Deep neutral hydrogen observations of the early-type galaxy NGC 2768: collided by a newly discovered satellite galaxy?

TL;DR

This study uses FAST to reveal an extended Hi envelope around NGC 2768, discovering a satellite galaxy and evidence of recent interactions, indicating a transition from spiral to S0 galaxy.

Contribution

First deep Hi observation of NGC 2768 with FAST, revealing a satellite galaxy and complex gas dynamics not seen in previous studies.

Findings

Extended Hi envelope detected with higher mass than previous studies

Discovery of a satellite galaxy likely collided with NGC 2768 about 0.38 Gyr ago

Evidence of tidal interactions and galaxy transition from spiral to S0

Abstract

We present the results of a deep neutral hydrogen (Hi) observation of the early-type galaxy NGC 2768 using the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST). Leveraging the high sensitivity of FAST, we discover an extended gas envelope around NGC 2768. The total Hi mass is measured to be 8.1 x 10^8 M_sun , representing a magnitude increase compared to previous Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope (WSRT) studies. Position-velocity (PV) diagram indicates the envelope mainly involves two components: an Hi disk of NGC 2768 and a newly discovered satellite galaxy without detectable counterparts in currently deep optical surveys. The center of the gas disk is mis-aligned with the optical disk of NGC 2768, with more gas redshifted, indicating it has been disturbed. Our study indicates NGC 2768 is currently undergoing a transition from a spiral galaxy to an S0. Previous deep WSRT observations reveal two dense clumps (named as Clumps A and Clump B throughout this paper) in the center of the envelope. We find Clump A corresponds to the densest part of the disk, while Clump B might be a newly discovered satellite galaxy which probably collided NGC 2768 about 0.38 Gyr ago. We also find tidal interactions between Clump B and PGC 2599651, NGC 2768 and UGC 4808. Based on these new findings, we finally analyze hierarchical accretion history of NGC 2768.