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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Molecular hydrogen and [Fe II] in active galactic nuclei - III. Low-ionization nuclear emission-line region and star-forming galaxies

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Author(s):
Riffel, R. [1] ; Rodriguez-Ardila, A. [2] ; Aleman, I. [1] ; Brotherton, M. S. [3] ; Pastoriza, M. G. [1] ; Bonatto, C. [1] ; Dors, Jr., O. L. [4]
Total Authors: 7
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Fed Rio Grande do Sul, Dept Astron, Porto Alegre, RS - Brazil
[2] Lab Nacl Astrofis MCTI, BR-37504364 Itajuba, MG - Brazil
[3] Univ Wyoming, Dept Phys & Astron, Laramie, WY 82071 - USA
[4] Univ Vale do Praiba, BR-12244000 Sao Jose Dos Campos, SP - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 4
Document type: Journal article
Source: Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society; v. 430, n. 3, p. 2002-2017, APR 2013.
Web of Science Citations: 37
Abstract

We study the kinematics and excitation mechanisms of H-2 and {[}Fe II] lines in a sample of 67 emission-line galaxies with Infrared Telescope Facility SpeX near-infrared (0.8-2.4 mu m) spectroscopy together with new photoionization models. H-2 emission lines are systematically narrower than narrow-line region lines, suggesting that the two are, very likely, kinematically disconnected. The new models and emission-line ratios show that the thermal excitation plays an important role not only in active galactic nuclei but also in star-forming galaxies. The importance of the thermal excitation in star-forming galaxies may be associated with the presence of supernova remnants close to the region emitting H-2 lines. This hypothesis is further supported by the similarity between vibrational and rotational temperatures of H-2. We confirm that the diagram involving the line ratios H-2 2.121 mu m/Br gamma and {[}Fe II] 1.257 mu m/Pa beta is an efficient tool for separating emission-line objects according to their dominant types of activities. We suggest new limits to the line ratios in order to discriminate between the different types of nuclear activities. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 09/14787-7 - Physical properties of star formation regions in circumnuclear rings and in (U)LIRGs
Grantee:Oli Luiz Dors Junior
Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants