Four spectra covering the main features of this region has been obtained by
Leif Hansen
on the
Danish 1.54m
using the
DFOSC-instrument in January 1996.
The apparent 'horseshoe' structure in the emission-region has been cause for some speculation, but our preliminary analysis of the kinematical data does, with some confidence, rule out that the structure has formed through an ongoing merging process between the cD 'cannibal' galaxy and a lesser companion. So although the merging-theory is readily presenting itself when considering the morphology of the system, some other process has to account for the appearent seperation of the two main concentrations.
Absorption through obscuring dust-lanes lying in front of the object, can be ruled out too, due to the smooth ekstinction-distribution that has been obtained for the center galaxy by finding the emission-ratio of the yellow and the red bands.
Currently we are wondering if the presence of a massive Cooling Flow or the recent formation of a high concentration of early-type, very massive stars could account for this and perhaps others of the interesting properties that presents themselves in this intriguing object. But so far, we havn't reach'd any specific convictions, yet. :-)
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This page was last updated by
brian_j@astro.ku.dk
on april 12th of 1997.
