| Full text | |
| Author(s): |
Buzzo, M. L.
;
Ziegler, B.
;
Amram, P.
;
Verdugo, M.
;
Barbosa, C. E.
;
Ciocan, B.
;
Papaderos, P.
;
Torres-Flores, S.
;
Mendes de Oliveira, C.
Total Authors: 9
|
| Document type: | Journal article |
| Source: | Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society; v. 503, n. 1, p. 18-pg., 2021-03-11. |
| Abstract | |
We present optical VLT/MUSE integral field spectroscopy data of the merging galaxy NGC 1487. We use fitting techniques to study the ionized gas emission of this merger and its main morphological and kinematical properties. We measured flat and sometimes inverted oxygen abundance gradients in the subsystems composing NGC 1487, explained by metal mixing processes common in merging galaxies. We also measured widespread star-forming bursts, indicating that photoionization by stars is the primary ionization source of the galaxy. The kinematic map revealed a rotating pattern in the gas in the northern tail of the system, suggesting that the galaxy may be in the process of rebuilding a disc. The gas located in the central region has larger velocity dispersion (sigma approximate to 50 kms(-1)) than the remaining regions, indicating kinematic heating, possibly owing to the ongoing interaction. Similar trends were, however, not observed in the stellar velocity dispersion map, indicating that the galaxy has not yet achieved equilibrium, and the nebular and stellar components are still kinematically decoupled. Based on all our measurements and findings, and specially on the mass estimates, metallicity gradients, and velocity fields of the system, we propose that NGC 1487 is the result of an ongoing merger event involving smallish dwarf galaxies within a group, in a pre-merger phase, resulting in a relic with mass and physical parameters similar to a dwarf galaxy. Thus, we may be witnessing the formation of a dwarf galaxy by merging of smaller clumps at z = 0. (AU) | |
| FAPESP's process: | 19/01639-1 - Unravelling the origin of peculiar metal gradients in interacting systems |
| Grantee: | Maria Luísa Gomes Buzzo |
| Support Opportunities: | Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Master's degree |
| FAPESP's process: | 19/23388-0 - The formation history of ultra diffuse galaxies |
| Grantee: | Maria Luísa Gomes Buzzo |
| Support Opportunities: | Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate |
| FAPESP's process: | 16/12331-0 - Galaxy evolution in different environments using spatially resolved kinematics and stellar populations |
| Grantee: | Carlos Eduardo Barbosa |
| Support Opportunities: | Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral |
| FAPESP's process: | 19/11910-4 - Exploiting data from SAM-FP and T80-South |
| Grantee: | Claudia Lucia Mendes de Oliveira |
| Support Opportunities: | Regular Research Grants |
| FAPESP's process: | 17/50277-0 - Exploring galaxy evolution and interstellar medium using SAM-FP and T80-South instruments |
| Grantee: | Claudia Lucia Mendes de Oliveira |
| Support Opportunities: | Regular Research Grants |
| FAPESP's process: | 18/09165-6 - Recovering galaxies' formation history from multi-band photometry |
| Grantee: | Maria Luísa Gomes Buzzo |
| Support Opportunities: | Scholarships in Brazil - Master |