Unravelling features of the peculiar galaxy ESO 287-IG50.

Abstract

This observational study investigates the effects of interaction on the kinematics and chemical abundance of the peculiar galaxy ESO 287-IG50, which may be a polar ring galaxy in an ongoing formation process. The study utilized BVRI broad band imagery and longslit spectroscopy in the wavelength range of 4240-8700 Å. The STARLIGHT stellar population synthesis code was used to analyze the data, and standard diagnostic diagrams were employed to classify the main ionizing source of selected emission-line regions. Image analysis using filtering techniques revealed an inner ring with perpendicular structures at both ends, which could be the inner part of a bisymmetric spiral structure. Photometric analysis showed dusty filaments crossing the central structure, which was identified as the redder region of the galaxy, dominated by a non-negligible amount of dust. Shell-like structures, which could be remnants of a galaxy merging process, were also found. Image analysis through filtering revealed what appears to be an inner ring, with perpendicular structures at both ends, which could be the inner part of a bisymmetric spiral structure. Photometric analysis shows dusty filaments crossing the central structure. This region would be dominated by a non negligible amount of dust, identified as the redder region of the galaxy. A heliocentric radial velocity of 17 689±45 km s⁻¹ was measured, and the velocity profile exhibited a clear rotational behavior, with peak velocities of 110 km s⁻¹ to the SW and 80 km s⁻¹ to the other side. The analysis of the nuclear region using the STARLIGHT code revealed a stellar population consisting of approximately one-third young stars and two-thirds old stars. The predominance of an aged stellar population, a distinctive feature in galaxies undergoing interaction processes, can be attributed to the prolonged evolutionary period of this galaxy, as evidenced by the shell structures we identified as indicators of this interaction process. The [NII]\(\lambda \)6584Å/H\(\alpha \) ratio suggests that ESO 287-IG50 may be an AGN due to the excess of Nitrogen relative to Hydrogen in the residual spectrum, a feature not yet reported in the literature. Studying the line ratios and EW(H\(\alpha \)), we notice that this galaxy exhibits a peculiar AGN, with a non-stellar origin ionization mechanism.