Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The nucleus of the Cygnus A galaxy at high resolution

  • Published:
Astrophysics and Space Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Newly obtained high resolution optical images of the prototypical luminous radio galaxy Cygnus A (3C 405) indicate an inhomogeneous distribution of obscuring dust and - in combination with previous data — three types of radiation (stellar and blue featureless continuum as well as luminous line emission) in its central regions. The galaxy should not be classified as a colliding pair of galaxies, neither as a dust-lane galaxy. The alleged double nucleus finds its origin in heavy obscuration coupled to excess line emission in the central regions of an otherwise normal giant elliptical galaxy. A strongly reddened nuclear component, corresponding with the Cygnus A radio core, is found to emit faint but concentrated narrow line emission. All data appear consistent with identification of Cygnus A as a radio-loud quasar having its radio axis oriented at about 35° from the sky plane. The presumed dust torus obscuring the quasar continuum is inferred to be smaller than 800 parsecs.

A more elaborate description of this work is found in Vestergaard and Barthel (1993) which also contains plates of the images mentioned.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Baade, W. and Minkowski, R.: 1954,Astrophys. J. 119, 206–214.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barthel, P.D.: 1989,Astrophys. J. 336, 606–611.

    Google Scholar 

  • Djorgovski, S.et al.: 1991,Astrophys. J. 372, L67-L70.

    Google Scholar 

  • Griffin, R.F.: 1963,Astron. J. 68, 421–428.

    Google Scholar 

  • Osterbrock, D.E. and Miller, J.S.: 1975,Astrophys. J. 197, 535–544.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pierce, M.J. and Stockton, A.: 1986,Astrophys. J. 305, 204–213.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tadhunter, C.N., Scarrott, S.M., Rolph, C.D.: 1990,Monthly Not. Roy. Astr. Soc. 246, 163–168.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van den Bergh, S.: 1976,Astrophys. J. 210, L63-L64.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ward, M.J.et al.: 1991,Astrophys. J. 382, 115–120.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vestergaard, M. and Barthel, P.D.: 1993,Astron. J. 105, 456.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Copenhagen University Observatory, Copenhagen, Denmark

    M. Vestergaard

  2. Kapteyn Astronomical Institute, Groningen, The Netherlands

    M. Vestergaard

  3. Kapteyn Astronomical Institute, Groningen, The Netherlands

    P. D. Barthel

Authors
  1. M. Vestergaard
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. P. D. Barthel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Based on observations obtained at the Nordic Optical Telescope, La Palma

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Vestergaard, M., Barthel, P.D. The nucleus of the Cygnus A galaxy at high resolution. Astrophys Space Sci 205, 135–140 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00657968

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00657968

Keywords

Search

Navigation