Weakly barred, early-type ringed galaxies. I. The Seyfert galaxy NGC 3081
- Texas Univ., Austin (USA) Alabama Univ., Tuscaloosa (USA)
Four extreme examples illustrate the diverging characteristics of bright galactic rings. The galaxies are studied by means of multicolor CCD surface photometry. The ringed Seyfert galaxy NGC 3081 is an S0/a system possessing an unusually high contrast inner ring enveloping a weak bar. The structure of this galaxy is described using BVR(C)I(C) surface photometry. The observations reveal a complex system which shares many properties in common with NGC 1433, a prototype SB(r) type spiral with a strong bar. Significant azimuthal variations in the color indices occur around the ring which are probably due to the elongated shape. It is suggested that while many properties of the three rings in this galaxy can be explained in terms of orbit resonance theory, the extreme shape of the inner ring and the weakness of the bar are contradictions to the theory that need to be addressed. It is suggested that NGC 3081 is a possible example of an object where secular dissolution of the bar is occurring. 60 refs.
- OSTI ID:
- 6917438
- Journal Information:
- Astrophysical Journal; (USA), Vol. 351; ISSN 0004-637X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
GENERAL PHYSICS
SEYFERT GALAXIES
MORPHOLOGY
BRIGHTNESS
CHARGE-COUPLED DEVICES
FOURIER ANALYSIS
GALACTIC EVOLUTION
GALAXIES
LUMINOSITY
PHOTOMETRY
SPIRAL CONFIGURATION
STAR EVOLUTION
CONFIGURATION
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES
640105* - Astrophysics & Cosmology- Galaxies