Warped dust lanes in elliptical galaxies : transient or stationary phenomena ?
Abstract
Spectroscopic observations of NGC 5128 show that the stellar component possesses a velocity gradient along its major axis with a total velocity difference of 160 km/s. This velocity, together with a velocity dispersion of 140 km/s, places NGC 5128 among the fast rotating elliptical galaxies. It is found that the motion of the warped dust lane with respect to that of the stars is direct. Prograde motions are also found in the warp of the E4 Anon 0151-498, while observations of a warped dust lane with retrograde motion in the E3.5 NGC 5363 are reported. The conditions under which the warped configurations in these galaxies are transient or stationary are analyzed. The intrinsic shape of these systems is also discussed.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- May 1985
- DOI:
- 10.1086/184471
- Bibcode:
- 1985ApJ...292L..51B
- Keywords:
-
- Elliptical Galaxies;
- Galactic Structure;
- Interstellar Matter;
- Stellar Motions;
- Cosmic Dust;
- Astrophysics