Long slit spectroscopy of the nuclear zone of NGC 253

We have undertaken a study of the physical conditions of the lonized gas within the starburst region of the galaxy NGC 253, using long slit spectroscopy at high spatial and spectral resolution. Our aim was to identify the appropriate parameters describing the dynamics of the gas and the excitation conditions, in relation with the starburst process. Non-gaussian line profiles and line spliting are clearly observed, indicating a complicated dynamical structure; furthermore, the zones presenting non-circular motions and localized outflow of gas have been spatially sampled at the seeing limit.Paper presented at the 11th European Regional Astronomical Meetings of the IAU on New Windows to the Universe, held 3–8 July, 1989, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain.