We observed multiple CO transition lines and the HCN(1-0) line at ~ 1" (~ 34 pc) or higher resolution toward the Seyfert 2 nucleus of M51 using the IRAM Plateau de Bure Interferometer (PdBI) and the Submillimeter Array (SMA). All the images show very similar overall molecular gas distribution; there are two discrete clouds at the eastern and western sides of the nucleus, and the western cloud exhibits an elongated distribution and velocity gradient along the radio jet. In addition, high HCN(1-0)/CO(1-0) brightness temperature ratios of about unity have been observed, especially along the radio jet, similar to those observed in shocked molecular gas in our Galaxy. This strongly indicates that the molecular gas along the jet is shocked, that the radio jet and the molecular gas are interacting, and the jet is entraining both diffuse (CO) and dense (HCN) molecular gas outwards from the circumnuclear region. This is the first clear imaging of the out owing molecular gas entrained by the AGN jet, and showing the detailed physical status of out owing molecular gas. Since a relatively high HCN(1-0)/CO(1-0) ratio has been observed in the high velocity wing of ultraluminous infrared galaxies, it can also be explained by a similar mechanism to those we describe here.

We present the IRC images of M51, a pair of interacting galaxies. Given the high angular resolution (7.4") and the wide field of view (~ 10') covering almost the entire M51 system, we investigate dust properties and their connection to the spiral arm structure. We have applied image-filtering processes including the wavelet analysis to the N3 image, which traces the total stellar mass best among the IRC bands. From this filtered image, the center, arm, and interarm regions are defined. A color, or flux ratio among the MIR bands, has been measured at each pixel (3.7" in size). We find a wide variety of S7/S11 with a difference between arm and interarm regions. We also find that at some positions S11 seems to be higher than predicted by MW dust models. Estimated contributions from the stellar continuum and gas emission lines to the band are not enough to explain this discrepancy. From these results, we deduce that the PAH ionization condition and its fraction to the total dust mass in M51 are different from those in MW.

We present UBVRI CCD photometry of the Type Ie supernova SN 19941 in M51 which was discovered on April 2, 1994 (UT). UBVRI CCD photometry of SN 1994 I were obtained for the period of the first two months from April 4, 1994, using the Seoul National University Observatory 60 cm telescope. The light curves of SN 19941 show several interesting features: (a) SN 19941 reaches the maximum brightness at B-band on April 8.23 (B = 13.68 mag), at V-band on April 9.10 (V = 12.89 mag), and at I-band on April 10.32 (I = 12.48 mag); (b) The light curves around the maximum brightness are much narrower than those of other types of supernovae; (c) The light curves after the peak decline more steeply than those of other types of supernovae; and (d) The colors get redder from (V-R) ≈ 0.2 mag ((V - I) ≈ 0.3 mag, (B - V) ≈ 0.7 mag) on April 4 to (V-R)≈ 0.6 mag ((V-1) ≈0.9 mag, (B-V) ≈ 1.3 mag) on April 18. Afterwards (V - R) colors get bluer slightly (by ~0.005 mag/day), while (V-I) colors stay almost constant around (V-1) ≈ 1.0 mag. The color at the maximum brightness is (B-V)=0.9 mag, which is ~1 mag redder than the mean color of typical Type la supernovae at the maximum brightness. The light curves of SN 1994I are similar to those of the Type Ie supernova SN 1962L in NGC 1073. Adopting the distance modulus of (m-M)0 = 29.2 mag and the reddening of E(B - V) = 0.45 mag [Iwamoto et al. 1994, preprint for ApJ], we derive absolute magnitudes at the maximum brightness of SN 1994I, Mv(max) = -17.7 mag and MB(max) = -17.4 mag. This result shows that SN 1994I was ~2 mag fainter at the maximum brightness compared with typical Type Ia supernovae. A narrower peak and faster decline after the maximum in the light curve of SN 1994I compared with other types of supernovae indicate that the progenitor of SN 1994I might be a lower mass star compared with those of other types of supernovae.