Markarian Galaxies. I. The Optical Database and Atlas

Abstract

A database for the entire Markarian catalog is presented that combines extensive new measurements of their optical parameters with a literature and database search. The measurements were made using images extracted from the STScI Digitized Sky Survey (DSS) of F pg (red) and J pg (blue) band photographic sky survey plates obtained by the Palomar and UK Schmidt telescopes. We provide accurate coordinates, morphological type, spectral and activity classes, red and blue apparent magnitudes, apparent diameters, axial ratios, and position angles, as well as number counts of neighboring objects in a circle of radius 50 kpc. Special attention was paid to the individual descriptions of the galaxies in the original Markarian lists, which clarified many cases of misidentifications of the objects, particularly among interacting systems, larger galaxies with knots of star formation, possible stars, and cases of stars projected on galaxies. The total number of individual Markarian objects in the database is now 1544. We also include redshifts that are now available for 1524 objects with UV-excess radiation, as well as galactic color excess E(B À V ) values and their 2MASS or DENIS infrared magnitudes. The database also includes extensive notes that summarize information about the membership of Markarian galaxies in different systems of galaxies and about new and revised activity classes and redshifts. An atlas of several interesting subclasses of Markarian galaxies is also presented.

Star Formation Rates in Nearby Markarian Galaxies

“…According to the de Vaucouleurs scale the elliptical galaxies have T < 0, while T (S0) = 0, T (Sa) = 1, T (Sc) = 5, T (Sdm) = 8, and T = 9, 10 for the blue compact (BCD) and irregular Im and Ir dwarfs. The activity indices are taken from [4]. No significant correlation between morphological type and activity index is observed (the correlation coefficient R = -0.06); this can be explained by the very short time phase of the activity compared to the time necessary to form the global structure of a galaxy.…”

“…For these 260 galaxies we have calculated the distances D = V LG /H 0 in Mpc for a value of H 0 = 72 km/s/Mpc. We have also used the activity class characteristics from [4]. According to the identifications, half the chosen nearby Markarian galaxies appear in the catalogs UM, KUG, SBS, etc.…”

“…Observational data on a large number of Markarian galaxies can be found in the citations placed in the catalogs [2][3][4], as well as in conference proceedings [9] and other papers. The modern surveys make it possible to analyze different properties of Markarian galaxies in bulk.…”

Close Neighbors of Markarian Galaxies. II. Statistics and Discussions

“…The original catalog [37] features 1545 bright galaxies mostly having starburst properties and/or AGNs, which are wellstudied objects. In [38], homogeneously measured parameters of MRK galaxies, such as magnitudes, sizes, positions, redshifts, and morphologies, are presented.…”

“…In [36,38], isophotal magnitudes of the galaxies from DSS-II blue (J ), red (F ), and near-IR (I ) images were measured in an homogeneous way. In this study we used SDSS cmodel magnitudes for luminosities and model magnitudes for colors, which were controlled by DSS magnitudes (outliers were removed).…”