Optical structure of infrared-luminous galaxies.
Abstract
A detailed optical investigation of eight extragalactic IRAS sources which we have recently identified and observed by means of CCD imaging and spectroscopy is presented. We found 14 individual galaxies associated with these eight sources all showing peculiar morphologies and strong spatially extended line emission. The excitation conditions for the optical radiation as well as the heating mechanisms of the thermal far-infrared emission are investigated and the evolutionary stage of these systems is discussed. In at least seven cases the observational facts can be explained as a consequence of strong tidal interaction or even merging inducing a burst of star formation. Albeit the triggering mechanism of the activity seems to be the same for all objects, different scenarios have to be applied to explain the different strength of energy output and the variety of excitation states.
- Publication:
-
Astronomy and Astrophysics Supplement Series
- Pub Date:
- October 1991
- Bibcode:
- 1991A&AS...90...33K
- Keywords:
-
- Galactic Evolution;
- Galactic Structure;
- Infrared Astronomy;
- Interacting Galaxies;
- Optical Emission Spectroscopy;
- Balmer Series;
- Cosmic Dust;
- Forbidden Bands;
- Infrared Astronomy Satellite;
- Star Formation;
- Starburst Galaxies;
- Tides;
- Astrophysics