Dwarf galaxy with Seyfert characteristics

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1987 · Astron. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/114287· OSTI ID:6398706

Kunth, D; Sargent, W L.W.; Bothun, G D

The galaxy G1200 - 2038 has an emission-line spectrum similar to that of a type 2 Seyfert galaxy. An analysis of the H-beta profile reveals the presence of a broad component with FWHM about 840 km/s. One curious feature of G1200 - 2038 is that, despite its relatively low velocity (cz = 6420), it appears almost stellar on the Palomar Sky Survey. Higher-quality CCD imaging indicates that the underlying galaxy is indeed quite small. Its diameter measured at the V = 25.0 mag/sq arcsec level is 6.4 kpc (H0 = 70 km/s Mpc) and its absolute magnitude is only Mv = -16.9. The surface-brightness profile of the underlying galaxy is well represented by an exponential with a scale length of about 1.0 kpc. The luminosity of the nucleus compares to that of a mild Seyfert 2 nucleus, but the ratio of nuclear luminosity to host-galaxy luminosity is 1.1, a value typical of QSOs. It is concluded that the host galaxy of G1200 - 2038 is a low-luminosity dwarf, indicating that any galaxy, regardless of luminosity (mass), is capable of sustaining an active nucleus. The widths of the forbidden lines are therefore not determined by the potential well of the galaxy. 21 references.

• Research Organization: CNRS, Institut d'Astrophysique, Paris, France; Palomar Observatory, Pasadena, CA
• OSTI ID: 6398706
• Journal Information: Astron. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astron. J.; (United States) Vol. 93; ISSN ANJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640105* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Galaxies
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
EMISSION SPECTRA
GALAXIES
GALAXY NUCLEI
IONIZATION
LUMINOSITY
MASS
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHOTOIONIZATION
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RADIATIONS
RADIOWAVE RADIATION
SEYFERT GALAXIES
SIZE
SPECTRA