HOT GAS AND MAGNETIC FIELDS AS SENSITIVE TRACERS OF GALACTIC INTERACTIONS

We propose a study of the hot gas distribution in the apparently isolated spiralgalaxy NGC 4414. This galaxy is especially interesting as our magnetic fieldobservations show strong effects of external influences, whereas in the opticaldomain almost no signs of such effects are observed. We propose a study of thehot diffuse gas in NGC 4414 to build up a physical scenario of the galacticinteractions and to distinguish between basic interaction mechanisms, namelygravitational encounters and ram pressure stripping. The second possibilitywould imply that an ablation by the external gas may be important even ingalaxies thought to be isolated. truncated!, Please see actual data for full text [truncated!, Please see actual data for full text]