A SINFONI view of Galaxy Centers: Morphology and Kinematics of five Nuclear Star Formation Rings
T. Böker, J. Falcón-Barroso, E. Schinnerer, J. H. Knapen, S. Ryder
备注：
45 pages incl. 4 tables and 12 (mostly color) figures. Accepted for publication in AJ. A version with full resolution figures can be obtained at ftp://ftp.rssd.esa.int/pub/tboeker/SINFONI/ms.pdf
We present near-infrared (H- and K-band) integral-field observations of the circumnuclear star formation rings in five nearby spiral galaxies. The data, obtained at the Very Large Telescope with the SINFONI spectrograph, are used to construct maps of various emission lines that reveal the individual star forming regions ("hot spots") delineating the rings. We derive the morphological parameters of the rings, and construct velocity fields of the stars and the emission line gas. We propose a qualitative, but robust, diagnostic for relative hot spot ages based on the intensity ratios of the emission lines Brackett gamma, HeI, and [FeII]. Application of this diagnostic to the data presented here provides tentative support for a scenario in which star formation in the rings is triggered predominantly at two well-defined regions close to, and downstream from, the intersection of dust lanes along the bar with the inner Lindblad resonance.
We present a determination of the mass of the supermassive black hole (BH) and the nuclear stellar orbital distribution of the elliptical galaxy Centaurus A (NGC5128) using high-resolution integral-field observations of the stellar kinematics. The observations were obtained with SINFONI at the ESO Very Large Telescope in the near-infrared (K-band), using adaptive optics to correct for the blurring effect of the earth atmosphere. The data have a spatial resolution of 0.17" FWHM and high S/N>80 per spectral pixel so that the shape of the stellar line-of-sight velocity-distribution can be reliabl…
Aims. To investigate the star formation activity and the gas and stellar dynamics on scales of a few parsecs in the nucleus of the Circinus Galaxy. Methods.Using the adaptive optics near infrared integral field spectrometer SINFONI on the VLT, we have obtained observations of the Circinus galaxy on scales of a few parsecs and at a spectral resolution of 70 km s^{-1} FWHM. The physical properties of the nucleus are analyzed by means of line and velocity maps extracted from the SINFONI datacube. Starburst models are constrained using the Br-gamma flux, stellar continuum (as traced via the CO abs…
We present 0.5" resolution near-IR integral field spectroscopy of the Ha line emission of 14 z~2 UV-selected BM/BX galaxies obtained with SINFONI at ESO/VLT. The mean Ha half-light radius r_1/2 is about 4kpc and line emission is detected over > ~20kpc in several sources. In 9 sources, we detect spatially-resolved velocity gradients, from 40 to 410 km/s over ~10kpc. The observed kinematics of the larger systems are consistent with orbital motions. Four galaxies are well described by rotating disks with clumpy morphologies and we extract rotation curves out to radii > ~10kpc. One or two galaxies…
We present a new modeling tool for planetary nebulae, based on 3D photoionization calculations. Our goal is to show that all the information provided by observations, regarding kinematics and morphology, have to be consistently accounted for, in order to get a real insight of the object. Only 3D simulations offer this possibility. From models for two theoretical PNe, we show that the enhancement in the equatorial zone observed in several PNe is not necessarily due to a density gradient, as usually interpreted. It is also shown that asymmetric velocity profiles often observed (e.g., Gesicki et …
We present first results of new ATCA HI emission and absorption observations of Centaurus A. The large-scale disk is described via a tilted-ring model. A broader redshifted absorption than previously known as well as a blueshifted absorption component against the nucleus is found.
We use a 3D photoionization modeling tool to study the morpho-kinematic properties of the Planetary Nebula (PN) NGC 3132. We show that it is possible to reproduce the low resolution observations (spectra and images) with an ellipsoidal shell. However, high resolution observations, as those showing a density variation along the nebula and the [O III]5007 velocity profiles, definitively rule out this description. We show that a bipolar Diabolo shape with a 40 degres rotation of the symmetry axis relative to the line of sight successfully reproduces the observed images, as well as the high resolu…
It is generally believed that major galaxy mergers with mass ratios in the range 1:1-3:1 result in remnants that have properties similar to elliptical galaxies, and minor mergers below 10:1 result in disturbed spiral galaxies. The intermediate range of mass ratios 4:1-10:1 has not been studied so far. Using N-body simulations, we show that such mergers can result in very peculiar systems, that have the morphology of a disk galaxy with an exponential profile, but whose kinematics is closer to that of elliptical systems. These objects are similar to those recently observed by Jog & Chitre (2002)…
The analysis of a sample of 30 isolated spiral galaxies with and without an AGN results in active and control galaxies having similar bulge and disk properties (since both samples are selected to match in morphological and bar classification, they have similar bar percentages). Secondary bars seem also to be indistinguishable. The central kinematics (both stellar and gas) are also studied in order to put some constraints on the processes required to fuel AGNs. Together with previous results, this points to AGNs being an episode of the life of galaxies, providing that the fuel is available and …
We present new observations of $Hα$ emission in the Hickson Compact Group 18 (HCG 18) obtained with a scanning Fabry-Perot interferometer. The velocity field does not show motions of individual group members but, instead, a complex common velocity field for the whole group. The gas distribution is very asymmetric with clumps of maximum intensity coinciding with the optically brightest knots. Comparing $Hα$ and HI data we conclude that HCG 18 is not a compact group but instead a large irregular galaxy with several clumps of star formation.
We examine the effect of different dark matter halo potentials on the morphology and kinematics of tidals tails in a merger model of NGC 7252. We find that models of merging galaxies with low halo masses of Mh = 4-8 M{disk+bulge} (Mdb) can fit the observed morphology and kinematics of the NGC 7252 tails while galaxies with high mass halos (Mh = 16-32 Mdb) fail in this respect. In high mass models, the deep potential only allows weakly bound disk material (stars or gas) at R > 5 disk scale lengths to be ejected in tidal tails which tend to fall back onto the parent galaxies before the final mer…
Images of the complex circumstellar nebula associated with the famous red supergiant VY CMa show evidence for multiple and asymmetric mass loss events over the past 1000 yrs. Doppler velocities of the arcs and knots in the ejecta showed that they are not only spatially distinct but also kinematically separate from the surrounding diffuse material. In this paper we describe second epoch HST/WFPC2 images to measure the transverse motions which when combined with the radial motions provide a complete picture of the kinematics of the ejecta including the total space motions and directions of the o…
The very high spatial resolution provided by Adaptive Optics assisted spectroscopic observations at 8m-class telescopes (e.g. with SINFONI at the VLT) will allow to greatly increase the number of direct black hole (BH) mass measurements which is currently very small. This is a fundamental step to investigate the tight link between galaxy evolution and BH growth, revealed by the existing scaling relations between $M_{BH}$ and galaxy structural parameters. I present preliminary results from SINFONI K-band spectroscopic observations of a sample of 5 objects with $M_{BH}$ measurements obtained wit…
We present results of our ongoing study of the morphology and kinematics of the ionised gas in 48 representative nearby elliptical and lenticular galaxies using the SAURON integral-field spectrograph on the 4.2m William Herschel Telescope. Making use of a recently developed technique, emission is detected in 75% of the galaxies. The ionised-gas distributions display varied morphologies, ranging from regular gas disks to filamentary structures. Additionally, the emission-line kinematic maps show, in general, regular motions with smooth variations in kinematic position angle. In most of the gala…
We present the results of the HI observations of four dust-lane ellipticals. The HI detected is regularly distributed in disks or rings. Moreover, in three of the four objects we have detected a very large amount of neutral hydrogen with values of M_HI/L_B that are at the end of the distribution characteristic of ellipticals and similar to what typically found in spiral galaxies. Thus, these dust-lane ellipticals may represent the results of major mergers as seen at a late stage of the evolution. The regular HI distribution and kinematics has allowed to derive values of M/L_B~20 at distances o…
We present first results of near infrared J and H+K ESO-SINFONI integral field spectroscopy of the composite starburst/Seyfert 1.8 galaxy Mrk 609. The data were taken during the science verification period of SINFONI. We aim to investigate the morphology and excitation conditions within the central 2 kpc. Additional Nobeyama 45 m CO(1-0) data are presented, which we used to estimate the molecular gas mass. The source was selected from a sample of adaptive optics suitable, SDSS/ROSAT based, X-ray bright AGN with redshifts of 0.03 < z < 1. This sample allows for a detailed study of the NIR prope…
We present a high spatial and spectral resolution 2-D echelle spectrogram of the Narrow-Line Region in the Seyfert 2 galaxy NGC1386. This Seyfert galaxy was observed with CASPEC in the wavelength range 5270-7725 Angstrom which covers the H-alpha and the [N II] lines. With the use of spatially high resolved images taken with the WFPC2 aboard the Hubble Space Telescope we could identify individual components of the Narrow-Line Region in our spectra. A Gaussian decomposition of the spectra revealed 9 distinct emission-line complexes. The brightest component is blue-shifted by -120+-10 km/s with r…
The high latitude translucent molecular cloud L1642 has been mapped in the J=1-0 and J=2-1 transitions of 12CO, 13CO and C18O using the SEST radio telescope. We have analysed the morphology and velocity structure of the cloud using the Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) method. The results show that L1642 is composed of a main structure at radial velocity 0.2 km/s while the higher velocity components at ~0.5 and 1.0 km/s form an incomplete ring around it, suggesting an expanding shell structure. Fainter emission extends to the north with a still higher velocity of up to 1.6 km/s. Such a veloc…
We explore galaxy properties and their link with environment and clustering using a population of ~1000 galaxies formed in a high resolution hydrodynamic simulation of the Lambda CDM cosmology. At the redshift we concentrate on, z=1, the spatial resolution is 1.4 proper kpc/h and Milky-way sized disk galaxies contain ~10^5 particles within their virial radii. We include supermassive black hole accretion and feedback as well as a multiphase model for star formation. We find that a number of familiar qualitative relationships hold approximately between galaxy properties, for example, galaxies li…
The morphological properties of the Carina, Sculptor and Fornax dwarfs are investigated using new wide field data with a total area of 29 square degrees. The stellar density maps are derived, hinting that Sculptor possesses tidal tails indicating interaction with the Milky Way. Contrary to previous studies we cannot find any sign of breaks in the density profiles for the Carina and Fornax dwarfs. The possible existence of tidal tails in Sculptor and of King limiting radii in Fornax and Carina are used to derive global M/L ratios, without using kinematic data. By matching those M/L ratios to ki…
The morphology of a disk galaxy is closely linked to its kinematic state. This is because density wave features are likely made of spontaneously-formed modes which are allowed to arise in the galactic resonant cavity of a particular basic disk state. The pattern speed of a density wave is an important parameter that characterizes the wave and its associated resonances. Numerical simulations by various authors have enabled us to interpret some galaxies in terms of high or low pattern speeds. The potential-density phase-shift method for locating corotation radii is an effective new tool for util…
(Abridged) The two-dimensional distribution and kinematics of the molecular, ionized, and highly ionized gas in the nuclear regions of Seyfert 1 galaxies have been measured using high spatial resolution (~0''.09) near-infrared spectroscopy from NIRSPEC with adaptive optics on the Keck telescope. Molecular hydrogen, H2, is detected in all nine Seyfert 1 galaxies and, in the majority of galaxies, has a spatially resolved flux distribution. In contrast, the narrow component of the BrG emission has a distribution consistent with that of the K-band continuum. In general, the kinematics of H2 are co…
We present initial results from a survey of nearby AGN using the near infrared adaptive optics integral field spectrograph SINFONI. These data enable us to probe the distribution and kinematics of the gas and stars at spatial resolutions as small as 0.085arcsec, corresponding in some cases to less than 10pc. In this contribution we present results concerning (1) the molecular gas in the nucleus of NGC1068 and its relation to the obscuring torus; and (2) the stars which exist on spatial scales of a few tens of parsecs around the AGN, the evidence for their remarkably young age and extreme inten…
We discuss the morphology, photometry and kinematics of the bars which have formed in three N-body simulations. These have initially the same disc and the same halo-to-disc mass ratio, but their haloes have very different central concentrations. The third model includes a bulge. The bar in the model with the centrally concentrated halo (model MH) is much stronger, longer and thinner than the bar in the model with the less centrally concentrated halo (model MD). Its shape, when viewed side-on, evolves from boxy to peanut and then to X-shaped, as opposed to that of model MD, which stays boxy. Th…
New VLA images of NH3 (1,1), (2,2), and (3,3) emission in the central 10 parsecs of the Galaxy trace filamentary streams of gas, several of which appear to feed the circumnuclear disk (CND). The NH3 images have a spatial resolution of 16.5''x14.5'' and have better spatial sampling than previous NH3 observations. The images show the ``southern streamer,'' ``50 km/s cloud,'' and new features including a ``western streamer'', 6 parsecs in length, and a ``northern ridge'' which connects to the CND. NH3(3,3) emission is very similar to 1.2 mm dust emission indicating that NH3 traces column density …
We aim at a detailed description of the kinematic properties of the old, (several Gyrs) late-type CO-absorption star population among the Galactic centre (GC) cluster stars. We applied AO-assisted, near-infrared imaging and integral-field spectroscopy using the instruments NAOS/CONICA and SINFONI at the VLT. We obtained proper motions for 5445 stars, 3D velocities for 664 stars, and acceleration limits (in the sky plane) for 750 stars. We detect for the first time significant cluster rotation in the sense of the general Galactic rotation in proper motions. Out of the 3D velocity dispersion, we…
We present integral field spectroscopy of NGC 5033, a low luminosity Seyfert galaxy. The observations were made with INTEGRAL, a fiber based system operating at the WHT. The intensity map of the H$β$ emission line represents a spiral or ring-like pattern of HII regions. On the contrary, the [OIII] intensity map morphology is markedly anisotropic. The strong morphological differences imply that the [OIII] emitters represent highly ionized gas illuminated by the central source. The [OIII] map morphology is compatible with a biconical structure of ionization induced by strong extinction in the ga…
(abridged) We present new N-body, hydrodynamical simulations of the interaction between the starburst galaxy NGC 7714 and its post-starburst companion NGC 7715, focusing on the formation of the collisional features, including: 1) the gas-rich star forming bridge, 2) the large gaseous loop (and stellar tails) to the west of the system, 3) the very extended HI tail to the west and north of NGC 7714, and 4) the partial stellar ring in NGC 7714. Our simulations confirm the results of earlier work that an off-center inclined collision between two disk galaxies is almost certainly responsible for th…
