Detection of a bright ridge in the 2.2 MU-M emission of M82

Abstract

Photometric scans through the central region of M82 with a resolution of 6 arcsec reveal that the 2.2-micron emission source has a compact ridge structure which is approximately aligned + or - 10 deg with the major axis of the galaxy. The source has an integrated K magnitude of 6.5 and dimensions of 300 x 75 pc, corresponding to 20 x 5 arcsec on the sky. The 2.2-micron ridge embraces the bright visible knots A and E and lies close to the center of the 10-micron emission region and the subarcsecond radio source.