Molecular gas in high-luminosity IRAS galaxies

Journal Article · Sun Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1986 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/184682· OSTI ID:5322388

Sanders, D B; Scoville, N Z; Soifer, B T; Young, J S; Schloerb, F P

The paper reports observations of CO(J = 1-0) emission from an unbiased sample of the highest-luminosity IRAS galaxies with the aim of measuring their molecular gas content and determining whether star formation is a viable energy source for these high luminosities. All of the observed galaxies are rich in molecular gas with H2 masses in the range (4 x 10 to the 9th)-(4 x 10 to the 10th) solar masses. Their primary luminosity source appears to be star formation in molecular clouds. The majority, if not all, of the most luminous IRAS galaxies (L-FIR greater than 10 to the 11th solar luminosities) appear to be strongly interacting systems; those with the highest L-FIR/M(H2) ratios are mergers or close contact pairs. 14 references.

• Research Organization: Palomar Observatory, Pasadena, CA; Five College Radio Astronomy Observatory, Amherst, MA
• OSTI ID: 5322388
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 305; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640105* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Galaxies
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON MONOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
COSMIC GASES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
FAR INFRARED RADIATION
FLUIDS
GALAXIES
GASES
INFRARED RADIATION
LUMINOSITY
MOLECULES
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RADIATIONS
STAR EVOLUTION