Integral Field Spectroscopy of the Central Regions of 3C 120: Evidence of a Past Merging Event

Details Integral Field Spectroscopy of the Central Regions of 3C 120: Evidence of a Past Merging Event Integral Field Spectroscopy of the Central Regions of 3C 120: Evidence of a Past Merging Event

2004-11-11

arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0411298v1

Astrophys.J. 621 (2005) 146-166

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

55 pages, 18 figures and 5 tables Accepted by APJ

Scientific paper

10.1086/427429

IFS combined with HST WFPC imaging were used to characterize the central regions of the Seyfert 1 radio galaxy 3C 120. We carried out the analysis of the data, deriving intensity maps of different emission lines and the continua at different wavelengths from the observed spectra. Applying a 2D modeling to the HST images we decoupled the nucleus and the host galaxy, and analyzed the host morphology. The host is a highly distorted bulge dominated galaxy, rich in substructures. We developed a new technique to model the IFS data extending the 2D modeling. Using this technique we separated the Seyfert nucleus and the host galaxy spectra, and derived a residual data cube with spectral and spatial information of the different structures in 3C 120. Three continuum-dominated structures (named A, B, and C) and other three extended emission line regions (EELRs, named E1, E2 and E3) are found in 3C 120 which does not follow the general behavior of a bulge dominated galaxy. We also found shells in the central kpc that may be remnants of a past merging event in this galaxy. The origin of E1 is most probably due to the interaction of the radio-jet of 3C 120 with the intergalactic medium. Structures A, B, and the shell at the southeast of the nucleus seem to correspond to a larger morphological clumpy structure that may be a tidal tail, consequence of the past merging event. We found a bright EELR (E2) in the innermost part of this tidal tail, nearby the nucleus, which shows a high ionization level. The kinematics of the E2 region and its connection to the tidal tail suggest that the tail has channeled gas from the outer regions to the center.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Integral Field Spectroscopy of the Central Regions of 3C 120: Evidence of a Past Merging Event 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 Integral Field Spectroscopy of the Central Regions of 3C 120: Evidence of a Past Merging Event, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Integral Field Spectroscopy of the Central Regions of 3C 120: Evidence of a Past Merging Event will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-273564