Circumnuclear Shock and Starburst in NGC 6240: Near-Infrared Imaging and Spectroscopy with Adaptive Optics

We have obtained adaptive optics, high spatial resolution (0.15″), K-band spectra and images of the region around the two active nuclei in NGC 6240, which show the presence of circumnuclear shocks. The data are consistent with thermal excitation being the dominant mechanism in the nuclear region. UV fluorescence and associative detachment may also contribute to the fraction of energy emitted through molecular hydrogen transitions. The near-IR continuum emission appears closely associated with the two active nuclei. The morphological similarities between the near-IR images and the Chandra X-ray images indicate that the same mechanisms may be responsible for the emission in the near-IR and X-ray bands.