Publication Date:
2015-07-15
Description:
The core of the nearby galaxy NGC 660 has recently undergone a spectacular radio outburst; using a combination of archival radio and Chandra X-ray data, together with new observations, the nature of this event is investigated. Radio observations made using e-MERLIN in mid-2013 show a new compact and extremely bright continuum source at the centre of the galaxy. High angular resolution observations carried out with the European VLBI Network show an obvious jet-like feature to the north-east and evidence of a weak extension to the west, possibly a counter-jet. We also examine high angular resolution H i spectra of these new sources, and the radio spectral energy distribution using the new wide-band capabilities of e-MERLIN. We compare the properties of the new object with possible explanations, concluding that we are seeing a period of new active galactic nuclei (AGN) activity in the core of this polar ring galaxy.
Print ISSN:
0035-8711
Electronic ISSN:
1365-2966
Topics:
Physics
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