Molecular bar and star formation in the nucleus of NGC 6946

Journal Article · Fri Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1985 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/184559· OSTI ID:5556300

Ball, R; Sargent, A I; Scoville, N Z; Lo, K Y; Scott, S L

The bright, nearby galaxy NGC 6946 in the 2.6 mm line of CO has been observed with the Owens Valley Millimeter-Wave Interferometer, synthesizing a beam 7.6 arc sec by 5.4 arc sec. The molecular gas in the central 1.5 kpc of the galaxy is confined to a bar of extent of approximately 2700 pc by 550 pc, which is centered on the nucleus and connects two dust lanes in the innermost spiral arms. The molecular bar is the likely source of the star formation activity suggested by optical and infrared studies in the nucleus of NGC 6946. 34 references.

• Research Organization: Owens Valley Radio Observatory, Pasadena, CA
• OSTI ID: 5556300
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 298; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640105* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Galaxies
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON MONOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
COSMIC GASES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
FLUIDS
GALAXY NUCLEI
GASES
INFRARED RADIATION
MORPHOLOGY
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
RADIATIONS
STAR EVOLUTION