Thermal infrared and nonthermal radio - remarkable correlation in disks of galaxies

Journal Article · Fri Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1985 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/184556· OSTI ID:5486157

Helou, G; Soifer, B T; Rowan-Robinson, M

A tight, linear correlation is established between the far-infrared flux measured by IRAS and the nonthermal radio flux density (at 1.4 GHz) from disks of spiral galaxies. This correlation defines a ratio of infrared to radio fluxes that is characteristic of star formation activity. Galaxies with nuclear starbursts seem to follow the correlation. If the far-infrared is reradiated luminosity from young massive stars, then the supernova remnants alone account for less than 10 percent of the radio emission. These results indicate a close coupling between dust heating and cosmic-ray generation and confinement in a wide range of conditions. 32 references.

• Research Organization: California Institute of Technology, Pasadena; Queen Mary College, London, England
• OSTI ID: 5486157
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 298; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640103* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Quasi-Stellar
Radio
& X-Ray Sources-- (-1987)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
CONFIGURATION
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
FAR INFRARED RADIATION
FLUX DENSITY
GALAXIES
INFRARED RADIATION
RADIATIONS
RADIOWAVE RADIATION
SPIRAL CONFIGURATION
STAR EVOLUTION