Star formation in the Magellanic irregular galaxy NGC 4449

Journal Article · Mon Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1987 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/165266· OSTI ID:6085854

Thronson, Jr, H A; Hunter, D A; Telesco, C M; Decher, R; Harper, D A

New NIR and FIR maps and J = 1-0 CO spectroscopy of the Magellanic irregular galaxy NGC 4449 are presented. The brighter 150-micron emission is concentrated along the central visual ridge of the galaxy, although there is lower intensity extended emission throughout the visible extent of the object. The maximum FIR emission is coincident, within the uncertainties, with the visual and NIR maxima, identified as the galactic nucleus. It is estimated that the IR luminosity of the 1-kpc-diameter central region in NGC 4449 is comparable to that for a similar-sized region at the center of the Galaxy. A large fraction of the 150-micron emission may arise from warm dust distributed throughout the galaxy and heated by the diffuse radiation field. Active star formation follows the NIR emission in part of the galaxy, but no coincidence is found in another region. 33 references.

• Research Organization: Wyoming Infrared Observatory, Laramie; Carnegie Institution of Washington, DC; NASA, Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, AL; Yerkes Observatory, Williams Bay, WI
• OSTI ID: 6085854
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 317; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640105* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Galaxies
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
COSMIC DUST
DUSTS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
EMISSION SPECTRA
FAR INFRARED RADIATION
GALAXIES
GALAXY NUCLEI
HEATING
INFRARED RADIATION
LUMINOSITY
MAGELLANIC CLOUDS
NEAR INFRARED RADIATION
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RADIATIONS
SPECTRA
STAR EVOLUTION