NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Far-infrared structure in the nuclear region of M51Far-infrared (100-micron) scans across the nucleus of M51 are presented. These scans show that much of the far-infrared luminosity of this galaxy comes from a small, sharply bounded region within a 30 arcsec radius (700 pc) of the nucleus. This radius corresponds to the innermost spiral structure, as well as that estimated from dynamical models for the radius of the inner Lindblad resonance. The results of a nonlinear image restoration analysis of the data are presented. This analysis, carried out with two different algorithms, yields information on the spatial structure of star formation near the nucleus that exceeds the diffraction limit of the telescope at this wavelength. This 'superresolution' treatment shows that star formation is enhanced at the outer edge of this region compared to the nucleus, which appears to be relatively devoid of young stars. This ring of active star formation may be produced in the same way as that seen in our own Galaxy at a galactocentric radius of 4-5 kpc and may indicate that the region near the nucleus has been swept clean of material by violent processes.
Document ID
19860045911
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Lester, D. F.
(Texas Univ. Austin, TX, United States)
Harvey, P. M.
(Texas Univ. Austin, TX, United States)
Joy, M.
(Texas, University; McDonald Observatory, Austin, TX, United States)
Date Acquired
August 12, 2013
Publication Date
March 1, 1986
Publication Information
Publication: Astrophysical Journal, Part 1
Volume: 302
ISSN: 0004-637X
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Accession Number
86A30649
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG2-67
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available