On the fragmentation of cosmic gas clouds. I - The formation of galaxies and the first generation of stars

Details On the fragmentation of cosmic gas clouds. I - The formation of galaxies and the first generation of stars On the fragmentation of cosmic gas clouds. I - The formation of galaxies and the first generation of stars

Feb 1977

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1977apj...211..638s&link_type=abstract

Astrophysical Journal, Part 1, vol. 211, Feb. 1, 1977, p. 638-648.

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

369

Fragmentation, Galactic Evolution, Ionized Gases, Stellar Evolution, Cooling, Elliptical Galaxies, Galactic Structure, Heavy Elements, Hydrogen Clouds, Stellar Mass

Scientific paper

The formation of galaxies is studied in the context of the fragmentation of massive diffuse ionized gas clouds. A semiquantitative discussion of the role of cooling indicates that there is a characteristic mass of a galaxy (of the order of 500 billion solar masses) which can fragment out of an ionized medium of density not exceeding 10 to the -25th power g/cu cm, whereas more massive galaxies attain a characteristic radius of the order of 60 kpc. The relationship between binding energy and mass is investigated for spheroidal galaxies. The role of H2 and Ly-alpha cooling in the fragmentation of primordial gas clouds is evaluated, and relatively qualitative arguments indicate that the first stars have masses of at least 0.3 solar mass with a characteristic mass of approximately 20 solar masses. When the average heavy-element abundance by mass exceeds about 0.00001, heavy-element cooling prevails over Ly-alpha cooling, and subsequent fragmentation forms second-generation stars of low characteristic mass.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

On the fragmentation of cosmic gas clouds. I - The formation of galaxies and the first generation of stars 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 On the fragmentation of cosmic gas clouds. I - The formation of galaxies and the first generation of stars, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and On the fragmentation of cosmic gas clouds. I - The formation of galaxies and the first generation of stars will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-799171