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Star formation thresholds derived From THINGS

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 August 2006

F. Bigiel
Affiliation:
Max-Planck Institut für Astronomie, Königstuhl 17, 69117, Heidelberg, Germany
F. Walter
Affiliation:
Max-Planck Institut für Astronomie, Königstuhl 17, 69117, Heidelberg, Germany
E. de Blok
Affiliation:
Research School of Astronomy & Astrophysics, Mount Stromlo Observatory, Cotter Road, 2611, Weston, Australia
E. Brinks
Affiliation:
Centre for Astrophysics Research, Science & Technology Research Institute, University of Hertfordshire, AL10 9AB, Hatfield, UK
B. Madore
Affiliation:
Observatories of the Carnegie Institution of Washington, 813 Santa Barbara St., 91101, Pasadena, USA
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Abstract

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We present first results from THINGS (The HI Nearby Galaxy Survey), which consists of high quality HI maps obtained with the VLA of 34 galaxies across a wide range of galaxy parameters (Hubble type, mass/luminosity). We compare the distribution of HI to the UV emission in our sample galaxies. In particular we present radial profiles of the HI (tracing the neutral interstellar medium) and UV (mainly tracing regions of recent star formation) in our sample galaxies. The azimuthally averaged HI profiles are compared to the predicted critical density above which organized large-scale star formation is believed to start (this threshold is based on the Toomre-Q parameter, which in turn is a measure for local gravitational instability).

Type
Contributed Papers
Copyright
Copyright © International Astronomical Union 2007