Luminous infrared galaxy
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A LIRG is a luminous infrared galaxy, the defining characteristic being that it emits more than 1011 solar luminosities in the far-infrared part of the spectrum. Still more luminous systems, emitting more than 1012 solar luminosities in the far-infrared, and called ULIRGs or ultraluminous infrared galaxies. Most LIRGs and ULIRGs emit at least 90% of their light in the infrared.
All known LIRGs and ULIRGs show signs of recent or continuing interactions and disruptions. Many are starburst galaxies, and some also contain an active galactic nucleus.
ULIRGs seem to be embedded in dark-matter haloes with masses of around 10 trillion solar masses.
[edit] External links
- Nearby Extreme Galaxies Linked To Humble Roots (SkyNightly) Jun 07, 2006
- How To Bake A Galaxy (SpaceDaily) Jun 19, 2006
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