Contents
Images
Upload your image
DSS Images Other Images
Related articles
The Relation between Galaxy Activity and the Dynamics of Compact Groups of Galaxies
Using a sample of 91 galaxies distributed over 27 compact groups (CGs)of galaxies, we define an index that allows us to quantify their levelof activity due to an active galactic nucleus (AGN) or star formation.By combining the mean activity index with the mean morphological type ofthe galaxies in a group, we are able to quantify the evolutionary stateof the groups. We find that they span an evolutionary sequence thatcorrelates with the spatial configuration of the galaxies in the CG. Wedistinguish three main configuration types: A, B, and C. Type A CGs showpredominantly low velocity dispersions and are rich in late-type spiralsthat show active star formation or harbor an AGN. Type B groups haveintermediate velocity dispersions and contain a large fraction ofinteracting or merging galaxies. Type C comprises CGs with high velocitydispersions, which are dominated by elliptical galaxies that show noactivity. We suggest that evolution proceeds A==>B==>C. Mappingthe groups with different evolution levels in a diagram of radius versusvelocity dispersion does not reveal the pattern expected based on theconventional fast merger model for CGs, which predicts a direct relationbetween these two parameters. Instead, we observe a trend contrary toexpectation: the evolutionary state of a group increases with velocitydispersion. This trend seems to be related to the masses of thestructures in which CGs are embedded. In general, the evolutionary stateof a group increases with the mass of the structure. This suggestseither that galaxies evolve more rapidly in massive structures or thatthe formation of CGs embedded in massive structures predated theformation of CGs associated with lower mass systems. Our observationsare consistent with the structure formation predicted by the CDM model(or ΛCDM), only if the formation of galaxies is a biased process.
| The Nature of the Compact Group HCG 54
We present here a study of HCG 54 based on deep optical images andspectroscopy, as well as high resolution ion{H}{1} data obtained withthe VLA. HCG 54 is embedded in an ion{H}{1} cloud of diameter 12 kpcplus a 20 kpc tidal tail emerging from its western edge. The formationof this tail can be explained by the passage of a dwarf galaxy that wefound close to the end of the tail. The central system is surrounded byseveral optical shells produced by the interaction of two disks. HCG 54ais probably the main object of the system, while HCG 54cd mightconstitute the remnent of the second merging body.
| Ripples and tails in the compact group of galaxies Hickson 54
HCG 54 has been classified as a compact galaxy group by Hickson, but itsnature is uncertain because of its unusual properties. We present here astudy of HCG 54 based on deep optical images and spectroscopy as well ashigh spatial and spectral resolution HI observations obtained at theVLA. Both optical and radio data indicate clearly that HCG 54 is aproduct of a recent merger involving at least two galaxies. Our opticalimages have revealed a blue elongated structure associated with HCG 54aembedded in a rounder and redder stellar envelope. Several ripples orshells whose center is located near HCG 54a and b are also detected.These observed features are similar to those found in the numericalsimulations of tidal interactions involving two equal mass diskgalaxies. This system is embedded in an HI cloud 12 kpc in diameter, anda 20 kpc HI tidal tail emerges from its western edge. Both the HIdistribution and kinematics are consistent with a recent history of adeeply penetrating interaction or a merger. Based on the analysis of ournew data we propose that HCG 54 is the remnant of a merger in anadvanced stage, whose main body is what has been called HCG 54a, whileHCG 54b marks the location of a strong starburst induced by theinteraction, as evidenced by the Wolf Rayet stellar population that wedetect. Optical spectra of HCG 54c and d show HII region features andare interpreted as tidal debris of the collision undergoing active starformation. Based on observations made with the VLA operated by theNational Radio Astronomy Observatory (the National Radio AstronomyObservatory is a facility of the National Science Foundation operatedunder cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.) and ondata taken using ALFOSC, which is owned by the Instituto deAstrofísica de Andalucía (IAA) and operated at the NordicOptical Telescope under agreement between IAA and the NBIfA of theAstronomical Observatory of Copenhagen.
| The second Kiso Survey for ultraviolet-excess galaxies. II.
Not Available
| On the Influence of the Environment on the Star Formation Rates of a Sample of Galaxies in Nearby Compact Groups
We present the results of a study of the star formation rates (SFRs) ofa sample of disk galaxies in nearby compact groups compared with theSFRs of a sample of field galaxies. For this purpose, Hαluminosities and equivalent widths were derived for the galaxies of oursample. A direct comparison of the equivalent widths and Hαluminosities, normalized to the B luminosities and estimated area of thegalaxies of both samples, yields the result that the median values ofthese quantities are almost identical for both samples, although thedistributions for the compact-group sample are broader around the meanvalue than was found in the field galaxy sample. This result can beexplained by assuming that although interactions between galaxies incompact groups can alter the SFRs, the median value of the normalizedSFRs is preserved, being almost indistinguishable from the correspondingvalue for field galaxies. Measuring the global L_Hα/L_B of thegroups, including early-type galaxies, we find that most of the groupsthat show the highest level of L_Hα/L_B with respect to a set ofsynthetic groups built out of field galaxies show tidal features in atleast one of their members. Finally, we have explored the relationshipbetween the ratio L_Hα/L_B and several relevant dynamicalparameters of the groups: velocity dispersion, crossing time, radius,and the mass-to-luminosity ratio, finding no clear correlation. Thissuggests that the exact dynamical state of a group does not control theSFR of the group as a whole. Our results are compatible with a scenariofor compact groups of galaxies in which the dark matter of the group isarranged in a common halo, therefore preventing a fast collapse of thegalaxies.
| An H_alpha catalogue of galaxies in Hickson compact groups. I. The sample
We present H_alpha photometry for a sample of 95 galaxies in HicksonCompact Groups obtained from observations of 31 groups. The Cataloguelists isophotal and adaptive aperture (Kron aperture) flux measurementsfor about 75% of the accordant galaxies inside the observed HCGs, 22 outof which are upper limits. Non standard data reduction procedures havebeen used to obtain the continuum subtracted H_alpha images for each HCGof the target sample. Flux calibration has also been performed in orderto obtain H_alpha luminosities for the whole sample. Both the datareduction and calibration procedures are carefully described in thispaper. The new data listed in this Catalogue are of great importance inunderstanding the star formation rate inside HCG galaxies and in givingnew insights on its dependence on galaxy interactions. Tables 3 to 10and Figs. 6 to 11 are only available in electronic version athttp://www.edpsciences.com Tables 7, 8, 9 are also available inelectronic version form at the CDS via anonymous ftp tocdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (130.79.128.5) or viahttp://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/Abstract.html
| Atlas of H alpha Emission of a Sample of Nearby Hickson Compact Groups of Galaxies
H alpha and adjacent continuum images are presented for a sample ofnearby groups of galaxies extracted from the Atlas of Compact Groups ofGalaxies. Also, more detailed H alpha maps of the most remarkablegalaxies are shown in this paper. A short description of the H alphaemission for each of the galaxies with accordant redshift is presentedtogether with a morphological classification of the accordant galaxiesin the sample. A large fraction of ellipticals and lenticulars weredetected in H alpha . Also, clear signs of interactions were found inseven of the groups, but in only in three of them was H alpha emissiondetected along the tidal features. Candidates of dwarf galaxies werefound at the tips of the tidal tails developed during the interactionsin these three groups.
| Far infrared properties of Hickson compact groups of galaxies. I. High resolution IRAS maps and fluxes.
The Far Infrared (FIR) properties of galaxies which are members ofcompact groups bear relevant information on the dynamical status and thephysical properties of these structures. All studies published so farhave been undermined by the poor sensitivity and spatial resolution ofthe IRAS-PSC and IRAS Sky Survey data. We used the HIRAS softwareavailable at the IRAS server at the Laboratory for Space Research inGroningen to fully exploit the redundancy of the IRAS data and toapproach the theoretical diffraction limit of IRAS. Among the 97 groupswhich were observed by IRAS, 62 were detected in at least one band,while reliable upper limits were derived for all the others. Among thedetected groups, 49 were fully or partially resolved, i.e. it waspossible to discriminate which member or members emit most of the FIRlight. At 60μm, for instance, 87 individual sources were detected in62 groups. In order to ease the comparison with data obtained at otherwavelengths - and in particular in the X and radio domains - we giveco-added and HIRAS maps for all the detected groups.
| Morphology of galaxies in compact groups
We present the results of an isophotal analysis of 140 early-typegalaxies and a visual inspection of images of an additional 202 galaxiesin compact groups. This is essentially the entire sample of galaxies inthe subset of 92 Hickson compact groups which have at least threeaccordant members. About 12% of the elliptical galaxies have largercharacteristic radii and shallower surface brightness profiles thangalaxies of the same luminosity in less dense environments. The averageellipticity of elliptical galaxies in compact groups is a slowlyincreasing function of the metric radius, as it is for field andloose-group galaxies. No alignment is found among the major axes of thegalaxies and the major axis of the group. When combined with previouslypublished morphological, kinematic, radio, infrared, and colorinformation on the same galaxies, our data show that 43% of the galaxiesin the compact group sample show morphological and/or kinematicaldistortions indicative of interactions and/or mergers. About 32% of thegroups have three or more galaxies which show some sign of interaction.This is a lower limit, since for the great majority of the galaxies inthe groups, only imaging and low-resolution spectra are available. Forthe subsample of 16 groups for which published detailed kinematical dataare also available, the fraction of groups with three or more galaxiesin interaction is 75%. No correlation is found between the number ofinteracting galaxies in a group and the group velocity dispersion orcrossing time. These observations strongly support the view that compactgroups are systems of physically associated galaxies and not chancealignments of field, loose-group, or cluster galaxies. They also confirmthe importance of compact groups for studies of interactions and galaxyevolution. While the lack of a good control sample makes it difficult tomake quantitative comparisons for some aspects of this study, it isclear that the fraction of galaxies showing evidence of interactions ismuch higher in compact groups than in other environments.
| Morphology of early-type galaxies in compact groups, 2.
This is the second paper of a series in which we study the morphology ofearly-type galaxies in compact groups (CGGs). Here we present newgeometrical and luminosity profiles of a sample of 47 early-typegalaxies belonging to 16 Hickson Compact Groups. These new data,together with those of the previous work, confirm the indication thatboxy ellipticals are less frequent in compact groups than in differentenvironments. More generally, the data available up to now seem toindicate that early-type galaxies in compact groups show less signatures(perturbed profiles, nuclear dust lanes, boxiness of the isophotes) ofhaving yet experienced close encounters and merging events, with respectto galaxies in other environments. A weak indication exists that, amongCGG ellipticals, boxiness of the isophotes is moere frequent in the morecompact groups.
| On actual presence of discordant-redshift galaxies in compact groups
Hickson's compact galaxy groups were classified using the statisticalcriterion which includes the radial velocities of galaxies as well astheir relative positions. These groups on the whole and their componentsare identified as the confident and probable non-chance ones as well asprobable and confident chance ones. All confident chance objects havethe discordant radial velocities with the differences of radialvelocities (DV) Epsilon between 1,000 km/s and 20,000 km/s. The specialclass of objects 'bright discordants' is selected. These galaxies havethe discordant radial velocities with DV Epsilon between 825 km/s and8440 km/s and have a strong tendency to be the brightest components oftheir groups. The lowest difference of radial velocities for the lastclass of objects mean value of DV = (1.0 +/- 0.2) x 103 km/sand we accept this value of DV as the lowest value of discordant radialvelocities. It is found that the biggest part of Hickson's compactgroups consist of non-chance aggregations of galaxies and some of thecases of discordant-redshifts require a special study in order toexplain their origin from a dynamic or some other point of view.
| Dynamical properties of compact groups of galaxies
Radial velocities are presented for 457 galaxies in the 100 Hicksoncompact groups. More than 84 percent of the galaxies measured havevelocities within 1000 km/s of the median velocity in the group.Ninety-two groups have at least three accordant members, and 69 groupshave at least four. The radial velocities of these groups range from1380 to 42,731 km/s with a median of 8889 km/s, corresponding to amedian distance of 89/h Mpc. The apparent space density of these systemsranges from 300 to as much as 10 exp 8 sq h/sq Mpc, which exceeds thedensities in the centers of rich clusters. The median projectedseparation between galaxies is 39/h kpc, comparable to the sizes of thegalaxies themselves. A significant correlation is found between crossingtime and the fraction of gas-rich galaxies in the groups, and a weakanticorrelation is found between crossing time and the luminositycontrast of the first-ranked galaxy.
| A photometric catalog of compact groups of galaxies
The paper presents astrometry, photometry, and morphological types,derived from CCD images, for 463 galaxies in the 100 compact groupsselected by Hickson. Some minor revisions to the membership of theoriginal catalog are made, based on these new images. The completenessof the catalog is considered as a function of group magnitude andGalactic latitude. At high Galactic latitude the catalog is estimated tobe 90 percent complete for groups with total B(T) magnitude 13.0 orless. It is less complete at lower Galactic latitude because ofobscuration and high stellar density.
| The Wasilewski sample of emission-line galaxies - Follow-up CCD imaging and spectroscopic and IRAS observations
The results of an extensive imaging and spectroscopic follow-up of theobjective prism-selected emission line galaxy (ELG) sample of Wasilewski(1982) are presented. Fluxes at 12, 25, 60, and 100 microns were alsoobtained from the coadded IRAS survey data. ELGs found by objectiveprism surveys are found to be generally small and underluminous galaxieswhich usually have higher than average optical surface brightness. TheSeyfert detection rate in objective prism surveys is roughly 10 percentand the ratio of the space densities of Seyfert 2 to Seyfert 1 galaxiesis significantly larger than unity. Most of the galaxies selected byobjective prism surveys are star-forming, late-type spirals which oftenshow disturbed morphology. About 25 percent of the galaxies detected bythe surveys are faint, high-excitation metal-poor compact H II regions.
| A catalog of low-surface-brightness objects - Declination zone + 20 deg
Plates from the second Palomar Sky Survey are used to compile a list oflow-surface-brightness objects located along declination zone + 20 deg.Coordinates, descriptions, sizes, and ellipticities are presented usingthe same selection criteria of 1 arcmin limiting diameter as the UppsalaCatalog of Galaxies (Nilson 1973). Lists of previously known galaxieswith new low-surface-brightness features and interestinglow-surface-brightness objects with diameters between 0.5 and 1 arcminare also presented. As expected, the low-surface-brightness end of theluminosity function is dominated by late-type systems and dwarfs.Comparison with CCD surface photometry indicates an average limitingsurface brightness of 26.0 B mag/sq arcsec for this survey as comparedto 25.2 B mag/sq arcsec for the UGC. On the whole, too few newlow-surface-brightness galaxies have been found for the space density ofthese objects to be higher than that defined by conventional diskgalaxies.
| Neutral hydrogen in compact groups of galaxies
Integrated H I profiles were detected for 34 of 51 Hickson compactgroups (HCGs) of galaxies, and sensitive upper limits to the H I fluxdensity were measured for the other 17. About 60 percent of the galaxieswithin compact groups are spirals, and a significant tendency exists forthe fraction of elliptical galaxies to increase with group surfacebrightness. The amount of dark matter within the compact group region isnegligibly small. An HCG on average contains half as much neutralhydrogen as a loose group with a similar spectrum of galaxy luminositiesand morphological types, implying that compact groups are independentdynamical entities and not transient or projected configurations ofloose groups. The observed fraction of galaxies which are luminousenough to be possible merger products of compact groups is smallcompared with the fraction required by the theory of dynamical friction.A clear discrepancy thus exists between solid empirical evidence and astraightforward prediction of Newtonian dynamical theory in a settingwhich does not permit a dark matter explanation.
| Neutral hydrogen in starburst galaxies
A survey of neutral-hydrogen 21 cm emission from a sample of starburstgalaxies was conducted in order to derive their global properties. Ofthe 72 galaxies surveyed, H I was detected in 47. Average mass-to-lightratios log (MH/Lpg) = -0.7 + or - 0.4 and log (MT/Lpg) = 0.5 + or - 0.4.The masses and luminosities span the range 10 to the 10th-12th solarmasses and 10 to the 9th-11th solar luminosities, typical of normal latespirals. The starburst activity, as measured by the luminosity of theH-alpha line, correlates roughly with the mass of atomic hydrogen, thetotal mass, and the total photographic luminosity of the host galaxy. Itis suggested that the occurrence of a nuclear starburst and the strengthof such an event probably do not depend strongly on the large-scaleproperties of the galaxy.
| A catalogue of early-type galaxies with emission lines
Spectroscopic and photometric data on 289 early-type galaxies (E and S0)with optical emission lines are presented and possible correlationsamong properties of the galaxies in the sample are investigated. Theoccurrence of phenomena as radio emission, presence of neutral hydrogenand dust shows an increase in comparison with the occurrence of the samephenomena in these morphological classes as a whole. There is noevidence of a relationship between apparent shape and presence ofionized gas in the central regions.
| Gravitational amplification of brightest cluster galaxies by foreground clusters
It is suggested that the Hubble diagram of brightest cluster galaxies(BCG) is strongly affected by gravitational amplifications due toforeground clusters of galaxies. Galaxies from Kristian et al.'s (1978)sample are placed with respect to foreground Zwicky clusters and theirdeviations from the mean magnitude-redshift relation are compared to thepredictions of Ricci gravitational amplification formula. It is foundthat the gravitational brightness increase reaches some tenth ofmagnitudes for these BCGs and that it has induced a strong selectioneffect artificially increasing the deceleration parameter q0.Once these effects are accounted for the Hubble diagram value ofq0 might agree with the low values obtained for the densityparameter sigma0 (0.1-0.2) without any need for rapidevolution.
| The space density and spectroscopic properties of a new sample of emission-line galaxies
A 4-deg objective prism survey for low redshift emission line galaxiesconducted over an 825 sq deg region of the sky indicates that a newsample of emission line galaxies is available even in areas which havebeen well searched with the 'excess UV-continuum' technique. Thesegalaxies commonly occur in systems with peculiar morphology, indicatinggravitational interaction with a close companion or other disturbance.The space density of the new galaxies is found to be similar to thespace density of the Markarian galaxies. The present galaxies representabout 8 percent of all nearby galaxies in the -16.5 to -22.5 absolutemagnitude range, and are composed of a population which is completelyindependent of the Markarian sample.
| Systematic properties of compact groups of galaxies
An analysis of estimated galaxy magnitudes, morphology, and groupangular size for the case of 100 compact groups of galaxies indicatesthat (1) there is no correlation between group density and magnitudedifference between first- and second-ranked galaxies, (2) there is nopreferred morphological type for the first-ranked galaxies, many ofwhich are spiral, (3) the groups contain fewer spirals than a comparablesample of field galaxies, and (4) there seems to be a deficiency offaint galaxies, in comparison with rich cluster and field galaxies. Thisapparent deficiency is greater in groups with elliptical, first-rankedgalaxies. Implications of the above results are discussed from theviewpoint of dynamical evolution.
| Atlas of interacting galaxies, Part. II and the concept of fragmentation of galaxies.
Abstract image available at:http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?1977A&AS...28....1V&db_key=AST
|
Submit a new article
Related links
Submit a new link
Member of following groups:
|
Observation and Astrometry data
Catalogs and designations:
|
