Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2004-03-02
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
11 pages, 11 figures. Accepted for publication in AJ
Scientific paper
10.1086/420802
Radio continuum observations at 20 and 6 cm of the highly inclined Virgo spiral galaxy NGC 4522 are presented. Both, 20 and 6 cm total emission distributions are asymmetric with an extended component to the west where extraplanar atomic gas and Halpha emission are found. The 6 cm polarized emission is located at the eastern edge of the galactic disk. Its peak is located about 1 kpc to the east of the total emission peak. We argue that this phenomena is a characteristic feature for cluster galaxies which are experiencing significant pressure from the intracluster medium. The degree of polarization decreases from the east to the west. The flattest spectral index between 20 and 6 cm coincides with the peak of the 6 cm polarized emission. These findings are consistent with a picture of a large scale shock due to ram pressure located at the east of the galaxy where cosmic rays are accelerated. We conclude that it is likely that the galaxy experiences active ram pressure.
Beck Rainer
Kenney Jeffrey D. P.
van Gorkom Jacqueline H.
Vollmer Bernd
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