Broad hydroxyl emission in IC 4553

Journal Article · Wed Sep 15 04:00:00 EDT 1982 · Astrophys. J., Lett. Ed.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/183868· OSTI ID:6560583

Baan, W A; Wood, P A.D.; Haschick, A D

The main line transitions of hydroxyl (OH) have been detected in emission in the peculiar galaxy IC 4553. The 1667 and 1665 MHz transitions appear in a ratio of 4.2:1, and both have a radial velocity of 5375 km s/sup -1/ and a full width at half-maximum of 108 km s/sup -1/. This is the first detection of broad OH emission in an external galaxy. The features probably are due to stimulated emission from many H II/OH masers in the active nuclear region of the galaxy. It is suggested that IC 4553 is a starburst galaxy.

• Research Organization: Department of Astronomy, The Pennsylvania State University
• OSTI ID: 6560583
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J., Lett. Ed.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J., Lett. Ed.; (United States) Vol. 260:2; ISSN AJLEA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640105* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Galaxies
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
AMPLIFIERS
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
EMISSION
ENERGY-LEVEL TRANSITIONS
EQUIPMENT
GALAXIES
GALAXY NUCLEI
H2 REGIONS
HYDROXYL RADICALS
MASERS
MICROWAVE AMPLIFIERS
MICROWAVE EQUIPMENT
RADICALS
SPECTRA