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The far-infrared and optical structure of Arp 220The spatial structure of the luminous peculiar galaxy Arp 220 has been investigated in the far infrared. The results reveal that most of the luminosity is from a source less than 3 kpc in extent, located in the nuclear region of the galaxy. The size constraints yield a lower limit of 0.05 for the 100 micron optical depth, implying a hydrogen column density over 5 x 10 to the 22nd/sq cm. New optical images confirm that the double-lobed optical appearance results from strong absorption across the true nucleus. Arp 220 exhibits three primary features which provide strong evidence for an external source of energy: (1) a chaotic and highly asymmetric galactic halo; (2) a large internal velocity dispersion in CO and H I; and (3) extreme compression of gas and dust. These features are natural consequences of previously proposed models which invoke a direct galactic collision and merger, and are unlikely to result from a long-range tidal interaction with the neighboring galaxy IC 4554.
Document ID
19870023887
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Joy, M.
(Texas Univ. Austin, TX, United States)
Lester, D. F.
(Texas Univ. Austin, TX, United States)
Harvey, P. M.
(Texas Univ. Austin, TX, United States)
Frueh, M.
(Texas, University; McDonald Observatory, Austin, TX, United States)
Date Acquired
August 13, 2013
Publication Date
August 1, 1986
Publication Information
Publication: Astrophysical Journal, Part 1
Volume: 307
ISSN: 0004-637X
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Accession Number
87A11161
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG2-67
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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