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OH emission and absorption associated with supernovae in Arp 220

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 March 2007

Colin J. Lonsdale
Affiliation:
MIT Haystack Observatory, Westford, MA 01886
Katherine R. de Kleer
Affiliation:
MIT Haystack Observatory, Westford, MA 01886
Philip J. Diamond
Affiliation:
Jodrell Bank Observatory, Macclesfield, SK11 9DL, UK
Hannah Thrall
Affiliation:
Jodrell Bank Observatory, Macclesfield, SK11 9DL, UK
Carol J. Lonsdale
Affiliation:
Infrared Processing and Analysis Center, MS 100-22, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
Harding E. Smith
Affiliation:
CASS, U.C. San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla CA 92093-0424, USA
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Abstract

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We present parsec-resolution spectral-line VLBI data for two epochs separated by 15 months as a precise new probe of the innermost regions of the nearby Ultraluminous Infrared Galaxy (ULIRG) Arp 220. This galaxy hosts a powerful starburst, with an associated supernova (SN) rate of order 4/yr. An extensive population of compact continuum sources interpreted as radio supernovae (RSNe) and young supernova remnants (SNR) has been imaged. We show here that many of the supernova-related radio continuum point sources exhibit clear evidence of OH absorption or maser emission in the intervening gas, and as such provide us with a sampling of conditions along very narrow and specific lines of sight through the nuclear environment. The OH gas along these lines of sight exhibits velocity dispersions of up to several tens of km/sec, and that in some cases, multiple distinct concentrations of masing gas at different radial velocities can be discerned. There is evidence for variability in the OH properties on ~1yr timescales. Our results are discussed in the context of the overall OH megamaser properties of Arp 220.

Type
Contributed Papers
Copyright
Copyright © International Astronomical Union 2008

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