Looking inside the nest: the hidden structure of the merger galaxy NGC 1316 (Fornax A)

Abstract

We present an analysis of the circumnuclear structure of NGC 1316 using both near-infrared imaging and stellar kinematics. 2D decomposition of the images suggests the presence of a structure that resembles inner gaseous spiral arms, at about 5 to 15" from the center (500 to 1500 pc). We also find a disc-like stellar structure with radius less than 200 pc. Analysis of previously published SINFONI integral field kinematics data indicates a kinematically decoupled core in the same spatial scale, further evidence that indeed the nuclear stellar structure found is a kinematically cold stellar disc. We suggest that both newly-found structural components are the result of a recent accretion of a companion galaxy.

MNRAS Letters, in press; 6 pages, 4 colour figures