Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2008-09-15
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
22 pages, 28 figures, A&A accepted. High resolution version available at http://aramis.obspm.fr/~paola/SFR_frequency/
Scientific paper
10.1051/0004-6361:200809480
We investigate the intensity enhancement and the duration of starburst episodes, triggered by major galaxy interactions and mergers. To this aim, we analyze two large statistical datasets of numerical simulations. These have been obtained using two independent and different numerical techniques to model baryonic and dark matter evolution, that are extensively compared for the first time. One is a Tree-SPH code, the other one is a grid-based N-body sticky-particles code. We show that, at low redshift, galaxy interactions and mergers in general trigger only moderate star formation enhancements. Strong starbursts where the star formation rate is increased by a factor larger than 5 are rare and found only in about 15% of major galaxy interactions and mergers. Merger-driven starbursts are also rather short-lived, with a typical duration of the activity of a few 10^8 yr. These conclusions are found to be robust, independent from the numerical techniques and star formation models. At higher redshifts where galaxies contain more gas, gas inflow-induced starbursts are neither stronger neither longer than their local counterparts. In turn, the formation of massive gas clumps, results of local Jeans instability that can occur spontaneously in gas-rich disks or be indirectly favored by galaxy interactions, could play a more important role in determining the duration and intensity of star formation episodes.
Bournaud Frederic
Combes François
Di Matteo Paola
Martig Marie
Melchior Anne-Laure
No associations
LandOfFree
On the frequency, intensity and duration of starburst episodes triggered by galaxy interactions and mergers 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 On the frequency, intensity and duration of starburst episodes triggered by galaxy interactions and mergers, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and On the frequency, intensity and duration of starburst episodes triggered by galaxy interactions and mergers will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-636068