Gas and stellar kinematics in NGC 6240

We present results from sub-arcsecond near infrared integral field spectroscopy and millimeter IRAM-interferometry of the interacting galaxy NGC 6240. Using stellar absorption features in the NIR we determined the stellar velocity field and dispersion in NGC 6240. The two NIR emission peaks show rap...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Tecza, M, Tacconi, L, Genzel, R
Format: Conference item
Published: 2001
Description
Summary:We present results from sub-arcsecond near infrared integral field spectroscopy and millimeter IRAM-interferometry of the interacting galaxy NGC 6240. Using stellar absorption features in the NIR we determined the stellar velocity field and dispersion in NGC 6240. The two NIR emission peaks show rapid rotation and indicate a prograde encounter of the two progenitor galaxies. From the velocity dispersion an excess mass between the two nuclei is detected. This mass can be attributed to a massive rotating disk of cold CO gas located between the nuclei.