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Gemini IFU, VLA, and HST observation of the OH Megamaser Galaxy IRAS17526+3253

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(2019)cite arxiv:1903.04729Comment: 19 pages, 13 figures, 3 tables, Accepted for publication in MNRAS.

Abstract

We present a multiwavelength study of the OH megamaser galaxy (OHMG) IRAS17526+3253, based on new Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph Integral Field Unit (GMOS/IFU) observations, Hubble Space Telescope F814W and H$\alpha$+N\sc ii images, and archival 2MASS and 1.49GHz VLA data. The HST images clearly reveal a mid-to-advanced stage major merger whose northwestern and southeastern nuclei have a projected separation of $\sim$8.5kpc. Our HST/H$\alpha$+N\sc ii image shows regions of ongoing star-formation across the envelope on $\sim$10kpc scales, which are aligned with radio features, supporting the interpretation that the radio emission originates from star-forming regions. The measured H$\alpha$ luminosities imply that the unobscured star-formation rate is $\sim$10-30\,M$_ødot$yr$^-1$. The GMOS/IFU data reveal two structures in northwestern separated by 850\,pc and by a discontinuity in the velocity field of $\sim$~200~km~s$^-1$. We associate the blue-shifted and red-shifted components with, respectively, the distorted disk of northwestern and tidal debris, possibly a tail originating in southeastern. Star-formation is the main ionization source in both components, which have SFRs of $\sim$2.6-7.9\,M$_ødot$yr$^-1$ and $\sim$1.5-4.5\,M$_ødot$yr$^-1$, respectively. Fainter line emission bordering these main components is consistent with shock ionization at a velocity $\sim$200~km~s$^-1$ and may be the result of an interaction between the tidal tail and the northwestern galaxy's disk. IRAS17526+3253 is one of only a few systems known to host both luminous OH and H$_2$O masers. The velocities of the OH and H$_2$O maser lines suggest that they are associated with the northwestern and southeastern galaxies, respectively.

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