Kinematics of the anemic cluster galaxy NGC 4548 - Is stripping still active ?
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We present new HI (20" resolution) and CO observations of NGC 4548, an anemic galaxy in the Virgo cluster. The atomic gas distribution shows a ring structure which is distorted at the northern edge. The overall rotation curve is derived with a tilted ring model. We compare our rotation curve with previous ones and discuss the differences. The velocity field of the CO pointings fit very well with the one of the atomic gas where they overlap. The CO emission permits to extend the rotation curve towards the galaxy centre. The molecular fraction is derived for the inner 120" x 120" centered on the galaxy. We compare the HI and CO emission to H_alpha line and optical blue emission maps. The bar in the centre favors star formation at the outer end of the bar. The HI intensity distribution and velocity field of the northern perturbation are deprojected with the help of a first order kinematical model. They are discussed in the framework of warps. It is concluded that the scenario of ram pressure stripping responsible for the gas removal and the northern perturbation is a very probable one. In this case the ram pressure which may have caused the galaxy's HI deficiency is now fading after the galaxy's close passage to the cluster centre or increasing again due to a second approach of the galaxy to the cluster centre.
12 pages, 15 figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics
12 pages, 15 figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics