Open AccessA possible active galactic nucleus in M82?
Author(s) -
Wills K. A.,
Pedlar A.,
Muxlow T. W. B.,
Stevens I. R.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
monthly notices of the royal astronomical society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.058
H-Index - 383
eISSN - 1365-2966
pISSN - 0035-8711
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-8711.1999.02496.x
Subject(s) - physics , astrophysics , active galactic nucleus , galaxy , supernova , merlin (protein) , astronomy , nucleus , medicine , cancer , suppressor , biology , microbiology and biotechnology
MERLIN and VLA observations of the galaxy M82 have detected a jet‐like elongated radio continuum feature emanating from one of the compact sources, 44.01+59.6, embedded in the starburst. The proximity of this source to the dynamical centre of M82 led us to suspect that it could be a weak active nucleus rather than a supernova remnant. We have imaged this source using the EVN at 15 mas and, although it shows a compact shell‐like structure which could be consistent with a supernova remnant, we note that the image shows a bright region within the source which is elongated along the jet direction. There are distinct similarities between this source and the Sgr A complex in the centre of our own Galaxy, and by analogy we suggest that 44.01+59.6 may also harbour a weak active galactic nucleus.