The Twin-Nucleus Merging Galaxy MKN 266

Extract

We present results of observations of the double-nucleus galaxy Markarian 266 (NGC 5256) from 3 principal sources. These are

1. 1: CCD imaging with the Canada-France-Hawaii telescope in broad and narrow bands. These indicate that the galaxy has extended, complex, faint outer plumes which indicate that a recent merger has occurred. The narrow-band images reveal remarkable knotty structure of the [O III] emitting gas, extending over the whole central part of the galaxy. This is not seen in Hα (see figure 1).

2. 2: 21cm imaging with the VLA, covering velocity space near that of the optical nuclei. The continuum image reveals resolved triple structure, with the two outer peaks coincident with the optical nuclei. The 21cm velocity profiles indicate the presence of considerable H I absorption near the optical emission line velocities.

3. 3: Spatially resolved optical spectroscopy with the DAO 1.8m telescope. These data reveal the details of the [O III] velocity field and some of the physical parameters of the gas. The complexity and extended nature of the gas explains some conflicting redshift measurements in the literature. Together with the imaging data, we derive estimates of nuclear reddening and luminosity.