Compact radio cores in infrared galaxies

• Published in: Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society Vol. 234; no. 1; pp. 51P - 55P
• Main Authors: Norris, R. P., Kesteven, M. J., Allen, David A., Troupe, E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Oxford University Press 01.09.1988; Blackwell Science
• Subjects: Astronomy; Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology; Quasars. Active or peculiar galaxies, objects, and systems; Stellar systems. Galactic and extragalactic objects and systems. The universe; Active galaxies; Seyfert galaxies; Extragalactic radiosource; Galaxies; Starburst galaxies; Compact radiosource; Infrared radiation; IR galaxies; Interferometric observation
• ISSN: 0035-8711; 1365-2966
• DOI: 10.1093/mnras/234.1.51P

The origin of the enormous total luminosity of ELFs (extremely luminous far-infrared galaxies) is the subject of considerable debate, and both Seyfert nuclei and starburst activity have been suggested. We have searched with the 275-km Parkes–Tidbinbilla Interferometer for compact radio cores in a sample of galaxies, including Seyferts, starbursts, and ELFs. About one quarter of the Seyferts, but very few of the starburst galaxies, were detected. Several of the ELFs were detected, implying that they contain a compact Seyfert-like core. However, all of those detected show optical evidence for Seyfert activity, whereas most of those which were not detected show no such evidence. We conclude that Arp220-type obscured Seyferts appear to be rare amongst the ELFs, and that most ELFs are powered by starburst activity without significant Seyfert activity. We also report the detection of an obscured radio-loud quasar or radio galaxy.