HIGH-RESOLUTION NEAR-INFRARED SPECTRA OF NGC-4151 - LINE AND CONTINUUM ANALYSIS

This paper presents new high-resolution near-infrared spectra of the S eyfert 1.5 galaxy NGC 4151. These spectra are the first high-resolutio n infrared spectra of this galaxy that span the region from 0.87 to 2. 5 mu m. Analysis of the extensive [Fe II] emission yields electron tem peratures and densities consistent with 10(4) K and 10(4) cm(-3) for t he Fe II emission-line regions. The high ratio of [Fe II] emission to hydrogen indicates that the majority of Fe is in gaseous form. Analysi s of the H-2 emission indicates that the emission is proably shock exc ited and that the H-2 lines have narrower emission-line widths than th e observed [S III] narrow-line emission. NGC 4151 appears to have been in a state of high continuum and broad line Aux during the observatio n period; therefore, the equivalent width of some of the narrow line c omponents is lower than in previous observations.