Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Oct 2008
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2008aj....136.1442i&link_type=abstract
The Astronomical Journal, Volume 136, Issue 4, pp. 1442-1454 (2008).
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
10
Galaxies: Individual: Lmc, Magellanic Clouds, Stars: Formation
Scientific paper
We present a mid-infrared analysis of star-formation activity in the Large Magellanic Cloud's molecular ridge (south of 30 Doradus). The Magellanic Clouds are a rare laboratory in which extragalactic star-formation diagnostics can be tested at high spatial resolution. The southern part of the molecular ridge is particularly interesting as a potential extreme in the range of molecular cloud conditions, because of the apparent paucity (in optical tracers) of star formation compared to its gas mass. Our Spitzer observations are sensitive to protostars gsim3 M sun, and we estimate a total star-formation luminosity of 5 × 106 L sun in 2 × 106 M sun of molecular material. Detailed modeling of individual infrared-detected star-formation regions yields a total mass of star formation in the region consistent with that predicted by the gas surface density via the Schmitt-Kennicutt relation. The star-formation activity is distributed in rather low-luminosity regions, so the total star-formation rate determined by our infrared analysis is higher than would be predicted simply by the total Hα and 24 μm luminosities. Detailed analysis in very nearby galaxies, like the Magellanic Clouds, allows us to test and better understand the scaling relations used in unresolved and distant star-formation regions. Finally, we analyze the star-formation regions in the context of their individual molecular clouds and find that clouds with a higher ratio of CO mass to virial mass are more vigorously forming stars.
Babler Brian L.
Block Martin M.
Engelbracht Charles
Gordon Karl
Hora Joseph L.
No associations
LandOfFree
The Large Magellanic Cloud's Largest Molecular Cloud Complex: Spitzer Analysis of Embedded Star Formation 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 The Large Magellanic Cloud's Largest Molecular Cloud Complex: Spitzer Analysis of Embedded Star Formation, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The Large Magellanic Cloud's Largest Molecular Cloud Complex: Spitzer Analysis of Embedded Star Formation will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1664908