The orientation parameters and rotation curves of 15 spiral galaxies
Abstract
We analyzed ionized gas motion and disk orientation parameters for 15 spiral galaxies. Their velocity fields were measured with the Hα emission line by using the Fabry-Perot interferometer at the 6 m telescope of SAO RAS. Special attention is paid to the problem of estimating the position angle of the major axis (PA0) and the inclination (i) of a disk, which strongly affect the derived circular rotation velocity. We discuss and compare different methods of obtaining these parameters from kinematic and photometric observations, taking into account the presence of regular velocity (brightness) perturbations caused by spiral density waves. It is shown that the commonly used method of tilted rings may lead to systematic errors in the estimation of orientation parameters (and hence of circular velocity) being applied to galaxies with an ordered spiral structure. Instead we recommend using an assumption of constancy of i and PA0 along a radius, to estimate these parameters. For each galaxy of our sample we present monochromatic Hα- and continuum maps, velocity fields of ionized gas, and the mean rotation curves in the frame of a model of pure circular gas motion. Significant deviations from circular motion with amplitudes of several tens of km s-1 (or higher) are found in almost all galaxies. The character and possible nature of the non-circular motion are briefly discussed.
Based on observations collected with the 6 m telescope of the Special Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS), operated under the financial support of the Science Department of Russia (registration number 01-43). Section 4 and Figs. 6-19 are only avalaible in electronic form at http://www.edpsciences.org- Publication:
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Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Pub Date:
- January 2005
- DOI:
- 10.1051/0004-6361:200400087
- arXiv:
- arXiv:astro-ph/0409622
- Bibcode:
- 2005A&A...430...67F
- Keywords:
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- galaxies: kinematics and dynamics;
- galaxies: spiral;
- Astrophysics
- E-Print:
- Accepted in A&