Molecular Gas, Dust and Star Formation in the Barred Spiral NGC 5383

Details Molecular Gas, Dust and Star Formation in the Barred Spiral NGC 5383 Molecular Gas, Dust and Star Formation in the Barred Spiral NGC 5383

1999-11-15

arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/9911280v1

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

Accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal, 33 pages (includes 10 figures)

Scientific paper

10.1086/308530

We present multi-wavelength (interferometer and single-dish CO J=1-0, Halpha, broadband optical and near-infrared) observations of the classic barred spiral NGC 5383. We compare the observed central gas and dust morphology to the predictions of recent hydrodynamic simulations. In the nuclear region, our observations reveal three peaks lying along a S-shaped gas and dust distribution. In contrast, the model predicts a circumnuclear ring, not the observed S-shaped distribution; moreover, the predicted surface density contrast between the central gas accumulation and the bar dust lanes is an order of magnitude larger than observed. The discrepancies are not due to unexplored model parameter space or a nuclear bar but are probably due to the vigorous (7 solar masses per year) star formation activity in the center. As is common in similar bars, the star formation rate in the bar between the bar ends and the central region is low (~0.5 solar masses per yr), despite the high gas column density in the bar dust lanes; this is generally attributed to shear and shocks. We note a tendency for the HII regions to be associated with the spurs feeding the main bar dust lanes, but these are located on the leading side of the bar. We propose that stars form in the spurs, which provide a high column density but low shear environment. HII regions can therefore be found even on the leading side of the bar because the ionizing stars pass ballistically through the dust lane

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Molecular Gas, Dust and Star Formation in the Barred Spiral NGC 5383 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 Molecular Gas, Dust and Star Formation in the Barred Spiral NGC 5383, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Molecular Gas, Dust and Star Formation in the Barred Spiral NGC 5383 will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-304121