Astron. Astrophys. 348, 446-456 (1999)

The interacting Wolf-Rayet galaxy Mkn 8

César Esteban and David I. Méndez

Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias, E-38200 La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain (cel,dmendez@ll.iac.es)

Received 28 April 1999 / Accepted 7 June 1999

Abstract

We present results of narrow-band and broad-band optical CCD imaging together with intermediate-resolution spectroscopy of the Wolf-Rayet galaxy Mkn 8. Analysis of the morphology and kinematics of the object indicates that the strong star formation episode we are witnessing in Mkn 8 is the product of the interaction of two (or three) disk galaxies. The chemical abundances and abundance ratios measured in the brightest knots suggest that the interacting galaxies are chemically evolved gas-rich objects, perhaps late-type spirals.

Key words: stars: Wolf-Rayet galaxies: individual: Mkn 8 galaxies: interactions galaxies: kinematics and dynamics galaxies: starburst

Send offprint requests to: César Esteban

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Contents

• 1. Introduction
• 2. Observations and data reduction
  • 2.1. Optical imaging
  • 2.2. Intermediate resolution spectroscopy
• 3. Results
  • 3.1. Optical imaging
  • 3.2. Intermediate resolution spectra
• 4. The interacting nature of Mkn 8
• 5. Conclusions
• Acknowledgements
• References

© European Southern Observatory (ESO) 1999

Online publication: July 26, 1999
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