Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
Jun 1990
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1990apj...356..135l&link_type=abstract
Astrophysical Journal, Part 1 (ISSN 0004-637X), vol. 356, June 10, 1990, p. 135-148.
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
55
Hydrogen Clouds, Molecular Clouds, Spiral Galaxies, Star Formation, Astronomical Models, Brightness Distribution, Carbon Monoxide, H Alpha Line, Star Formation Rate
Scientific paper
The molecular, neutral, and ionized hydrogen distributions in the Sbc galaxy M51 (NGC 5194) are compared. To estimate H2 surface densities observations of the CO (J = 1 - 0) transition were made in 60 positions out to a radius of 155 arcsec. Extinction-corrected H-alpha intensities were used to compute the detailed massive star formation rates (MSFRs) in the disk. Estimates of the gas surface density, the MSFR, and the ratio of these quantities, MSFR/sigma(p), were then examined. The spiral arms were found to exhibit an excess gas density, measuring between 1.4 and 1.6 times the interarm values at 45 arcsec resolution. The total (arm and interarm) gas content and massive star formation rates in concentric annuli in the disk of M51 were computed. The two quantities fall off together with radius, yielding a relatively constant MSFR/sigma(p) with radius. This behavior is not explained by current models of star formation in galactic disks.
Lord Steven D.
Young Judith S.
No associations
LandOfFree
Efficient star formation in the spiral arms of M51 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 Efficient star formation in the spiral arms of M51, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Efficient star formation in the spiral arms of M51 will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-982107