Gemini IFU, VLA, and HST observations of the OH Megamaser Galaxy IRAS17526 + 3253 ★.

We present a multiwavelength study of the OH megamaser galaxy IRAS17526 + 3253, based on new Gemini multi-object spectrograph integral field unit (GMOS/IFU) observations, Hubble Space Telescope F814W, and H α + [N  ii ] images, and archival 2MASS and 1.49 GHz VLA data. The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) images clearly reveal a mid-to-advanced stage major merger whose northwestern and southeastern nuclei have a projected separation of ∼8.5 kpc. Our HST /H α + [N  ii ] image shows regions of ongoing star formation across the envelope on ∼10 kpc scales, which are aligned with radio features, supporting the interpretation that the radio emission originates from star-forming regions. The measured H α luminosities imply that the unobscured star formation rate (SFR) is ∼10–30 M_⊙ yr⁻¹. The GMOS/IFU data reveal two structures in northwestern separated by 850 pc and by a discontinuity in the velocity field of ∼ 200 km s⁻¹. We associate the blueshifted and redshifted components with, respectively, the distorted disc of northwestern and tidal debris, possibly a tail originating in southeastern. Star formation is the main ionization source in both components, which have SFRs of ∼2.6–7.9 M_⊙ yr⁻¹ and ∼1.5–4.5 M_⊙ yr⁻¹, respectively. Fainter line emission bordering these main components is consistent with shock ionization at a velocity ∼200 km s⁻¹ and may be the result of an interaction between the tidal tail and the northwestern galaxy's disc. IRAS17526 + 3253 is one of only a few systems known to host both luminous OH and H₂O masers. The velocities of the OH and H₂O maser lines suggest that they are associated with the northwestern and southeastern galaxies, respectively (Martin et al.; Wagner). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]