Near-infrared mass-to-light ratios in galaxies - Stellar mass and star formation in the heart of the Whirlpool

Details Near-infrared mass-to-light ratios in galaxies - Stellar mass and star formation in the heart of the Whirlpool Near-infrared mass-to-light ratios in galaxies - Stellar mass and star formation in the heart of the Whirlpool

Apr 1988

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1988apj...327..671t&link_type=abstract

Astrophysical Journal, Part 1 (ISSN 0004-637X), vol. 327, April 15, 1988, p. 671-679.

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

52

Galactic Nuclei, Mass To Light Ratios, Near Infrared Radiation, Photometry, Solar Neighborhood, Star Formation Rate, Cosmic Gases, Early Stars, Milky Way Galaxy, Red Giant Stars, Stellar Mass

Scientific paper

The authors have derived a near-infrared mass-to-light ratio for galaxies, using the local solar neighborhood as a model and applied it to J, H, and K images of the central 2.3 kpc of the Whirlpool (M51, NGC 5194). Comparison with stellar masses determined primarily from rotation curves shows good agreement. The authors believe that this agreement is a consequence of the domination of near-infrared light by low- to moderate-mass red giants, which should effectively trace the location and abundance of low-mass main-sequence stars. The derived mass-to-light ratio may be applicable to a wide variety of galaxies. The authors find that the near-infrared appearance of M51 is nearly identical in all three passbands, with a distinct elliptical shape. From far-infrared photometry, they estimate that the present star formation rate in the central 2.3 kpc of the galaxy is ≡4 M_sun;yr-1. The authors conclude that, although the center of M51 is quite bright over a wide range of wavelengths, star formation is proceeding quite normally.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Near-infrared mass-to-light ratios in galaxies - Stellar mass and star formation in the heart of the Whirlpool 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 Near-infrared mass-to-light ratios in galaxies - Stellar mass and star formation in the heart of the Whirlpool, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Near-infrared mass-to-light ratios in galaxies - Stellar mass and star formation in the heart of the Whirlpool will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-848016