Star Formation Thresholds in Galactic Disks
Astrophysics
2012-08-27 v1
Abstract
We report the first results of a detailed study of the star formation law in a sample of 32 nearby spiral galaxies with well-measured rotation curves, HI and H (as traced by CO) surface density profiles, and new \Ha CCD photometry. Our results strongly support the view that the formation of gravitationally bound interstellar clouds regulates the onset of widespread star formation -- at least in the outer regions of galactic disks.
Cite
@article{arxiv.astro-ph/0103181,
title = {Star Formation Thresholds in Galactic Disks},
author = {Crystal L. Martin and Robert C. Kennicutt,},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:astro-ph/0103181},
year = {2012}
}
Comments
Will appear in July 1 ApJ. Abbreviated abstract. Postscript version available at http://www.astro.caltech.edu/~clm/