The pattern speed of the spiral galaxy NGC 1253 |
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| Authors: | M S Clemens P Alexander |
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| Institution: | Mullard Radio Astronomy Observatory, Cavendish Laboratory, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0HE |
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| Abstract: | We present Very Large Array H i observations of the gas-rich, interacting spiral galaxies, NGC 1253/1253A (Arp 279). The larger of the two galaxies, NGC 1253, has a very pronounced H i ring and well-defined spiral structure. The velocity structure of the H i data shows a sudden change at the position of the spiral arms; we identify this change as evidence of a strong spiral shock and hence proceed to estimate the pattern speed, Ωp, of the spiral arms in NGC 1253. Assuming that the pattern speed is constant across the disc our derived value places the outer Lindblad resonance (OLR) at the position of the observed H i ring. As an accumulation of gas is expected at the OLR when this falls within the disc of a galaxy this agreement provides independent support for the derived value of Ωp. |
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| Keywords: | galaxies: evolution galaxies: individual: NGC 1253 galaxies: interactions galaxies: spiral radio lines: galaxies |
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