Properties of spiral galaxies from stochastic star formation model

Journal Article · Mon Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1979 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/157366· OSTI ID:5857925

Seiden, P E; Gerola, H

We have examined the properties of model galaxies produced by the stochastic, self-propagating, star-formation model and compared them with those observed in real galaxies. Observations have shown that a good correlation exists between the morphological type of a spiral galaxy and its rotational velocity, color, and gas fraction. We have shown that the stochastic, self-propagating, star-formation model directly correlates the morphological type with the rotation curve, the most important parameter being the maximum rotational velocity. The relative star-formation rates given by the model lead qualitatively to the observed variation of integrated colors and gas fraction as a function of morphological type, as well as to the observed decrease in the density of regions of recent star formation with radius. We show that this model is also capable of giving spiral arms in red plates and discuss the color profiles across spiral arms. Inclusion of the interaction of star formation and the interstellar gas shows that this model is also capable of inducing spiral ordering in the gas.

• Research Organization: IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center
• OSTI ID: 5857925
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 233:1; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640105* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Galaxies
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
DISTRIBUTION
GALACTIC EVOLUTION
GALAXIES
INCLINATION
MOTION
PHOTOMETRY
ROTATION
SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION
STAR ACCRETION
STAR CLUSTERS
STAR EVOLUTION