Low-mass spiral galaxies with little molecular gas and prodigious star formation

Journal Article · Tue Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1988 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/166119· OSTI ID:7251508

Kenney, J D; Young, J S

A comparison of CO and H I properties is used here to demonstrate that many CO-poor low-mass Virgo spiral galaxies are rich in atomic gas, which implies that the lack of CO emission from them is due, at least partly, to a lack of molecular gas. Despite the paucity of molecular gas, these H I-rich, CO-poor, low-mass spiral galaxies are undergoing extensive massive star formation. A column density of 10 to the 21st nuclei/sq cm is a necessary but insufficient condition for the creation of an H/sub 2/-dominated interstellar medium. 40 references.

• Research Organization: Massachusetts Univ., Amherst (USA)
• OSTI ID: 7251508
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 326; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640105* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Galaxies
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON MONOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CONFIGURATION
COSMIC GASES
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
ELEMENTS
FLUIDS
GALACTIC EVOLUTION
GALAXIES
GASES
H1 REGIONS
HYDROGEN
INTERSTELLAR SPACE
MASS
MOLECULES
NONMETALS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
SPACE
SPIRAL CONFIGURATION
STAR EVOLUTION