Astronomical instrumentation

Abstract:

We review the observational data available on the class of galaxies known as Extremely Red Objects (EROs), and present new data on their apparent surface density, which now appears to be much higher than has previously been claimed. We discuss the division of these objects into two distinct groups: young galaxies with dramatic ongoing star formation and old galaxies with highly evolved stellar populations. Age-determination for the latter group using population synthesis models is complicated by an intrinsic degeneracy between the age and initial metallicity of the stellar populations.

Abstract:

Knowledge of the pattern speed in a barred galaxy is an important prerequisite for determining the radii of its dynamical resonances. Once identified, these can in turn be used to constrain models for nuclear fueling and secular evolution. Here, we present measurements of the pattern speeds in two barred galaxies-one direct (in NGC 1068, using the Tremaine-Weinberg method in the near infrared) and one indirect (in NGC 7479, using a fit to three-dimensional molecular emission-line data). We find good evidence that a configuration of dynamically decoupled "bars within bars" is present in each system.

Abstract:

We present results from integral field spectroscopy of the narrow line region of NGC 1068, carried out with the MPE 3D near infrared imaging spectrometer. A map and velocity field of the [Fe II] fine structure line at 1.64mum is presented. The kinematics of the [Fe II] emission, which arises in partially ionized zones, shows red shifted emission in the north eastern cone of the NLR, and blue shifted emission in the south west, reversed relative to high ionization species such as [Si VI] or [0 111]. We propose a model geometry of the narrow line region which is consistent with existing data and explains the observed [Fe II] kinematics.