Why Are Ring Galaxies Interesting?
Abstract
Compared with ordinary spirals, the ISM in ring galaxies experiences markedly different physical conditions and evolution. As a result, ring galaxies provide interesting perspectives on the triggering/quenching of large scale star formation and the destructive effects of massive stars on molecular cloud complexes. We use high resolution radio, sub-millimeter, infrared, and optical data to investigate the role of gravitational stability in star formation regulation, factors influencing the ISM's molecular fraction, and evidence of peculiar star formation laws and efficiencies in two highly evolved ring galaxies: Cartwheel and the Lindsay-Shapley ring.
Cite
@article{arxiv.1003.4691,
title = {Why Are Ring Galaxies Interesting?},
author = {James L. Higdon and Sarah J. U. Higdon},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1003.4691},
year = {2010}
}
Comments
6 pages with 4 figures (2 color). To appear in the conference proceedings for "Galaxy Wars: Stellar Populations and Star Formation in Interacting Galaxies".