Bar-Driven Mass Build-Up within the Central 50pc of NGC6946

Details Bar-Driven Mass Build-Up within the Central 50pc of NGC6946 Bar-Driven Mass Build-Up within the Central 50pc of NGC6946

2007-01-21

arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0701599v1

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

4 pages, 4 figures, accepted for A&A Letters (PdBI special issue)

Scientific paper

10.1051/0004-6361:20066711

We have used the new extended A configuration of the IRAM Plateau de Bure interferometer to study the dense molecular gas in the nucleus of the nearby spiral galaxy NGC6946 at unprecedented spatial resolution in the HCN(1-0) and CO(2-1) lines. The gas distribution in the central 50pc has been resolved and is consistent with a gas ring or spiral driven by the inner 400pc long stellar bar. For the first time, it is possible to directly compare the location of (dense) giant molecular clouds with that of (optically) visible HII regions in space-based images. We use the 3mm continuum and the HCN emission to estimate in the central 50pc the star formation rates in young clusters that are still embedded in their parent clouds and hence are missed in optical and near-IR surveys of star formation. The amount of embedded star formation is about 1.6 times as high as that measured from HII regions alone, and appears roughly evenly split between ongoing dust-obscured star formation and very young giant molecular cloud cores that are just beginning to form stars. The build-up of central mass seems to have continued over the past > 10 Myrs, to have occurred in an extended (albeit small) volume around the nucleus, and to be closely related to the presence of an inner bar.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Bar-Driven Mass Build-Up within the Central 50pc of NGC6946 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 Bar-Driven Mass Build-Up within the Central 50pc of NGC6946, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Bar-Driven Mass Build-Up within the Central 50pc of NGC6946 will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-375185