| Abstract | Markarian (1967) has conducted a survey of galaxies having strong ultraviolet continua. In connection with this survey, a new group of galaxies was discovered which could provide additional insight into the nature and evolution of active galactic nuclei. The optical morphology of the discovered galaxies is similar to that shown by Seyfert galaxies, with dominant feature often being a bright, starlike nucleus. However, these nuclei do not usually display the broad emission-line spectra so characteristic of the Seyferts. Their narrow emission features and other observable properties can be explained by the presence of a hot, young star population. For this reason, these objects have become known as star-burst nuclei. The nuclear star-burst phenomenon might supply material for gravitational accretion, and, therefore, for the development of active galaxies. Balzano and Weedman (1981) have studied these nuclei as a distinct group. The present investigation represents the first comprehensive survey. |
