Nature of the ionizing source of the nuclear gas in NGC 1052

Journal Article · Tue Mar 15 00:00:00 EST 1983 · Astrophys. J., Lett. Ed.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/183984· OSTI ID:6080288

Keel, W C; Miller, J S

We examine the ionization and physical state of the emission-line region in the nucleus of elliptical galaxy NGC 1052. The (O III) lambda4363/lambda5007 ratio, frequently used as a diagnostic for ionization mechanisms, is very poorly determined because of difficulties in matching the underlying stellar continuum spectrum, which is unusual in having very strong lines for the galaxy luminosity. Within these limitations, we find the (O III) temperature to be only marginally compatible with shock models, and the overall emission spectrum to be better fitted by photoionization models with a very dilute flat-spectrum central source. In any event, the case for NGC 1052 as a shock-heated nucleus is not strong.

• Research Organization: Lick Observatory, Board of Studies in Astronomy and Astrophysics, University of California, Santa Cruz
• OSTI ID: 6080288
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J., Lett. Ed.; (United States), Vol. 266:2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
GALAXY NUCLEI
IONIZATION
ABSORPTION SPECTRA
EMISSION SPECTRA
OXYGEN IONS
SHOCK WAVES
CHARGED PARTICLES
IONS
SPECTRA
640105* - Astrophysics & Cosmology- Galaxies