THE STELLAR CONTENT OF ACTIVE GALAXIES

We present the results of a long-slit spectroscopic study of 38 active and four normal galaxies, Stellar absorption features, continuum colo urs and their radial variations are analysed in an effort to character ize the stellar population in these galaxies and detect the presence o f a featureless continuum underlying the starlight spectral component. Spatial variations of the equivalent widths of conspicuous absorption lines and continuum colours are detected in most galaxies. Star-formi ng rings, in particular leave clear fingerprints in the equivalent wid ths and colour profiles. We find that the stellar populations in the i nner regions of active galaxies present a variety of characteristics, and cannot be represented by a single starlight template, Dilution of the stellar lines by an underlying featureless continuum is detected i n most broad-lined objects, but little or no dilution is found for mos t of the 20 type 2 Seyferts in the sample. Colour gradients are also u biquitous, In particular, all but one of the observed Seyfert 2s are r edder at the nucleus than in its immediate vicinity. Possible conseque nces of these findings are briefly outlined.