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Large-scale gas disk around the radio galaxy Coma A*

Authors :
Morganti, R.
Oosterloo, T. A.
Tinti, S.
Tadhunter, C. N.
Wills, K. A.
van Moorsel, G.
Morganti, R.
Oosterloo, T. A.
Tinti, S.
Tadhunter, C. N.
Wills, K. A.
van Moorsel, G.
Source :
Astronomy and Astrophysics; June 2002, Vol. 387 Issue: 3 p830-837, 8p
Publication Year :
2002

Abstract

We present WSRT and VLA radio observations of the neutral hydrogen in the radio galaxy Coma A. We detect extended $\ion{H}{I}$absorption against both radio lobes of Coma A, at distances of about 30 kpc from the centre. Coma A is the first radio galaxy in which $\ion{H}{I}$is seen in absorption at such large distances from the nucleus. The match between the velocities of the neutral hydrogen and those of the extended ionized gas suggests that they are part of the same disk-like structure of at least 60 kpc in diameter. Most likely, this gas disk is partly ionised by the bulk motion of the radio lobes expanding into it. The gas mass of this disk is at least 109$M_\odot$. The relatively regular structure of the gas disk suggests that a merger occurred involving at least one large gas-rich galaxy, at least a few times 108yr ago.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
00046361 and 14320746
Volume :
387
Issue :
3
Database :
Supplemental Index
Journal :
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Publication Type :
Periodical
Accession number :
ejs53232015
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361:20020350