Shock excited molecules in NGC 1266: ULIRG conditions at the center of a bulge-dominated galaxy

  • E. W. Pellegrini
  • , J. D. Smith
  • , M. G. Wolfire
  • , B. T. Draine
  • , A. F. Crocker
  • , K. V. Croxall
  • , P. Van Der Werf
  • , D. A. Dale
  • , D. Rigopoulou
  • , C. D. Wilson
  • , E. Schinnerer
  • , B. A. Groves
  • , K. Kreckel
  • , K. M. Sandstrom
  • , L. Armus
  • , D. Calzetti
  • , E. J. Murphy
  • , F. Walter
  • , J. Koda
  • , E. Bayet
  • P. Beirao, A. D. Bolatto, M. Bradford, E. Brinks, L. Hunt, R. Kennicutt, J. H. Knapen, A. K. Leroy, E. Rosolowsky, L. Vigroux, R. H.B. Hopwood

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

46 Scopus citations

Abstract

We investigate the far infrared (IR) spectrum of NGC 1266, a S0 galaxy that contains a massive reservoir of highly excited molecular gas. Using the Herschel Fourier Transform Spectrometer, we detect the 12CO ladder up to J = (13-12), [C i] and [N ii] lines, and also strong water lines more characteristic of UltraLuminous IR Galaxies (ULIRGs). The12CO line emission is modeled with a combination of a low-velocity C-shock and a photodissociation region. Shocks are required to produce the H2O and most of the high-J CO emission. Despite having an IR luminosity 30 times less than a typical ULIRG, the spectral characteristics and physical conditions of the interstellar medium of NGC 1266 closely resemble those of ULIRGs, which often harbor strong shocks and large-scale outflows.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numberL19
JournalAstrophysical Journal Letters
Volume779
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 2013

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

Keywords

  • Galaxies: individual (NGC 1266)
  • ISM: jets and outflows
  • ISM: lines and bands
  • ISM: molecules
  • Infrared: ISM
  • Photon-dominated region (PDR)

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