Long-slit Spectra Research Articles

Search for mid-IR rotational and ν1→ ν2 difference band [formula omitted] emission in Jupiter’s northern aurora

Using TEXES at the IRTF telescope, we obtained high-resolution, mid-infrared, longslit spectra of Jupiter’s northern auroral “hot spot” near System III longitude 180° to search for selected pure-rotational and ν 1→ ν 2 difference band lines of H 3 + . Because these lines have not been investigated in the laboratory, we used theoretically predicted frequencies and line intensities to guide this search. No pure rotational H 3 + line emission was detected near the predicted frequencies. However, two metastable ν 1→ ν 2 difference band lines appear to have been marginally detected at the 68% confidence level (1 − σ). The non-detection of the pure rotational line sets a 1 − σ upper limit to the vertical column abundance of H 3 + in the northern jovian aurora of 8.4 × 10 12 cm −2, which is independent of any assumption concerning the departure of the vibrational H 3 + energy level populations from thermal equilibrium. This is consistent with the column 6 × 10 12 cm −2 inferred by Melin et al. [Melin, H., Miller, S., Stallard, T., Grodent, D., 2005. Icarus 178, 97–103] from their non-LTE H 3 + emission model, in which the fundamental band ro-vib levels are underpopulated by a factor of 6–10 relative to LTE. We find that the IR-inactive ν 1 levels of H 3 + , from which the jovian ν 1→ ν 2 difference band emission originates, are populated in thermal equilibrium. The difference band lines thus serve as proxies for the rotational lines in establishing the total auroral H 3 + column. As a result, the marginally detected 943.953 cm −1 ν 1→ ν 2 difference band line implies a vertical H 3 + column abundance in the range (4.5 ± 3.1) × 10 12 cm −2, consistent with the upper limit from the rotational line. The difference band line constrains the vibrational relaxation of the IR-active ν 2 fundamental band in Jupiter’s aurora to a factor of 4.5–7.5, with an uncertainty ±68%, which supports the model-dependent result of Melin et al.

Discovery of optical emission from the supernova remnant G 32.8-0.1 (Kes 78)

Deep optical CCD images of the supernova remnant G 32.8-0.1 were obtained where filamentary and diffuse emission was discovered. The images were acquired in the emission lines of Halpha+[N II] and [S II]. Filamentary and diffuse structures are detected in most areas of the remnant, while no significant [O III] emission is present. The flux-calibrated images suggest that the optical emission originates from shock-heated gas since the [S II]/Halpha ratio is greater than 1.2. The Spitzer images at 8 micron and 24 micron show a few filamentary structures to be correlated with the optical filaments, while the radio emission at 1.4 GHz in the same area is found to be very well correlated with the brightest optical filaments. Furthermore, the results from deep long-slit spectra also support the origin of the emission to be from shock-heated gas ([S II]/Halpha > 1.5). The absence of [O III] emission indicates slow shocks velocities into the interstellar "clouds" (< 100 km/s), while the [S II] 6716/6731 ratio indicates electron densities up to ~200 cm^{-3}. Finally, the Halpha emission is measured to lie between 1.8 to 4.6 x 10^{-17} erg/s/cm^2/arcsec^2, while from VGPS HI images a distance to the SNR is estimated to be between 6 to 8.5 kpc.

SPECTROSCOPIC CONFIRMATION OF THE PLANETARY NEBULA NATURE OF PM 1-242, PM 1-318, AND PM 1-333 AND MORPHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF THE NEBULAE

We present intermediate resolution long-slit spectra and narrowband H{alpha}, [N II], and [O III] images of PM 1-242, PM 318, and PM 1-333, three IRAS sources classified as possible planetary nebulae. The spectra show that the three objects are true planetary nebulae and allow us to study their physical properties; the images provide a detailed view of their morphology. PM 1-242 is a medium- to high-excitation (e.g., He II{lambda}4686/H{beta} {approx} 0.4; [N II]{lambda}6584/H{alpha} {approx} 0.3) planetary nebula with an elliptical shape containing [N II] enhanced point-symmetric arcs. An electron temperature [T {sub e}([S III])] of {approx} 10250 K and an electron density [N {sub e}([S II])] of {approx} 2300 cm{sup -3} are derived for PM 1-242. Abundance calculations suggest a large helium abundance (He/H {approx} 0.29) in PM 1-242. PM 1-318 is a high-excitation (He II{lambda}4686/H{beta} {approx} 1) planetary nebula with a ring-like inner shell containing two enhanced opposite regions, surrounded by a fainter round attached shell brighter in the light of [O III]. PM 1-333 is an extended planetary nebula with a high-excitation (He II{lambda}4686/H{beta} up to {approx} 0.9) patchy circular main body containing two low-excitation knotty arcs. A low N {sub e}([S II]) of {approx} 450 cm{sup -3}more » and T {sub e}([O III]) of {approx} 15000 K are derived for this nebula. Abundance calculations suggest that PM 1-333 is a type I planetary nebula. The lack of a sharp shell morphology, low electron density, and high excitation strongly suggest that PM 1-333 is an evolved planetary nebula. PM 1-333 also shows two low-ionization polar structures whose morphology and emission properties are reminiscent of collimated outflows. We compare PM 1-333 with other evolved planetary nebulae with collimated outflows and find that outflows among evolved planetary nebulae exhibit a large variety of properties, in accordance with these observed in younger planetary nebula.« less

Stellar population and kinematic profiles in spiral bulges and discs: population synthesis of integrated spectra

We present a detailed study of the stellar populations (SPs) and kinematics of the bulge and inner disc regions of eight nearby spiral galaxies (Sa–Sd) based on deep Gemini/GMOS data. The long-slit spectra extend to 1–2 disc scalelengths with S/N/Å≥ 50. Several different model fitting techniques involving absorption-line indices and full spectrum fitting are explored, and found to weigh age, metallicity and abundance ratios differently. We find that the SPs of spiral galaxies are not well matched by single episodes of star formation; more representative SPs must involve average SP values integrated over the star formation history (SFH) of the galaxy. Our ‘full population synthesis’ method is an optimized linear combination of model templates to the full spectrum with masking of regions poorly represented by the models. Realistic determinations of the SP parameters and kinematics (rotation and velocity dispersion) also rely on careful attention to data/model matching (resolution and flux calibration). The population fits reveal a wide range of age and metallicity gradients (from negative to positive) in the bulge, allowing for diverse formation mechanisms. The observed positive age gradients within the effective radius of some late-type bulges helps reconcile the long-standing conundrum of the coexistence of secular-like kinematics, light profile shape and stellar bar with the ‘classical’-like old and α-enhanced SPs in the Milky Way bulge. The discs, on the other hand, almost always show mildly decreasing to flat profiles in both age and metallicity, consistent with inside-out formation. Our spiral bulges follow the same correlations of increasing light-weighted age and metallicity with central velocity dispersion as those of elliptical galaxies and early-type bulges found in other studies, but when SFHs more complex and realistic than a single burst are invoked, the trend with age is shallower and the scatter much reduced. In a mass-weighted context, however, all bulges are predominantly composed of old and metal-rich SPs. While secular contributions to the evolution of many of our bulges are clearly evident, with young (0.001–1 Gyr) SPs contributing as much as 90 per cent of the optical (V-band) light, the bulge mass fraction from young stars is small (≲25 per cent). The implies a bulge formation dominated by early processes that are common to all spheroids, whether they currently reside in discs or not. While monolithic collapse cannot be ruled out in some cases, merging must be invoked to explain the SP gradients in most bulges. Further bulge growth via secular processes or ‘rejuvenated’ star formation generally contributes minimally to the stellar mass budget, with the relative secular weight increasing with decreasing central velocity dispersion.

NEAR-INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY OF SEYFERT GALAXIES. NUCLEAR ACTIVITY AND STELLAR POPULATION

Near-infrared spectroscopic data for the five Seyfert galaxies with jet-gas interaction Mrk 348, Mrk 573, Mrk 1066, NGC 7212, and NGC 7465, taken with the LIRIS near-infrared camera/spectrometer at the William Herschel Telescope (WHT) are reported. The long-slit spectra reveal the characteristic strong emission lines of this type of objects. Many forbidden transitions and hydrogen recombination lines are employed here to study the excitation and ionization mechanisms that are dominating the narrow-line region emission of these objects, that is affected by the radio-jet interaction. Several absorption features are also detected in the H and K bands of these galaxies, allowing us to identify the spectral types that are producing them. We find that the continuum can be reproduced by a combination of late-type stellar templates plus a Blackbody component associated to host dust, mainly contributing to the K band emission. The detection of the permitted O I and Fe II lines and broad components of the hydrogen recombination lines in the spectra of Mrk 573 and NGC 7465 allows the reclassification of these two galaxies that are not canonical Type-2 Seyferts: Mrk 573 is confirmed to be an obscured Narrow-line Seyfert 1 and NGC 7465 is revealed for the first time as a Type-1 LINER through its near-infrared spectrum.

PHYSICAL CONDITIONS IN THE NARROW-LINE REGION OF MARKARIAN 3. II. PHOTOIONIZATION MODELING RESULTS

We have examined the physical conditions in the narrow-line region (NLR) of the Seyfert 2 galaxy Markarian 3, using long-slit spectra obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope/Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph and photoionization models. We find three components of photoionized gas in the NLR. Two of these components, characterized by emission lines such as [NeV] 3426 and [OIII] 5007, lie within the envelope of the bi-conical region described in our previous kinematic study. A component of lower ionization gas, in which lines such as [OII] 3727 arise, is found to lie outside the bi-cone. Each of these components is irradiated by a power-law continuum which is attenuated by intervening gas, presumably closer to the central source. The radiation incident upon the low ionization gas, external to the bi-cone, is much more heavily absorbed. These absorbers are similar to the intrinsic UV and X-ray absorbers detected in many Seyfert 1 galaxies, which suggests that the collimation of the ionizing radiation occurs in a circumnuclear wind, rather than a thick, molecular torus. We estimate the mass for the observed NLR emitting gas to be 2 million solar-masses. It is likely that Markarian 3 acquired this gas through an on-going interaction with the spiral galaxy UGC 3422.

Early-type galaxies in the near-infrared: 1.5–2.4 $\mu{\rm m}$ spectroscopy

Context. Near-infrared (hereafter NIR) data may provide complementary information to the traditional optical population synthesis analysis of unresolved stellar populations because the spectral energy distribution of the galaxies in the 1–2.5 μm range is dominated by different types of stars than at optical wavelengths. Furthermore, NIR data are less affected by dust absorption and hence could constrain the stellar populations in dust-obscured galaxies. Aims. We attempt to develop observational constraints on the stellar populations of unresolved stellar systems in the NIR. Methods. To achieve this goal, we require benchmark NIR spectra of “simple” early-type galaxies, to test and calibrate the outputs of population synthesis models. We obtained low-resolution (R ∼ 1000) long-slit spectra between 1.5 and 2.4 μm for 14 nearby earlytype galaxies using SofI at the ESO 3.5-m New Technology Telescope and higher resolution (R ∼ 3000) long-slit spectra, centered on Mgi at ∼1.51 μm for a heterogeneous sample of 5 nearby galaxies observed with ISAAC at Antu, one of the 8.2-m ESO Very Large Telescope. Results. We defined spectral indices corresponding to CO, Nai ,C ai and Mgi absorption lines and measured their strengths in the galaxies spectrum. We defined a new global NIR metallicity index, suitable for abundance measurements in low-resolution spectra. Finally, we created an average-combined NIR spectrum of an early-type galaxy, from a homogeneous subset of our data set. Conclusions. The NIR galaxy spectra are similar to each other and some of the line index strengths correlate with both the iron abundance [Fe/H] and optical metal line indices of the galaxies. The data suggest that the NIR metal features, in combination with a hydrogen absorption feature, may break the age-metallicity degeneracy in a similar way the Mg and Fe features in the rest-frame optical wavelength range.

Activity evolution, outbursts, and splitting events of comet 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3

Context. The split Jupiter family comet 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3 was monitored between January 21 and May 25 2006, for 24 nights. Aims. The goals of the campaign were to characterize the two principal comet components (C and B) and the smaller component G during their approach to perihelion, and study differences and commonalities in their evolution to obtain insight into the nature of the nuclei (gas and dust). We aimed to assess the chemical homogeneity/heterogeneity of the different components, the presence of jets and other coma structures, the rotation axis, the long-term activity evolution, and the detection of new fragmentation events. Methods. Long-slit spectra and optical broadband images were acquired using the CAFOS instrument at the 2.2-m telescope at Calar Alto Observatory (CSIC-MPG). Data obtained in service mode consisted of spectra and Johnson R filter images. By observing for four nights close to perigee, the comet could be imaged in the Johnson UBVRI filters. When possible, we analyzed the radial profile of the dust brightness and we derived the dust and gas production rates, the dust reddening, and the N-S profiles of the CN, C2, and C3 column densities. The analysis of the morphological evolution of coma structures and the determination of the rotation axis is performed in a separate paper. Results. We found that components C and B behave differently during most of our observations. While component C did not show any sudden increase in dust productivity, as measured by Afρ, component B was characterized by a higher activity variation, exhibiting two outburst peaks and fragmentation events. Excluding outburst dates, component B always had lower dust productivity than component C. We also found differences in the behavior of the dust brightness radial profiles and in the dust colors. Differences in the dust colors are found also with respect to component G. In the spectral analysis, we found that both C and B components seem to be carbon-chain depleted, their compositions being almost the same. This indicates that the pre-split original intact nucleus probably had a homogenous composition. A two-dimensional color map of component B on May 13 shows relative color variations in the inner coma that can be interpreted qualitatively in terms of Mie theory as fragmentation of silicate dust particles emanating from the nucleus.

Study of the stellar line-strength indices and kinematics along bars

<i>Aims. <i/>This is the first paper of a series that aims to understand the formation and evolution of bars in early-type spirals and their influence in the evolution of the galaxy.<i>Methods. <i/>Optical long-slit spectra along the bar major-axis of a sample of 20 galaxies are analyzed. Velocity and velocity dispersion profiles along the bar are presented. Line-strength indices in the bar region are also measured to derive stellar mean-age and metallicity distributions along the bars using stellar population models.<i>Results. <i/>We obtain mean ages, metallicities and chemical abundances along the bar of 20 galaxies with morphological types from SB0 to SBbc. The main result is that we find a large variation in age and metallicity along the bar in 45% of our sample. We find three different types of bars according to their metallicity and age distribution along the radius: 1) Bars with negative metallicity gradients. They show a mean young/intermediate population (<2 Gyr), and have amongst the lowest stellar maximum central velocity dispersion of the sample; 2) bars with null metallicity gradients. These galaxies do not show any gradient in their metallicity distribution along the bar and have negative age gradients (i.e. younger populations at the bar end); 3) bars with positive metallicity gradients, i.e. more metal rich at the bar ends. These galaxies are predominantly those with higher velocity dispersion and an older mean population. We found no significant correlation between the age and metallicity distribution, and bar/galaxy parameters such as the AGN presence, size or the bar strength. From the kinematics, we find that all the galaxies show a disk-like central component.<i>Conclusions. <i/>The results from the metallicity and age gradients indicate that most galaxies with high central stellar velocity dispersion host bars that could have been formed more than 3 Gyr ago, while galaxies with lower central velocity dispersions show a wider distribution in their population and age gradients. A few bars show characteristics compatible with having been formed less than <2 Gyr ago. However, we do not have a definite answer to explain the observed gradients and these results place strong constrains on models of bar formation and evolution. The distribution of mean stellar population parameters in the bar with respect to <i>σ<i/> is similar to that found in bulges, indicating a close link in the evolution of both components. The disk-like central components also show the important role played by bars in the secular evolution of the central structure.

Infrared spectroscopy and analysis of brown dwarf and planetary mass objects in the Orion nebula cluster

We present near-infrared long-slit and multislit spectra of low-mass brown dwarf candidates in the Orion nebula cluster. The long-slit data were observed in the H and K bands using NIRI on the Gemini-North Telescope. The multi-object spectroscopic observations were made using IRIS2 on the Anglo-Australian Telescope at H band. We develop a spectral typing scheme based on optically calibrated, near-infrared spectra of young sources in the Taurus and IC 348 star-forming regions with spectral types M3.0 to M9.5. We apply our spectral typing scheme to 52 sources, including previously published UKIRT and GNIRS spectra. 40 objects show strong water absorption with spectral types of M3 to >M9.5. The latest type objects are provisionally classified as early L types. We plot our sources on Hertzsprung-Russell diagrams overlaid with theoretical pre-main-sequence isochrones. The majority of our objects lie close to or above the 1-Myr isochrone, leading to an average cluster age that is <1 Myr. We find 38 sources lie at or below the hydrogen-burning limit (0.075 M ⊙ ). 10 sources potentially have masses below the deuterium-burning limit (0.012 M ⊙ ). We use a Monte Carlo approach to model the observed luminosity function with a variety of cluster age and mass distributions. The lowest x 2 values are produced by an age distribution centred at 1 Myr, with a mass function that declines at substellar masses according to an M α power law in the range a = 0.3-0.6. We find that truncating the mass function at 0.012 M ⊙ produces luminosity functions that are starved of the faintest magnitudes, even when using bimodal age populations that contain 10-Myr-old sources. The results of these Monte Carlo simulations therefore support the existence of a planetary mass population in the ONC.

Measurement of the Lick indices in early-type galaxies: Line-of-sight velocity distribution corrections for IC 1459

In this paper we analyze the measurements of the absorption line-strength Lick indices in the early-type galaxy IC 1459. We use the long-slit spectra of the elliptical galaxy IC 1459 from which its kinematics had previously been extracted to calculate the Lick indices for the observed spectral region (Mg2, Fe5270, Fe5335 and H?). We apply the usual procedure and correct the indices to the Lick spectral resolution and for the zero velocity dispersion. The procedure applied in this paper also corrects to non-Gaussian line-of-sight velocity distribution (LOSVD) observed in this galaxy, especially in its outer parts. The findings of Kuntschner (2004) were tested and it is shown that the departures from the Gaussian LOSVD may indeed cause erroneous determinations of the Lick indices. The impact of the introduction of non-Gaussian LOSVD differs for different indices. For the galaxy IC 1459 it is shown that the iron indices are especially sensitive when the correction due to anistropies is introduced: the corrections for Fe5270 and Fe5335 are ~10 and ~19 percent larger, respectively, than the corrections obtained in case of a pure Gaussian. The corrections for Mg2 index are shown to be negligible and the corrections of the H? index due to anisotropies are also small (below ~ 4 per cent at most).

Echelle Long‐Slit Optical Spectroscopy of Evolved Stars

We present echelle long-slit optical spectra of a sample of objects evolving off the AGB, most of them in the pre-planetary nebula (pPN) phase, obtained with the ESI and MIKE spectrographs at Keck-II and Magellan-I, respectively. The total wavelength range covered with ESI (MIKE) is ~3900 to 10900 A (~3600 to 7200A). In this paper, we focus our analysis mainly on the Halpha profiles. Prominent Halpha emission is detected in half of the objects, most of which show broad Halpha wings (up to ~4000 km/s). In the majority of the Halpha-emission sources, fast, post-AGB winds are revealed by P-Cygni profiles. In ~37% of the objects Halpha is observed in absorption. In almost all cases, the absorption profile is partially filled with emission, leading to complex, structured profiles that are interpreted as an indication of incipient post-AGB mass-loss. All sources in which Halpha is seen mainly in absorption have F-G type central stars, whereas sources with intense Halpha emission span a larger range of spectral types from O to G. Shocks may be an important excitation agent of the close stellar surroundings for objects with late type central stars. Sources with pure emission or P Cygni Halpha profiles have larger J-K color excess than objects with Halpha mainly in absorption, which suggests the presence of warm dust near the star in the former. The two classes of profile sources also segregate in the IRAS color-color diagram in a way that intense Halpha-emitters have dust grains with a larger range of temperatures. (abridged)

The Antares emission nebula and mass loss of $\sf \alpha$ Scorpii A

Aims. The Antares nebula is a peculiar emission nebula seen in numerous [Fe ii] lines and in radio free-free emission, probably associated with the H ii region caused by α Sco B in the wind of α Sco A. High-resolution spectra with spatial resolution were used to study the emission line spectrum, the physical nature of the nebula and to determine the mass-loss rate of the M supergiant α Sco A. Methods. The Antares nebula was mapped with long-slit (10 �� ) and high-resolution (R = 80 000) spectra using UVES at the VLT. The resulting 2-D images were used to reconstruct a 3-D picture of the H ii region and its absolute location in space relative to α Sco A. Results. We found that the Antares nebula shows, in addition to numerous [Fe ii] lines, the Balmer line recombination spectrum Hα, Hβ up to H10 ,a nd [Nii] 6583/6548 A, Hα and [N ii] with the same extent as seen in cm radio free-free emission. Combining velocity information from optical and GHRS/HST spectra with Hα velocities, the H ii region is found to be located ∼215 AU behind the plane of the sky of α Sco A. From the Hα/[N ii] intensity ratio and the non-visibility of the [O ii] 3726/3729 A lines we estimate a low mean electron temperature of T e = 4900 K and an N abundance enhanced by a factor of ∼3 due to the CNO cycle in α Sco A. The shape []

Radial kinematics of brightest cluster galaxies

This is the first of a series of papers devoted to the investigation of a large sample of brightest cluster galaxies (BCGs), their kinematic and stellar population properties, and the relationships between those and the properties of the cluster. We have obtained high signal-to-noise ratio, long-slit spectra of these galaxies with Gemini and William Herschel Telescope with the primary purpose of investigating their stellar population properties. This paper describes the selection methods and criteria used to compile a new sample of galaxies, concentrating on BCGs previously classified as containing a halo (cD galaxies), together with the observations and data reduction. Here, we present the full sample of galaxies, and the measurement and interpretation of the radial velocity and velocity dispersion profiles of 41 BCGs. We find clear rotation curves for a number of these giant galaxies. In particular, we find rapid rotation (>100 km s -1 ) for two BCGs, NGC 6034 and 7768, indicating that it is unlikely that they formed through dissipationless mergers. Velocity substructure in the form of kinematically decoupled cores is detected in 12 galaxies, and we find five galaxies with velocity dispersion increasing with radius. The amount of rotation, the velocity substructure and the position of BCGs on the anisotropy-luminosity diagram are very similar to those of 'ordinary' giant ellipticals in high-density environments.

Embedded clusters in NGC 1808 central starburst

In the course of a mid-infrared imaging campaign of close-by active galaxies, we discovered the mid-infrared counterparts of bright compact radio sources in the central star-forming region of NGC1808. We aim at confirming that these sources are deeply embedded, young star clusters and at deriving some of their intrinsic properties. To complement the mid-infrared data, we have collected a set of near-infrared data with ISAAC at the VLT: J, Ks, and L' images, as well as low-resolution, long-slit spectra for three of the sources. Surprisingly, the new images unveil a near-infrared counterpart for only one of the mid-infrared/radio sources, namely M8 in the L' band. All the other sources are so deeply embedded that their emission does not pop out above an extended diffuse near-infrared emission. The near-infrared spectra of the sources look alike, with intense, ionised hydrogen lines. This supports the interpretation of these sources in terms of embedded young clusters. We derive extinctions and ionising photon production rates for two of the clusters.

Bimodality in low-luminosity E and S0 galaxies

Stellar population characteristics are presented for a sample of low-luminosity early-type galaxies (LLEs) in order to compare them with their more luminous counterparts. Long-slit spectra of a sample of 10 LLEs were taken with the ESO New Technology Telescope, selected for their low luminosities. Line strengths were measured on the Lick standard system. Lick indices for these LLEs were correlated with velocity dispersion (σ), alongside published data for a variety of Hubble types. The LLEs were found to fall below an extrapolation of the correlation for luminous ellipticals and were consistent with the locations of spiral bulges in plots of line strengths versus σ. Luminosity weighted average ages, metallicities and abundance ratios were estimated from χ2 fitting of 19 Lick indices to predictions from simple stellar population models. The LLEs appear younger than luminous ellipticals and of comparable ages to spiral bulges. These LLEs show a bimodal metallicity distribution, consisting of a low-metallicity group (possibly misclassified dwarf spheroidal galaxies) and a high-metallicity group (similar to spiral bulges). Finally, they have low α-element to iron peak abundance ratios indicative of slow, extended star formation.

Near-infrared integral field spectroscopy of the Homunculus nebula around η Carinae using Gemini/cirpass

Abstract This work presents the first integral field spectroscopy of the Homunculus nebula around η Carinae in the near-infrared spectral region (J band). We confirmed the presence of a hole on the polar region of each lobe, as indicated by previous near-IR long-slit spectra and mid-IR images. The holes can be described as a cylinder of height (i.e. the thickness of the lobe) and diameter of 6.5 and 6.0 × 1016 cm, respectively. We also mapped the blue-shifted component of He i λ10830 seen towards the NW lobe. Contrary to previous works, we suggested that this blue-shifted component is not related to the Paddle but it is indeed in the equatorial disc. We confirmed the claim of N. Smith and showed that the spatial extent of the Little Homunculus matches remarkably well the radio continuum emission at 3 cm, indicating that the Little Homunculus can be regarded as a small H ii region. Therefore, we used the optically thin 1.3 mm radio flux to derive a lower limit for the number of Lyman-continuum photons of the central source in η Car. In the context of a binary system, and assuming that the ionizing flux comes entirely from the hot companion star, the lower limit for its spectral type and luminosity class ranges from O5.5 iii to O7 i. Moreover, we showed that the radio peak at 1.7 arcsec NW from the central star is in the same line-of-sight of the ‘Sr-filament’ but they are obviously spatially separated, while the blue-shifted component of He iλ10830 may be related to the radio peak and can be explained by the ultraviolet radiation from the companion star.

Spatially Resolved Spectroscopy of Coma Cluster Early‐Type Galaxies. IV. Completing the Data Set

The long-slit spectra obtained along the minor axis, offset major axis, and diagonal axis are presented for 12 E and S0 galaxies of the Coma Cluster drawn from a magnitude-limited sample studied before. The rotation curves, velocity dispersion profiles, and the H3 and H4 coefficients of the Hermite decomposition of the line-of-sight velocity distribution are derived. The radial profiles of the Hβ, Mg, and Fe line strength indices are measured too. In addition, the surface photometry of the central regions of a subsample of four galaxies recently obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope is presented. The data will be used to construct dynamical models of the galaxies and study their stellar populations.

Stellar populations, neutral hydrogen, and ionised gas in field early-type galaxies

We present a study of the stellar populations of a sample of 39 local, field early-type galaxies whose HI properties are known from interferometric data. Our aim is to understand whether stellar age and chemical composition depend on the HI content of galaxies. As a by-product of our analysis, we also study their ionised gas content and how it relates to the neutral hydrogen gas. Stellar populations and ionised gas are studied from optical long-slit spectra. We determine stellar age, metallicity and alpha-to-iron ratio by analysing a set of Lick/IDS line-strength indices measured from the spectra after modelling and subtracting the ionised-gas emission. We do not find any trend in the stellar populations parameters with M(HI). However, we do find that, at stellar velocity dispersion below 230 km/s, 2/3 of the galaxies with less than 100 million solar masses of HI are centrally rejuvenated, while none of the HI-richer systems are. Furthermore, none of the more massive (velocity-dispersion>230 km/s) objects are centrally rejuvenated independently on their HI mass. Concerning the ionised gas, we detect emission in 60% of the sample. This is generally extended and always carachterised by LINER-like emission-line ratios at any radius. We find that a large HI mass is necessary (but not sufficient) for a galaxy to host bright ionised-gas emission. A plausible interpretation of our results is that gas-rich mergers play a significant role in E/S0 formation, especially at lower mass. Within this picture, HI-poor, centrally-rejuvenated objects could form in mergers where gas angular-momentum removal (and therefore inflow) is efficient; HI-rich galaxies with no significant age gradients (but possibly uniformly young) could be formed in interactions characterised by high-angular momentum gas.

First optical detection of the supernova remnant G 15.1-1.6

Deep optical CCD images of the supernova remnant G 15.1-1.6 were obtained and filamentary and diffuse emission has been discovered. The images, taken in the emission lines of Halpha+[N II], [S II] and [O III], reveal filamentary and diffuse structures all around the remnant. The radio emission at 4850 MHz in the same area is found to be well correlated with the brightest optical filaments. The IRAS 60 micron emission may also be correlated with the optical emission but to a lesser extent. The flux calibrated images suggest that the optical emission originates from shock-heated gas ([S II]/Halpha > 0.4), while there is a possible HII region ([S II]/Halpha ~0.3) contaminating the supernova remnant's emission to the east. Furthermore, deep long-slit spectra were taken at two bright filaments and also show that the emission originates from shock heated gas. An [O III] filamentary structure has also been detected further to the west but it lies outside the remnant's boundaries and possibly is not associated to it. The [O III] flux suggests shock velocities into the interstellar clouds ~100 km/s, while the [S II] 6716/6731 ratio indicates electron densities up to ~250 cm^{-3}. Finally, the Halpha emission has been measured to be between 2 to 7 x 10^{-16} erg/s/cm^2/arcsec^2, while the lower limit to the distance is estimated at 2.2 kpc.