EXTENDED NARROW-LINE EMISSION IN THE BRIGHT SEYFERT 1.5 GALAXY HE 2211-3903

Journal Article · Mon Aug 15 04:00:00 EDT 2011 · Astronomical Journal (New York, N.Y. Online)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1088/0004-6256/142/2/43· OSTI ID:21583024

Scharwaechter, J; Dopita, M A ^[1]; Zuther, J; Fischer, S; Eckart, A ^[2]; Komossa, S ^[3]

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1. Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics, The Australian National University, Mount Stromlo Observatory, Cotter Road, Weston Creek 2611 (Australia)
2. I. Physikalisches Institut, Universitaet zu Koeln, Zuelpicher Strasse 77, 50937 Koeln (Germany)
3. Max-Planck-Institut fuer extraterrestrische Physik, Postfach 1312, 85741 Garching (Germany)

Extended narrow-line regions (ENLRs) and extended emission-line regions have been the focus of integral field spectroscopy aiming at the inner kiloparsecs of nearby Seyfert galaxies as well as the larger environment of high-redshift QSOs. Based on observations with the Wide Field Spectrograph at the 2.3 m telescope of the Australian National University, we present spatially resolved emission-line diagnostics of the bright Seyfert 1.5 galaxy HE 2211-3903 which is drawn from a sample of the brightest Seyfert galaxies at z < 0.06 with luminosities around the classical Seyfert/QSO demarcation. In addition to the previously known spiral arms of HE 2211-3903, the emission-line maps reveal a large-scale ring with a radius of about 6 kpc which is connected to the active galactic nucleus (AGN) through a bar-like structure. The overall gas kinematics indicates a disk rotation pattern. The emission-line ratios show Seyfert-type, H II region-type, and composite classifications, while there is no strong evidence of LINER-type ratios. Shock ionization is likely to be negligible throughout the galaxy. The composite line ratios are explained via a mixing line between AGN and H II region photoionization. Composite line ratios are predominantly found in between the H II regions in the circum-nuclear region, the bar-like structure to the east of the nucleus, and the eastern half of the ring, suggesting AGN photoionization of the low-density interstellar medium in an ENLR on galaxy scales. The line ratios in the nucleus indicate N enrichment, which is discussed in terms of chemical enrichment by Wolf-Rayet and asymptotic giant branch stars during past and ongoing nuclear starburst activity.

• OSTI ID: 21583024
• Journal Information: Astronomical Journal (New York, N.Y. Online), Journal Name: Astronomical Journal (New York, N.Y. Online) Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 142; ISSN 1538-3881
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS
EMISSION
GALAXIES
GALAXY NUCLEI
IONIZATION
LUMINOSITY
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHOTOIONIZATION
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RED SHIFT
SEYFERT GALAXIES
SPECTROSCOPY
STARS
TELESCOPES