Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
Sep 2010
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2010ara%26a..48..547f&link_type=abstract
Annual Review of Astronomy and Astrophysics, vol. 48, p.547-580
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
22
Scientific paper
We present a review of spatially resolved giant molecular clouds (GMCs) in nearby galaxies, aiming at providing a template of GMC properties, which may be extrapolated to distant galaxies. We focus on the Magellanic system including the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds (LMC, SMC), M33, and a few dwarfs as observed in the J = 1-0 12CO transition at 2.6-mm wavelength. The X factor, a conversion factor of the 12CO intensity to total molecular column density, and the GMC mass distribution, dN/dM, are similar among these galaxies, suggesting that GMCs share similar properties in the Local Group. The GMCs are classified into three types according to their level of star-formation activity and the types are interpreted in terms of evolution in 20-30 Myr rather than as three different generic types. A three-dimensional comparison including the velocity axis has revealed that GMCs in the LMC are associated with Hi envelopes. The Hi envelopes are probably gravitationally bound and may be infalling to increase the GMC mass via Hi-H2 conversion. Recent submillimeter observations are revealing dense and warm clumps in GMCs, suggesting that the interior of a GMC also follows contraction leading to star formation on a similar timescale. Finally, we present an attempt to place these GMC properties among more distant galaxies and discuss future observational prospects.
Fukui Yasuo
Kawamura Akiko
No associations
LandOfFree
Molecular Clouds in Nearby Galaxies does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Molecular Clouds in Nearby Galaxies, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Molecular Clouds in Nearby Galaxies will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1558390