraints on theories of merger-driven activity and evolution in galaxies.

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