HIGH-RESOLUTION CO OBSERVATIONS OF THE RADIO-LOBE EDGE-ON GALAXY NGC 3079

We have performed high-resolution (CO)-C-12 (j = 1-0) observations of the radio lobe spiral galaxy, NGC 3079. The molecular gas is distributed in a disk comprising (a) an unresolved nuclear core showing high-velocity dispersion, (b) a rigidly rotating broad nuclear ring of radius approximately 190 pc, which extends to about 750 pc radius, and (c) an outer disk showing spiral arm structures. The inner part of the nuclear ring is significantly warped about 40-degrees from the major axis, and is associated with two vertical spurs which extend toward the radio continuum lobes. The kinematics and morphology of the molecular nuclear disk are discussed in relation to the radio lobe activity.