Prof. Niranjan Thatte

Abstract:

We report on the discovery of a double nucleus in M 83, based on measurements of the line of sight velocity distribution of stars observed at near infrared wavelengths with the VLT ISAAC spectrograph. We observe two peaks separated by 2.7" in the velocity dispersion profile of light from late-type stars measured along a slit 0.6" wide, centered on the peak of K band emission and with P.A. 51.7 degrees. The first peak coincides with the peak of the K band light distribution, widely assumed to be the galaxy nucleus. The second peak, of almost equal strength, almost coincides with the center of symmetry of the outer isophotes of the galaxy. The secondary peak location has little K band emission, and appears to be significantly extincted, even at near infrared wavelengths. It also lies along a mid-infrared bar, previously identified by Gallais et al. (1991) and shows strong hydrogen recombination emission at 1.875 microns. If we interpret the observed stellar velocity dispersion as coming from a virialized system, the two nuclei would each contain an enclosed mass of 13.2 x 10^6 M_sun within a radius of 5.4pc. These could either be massive star clusters, or supermassive dark objects.

Abstract:

Integral-field-spectroscopy and multi-object-spectroscopy provide the high multiplex gain required for efficient use of the upcoming generation of extremely large telescopes. We present instrument developments and designs for both concepts, and how these designs can be applied to cryogenic near-infrared instrumentation. Specifically, the fiber-based concept stands out the possibility to expand it to any number of image points, and its modularity predestines it to become the new concept for multi-field-spectroscopy. Which of the three concepts --- integral-field-, multi-object-, or multi-field-spectroscopy --- is best suited for the largest telescopes is discussed considering the size of the objects and their density on the sky.

Abstract:

We report near-infrared integral field spectroscopy of the luminous merging galaxy NGC 6240. Stellar velocities show that the two K-band peaks separated by 1.6arcsec are the central parts of inclined, rotating disk galaxies with equal mass bulges. The dynamical masses of the nuclei are much larger than the stellar mass derived from the K-band light, implying that the progenitor galaxies were galaxies with massive bulges. The K-band light is dominated by red supergiants formed in the two nuclei in starbursts, triggered ~2x10^7 years ago, possibly by the most recent perigalactic approach. Strong feedback effects of a superwind and supernovae are responsible for a short duration burst (~5x10^6 years) which is already decaying. The two galaxies form a prograde-retrograde rotating system and from the stellar velocity field it seems that one of the two interacting galaxies is subject to a prograde encounter. Between the stellar nuclei is a prominent peak of molecular gas (H_2, CO). The stellar velocity dispersion peaks there indicating that the gas has formed a local, self-gravitating concentration decoupled from the stellar gravitational potential. NGC 6240 has previously been reported to fit the paradigm of an elliptical galaxy formed through the merger of two galaxies. This was based on the near-infrared light distribution which follows a r^1/4-law. Our data cast strong doubt on this conclusion: the system is by far not relaxed, rotation plays an important role, as does self-gravitating gas, and the near-infrared light is dominated by young stars.

Abstract:

We present H and K band imaging spectroscopy of the core regions of the cD/AGN galaxy NGC1275. The spectra, including lines from H2, H, 12CO bandheads, [FeII], and [FeIII], are exploited to constrain the star formation and excitation mechanisms in the galaxy's nucleus. The near-infrared properties can largely be accounted for by ionized gas in the NLR, dense molecular gas, and hot dust concentrated near the active nucleus of NGC1275. The strong and compact H2 emission is mostly from circumnuclear gas excited by the AGN and not from the cooling flow. The extended emission of latetype stars is diluted in the center by the thermal emission of hot dust.

Abstract:

One of the most important techniques for astrophysics with adaptive optics is the ability to do spectroscopy at diffraction limited scales. The extreme difficulty of positioning a faint target accurately on a very narrow slit can be avoided by using an integral field unit, which provides the added benefit of full spatial coverage. During 1998, working with ALFA and the 3D integral field spectrometer, we demonstrated the validity of this technique by extracting and distinguishing spectra from binary stars separated by only 0.26 inch. The combination of ALFA & 3D is also ideally suited to imaging distant galaxies or the nuclei of nearby ones, as its field of view can be changed between 1.2 inches×1.2 inches and 4 inches×4 inches, depending on the pixel scale chosen. In this contribution we present new results both on galactic targets, namely young stellar objects, as well as extra-galactic objects including a Seyfert and a starburst nucleus.