Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
1997-07-07
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
23 pages, LaTeX, includes 12 figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysics. Fig. 1 will be sent on request
Scientific paper
We present a detailed study of a statistically complete sample of highly inclined disk galaxies in the near-infrared K' band. Since the K'-band light is relatively insensitive to contamination by galactic dust, we have been able to follow the vertical light distributions all the way down to the galaxy planes. The mean levels for the sharpness of the K'-band luminosity peaks indicate that the vertical luminosity distributions are more peaked than expected for the intermediate sech(z) distribution, but rounder than exponential. Since projection of not completely edge-on galaxies onto the plane of the sky causes vertical luminosity profiles to become rounder, we have performed simulations that show that it is possible that all our galaxies can have intrinsically exponential vertical surface brightness distributions. We find that the profile shape is independent of galaxy type, and varies little with position along the major axis. The fact that we observe this in all our sample galaxies indicates that the formation process of the galaxy disks perpendicular to the galaxy planes is a process intrinsic to the disks themselves.
de Grijs Richard
der Kruit Pieter C. van
Peletier Reynier F.
No associations
LandOfFree
The z-structure of disk galaxies towards the galaxy planes 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 z-structure of disk galaxies towards the galaxy planes, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The z-structure of disk galaxies towards the galaxy planes will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-29183