Molecular Gas and Star Formation in Nearby Galaxies

Molecular Gas and Star Formation in Nearby Galaxies
Author: Dyas Utomo
Publisher:
Total Pages: 136
Release: 2017
Genre:
ISBN:

In the local Universe, stars form within molecular clouds. Therefore, the properties of molecular clouds may determine the star formation rate. Conversely, star formation also gives feedback to the clouds where the stars reside. In this dissertation, I present the interplay between the molecular gas and star formation, through three parts below. First, I identify and characterize the properties of molecular clouds in NGC4526, resulting in the first catalog of molecular clouds in an early-type galaxy. As a population, the molecular clouds in NGC4526 are gravitationally bound and have a steeper mass distribution than that in the Milky Way. These molecular clouds are also more luminous, denser, and have a higher velocity dispersion than their counterparts in the Milky Way. These different properties may be due to a more intense interstellar radiation field than in the Galactic disk and a weaker external pressure than in the Galactic center. Second, I combine the mm-wave interferometric data from CARMA and the optical Integral Field Unit data from CALIFA to study the molecular depletion time on kilo-parsec scales of nearby galaxies. In particular, the molecular depletion time between the galactic centers and disks is compared. I find that some galactic centers have shorter depletion time than that in the disks, which means that those centers form stars more efficiently per unit molecular gas mass. This places the galactic centers as an intermediate regime between galactic disks and starburst galaxies. The central drop of depletion time is also correlated with a central increase in the stellar mass surface density, suggesting that a shorter depletion time is associated with the molecular gas compression by the stellar gravitational potential. Third, the feedback from star formation to maintain turbulence in the interstellar matter of M33 is investigated. I show that supernovae have enough energy to maintain atomic gas turbulence inside 4 kpc radius and within molecular clouds, assuming a constant value of turbulent dissipation time of 9.8 Myrs. In the outer parts, the energy from the differential rotation of galaxy is large enough to maintain atomic gas turbulence through the magneto-rotational instability (MRI). I conclude that the sum of supernovae and MRI energy maintains turbulence at all radii where atomic hydrogen is detected in M33.

Molecular Gas, Dust, and Star Formation in Galaxies (IAU S292)

Molecular Gas, Dust, and Star Formation in Galaxies (IAU S292)
Author: Tony Wong
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2013-04-11
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9781107033818

Our knowledge of the molecular gas content in galaxies has advanced rapidly in the past decade with systematic surveys from ground-based radio facilities, coupled with advances in observations and modeling of the thermal dust emission associated with the gas. This Symposium Proceedings provides a timely overview of the latest observations of molecular gas and dust in the Milky Way and in other galaxies. It also covers related topics including the initial conditions for star formation, observational tracers of star formation and interstellar conditions, and simulations of the turbulent, multiphase interstellar medium. Featuring ten review articles by leaders in the field, and including early results and prospects for the ALMA observatory, this volume will prove especially useful for graduate students or scientists who are pursuing or planning research in this area.

Mapping the Galaxy and Nearby Galaxies

Mapping the Galaxy and Nearby Galaxies
Author: Keiichi Wada
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 422
Release: 2007-12-20
Genre: Science
ISBN: 038772768X

Readers with any kind of an interest in astronomy will find this work fascinating, detailing as it does the proceedings of the symposium of the same name held in Japan in 2006. The symposium focused on mapping the interstellar media and other components in galactic disks, bulges, halos, and central regions of galaxies. Thanks to recent progress in observations using radio interferometers and optical/infrared telescopes in ground and space, our knowledge on structures of our Galaxy and nearby galaxies has been growing for the last decade.

Star Formation, Galaxies and the Interstellar Medium

Star Formation, Galaxies and the Interstellar Medium
Author: Jose Franco
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 418
Release: 1993-06-10
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9780521444125

The enormously powerful phenomena of starbursts are examined in this book. These spectacular star-forming events are seen on large scales in some galaxies, often triggered by galactic interactions. An intriguing implication of starburst research is that active galactic nuclei (AGN) may not be powered by accreting black holes. Instead theories are presented where compact powerhouses of dust-enshrouded star formation lie at the core of AGN, with supernovae exploding roughly once per year within massive nuclear concentrations of gas. This book collects articles from a timely international conference in Elba, Italy, in 1992; these comprise a thorough review of the most important developments in galactic-scale star formation since the starburst revolution of the late 1980s. This text will introduce graduate students to this exciting area and keep experts apace with rapid developments in it.

Galactic and Extragalactic Star Formation

Galactic and Extragalactic Star Formation
Author: Ralph E. Pudritz
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 652
Release: 2012-12-06
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9400929730

Recent advances in the instrumentation used to observe star forming regions in both our own Milky Way and in external galaxies have transformed the subject from a phenomenological pursuit into an increasingly unified, physical science. High resolution centimetre, millimetre, infrared, and optical studies of local star forming clouds have allowed us to probe the physics of star formation down to spatial scales approaching those of the solar system. These developments make it possible to better constrain the basic physical processes underlying star formation itself. At the same time, these new instruments have placed extragalactic studies on a footing detailed enough to allow comparison with star forming regions within our own galaxy. This revolution means that we will soon be able to link the physics of local star forming regions to the global star forming properties of galaxies. The entire structure of this NATO Advanced Study Institute was designed to explore this new view of the subject. This Institute on "Galactic and Extragalactic Star Formation" was held from June 21 -July 4, 1987 at the Conference Centre in the village of Whistler, British Columbia, Canada. The informal atmosphere of this lovely mountain resort stim ulated many valuable scientific exchanges. The Institute was funded by a major grant from NATO Scientific Affairs. Additional financial and I.I1oral assistance was provided by the Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics (CITA) and Mc Master University.

The Formation of Stars

The Formation of Stars
Author: Steven W. Stahler
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 865
Release: 2008-07-11
Genre: Science
ISBN: 3527618686

This book is a comprehensive treatment of star formation, one of the most active fields of modern astronomy. The reader is guided through the subject in a logically compelling manner. Starting from a general description of stars and interstellar clouds, the authors delineate the earliest phases of stellar evolution. They discuss formation activity not only in the Milky Way, but also in other galaxies, both now and in the remote past. Theory and observation are thoroughly integrated, with the aid of numerous figures and images. In summary, this volume is an invaluable resource, both as a text for physics and astronomy graduate students, and as a reference for professional scientists.

Star Formation in Galaxy Evolution: Connecting Numerical Models to Reality

Star Formation in Galaxy Evolution: Connecting Numerical Models to Reality
Author: Nickolay Y. Gnedin
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 375
Release: 2015-09-09
Genre: Science
ISBN: 3662478900

This book contains the elaborated and updated versions of the 24 lectures given at the 43rd Saas-Fee Advanced Course. Written by four eminent scientists in the field, the book reviews the physical processes related to star formation, starting from cosmological down to galactic scales. It presents a detailed description of the interstellar medium and its link with the star formation. And it describes the main numerical computational techniques designed to solve the equations governing self-gravitating fluids used for modelling of galactic and extra-galactic systems. This book provides a unique framework which is needed to develop and improve the simulation techniques designed for understanding the formation and evolution of galaxies. Presented in an accessible manner it contains the present day state of knowledge of the field. It serves as an entry point and key reference to students and researchers in astronomy, cosmology, and physics.