We observed the nearby starburst galaxy NGC 253 in the mid-infrared to obtain a three-dimensional data set with arcsecond angular resolution and 0.2 km spectral resolution. The observations show the major spectral features in the upper half of the mid-IR window: the 11.3 km polycyclic aromatic hydro- carbon (PAH) line and the 12.8 km (Ne II) line as well as the broad silicate absorption feature at 9.7 km. We use the (Ne II) line to determine the emission measure of the ionized gas, and in combination with radio observations to predict the thermal and nonthermal contributions to the radio continuum. The amount of ionized gas is related to the rate of star formation. Based on the mid-IR spectra, we identify three major components in the nucleus of NGC 243: an AGN in the center of the galaxy, a superstar cluster also seen in optical images, and a larger scale diUuse envelope composed of an older population of supernova remnants and lower mass stars. Subject headings: galaxies: individual (NGC 253) ¨ galaxies: starburstgalaxies: star clusters
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Keto et al. (1999) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: