High-Resolution Acta Observations of the Circumnuclear Molecular Clouds of Ngc 4945

Author: Hunt Maria   Whiteoak John  

Publisher: Springer Publishing Company

ISSN: 0004-640X

Source: Astrophysics and Space Science, Vol.295, Iss.1-2, 2005-01, pp. : 257-262

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Abstract

Transitions of HCN, HCO+ and HNC have been observed in the nuclear region of the nearby edge-on spiral galaxy NGC 4945 with the Compact Array of the Australia Telescope during the commissioning phase of the new 3-mm system. The collection and reduction of the observations is described in this paper, and the distribution of the HNC and HCO+ emission is discussed. Comparison of the ATCA observations with single dish spectra from the SEST suggests that there is a compact component to the emission seen in both spectra, and a diffuse component seen only in the SEST spectra. Absorption against the nuclear continuum is seen in HCO+, suggesting the presence of dense gas in front of the nucleus.