2000MNRAS.317..907J

We present spectra of six type 1 and two type 2 Seyfert galaxies, a starburst galaxy and a compact narrow-line radio galaxy, taken in two spectral ranges centred around the near-infrared Caii triplet (∼8600Å), and the Mgb stellar feature at 5180Å. We measured the equivalent widths (EWs) of these features and the Fe₅₂ and Fe₅₃ spectral indices.

We found that the strength of the infrared Caii triplet (CaT) in type 1 Seyfert galaxies with prominent central point sources is larger than what would be expected from the observed strength of the blue indices. This could be explained by the presence of red supergiants in the nuclei of Seyfert 1 galaxies. On the other hand, the blue indices of these galaxies could also be diluted by the strong Feii multiplets that can be seen in their spectra.

We have also measured the stellar- and gas-velocity dispersions of the galaxies in the sample. The stellar velocity dispersions were measured using both the Mgb and CaT stellar features. The velocity dispersion of the gas in the narrow-line region (NLR) was measured using the strong emission lines [Oiii] λλ5007, 4959 and [Siii] λ9069. We compare the gas- and star-velocity dispersions and find that the magnitudes of both are correlated in Seyfert galaxies.

Most of the Seyfert 1 galaxies that we observe have stellar-velocity dispersions somewhat greater than that of the gas in the NLR.