Far-infrared properties of Markarian galaxies with multiple nuclei - Warm dust emission in mergers

Journal Article · Sat Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1991 · Astronomical Journal; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/115828· OSTI ID:5587245

Mazzarella, J M; Bothun, G D; Boroson, T A ^[1]

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1. Michigan, University, Ann Arbor (USA) California Institute of Technology, Pasadena (USA) Oregon, University, Eugene (USA) Kitt Peak National Observatory, Tucson, AZ (USA)

An investigation of coadded IRAS data is performed on 187 Markarian galaxies where distinguishing morphological characteristics or multiple optical nuclei are present. The far-IR properties of Markarian galaxies are compared to the IRAS Bright Galaxy Sample, and a much higher median dust temperature is found in the multiple nucleus galaxies, suggesting that more far-IR luminosity results from active star formation. Both optical/UV and far-IR selection techniques are necessary to extract complete samples of AGNs since the far-IR two-color plane can miss up to 50 percent of the galaxies. A systematic increase in the contribution of warm dust emission due to active star formation and AGNs is found in a statistical comparison of merger candidates and other galaxy samples. The assumed nature of precursor galaxies determines the assumed enhancement of far-IR luminosity caused by galaxy collisions. A model is presented which describes the properties of the Markarian galaxies in terms of enhanced OB star formation and different grain size distributions. The results of the investigation are shown to be consistent with a 'subdued' interpretation of merging galaxies with high luminosities. 92 refs.

• OSTI ID: 5587245
• Journal Information: Astronomical Journal; (United States), Journal Name: Astronomical Journal; (United States) Vol. 101; ISSN 0004-6256; ISSN ANJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640105* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Galaxies
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
BASIC INTERACTIONS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
COSMIC DUST
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
DUSTS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
EMISSION SPECTRA
FAR INFRARED RADIATION
GALACTIC EVOLUTION
GALAXIES
GALAXY NUCLEI
GRAVITATIONAL INTERACTIONS
H1 REGIONS
INFRARED RADIATION
INTERACTIONS
MARKARIAN GALAXIES
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MORPHOLOGY
RADIATIONS
SEYFERT GALAXIES
SPECTRA
STAR EVOLUTION