VLA HI Observations of Gas Stripping in the Virgo Cluster Spiral NGC 4522

Abstract

We present VLA HI observations at ~20"=1.5 kpc resolution of the highly inclined, HI-deficient Virgo cluster spiral galaxy NGC 4522, which is one of the clearest and nearest cases of ongoing ICM-ISM stripping. HI is abundant and spatially coincident with the stellar disk in the center, but beyond R = 3 kpc the HI distribution in the disk is sharply truncated and the only HI is extraplanar, and all on the northwest side. The kinematics and the morphology of the HI appear more consistent with ongoing stripping, and less consistent with gas fall-back which may occur long after peak pressure. Much of the extraplanar gas exhibits a modest net blueshift with respect to the galaxy's disk rotational velocities, consistent with gas accelerated toward the mean cluster velocity. The SW side of the galaxy has less HI in the disk but more HI in the halo, suggesting more effective gas removal on the side of the galaxy which is rotating into the ICM wind. The galaxy is 3.3 degrees ~800 kpc from M87, somewhat outside the region of strongest cluster X-ray emission. The ram pressure may be significantly stronger than standard values, due to large bulk motions and local density enhancements of the ICM gas, which may occur in a dynamic, shock-filled ICM experiencing subcluster merging. The HI and H-alpha distributions are similar, implying that the star-forming molecular ISM has been effectively stripped from the outer disk of the galaxy along with the HI.