Open AccessNGC 922 – a new drop‐through ring galaxy ★
Author(s) -
Wong O. I.,
Meurer G. R.,
Bekki K.,
Hanish D. J.,
Kennicutt R. C.,
BlandHawthorn J.,
RyanWeber E. V.,
Koribalski B.,
Kilborn V. A.,
Putman M. E.,
Heiner J. S.,
Webster R. L.,
Allen R. J.,
Dopita M. A.,
Doyle M. T.,
Drinkwater M. J.,
Ferguson H. C.,
Freeman K. C.,
Heckman T. M.,
Hoopes C.,
Knezek P. M.,
Meyer M. J.,
Oey M. S.,
Seibert M.,
Smith R. C.,
StaveleySmith L.,
Thilker D.,
Werk J.,
Zwaan M. A.
Publication year - 2006
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 - 10.1111/j.1365-2966.2006.10589.x
Subject(s) - physics , astrophysics , galaxy , astronomy , hubble space telescope , interacting galaxy , universe , drop (telecommunication) , barred spiral galaxy , galaxy merger , lenticular galaxy , hubble sequence , elliptical galaxy , telecommunications , computer science
We have found the peculiar galaxy NGC 922 to be a new drop‐through ring galaxy using multiwavelength (ultraviolet–radio) imaging and spectroscopic observations. Its ‘C’‐shaped morphology and tidal plume indicate a recent strong interaction with its companion which was identified with these observations. Using numerical simulations we demonstrate that the main properties of the system can be generated by a high‐speed off‐axis drop‐through collision of a small galaxy with a larger disc system, thus making NGC 922 one of the nearest known collisional ring galaxies. While these systems are rare in the local Universe, recent deep Hubble Space Telescope images suggest they were more common in the early Universe.