Correlations between the far-infrared, radio, and blue luminosities of spiral galaxies

Journal Article · Mon Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1991 · Astrophysical Journal; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/170258· OSTI ID:5257890

Condon, J J; Anderson, M L; Helou, G ^[1]

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1. National Radio Astronomy Observatory, Charlottesville, VA (United States) Virginia, University, Charlottesville (United States) California Institute of Technology, Pasadena (United States)

FIR-radio luminosity correlations are presently derived for two statistically complete samples spanning a wide luminosity range. While observed correlations are tight, they are not linear; the observed scattering is mostly intrinsic. An empirical correction to the radio luminosities, based on observed blue luminosities, makes the corrected FIR-radio correlation linear and eliminates most of the residual variance. A two-component model that is consistent with the improved correlation is proposed for the heating luminosity within galaxies. The first, radio-loud component contains young massive stars that heat the dust, while contributing to the cool cirrus dust-heating interstellar radiation field. The second, radio-quiet component is made up of less massive older stars. 32 refs.

• OSTI ID: 5257890
• Journal Information: Astrophysical Journal; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophysical Journal; (United States) Vol. 376; 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
BRIGHTNESS
CORRELATIONS
COSMIC DUST
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
DUSTS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
FAR INFRARED RADIATION
FLUX DENSITY
GALAXIES
HEATING
INFRARED RADIATION
LUMINOSITY
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHOTOMETRY
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RADIANT FLUX DENSITY
RADIATIONS