Extraordinary Views of Ordinary Galaxies: Multiwavelength Measures of Star Formation

Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy

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Scientific paper

Testing models of galaxy evolution requires the accurate conversion of observable properties (such as color) to physical parameters (such as star formation history). One of the primary obstacles to these conversions is the presence of dust attenuation. To empirically constrain the effect of attenuation on derived physical parameters I have assembled a sample of 1000 SDSS spectroscopically observed galaxies that have been deeply imaged with GALEX in the UV and Spitzer in the IR.
I use the UV through IR data to show how the entire spectral energy distribution (not just a single color) varies as a function of the relevant galaxy parameters such as dust attenuation, star formation history, and stellar mass. I show how these variations can be used to constrain and inform models of galaxy spectra, including dust attenuation. I have used the average UV through IR SEDs to derive a low resolution dust attenuation curve for blue-sequence galaxies.
I explore the relation of UV and IR emission to star formation and dust attenuation, accounting for the contribution old star heating to the IR luminosity. I find that a large fraction of the IR luminosity of red galaxies may be contributed by absorption of optical light from older stars. I also compare the IR and UV measures of star formation and attenuation to optical measures, such as H-alpha luminosity, finding good agreement for rapidly star-forming blue galaxies.
This work was supported by NASA GSRP grant NNG05GO43H

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