Bibcode
Stanford, S. A.; Balcells, M.
Bibliographical reference
In NASA, Marshall Space Flight Center, Paired and Interacting Galaxies: International Astronomical Union Colloquium No. 124 p 347-351 (SEE N91-16858 08-90)
Advertised on:
11
1990
Citations
1
Refereed citations
1
Description
The peculiar galaxy NGC 520 (Arp 157) is often interpreted as an
interacting pair of galaxies. The identification of the two bulges and
overall morphology of the two galaxies has long been a puzzle which the
authors attempt to solve here. New longslit optical spectroscopy and
near-infrared images of NGC 520 are presented. These data suggest that
the northwest peak is the bulge of one of two galaxies in the system.
The other larger bulge is clearly evident in the K band image in the
middle of the dust lane. The stellar radial velocity profile in the
central 10 seconds of the larger bulge is consistent with
counterrotation seen in the molecular gas component. This kinematic
subsystem could be the remains of a merged gas-rich irregular.