Optical spectroscopy of the radio-loud nuclei of spiral galaxies - Starbursts or monsters?

Optical spectroscopic data pertaining to the physical state, kinematics and spatial extent of emission line gas near the radio-loud nuclei of spiral galaxies are combined with published optical, radio and IR data, in an examination of the Condon et al (1982) suggestion that the nuclear radio emissio...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Astronomical journal 1983-08, Vol.88, p.1077-1087
Main Authors: Heckman, T. M., van Breugel, W., Miley, G. K., Butcher, H. R.
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:Optical spectroscopic data pertaining to the physical state, kinematics and spatial extent of emission line gas near the radio-loud nuclei of spiral galaxies are combined with published optical, radio and IR data, in an examination of the Condon et al (1982) suggestion that the nuclear radio emission in galaxies of this class is produced by multiple SNRs generated by a nuclear starburst. It is found that only about 1/3 of the spiral galaxies examined have optical spectroscopic properties consistent with those of 'extranuclear starbursts'. Evidence is adduced for the view that the putative nuclear starbursts must differ significantly from extranuclear starbursts. While giant H II regions generally have thermal radio emission, the radio-loud nuclei exhibit nonthermal radio emission whose spectrum is much steeper than that of SNRs.
ISSN:0004-6256
DOI:10.1086/113397