NGC 6240 : a unique interacting galaxy.
Abstract
It is demonstrated that the nucleus of the radio galaxy NGC 6240 consists of two components. A pronounced double nucleus has been detected on an S 1 image tube plate in the I band and on r and I exposures of the galaxy taken with a CCD camera. CCD photometry results for the two nuclei and for the galaxy as a whole are shown, along with isophote-plots of the CCD exposures and spectra of the galaxy. Image tube spectrograms provide evidence that the extended regions of ionized gas in the galaxy are dominated by shock heating on a scale of about 6 kpc. The morphology of the galaxy is discussed, emphasizing the similarity of the two nuclei as evidence that two colliding galaxies are involved.
- Publication:
-
Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Pub Date:
- February 1983
- Bibcode:
- 1983A&A...118..166F
- Keywords:
-
- Astronomical Photography;
- Galactic Nuclei;
- Interacting Galaxies;
- Radio Galaxies;
- Astronomical Spectroscopy;
- Charge Coupled Devices;
- Computerized Simulation;
- Image Tubes;
- Ionized Gases;
- Shock Heating;
- Astrophysics