Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2003-06-27
Astrophys.J.606:829-852,2004
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
To appear in 2004 May 10 edition of ApJ. For slightly higher resolution version, see http://proteus.pha.jhu.edu/~dks/dks_publi
Scientific paper
10.1086/383136
We investigate how the empirical properties of hot X-ray-emitting gas in a sample of seven starburst and three normal edge-on spiral galaxies (a sample which covers the full range of star-formation intensity found in disk galaxies) correlate with the size, mass, star formation rate and star formation intensity in the host galaxies. Intriguingly, the diffuse X-ray properties of the normal spirals (both in their disks and halos) fall where extrapolation of the trends from the starburst galaxies with superwinds would predict. We demonstrate that the luminosity of diffuse X-ray emission in both disk and halo is directly proportional to the rate of mechanical energy feedback from massive stars. Nevertheless, with only three non-starburst normal spiral galaxies it is hard to exclude an accretion-based origin for extra-planar diffuse X-ray emission around normal star-forming galaxies. Larger galaxies have more extended X-ray-emitting halos, but galaxy mass appears to play no role in determining the properties of the disk or extra-planar X-ray emitting plasma. The combination of these luminosity and size correlations leads to a correlation between the surface brightness of the diffuse X-ray emission and the mean star formation rate per unit area in the disk (L_FIR/D_25^2). We argue that the crucial spatial region around a galaxy that controls whether gas in starburst-driven superwinds will escape into the IGM is not the outer halo ~100 kpc from the host galaxy, but the inner few halo scale heights, within ~20 kpc of the galaxy plane. Given the properties of the gaseous halos we observe, superwind outflows from disk galaxies of mass M ~ 10^10 -- 10^11 Msun should still eject some fraction of their material into the IGM. (abstract abridged)
Colbert Edward J. M.
Heckman Timothy M.
Hoopes Charles G.
Strickland David K.
Weaver Kimberley A.
No associations
LandOfFree
A high spatial resolution X-ray and H-alpha study of hot gas in the halos of star-forming disk galaxies. II. Quantifying supernova feedback 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 A high spatial resolution X-ray and H-alpha study of hot gas in the halos of star-forming disk galaxies. II. Quantifying supernova feedback, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and A high spatial resolution X-ray and H-alpha study of hot gas in the halos of star-forming disk galaxies. II. Quantifying supernova feedback will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-480103