The near-infrared morphology of ultraluminous infrared galaxies

Abstract

view Abstract Citations (92) References (9) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS The Near-Infrared Morphology of Ultraluminous Infrared Galaxies Carico, David P. ; Graham, James R. ; Matthews, K. ; Wilson, T. D. ; Soifer, B. T. ; Neugebauer, G. ; Sanders, D. B. Abstract Near-infrared images at 1.25 microns, 1.65 microns and 2.2 microns have been obtained of nine galaxies from the IRAS Bright Galaxy Sample with infrared luminosities L_IR_ >= 10^12^ L_sun_. Two of the 2.2 micron images reveal previously undetected double nuclei, increasing the number of close double nuclei known for this sample from two to four. For three of these four sources, the colors of both nuclei are substantially different from those of normal spiral galaxies, indicating that the high activity state in high-luminosity mergers tends to occur in both nuclei. Three sources show 2.2 micron emission that is more centrally concentrated than the emission at 1.3 microns, a result that can be explained as the effects of dust emission and/or extinction or, alternatively, as the result of direct emission at 2.2 microns from the accretion disk of a central active galactic nucleus. Implications of these results for the model that galaxy collisions lead to quasar formation are briefly discussed. Finally, from the frequency and separation of the double nucleus sources, the lifetime of the ultraluminous phase of galaxies is estimated to be ~ 4 x 10^8^ yr. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: February 1990 DOI: 10.1086/185646 Bibcode: 1990ApJ...349L..39C Keywords: Active Galactic Nuclei; Infrared Astronomy; Interacting Galaxies; Near Infrared Radiation; Quasars; Cassegrain Optics; Cosmic Dust; Infrared Astronomy Satellite; Luminosity; Astrophysics; GALAXIES: INTERACTIONS; GALAXIES: NUCLEI; INFRARED: GENERAL; QUASARS full text sources ADS | data products SIMBAD (13) NED (9)