Formation of OB Associations in Galaxies

Details Formation of OB Associations in Galaxies Formation of OB Associations in Galaxies

2007-05-04

arxiv.org/abs/0705.0634v1

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

The Astrophysical Journal Letters, in press

Scientific paper

10.1086/519375

We consider the formation of OB associations from two perspectives: (a) the fractional gas consumption in star formation,epsilon, per dynamical time scale t_dyn in a galaxy, and (b) the origin of the so-called Kennicutt-Schmidt law that the rate of star formation per unit area is proportional to a power, alpha, of the surface density in HI and H_2 gas when certain thresholds are crossed. The empirical findings that epsilon is approximately 0.01 and alpha is approximately 1.4 or 1.5 have simple explanations if the rate of star formation is magnetically regulated. An empirical test of the ideas resides in an analysis of why giant OB associations are ``strung out like pearls along the arms" of spiral galaxies.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Formation of OB Associations in 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 Formation of OB Associations in Galaxies, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Formation of OB Associations in Galaxies will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-616070