Spectrum of M87 Nucleus

[Robin Leadbeater]

Since M87 has been in the news recently with the radio image of the region immediately surrounding the black hole, I thought I would take a spectrum of this region using the ALPY600.

https://britastro.org/node/17807

Cheers

Robin

[John Coffin]

Thanks for sharing that. Can you add any links to the radio image?

[Andy Wilson]

Fascinating spectrum Robin! A good demonstration that the emission lines are generated in the central region of the galaxy.

Cheers

Andy

[Robin Leadbeater]

Hi John, 

I have added links to the AAS article on the radio image (just 50 micro arcsec across !) and the source of the 2008 comparison professional spectrum.

Cheers

Robin

[Robin Leadbeater]

Thanks Andy,

I wonder how compact the emission line source is compared to the region shown in the radio image. (unfortunately the spectrum was not very well focused at H alpha so the extent is not clear in my spectrum)

Robin

EDIT this image and spectra from HST suggests the main emission region region extends around 1 arcsec or so across

http://www.rpi.edu/dept/phys/courses/79205/Pics/HST95/diskM87Data.gif

[Andy Wilson]

I think that would make the emission region about 250 light years across, assuming a distance of 55 million light years.

Andy

[Mr Jack Martin]

Robin,

Good work, so nice to see such detailed spectra and information.

Regards,

Jack

Essex UK

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