ISO Images of Starbursts and Active Galaxies

Abstract

We present some highlights from the mid-infrared (5-16 micron) images of mergers of massive galaxies obtained with the Infrared Space Observatory (ISO). We have observed: 1) ultraluminous infrared nuclei, 2) luminous dust-enshrouded extranuclear starbursts, and 3) active galaxy nuclei (AGNs). In this contribution we discuss the observations of Arp 299, a prototype for very luminous infrared galaxies, the Antennae which is a prototype of mergers, and Centaurus A which is the closest AGN to Earth. From these observations we conclude the following: 1) the most intense starbursts in colliding systems of galaxies and the most massive stars are dust-enshrouded in regions that appear inconspicuous at optical wavelengths, 2) the most intense nuclear infrared sources are a combination of AGN and starburst activity, 3) the hosts of radio loud AGNs that trigger giant double-lobe structures may be symbiotic galaxies composed of barred spirals inside ellipticals.

arXiv comment7 pages, 4 figures, Conference in Johannesburg, South Africa, September 13-18 1999. To be published as a special issue of the journal "Astrophysics and Space Science"

References in corpus (5)

• The IRAS 1-Jy Survey of Ultraluminous Infrared Galaxies: I. The sample and Luminosity Function
• Mid-infrared diagnostics to distinguish AGNs from starbursts
• A barred spiral at the centre of the giant elliptical radio galaxy Centaurus A
• The dark side of star formation in the Antennae galaxies
• Dust in the Wheel: The Cartwheel Galaxy in the Mid-IR

Cited by in corpus (2)

• Obscured Activity: AGN, Quasars, Starbursts and ULIGs observed by the Infrared Space Observatory
• Hot Interstellar Gas and Stellar Energy Feedback in the Antennae Galaxies