UGC 12591: The Most Rapidly Rotating Disk Galaxy
Abstract
Observations at 21 cm and optical observations of the S0/Sa galaxy UGC 12591 show that this galaxy possesses the largest rotational velocity of any disk system known so far. At 500 km/s, it exceeds by 30 percent the largest values previously measured. The 21 cm profile probably also exhibits an absorption feature near the systemic velocity of the galaxy. It is not yet certain whether UGC 12591 is a unique object at the extremum of the distribution, or one of a class of very massive, early-type disk galaxies, yet unrecognized because of instrumental limitations.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- February 1986
- DOI:
- 10.1086/184613
- Bibcode:
- 1986ApJ...301L...7G
- Keywords:
-
- Disk Galaxies;
- Galactic Rotation;
- Radio Astronomy;
- Angular Velocity;
- Centimeter Waves;
- Mass To Light Ratios;
- Astrophysics;
- GALAXIES: INTERNAL MOTIONS;
- RADIO SOURCES: 21 CM RADIATION