Submillimeter continuum emission from galaxies - Star formation and the interstellar medium in the local group dwarf IC 10

Journal Article · Tue May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1990 · Astrophysical Journal; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/168744· OSTI ID:6643399

Thronson, Jr, H A; Hunter, D A; Casey, S; Harper, D A ^[1]

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1. Wyoming Infrared Observatory, Laramie (USA) Lowell Observatory, Flagstaff, AZ (USA) Yerkes Observatory, Williams Bay, WI (USA)

Far-infrared (95 and 160 micron) maps and visual broad-band and line images of the nearby, luminous irregular galaxy IC 10 are discussed. Observations of the dust emission make it possible to constrain the total mass of gas and the rate of star formation derived for the galaxy. The total star-formation rate is estimated to be about 0.15 solar mass/yr, and the e-folding time for exhaustion of the interstellar gas due to the star formation is only a few billion years. To determine the source of the cool dust in emission at approximately 100-250 microns from many galaxies, 60, 100, and 160 micron photometry, obtained previously, is compared; and CO, H I, and dust emission is correlated. Based on the correlation between the various cool components of the interstellar medium, it is concluded that the likely location of the dust that dominates the emission at about 160, and possibly 100, microns is within both the diffuse atomic gas and in surface layers of molecular clouds. 57 refs.

• OSTI ID: 6643399
• Journal Information: Astrophysical Journal; (USA), Vol. 355; ISSN 0004-637X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
COSMIC GASES
MASS
GALAXIES
STAR EVOLUTION
COSMIC DUST
EMISSION SPECTRA
FAR INFRARED RADIATION
GALACTIC EVOLUTION
INTERSTELLAR SPACE
LIMITING VALUES
MORPHOLOGY
VISIBLE RADIATION
DUSTS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
FLUIDS
GASES
INFRARED RADIATION
RADIATIONS
SPACE
SPECTRA
640105* - Astrophysics & Cosmology- Galaxies