Evidence for a Merger in the Peculiar Virgo Cluster SA Galaxy NGC 4424

Abstract

view Abstract Citations (35) References (55) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS Evidence for a Merger in the Peculiar Virgo Cluster SA Galaxy NGC 4424 Kenney, Jeffrey D. P. ; Koopmann, Rebecca A. ; Rubin, Vera C. ; Young, Judith S. Abstract We present R-band and Hα images and Hα long-slit spectroscopy of the peculiar Virgo cluster Sa galaxy NGC 4424. The broadband R image reveals banana-shaped isophotes, shell-like features, and other complex structure generally associated with mergers and significant accretion events. The only Hα emission arises from a few bright H II complexes located within 500 pc of the nucleus and inside the bulge- dominated region. Although the main stellar body of NGC 4424 is highly elongated in projection, and the outer part of the galaxy has a disk-like exponential light profile, gas velocities are remarkably low in the central kpc, indicating strong non-circular motions or complex geometry for the inner gas. The peculiar properties are consistent with an intermediate mass ratio (0.1-0.5) merger, making NGC 4424 one of the best cases among spiral galaxies in the nearby Virgo cluster for a significant and recent merger. The degree of morphological peculiarities suggest that the merger is recent, and we propose that the galaxy will become a small- bulge S0 within ~1 Gyr. We discuss the possibility that the banana-shaped stellar distribution is the result of a merger-induced bending instability. Publication: The Astronomical Journal Pub Date: January 1996 DOI: 10.1086/117768 Bibcode: 1996AJ....111..152K Keywords: GALAXIES: INDIVIDUAL: NGC 4424; GALAXIES: INTERACTIONS; GALAXIES: ELLIPTICAL AND LENTICULAR; GALAXIES: CLUSTERS: INDIVIDUAL: VIRGO full text sources ADS | data products SIMBAD (4) NED (2)