Dust obscuration by an evolving galaxy population

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1990 · Astrophysical Journal; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/168248· OSTI ID:6955874

Najita, J; Silk, J; Wachter, K W ^[1]

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1. California Univ., Berkeley (USA)

The effect of an evolving luminosity function (LF) on the ability of foreground galaxies to obscure background sources is discussed, using the Press-Schechter/CDM standard evolving LF model. Galaxies are modeled as simplified versions of local spirals and Poisson statistics are used to estimate the fraction of sky covered by intervening dusty galaxies and the mean optical depths due to these galaxies. The results are compared to those obtained in the case of nonevolving luminosity function in a low-density universe. It is found that evolution of the galaxy LF does not allow the quasar dust obscuration hypothesis to be sustained for dust disks with plausible sizes. Even in a low-density universe, where evolution at z = less than 10 is unimportant, large disk radii are needed to achieve the desired obscuring effect. The mean fraction of sky covered is presented as a function of the redshift z along with adequate diagram illustrations. 48 refs.

• OSTI ID: 6955874
• Journal Information: Astrophysical Journal; (USA), Journal Name: Astrophysical Journal; (USA) Vol. 348; ISSN ASJOA; ISSN 0004-637X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640106* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Cosmology
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ASTROPHYSICS
COSMIC DUST
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
COSMOLOGY
DENSITY
DUSTS
EXPLORATION
GALACTIC EVOLUTION
GALAXIES
LUMINOSITY
LYMAN LINES
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
POINT SOURCES
QUASARS
RADIATION SOURCES
RED SHIFT
UNIVERSE
VISIBILITY