Molecular gas and star formation in the host galaxy of I Zw 1

Abstract

A recent analysis of high angular resolution NIR imaging and spectroscopic data in conjunction with Plateau de Bure interferometric mm-line observations indicate the presence of a circum-nuclear starburst ring of ∼1.5″ (1.5 kpc) diameter in I Zw 1. High angular resolution NIR imaging, using the MPE SHARP camera at the ESO NTT, HST V-band images, as well as NIR spectroscopy with MPE 3D provide an improved analysis of the star formation activity in the disk and nucleus of I Zw 1. We present first results from subarcsecond interferometric imaging in the ¹²CO(2-1) line using the Plateau de Bure Interferometer.