High chemical abundances in Virgo spiral galaxies

Journal Article · Mon Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1991 · Astrophysical Journal; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/169872· OSTI ID:5666645

Shields, G A; Skillman, E D; Kennicutt, Jr, R C ^[1]

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1. Texas, University, Austin (USA) Minnesota, University, Minneapolis (USA) Steward Observatory, Tucson, AZ (USA)

Evidence is presented that spiral galaxies in the Virgo Cluster have systematically higher interstellar abundances than comparable field galaxies. This conclusion is based on spectra of H II regions in five Virgo spirals of type Sc. A possible explanation is that abundances in the field spirals are strongly affected by infall of metal-poor gas or by radial inflow of gas from the outer H I disk. These processes are inhibited in the cluster environment, and the Virgo spirals may have evolved more nearly in the manner of the closed box 'simple model of chemical evolution. 59 refs.

• OSTI ID: 5666645
• Journal Information: Astrophysical Journal; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophysical Journal; (United States) Vol. 371; 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
ABUNDANCE
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CONFIGURATION
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
ELEMENT ABUNDANCE
ENVIRONMENT
FLUID FLOW
GALACTIC EVOLUTION
GALAXIES
GALAXY CLUSTERS
GAS FLOW
H2 REGIONS
INTERSTELLAR SPACE
SPACE
SPIRAL CONFIGURATION