Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Jun 1993
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1993aj....105.2098r&link_type=abstract
Astronomical Journal (ISSN 0004-6256), vol. 105, no. 6, p. 2098-2106.
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
45
Galactic Structure, H I Regions, Interstellar Gas, Radio Astronomy, Radio Emission
Scientific paper
Using Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope maps of 21 cm emission from NGC 4631, we have discovered two very large supershells of atomic gas in the disk of this nearby, disturbed edge-on galaxy. The larger shell has a diameter of about 3 kpc and a swept up mass of roughly 1-2 x 10 exp 8 solar masses. There is some evidence for expansion, with a velocity of 45 km/s. Above a break at the top of the shell, there is a prominent 'worm' of mass about 4 x 10 exp 7 solar masses. The smaller shell has a diameter of 1.8 kpc and shows better evidence for expansion, at 35 km/s, and has a mass of about 5-10 x 10 exp 7 solar masses. The kinetic energy of the larger shell is roughly 2-5 x 10 exp 54 erg, and the necessary input energy from supernovae and stellar winds to explain its current parameters is 2-5 x 10 exp 55 erg, implying an association containing 10,000-35,000 supernova-producing OB stars. A more attractive explanation as far as energetics are concerned is that small companions or massive gas clouds hit the disk of the galaxy and formed the shells. Unfortunately, there is no clear independent evidence for such collisions, and the near-complete ringlike appearance of the shells may be a problem for this explanation.
Rand Richard J.
van der Hulst J. M.
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