Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Jul 1987
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1987aj.....94...43g&link_type=abstract
Astronomical Journal (ISSN 0004-6256), vol. 94, July 1987, p. 43-53. Research supported by the National Optical Astronomy Observ
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
51
Galactic Evolution, Galactic Structure, H Alpha Line, Star Formation, Stellar Color, Ubv Spectra, Magellanic Clouds, Spatial Distribution, Spiral Galaxies, Stellar Evolution
Scientific paper
UBVRI and H-alpha photometric observations are presented for 16 amorphous galaxies and a comparison sample of Magellanic irregular (Im) and Sc spiral galaxies. These data are analyzed in terms of star-formation rates and histories in amorphous galaxies. Amorphous galaxies have mean global colors and star-formation rates per unit area that are similar to those in giant Im systems, despite differences in spatial distributions of star-forming centers in these two galactic structural classes. Amorphous galaxies differ from giant Im systems in having somewhat wider scatter in relationships between B - V and U - B colors, and between U - B and L(H-alpha)/L(B). This scatter is interpreted as resulting from rapid variations in star-formation rates during the recent past, which could be a natural consequence of the concentration of star-forming activity into centrally located, supergiant young stellar complexes in many amorphous galaxies. While the unusual spatial distribution and intensity of star formation in some amorphous galaxies is due to interactions with other galaxies, several amorphous galaxies are relatively isolated and thus the processes must be internal. The ultimate evolutionary fate of rapidly evolving amorphous galaxies remains unknown.
Gallagher John S. III
Hunter Deidre Ann
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