Ultraviolet Spectroscopy of the ``Jetlike'' Condensations of NGC 4151

Abstract

The spectrometers aboard the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) are used to obtain UV spectroscopy of the jetlike condensations seen extending 18" from the nucleus of the nearby Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 4151. New data reduction techniques are used to detect, delineate, and measure weak nebular emission in IUE spectra. Spatially resolved extended emission is seen in both C III] 1909 A and C IV 1549 A. The deduced integrated fluxes in the jet are 1 x 10^-14^ and 4 x 10^-14^ ergs cm^-2^ s^-1^ for C III and C IV, respectively. The observed fluxes are compared with predictions based upon a central source photoionization model. The implied high C IV/C III flux ratio is shown to be inconsistent with this model and suggests an additional source of ionization for the jet.