Shock Excited Molecules in NGC 1266: ULIRG Conditions at the Center of a Bulge-dominated Galaxy

Dale, D. A.; Bolatto, A. D.; Kreckel, K.; Groves, B. A.; Schinnerer, E.; Wilson, C. D.; Rigopoulou, D.; Rosolowsky, E.; Leroy, A. K.; Beirao, P.; Bayet, E.; van der Werf, P.; Croxall, K. V.; Crocker, A. F.; Draine, B. T.; Wolfire, M. G.; Smith; Pellegrini, E. W.; Bradford, M.; Sandstrom, K. M.; Koda, J.; Walter, F.; Murphy, E. J.; Calzetti, D.; Armus, L.; Hopwood, R. H. B.; Vigroux, L.; Knapen, J. H.; Brinks, E.; Kennicutt, R.; Hunt, L.
Bibliographical reference

The Astrophysical Journal Letters, Volume 779, Issue 2, article id. L19, 6 pp. (2013).

Advertised on:
12
2013
Number of authors
31
IAC number of authors
1
Citations
43
Refereed citations
42
Description
We investigate the far infrared (IR) spectrum of NGC 1266, a S0 galaxy that contains a massive reservoir of highly excited molecular gas. Using the Herschel Fourier Transform Spectrometer, we detect the 12CO ladder up to J = (13-12), [C I] and [N II] lines, and also strong water lines more characteristic of UltraLuminous IR Galaxies (ULIRGs). The 12CO line emission is modeled with a combination of a low-velocity C-shock and a photodissociation region. Shocks are required to produce the H2O and most of the high-J CO emission. Despite having an IR luminosity 30 times less than a typical ULIRG, the spectral characteristics and physical conditions of the interstellar medium of NGC 1266 closely resemble those of ULIRGs, which often harbor strong shocks and large-scale outflows.
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