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What are IRAS Galaxies? An Optical Answer

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 April 2016

V. S. Meadows ,
D. A. Allen ,
R. P. Norris  and
P. F. Roche
V. S. Meadows
Affiliation:
Anglo-Australian Observatory, P.O. Box 296, Epping NSW 2121
D. A. Allen
Affiliation:
Anglo-Australian Observatory, P.O. Box 296, Epping NSW 2121
R. P. Norris
Affiliation:
Australia Telescope National Facility, CSIRO, P.O. Box 76, Epping NSW 2121
P. F. Roche
Affiliation:
Royal Observatory Edinburgh, Blackford Hill, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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Abstract

A survey of the optical spectra of IRAS galaxies, made with the AAT, has shown that the majority have strong emission lines. Ratios of the emission lines have been plotted on the Veilleux-Osterbrock diagram ([O III]/Hβ against [N II]/Hα); this shows that the IRAS galaxies comprise several classes. In our sample the majority appear to be starburst galaxies, but Seyfert, Liner and narrow-line galaxies are also represented. Co-added spectra of the galaxy classes are presented. On the basis of optical spectroscopy, it appears that the starburst phenomenon is capable of generating luminosities exceeding 1012L⊙.

Type
Extragalactic
Information
Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia , Volume 8 , Issue 3 , 1990 , pp. 246 - 249
Copyright
Copyright © Astronomical Society of Australia 1990

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