The Central 3 kpc of NGC 5850

TL;DR

This study uses optical integral field spectroscopy to analyze the central region of NGC 5850, revealing LINER-like emission, complex ionization patterns, and non-rotational gas kinematics, suggesting a mix of stellar populations and possible faint AGN activity.

Contribution

First detailed IFS analysis of NGC 5850's central 21x19 arcsec^2 revealing complex ionization and kinematic structures.

Findings

Extended LINER-like emission linked to evolved stars or faint AGN

Presence of composite ionization patterns from multiple sources

Gas kinematics deviate from simple rotation models

Abstract

NGC 5850 is a nearby (z=0.0085) early type spiral galaxy classified as LINER. It is considered as a prototype double-barred system. Our optical Integral Field Spectroscopic (IFS) data of the central 21x19 arcsec^2 of NGC 5850 show extended LINER-like emission which we ascribe to the presence of a hot and evolved stellar population, possibly together with a faint AGN. Additionally NGC 5850 shows extended `composite' ionization patterns, likely to stem from a mixture of LINER-like ionization and photoionization by star formation. The kinematics of the gas deviates strongly from a simple rotational structure.