Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics – Galaxy Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2010-06-30
2010ApJ...716L..14H
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
Galaxy Astrophysics
5 pages, 4 figures
Scientific paper
10.1088/2041-8205/716/1/L14
Galaxy Evolution Explorer observations of IC 3418, a low surface brightness galaxy in the Virgo Cluster, revealed a striking 17 kpc UV tail of bright knots and diffuse emission. H alpha imaging confirms that star formation is ongoing in the tail. IC 3418 was likely recently ram pressure stripped on its first pass through Virgo. We suggest that star formation is occurring in molecular clouds that formed in IC 3418's turbulent stripped wake. Tides and ram pressure stripping (RPS) of molecular clouds are both disfavored as tail formation mechanisms. The tail is similar to the few other observed star-forming tails, all of which likely formed during RPS. The tails' morphologies reflect the forces present during their formation and can be used to test for dynamical coupling between molecular and diffuse gas, thereby probing the origin of the star forming molecular gas.
Gil de Paz Armando
Hester Janice A.
Madore Barry F.
Martin Donn Christopher
Neill James D.
No associations
LandOfFree
IC 3418: Star Formation in a Turbulent Wake 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 IC 3418: Star Formation in a Turbulent Wake, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and IC 3418: Star Formation in a Turbulent Wake will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-153367