Molecular gas, the interstellar medium, and star formation in S0 and Sa galaxies

Journal Article · Fri Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1989 · Astrophysical Journal; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/167839· OSTI ID:5250664

Thronson, Jr, H A; Greenhouse, M A; Tacconi, L; Kenney, J; Margulis, M ^[1]; Dwingeloo, Radiosterrenwacht ^[2]

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1. Wyoming Infrared Observatory, Laramie (USA)
2. Netherlands

The results are presented of a survey for CO J = 1 - 0 emission from S0 and S0/a galaxies. The results show that molecular gas is abundant within some early-type disk galaxies, and that the range in the ratio of molecular gas to atomic gas mass is similar to those in other disk galaxies. In the S0 and S0/a galaxies studied, estimated rates of star formation are substantially smaller than, but efficiencies of star formation are roughly the same as, those in Sb or Sc galaxies. Although the rate of cooling of the hot, X-ray emitting gas may be close to the estimated stellar mass return rate in the sample, the star formation rate probably exceeds both by a significant factor. 104 refs.

• OSTI ID: 5250664
• Journal Information: Astrophysical Journal; (USA), Journal Name: Astrophysical Journal; (USA) Vol. 344; ISSN ASJOA; ISSN 0004-637X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640105* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Galaxies
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
CONFIGURATION
COOLING
COSMIC GASES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
EMISSION SPECTRA
FLUIDS
GALAXIES
GASES
INTERSTELLAR SPACE
IONIZING RADIATIONS
MASS
MOLECULES
MORPHOLOGY
RADIATIONS
SPACE
SPECTRA
SPIRAL CONFIGURATION
STAR EVOLUTION
X RADIATION