Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics – Galaxy Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2010-11-23
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
Galaxy Astrophysics
Accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics. 11 pages, 4 figures
Scientific paper
We present a first complete 12 CO J=3-2 map of M81, observed as part of the Nearby Galaxies Legacy Survey being carried out at the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope. We detect 9 regions of significant CO emission located at different positions within the spiral arms, and confirm that the global CO emission in the galaxy is low. We combine these data with a new H-alpha map obtained using the Isaac Newton Telescope and archival HI, 24 microns and FUV images to uncover a correlation between the molecular gas and star forming regions in M81. For the nine regions detected in CO J=3-2, we combine our CO J=3-2 data with existing CO J=1-0 data to calculate line ratios. We find that the ratio J=(3-2)/(1-0) is in agreement with the range of typical values found in the literature (0.2-0.8). Making reasonable assumptions, this allows us to constrain the hydrogen density to the range (10^3-10^4) cm^{-3}. We also estimated the amount of hydrogen produced in photo-dissociation regions near the locations where CO J=3-2 was detected.
Allen Rosalind J.
Azimlu Mohaddesseh
Barmby Pauline
Bendo George J.
Comerón Sébastien
No associations
LandOfFree
The JCMT Nearby Galaxies Legacy Survey VI: The distribution of gas and star formation in M81 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 JCMT Nearby Galaxies Legacy Survey VI: The distribution of gas and star formation in M81, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The JCMT Nearby Galaxies Legacy Survey VI: The distribution of gas and star formation in M81 will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-588726