Fabry-Perot Interferometry and Dynamics of Spiral Galaxies

TL;DR

This paper introduces two-dimensional Fabry-Perot observations and analysis tools for studying the emission-line distribution and kinematics in spiral galaxies, revealing radial motions and potential mechanisms for nuclear structure formation.

Contribution

Development of new analysis tools for 2D Fabry-Perot data and application to galaxy M 74 to identify kinematic signatures of radial motions and perturbations.

Findings

Detected kinematic signatures of radial motions in M 74

Identified m=2 perturbation possibly causing nuclear inflow

Tools applicable to broader galaxy samples

Abstract

We present two-dimensional Febry-Perot observations of emission-line distribution and kinematics in nearly spiral galaxies. We have developed and demonstrated the utility of a number of analysis tools which have general applicability, but which we have, so far, applied to only one galaxy (M 74, Fathi et al. 2007). In this galaxy, we have found kinematic signatures of radial motions caused by an m=2 perturbation. Such a perturbation may well be responsible for the inflow of material forming the nuclear ring and the inner rapidly rotating disc-like structure. The latter, in turn, could help build a pseudo-bulge. In the second paper in this series, we will apply the kinematic analysis tools to a sample of 9 late-type spiral galaxies observed with the FaNTOmM Fabry-Perot spectrometer at the Canada-France-Hawaii telescope.